Pilot

Pilot is a premier financial services provider that acts as the complete back office for startups and small businesses. Recognized as the largest startup accounting firm in the US, Pilot offers a unique combination of human expertise and sophisticated technology to handle all aspects of a company's finances. This integrated approach ensures that businesses not only stay compliant and tax-ready but also gain valuable financial insights to make strategic decisions. By offloading complex tasks like bookkeeping, tax preparation, and financial planning, Pilot empowers founders and business owners to concentrate on their core operations and long-term growth.

The service is built on a foundation of deep expertise in the startup ecosystem. The Pilot team, comprising over 250 US-based accountants, CFOs, and tax specialists, is well-versed in the unique financial challenges startups face, from managing SAFEs and preparing board decks to navigating complex financing rounds. This specialized knowledge, paired with a powerful in-house software platform, provides clients with real-time visibility into their finances and seamless integration with the tools they already use.

How to use Pilot

Getting started with Pilot is a straightforward, consultative process designed to tailor services to your specific needs:

1. Contact Sales: The initial step is to reach out to the Pilot sales team. They will discuss your business's current stage, financial needs, and long-term goals.
2. Customized Plan: Based on the consultation, Pilot will recommend a suitable plan (Essentials, Core, or a Custom package) that aligns with your operational complexity and budget.
3. Onboarding and Integration: Once you sign up, the Pilot team will guide you through the onboarding process. This involves securely connecting your financial accounts, payment processors, payroll systems, and other relevant tools to their platform.
4. Ongoing Management: After setup, Pilot's team of experts takes over. They handle your monthly bookkeeping, reconcile accounts, and prepare financial statements. You can communicate with your dedicated team via in-app messaging, email, or phone.
5. Access and Reporting: You gain access to the Pilot platform to view your financial data in real-time. Monthly reports, such as the P&L and balance sheet, are delivered consistently, giving you a clear and accurate picture of your financial health.

Core Features of Pilot

• Bookkeeping Services: Provides either cash-basis or accrual-basis bookkeeping, delivering meticulously checked monthly financial statements to ensure accuracy and compliance.
• Tax Preparation and Strategy: Offers comprehensive tax services, including federal and state income tax filings, 1099 preparations, and Delaware Franchise Tax filing, all handled by experts to maximize savings and ensure compliance.
• CFO Services: Provides strategic financial guidance from experienced CFOs. This includes budgeting, financial modeling, KPI tracking, board deck preparation, and fundraising support.
• R&D Tax Credit: Manages the entire process of claiming the R&D tax credit, potentially saving companies up to $500,000 annually.
• Stock Administration: For C corporations, Pilot offers expert management of your cap table through Carta, ensuring it remains accurate and up-to-date for key decisions.
• Integrated Tech Platform: A central platform that provides real-time financial visibility and integrates deeply with tools like QuickBooks, Stripe, Gusto, and more.

Use Cases for Pilot

Pilot is designed for a wide range of businesses with varying needs:

• Pre-Seed to Series C Startups: Companies in the fundraising lifecycle can leverage Pilot for investor-ready financials, accurate bookkeeping for due diligence, and strategic advice from fractional CFOs.
• Small Businesses: Owners who want to focus on their craft rather than administrative tasks can use Pilot to handle all their bookkeeping and tax compliance, giving them peace of mind.
• Consumer Goods & E-commerce Brands: Businesses with complex inventory, multiple sales channels, and cost of goods sold (COGS) tracking can rely on Pilot's expertise in their specific industry.
• Growing Companies Needing Scalability: As a business grows, its financial needs evolve. Pilot's scalable services ensure that you don't have to switch providers, supporting you from a two-person team to a hundred-person organization.

Advantages of Pilot

Pilot stands out as a leader in its field for several key reasons:

• Tech-Forward Approach: The blend of a dedicated finance team with an in-house engineering team results in a superior, automated, and integrated service.
• Unmatched Expertise: As the largest startup accounting firm in the US, they possess deep knowledge of the specific financial intricacies of venture-backed companies.
• Scalability: The service grows with your company. You won't outgrow Pilot, making it the last accounting firm you'll ever need to hire.
• All-in-One Solution: Pilot can be a single point of contact for all back-office financial needs, from daily bookkeeping to high-level strategic planning and tax filing.

Pricing and Plans

Pilot offers transparent, tiered pricing to fit different business sizes and needs:

• Essentials Plan: Starting at $169/month (billed annually) for businesses with up to $15,000 in monthly expenses. Includes monthly cash-basis bookkeeping and a year-end package for your tax preparer.
• Core Plan: Starting at $499/month (billed annually) for businesses with up to $15,000 in monthly expenses. Includes everything in Essentials, plus the option for accrual-basis accounting, faster report delivery, and more detailed insights. Discounts are available for pre-revenue startups.
• Custom Plan: Pricing is tailored to your needs. This plan is for businesses seeking a complete back-office solution, potentially including tax filings, payroll administration, vendor payments, and CFO advisory services.
• Additional Services: Specialized services are available, such as Stock Administration (from $399/hr) and R&D Tax Credit services (20% of the credit received).