A retained finance function for businesses that have outgrown bookkeeping but do not yet need a full-time CFO: monthly MIS on a fixed close calendar, a 13-week cash view, working-capital discipline and numbers a board or lender can rely on.
| Item | Position |
|---|---|
| Rhythm | Close → MIS → review call, on fixed dates each month |
| Comparability | Formats standardised at onboarding — month 6 reads like month 1 |
| Foundation | Requires reconciled books; clean-up is scoped first if needed |
| Systems | Zoho Books, QuickBooks; Tally via defined exports |
The monthly reporting pack (MIS, cash-flow forecast, variance commentary), the close checklist evidencing what was verified, and a quarterly review note with trends and action points.
Accounting-system access, bank and loan statements, payroll register, GST/TDS workings, prior-year financials, and a management contact for the monthly review. A responsibility matrix records who provides what, by when.
Transactions recorded on time (or bookkeeping added to scope), data furnished per the responsibility matrix, and business decisions with management — the firm reports and advises; management decides.
Statutory audit, tax representation, valuation and transaction advisory are separate engagements. Fund-raising outcomes, lending decisions and business results are outside any provider's control and are not assured.
How is this different from our accountant?
Bookkeeping records transactions. The Virtual CFO layer closes the month, verifies numbers against a checklist, converts them into MIS and cash views, and discusses them with you — the difference between having data and having a position.
Can this start if the books are behind?
Yes — a historical clean-up is scoped first so the MIS starts from a reliable base. Reporting built on unreconciled books is not offered.
What does the monthly rhythm look like?
A close calendar fixed at onboarding: books closed by an agreed working day, MIS circulated on a set date, review call thereafter — recorded in the engagement letter, not assumed.
Which systems do you work on?
Zoho Books and QuickBooks natively; Tally via an export-based close. Where the system itself is the problem, migration is scoped separately.
Is there a minimum commitment?
Retainers are periodic engagements reviewed at an agreed frequency; terms and notice periods sit in the engagement letter.
The applicable scope, documentation, professional responsibilities and timelines are agreed in an engagement letter before commencement.
Bookkeeping & AccountingZoho Books SetupFinance AutomationRequest a Scope DiscussionThis page describes the service in general terms as on 6 August 2026 and is not professional advice or an assurance of any outcome. Registrations, filings, refunds and departmental outcomes depend on facts and the concerned authority. Figures and due dates change; verify current positions before acting.
| Compliance | Due | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly close | By the 10th (good practice) | Feeds GSTR-3B, TDS and MIS on time |
| GST + TDS calendar | 11th / 13th / 15th / 20th | Books must be reconciliation-ready |
| Audit trail software | Mandatory for companies | Rule 3(1), Companies (Accounts) Rules |
| MIS / cash-flow pack | Monthly | Investors and banks expect it |
| Year-end audit prep | From April | Schedule III + ICAI disclosures |
Dates as generally applicable on 15 July 2026; extensions/notifications can change them — confirm current dates before relying.
State of books, systems and reporting reviewed.
Scope, calendar, responsibilities, exclusions, fees.
Chart-of-accounts and format standardisation.
Close → MIS → review discussion.
Trends, budget reset, action points.
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