Startup Burn Audit: Measure the Return on Every Spend
Most startup burn goes to three things: marketing, technology and vendors, and deals. The Startup Burn Audit reviews every spend line, measures the return on each, and shows what to cut, renegotiate, build or keep, in 30 days. It is led by a qualified CPA who also reads marketing analytics, speaks engineering and negotiates vendor terms.
What we review
- Marketing and growth: cost per lead, CAC, payback and return by channel, from Analytics, Search Console and your sales data
- Technology and vendors: every subscription, API, agency and contract, with cost against usage and value
- Build versus buy: where a tool, integration or app can be built for less, or should stay bought
- Commercial terms: pricing, payment terms and renewals worth renegotiating
- Controls and compliance: approval limits, documentation and audit readiness
What you receive
- A spend map tied to your cash forecast and runway
- A return ranking of every channel and vendor
- A list of decisions: cut, renegotiate, build or keep, with an estimated effect on runway
- Negotiation preparation for the vendors that matter
- A live dashboard so the review continues each month
How it works
- Week 1: access to accounting, bank, analytics and contracts; spend map
- Week 2: return analysis by channel and vendor
- Week 3: build-versus-buy review and negotiation plan
- Week 4: decisions, dashboard handover and the plan for the next 90 days
Scope and fee are agreed in writing before work starts. Savings and returns are estimated from your data and are not guaranteed.
Who it is for
- Founder-led startups spending on marketing, software and vendors without a clear view of the return
- Startups preparing for a raise that want to show disciplined spending
- Startups whose runway is shorter than they would like
Next step
Book a free discovery call. We look at your numbers and agree whether a Burn Audit fits.
Frequently asked questions
A structured review of every spend line, measuring the return on each and deciding what to cut, renegotiate, build or keep, so runway lasts longer.
Do you guarantee savings?No. Savings and returns are estimated from your data. We agree scope and fee in writing and show our workings.
Do you also do the marketing or the build?The audit measures and decides. If you want something built, such as a dashboard or an integration, we agree it as a separate scope.
How long does it take?A typical audit takes about 30 days, depending on how many channels, vendors and contracts there are.
Want this set up for your startup?
Book a free discovery call. We review your numbers and agree what to fix first, with no cost and no obligation.
Written by Akram El-Karrar, CPA, from the work we do for startups every week.