Toptal Finance Blog

The Toptal Finance Blog is a hub for in-depth studies and analysis on all facets of finance, ranging from innovative strategies on raising capital to detailed coverage of new finance trends and technologies.

authors are vetted experts in their fields and write on topics in which they have demonstrated experience. All of our content is peer reviewed and validated by Toptal experts in the same field.

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authors are vetted experts in their fields and write on topics in which they have demonstrated experience. All of our content is peer reviewed and validated by Toptal experts in the same field.

Going Global: A Financial Guide for International Expansion

Offshoring can help a company reduce overhead and minimize fixed costs. Whether you’re looking to open an overseas branch or outsource to cross-border contractors, here’s what you need to consider.

12 minute readContinue Reading

Ekaterine (Kate) Papiashvili, ACCA, FMVA

Kate is an expert in FP&A, financial modeling, budgeting, and financial reporting, as well as an experienced fractional CFO. Previously, she worked at the largest bank in Georgia and at Georgia Capital, an FTSE 250 investment holding company with a turnover of more than $400 million.

C Corp, S Corp, LLC? Finding the Best Fit for Your New Business

Figuring out what type of business entity matches your new company’s needs is challenging. Choose wrong, and you could find yourself unable to grow your company the way you want to. Toptal finance expert Scott Hoover, a seasoned CPA and interim CFO, shows how to make the right decision.

20 minute readContinue Reading

Scott Hoover

Scott is a seasoned CPA and interim CFO who has helped clients achieve financial clarity in a wide range of industries. He specializes in high-level monthly financial oversight, accounting software projects, and corporate tax planning.

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How to Build Your Startup’s Financial Model to Grab Investor Interest

Hook investors with a financial model that instantly shows them what they need to know about your startup.

10 minute readContinue Reading

Jeffrey Fidelman

A veteran of VC, Jeffrey now provides investment banking services to early- and mid-stage startups and has served as interim CFO for more than 300 companies and funds.

Remote or On-site? The Real Cost of Office Space for a Venture-backed Startup

For funder-backed startups, brick-and-mortar offices cost more than just money–they dilute founder equity.

13 minute readContinue Reading

Erik Stettler

Erik is a co-founder of a global venture capital fund that has invested in 50 startups (raising more than $500 million) and has realized six exits. He serves as Toptal’s Chief Economist.

Why Your Startup Pitch Needs Sensitivity Analysis

To impress risk-averse investors, you have to prove that you’re ready for whatever may come.

18 minute readContinue Reading

Nicholas Piscani

Nicholas is a corporate strategy and FP&A expert who works with businesses to optimize their operations and execute high-priority strategic initiatives. He has helped entrepreneurs raise more than $600 million through financial modeling and pitch deck development.

Exploring the Post-crash Cryptocurrency Market: Blockchain, Regulations, and Beyond

The 2022 crash shook the cryptocurrency market to its core, but investors are still buying digital coins. How does crypto work, and what does the future hold for it?

17 minute readContinue Reading

Jeffrey Mazer

Jeff is a former CFO, financial expert, and lawyer specializing in financial and investment analysis, as well as legal and regulatory issues relating to business and finance. He was previously Director of Global Liquidity Investment Solutions, Western Regional Manager, at Bank of America and Head of Bankruptcies and Restructurings at Allstate Insurance.

Advantages of Google Sheets: Why It’s Time for Finance Pros to Switch From Excel

Work is more collaborative than ever, and finance pros need a spreadsheet program that can keep up. Google Sheets is ideal for the way we work today.

9 minute readContinue Reading

Stefan Thelin

Stefan is the Director of Data-Driven Insights and Analytics for Cargotec, a leading provider of cargo and loading solutions. He has also served as an M&A director and a startup CFO, and led financial modeling and analysis as a leveraged finance manager at the Royal Bank of Scotland.

Toptal Finance Expert

Neil Portus | CFA, CMA

Neil is a CFO for growth companies and a former equity analyst at Goldman Sachs in NY where he helped lead numerous transactions including Zipcar's $1.1 billion IPO. He was also an equity analyst at Barclays Capital & Lehman Brothers and began his career at a boutique investment bank (M&A, restructuring, debt financings). He's built his operational skills both as a startup founder and as the CFO of an East Africa-focused impact investment firm.