This course develops and illustrates a set of tools needed to provide accounting and related functions for private, entrepreneurial firms. The class follows the life-cycle of a business that originates as a start-up and will cover the accounting-related financial metrics, and the managerial, financial and tax accounting issues that are needed by an entrepreneur.
We will cover topics relevant at the earliest stages of a business, such as setting up the initial accounting infrastructure and tracking the company's Capitalization Table, move on to growth-stage issues such as how to most effectively scale up the firm (including discussion of how Generative AI can aid faster scaling with fewer employees), and end with discussion about the company’s exit. The exit would typically be to a strategic buyer, a private equity firm, or via going public using an IPO, SPAC or direct listing.
