Our Approach

We start with strategy.
Then we run the numbers.

Before any bookkeeping begins, we run a financial diagnostic, design your ideal finance model, and define the operating cadence that fits your business. Then we operate it for you, every month.

Day 1 → Day 45
Onboarding TimelineProven
Day 1–7: DiagnosticBooks review, gap analysis, CoA design
Day 7–21: SetupSystem config, integrations, cleanup
Day 21–30: Parallel runShadow close with your team
Day 30–45: First closeController-reviewed deliverable
✓ Dedicated controller · Slack access · Weekly check-ins
First Close: Day 30Guaranteed
The process

What happens after you book a call.

A structured onboarding that establishes both the bookkeeping foundation and controller oversight — then maintains them together, every period.

01

Discovery Call — 30 min

We learn your business model, current setup, and what financial visibility you need. No commitment required.

02

Financial Diagnostic — 2–10 days

We review your existing books, chart of accounts, and identify gaps and structural issues. You get a clear scope and cost estimate.

03

Cleanup & Architecture — 1–4 weeks

Historical issues corrected. Chart of accounts restructured. Platform setup completed. First automations deployed.

04

Controls & Reporting Design — Week 2–3

Internal controls, approval workflows, and the management reporting package designed for your business.

05

First Close Delivered — Day 30–45

Your first full close cycle — reconciliations, financials, and reporting package. Controller-reviewed and GAAP-compliant.

06

Ongoing Finance Operations — Ongoing

Every period: books closed, controller-reviewed, and a management package delivered on the cadence that fits your business.

Our principles

How we think about finance.

Controller oversight is non-negotiable

Every deliverable is reviewed and signed off by a controller before it reaches you. No exceptions.

Accrual-basis by default

Cash-basis books distort your real financial picture. We build on accrual accounting from day one.

Structure before software

The right chart of accounts and reporting structure matters more than the platform you're on.

AI handles volume. Controllers handle judgment.

We use Claude and OpenClaw to automate repetitive close tasks — every output reviewed by a human before delivery.

The problem with most finance firms

Why we built TMA differently.

Bookkeepers without oversight

Most small businesses hire a bookkeeper and assume the work is done. Without controller oversight, errors accumulate and nobody catches them.

Retainers that don't align incentives

Flat retainers mean the firm gets paid the same whether they spend 10 hours or 40. Efficiency gains go to the firm, not to you.

Software that replaces judgment

Automation tools that categorize transactions without human review. Fast, cheap, and wrong in ways that matter.

Reports that describe, not prescribe

Financial reports that tell you what happened last month with no context, no variance analysis, and no recommendations.

By the numbers

What our approach delivers.

100%
Upwork Job Success Score
0
Businesses served
0
Proposal turnaround after discovery call
0
Industries served
Common questions

About our approach.

What does 'controller-led' actually mean?

It means a controller — not a bookkeeper — is responsible for the accuracy of your financials. Every close is reviewed by someone with the expertise to catch errors, apply accounting judgments, and ensure GAAP compliance.

How does AI fit into your process?

We use AI (Claude and OpenClaw) to automate repetitive close tasks — transaction categorization, reconciliation, and report generation. Every output is reviewed by a controller before it reaches you. AI handles volume. Controllers handle judgment.

How is TMA different from a fractional CFO firm?

Most fractional CFO firms provide strategic advice without doing the underlying accounting work. TMA does both — we build and maintain the financial infrastructure, and provide strategic guidance on top of accurate, current data.

Ready to build a finance function that works?

Start with a 30-minute discovery call. No commitment required.