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.

The Metrics Investors Want: Quantitative Forecasting for Early-stage Startups

It’s a catch-22 for young startups: How do you attract investors with compelling financial projections if you don’t have historical data? Here’s a three-part strategy for making the most of what you’ve got to seal the deal.

11-minute readContinue Reading

Sean Heberling

Sean is a General Partner at Addvia Ventures, which invests in early-stage high-growth companies addressing large end markets. He’s also founder and CEO at Marion Street Capital, a firm that helps companies refine forecasts and grow revenue. Previously, he worked at Morgan Stanley and BNY Mellon, and during his career he has facilitated investment transactions exceeding $1 billion.

5 Key Tips for Smarter Sales and Operations Planning Implementation

S&OP can help a company create a long-term business plan to address supply chain disruptions. Make the most of this useful process with these updated best practices.

12-minute readContinue Reading

Juan Franco

Juan is a management consultant and expert in strategy, business planning, and process improvement who has helped implement S&OP at companies in multiple industries in Latin America. He has more than 20 years of experience as a senior and advisory manager for corporations including Mondelez International, Yanbal International, and PwC.

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Better Digital Banking Through Data Analytics

Banks haven’t seen the savings expected from the transition to digital products and services. A leading consultant for some of the largest US banks shares his step-by-step plan for using smarter customer data analytics to slash costs and improve customer satisfaction.

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Mohamed Zarrugh

Mohamed is a finance expert who has held executive internal consulting roles at JPMorgan Chase and Wells Fargo, transforming operations and saving the companies as much as $180 million yearly. He specializes in strategic planning, performance management, and process improvement initiatives.

3 Trends Shaping the Future of Tech Venture Capital in Asia

Asia is one of the hottest venture markets in the world right now. Find out what savvy investors must understand about this culturally and economically diverse region in order to succeed.

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Alec Tseung

Alec is a financial analyst who has executed more than $5 billion in corporate, private equity, and venture capital transactions for Swiss Re and Tencent, China’s leading internet company. He’s also a co-founder of a Hong Kong financial advisory firm with client companies across Asia.

How to Build a 3-statement Model: Best Practices for Valuations and Projections

To value or build projections for a company accurately, you have to factor in working capital projections—and you can’t do that without investing in a three-statement financial model.

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Abdullah Karayumak, CFA

Abdullah is a financial modeling, valuations, and capital raising expert and Chartered Financial Analyst. He’s advised clients ranging from early-stage startups to multibillion-dollar enterprises, most recently for KPMG.

Digital Ledgers vs. Databases: Can Blockchain Optimize Your Supply Chain?

Blockchain isn’t just for cryptocurrency. The technology can also be used to make supply chain management more efficient, transparent, and secure. Here’s how.

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Neil Mann

Neil is a business transformation expert and management consultant with more than 20 years of experience across the financial services, natural resources, hospitality, and fast-moving consumer goods sectors. He has created and implemented digital ledger technology solutions at Kearney and global mining group Rio Tinto, and is a board advisor for LogChain, a digital supply chain logistics platform.

Raising Venture Capital in Down Markets: A Guide to Early-stage Funding

In tough financial times, VCs often focus on shoring up portfolio companies rather than investing in new opportunities. But it’s still possible to raise capital—if you refine your approach.

10-minute readContinue Reading

Erik Stettler

Erik is co-founder of a global venture capital fund that has invested in 50 startups—which together have raised more than $500 million—and has realized six exits. He previously led restructurings of $3 billion in global subsidiaries and M&A deals worth more than $10 billion. He also serves as Toptal’s Chief Economist.

Real Estate Financial Modeling: 3 Costly Mistakes to Avoid

Rising construction costs mean real estate developers are relying on complex—and potentially costly—finance structures more often. Smarter modeling will help keep borrowing costs low.

12-minute readContinue Reading

Robert Finch

Robert is the founder and director of UK-based property finance broker Sativa Finance and an expert in financial modeling. He has worked in real estate finance since 2006, securing ~$1.8 billion in financing for commercial acquisitions and construction projects.

The KPI Cure: How Healthcare Data Analytics Can Improve Medical Center Finances

Runaway costs have plagued the US healthcare system for decades, and providers are always looking for ways to increase efficiency without jeopardizing care. Developing smarter key performance indicators can help.

10-minute readContinue Reading

Sean Heberling

Sean is a Chartered Financial Analyst who serves as the founder and CEO of Marion Street Capital, a management consulting firm that has saved healthcare providers millions through the development of KPIs. Previously, he worked at Morgan Stanley and BNY Mellon. Sean has analyzed 10,000+ companies, built complex models, and helped facilitate investment transactions totaling in excess of $1 billion. Additionally, he is on the boards of several companies, advising on operations, growth strategy, and fundraising.

Name Your Price: 4 Counterintuitive Pricing Strategy Tips

High inflation means it’s crucial for managers to pay closer attention to pricing. Toptal finance expert Kalil Rodrigues shares four outside-the-box tips for optimizing your pricing strategy.

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Kalil Gebrim Rodrigues

Kalil is a corporate strategist, finance expert, and business consultant. An alum of Bain & Company and global aerospace firm Embraer, he has also led strategic initiatives at Nubank, a Latin American fintech leader with more than 50 million customers across Brazil, Mexico, and Colombia. Kalil is an expert in pricing models, revenue and expense projections, forecasting, financial modeling, and mergers and acquisitions.

Forensic Accounting: Due Diligence’s Secret Weapon

More than just a way to investigate financial crimes, forensic accounting is the most in-depth form of due diligence and compliance. But smaller firms often overlook its value. Here’s why that’s risky.

9-minute readContinue Reading

Ryan Zanoni

Ryan is a Senior Editor at Toptal. He has more than 11 years of experience as a writer and editor covering business and technology.

Supply Chain Lessons and Opportunities: Learnings From a Crisis

The supply chain crisis caused global players and local businesses alike to rethink logistics networks. Here’s how the world economy can emerge stronger and more resilient.

11-minute readContinue Reading

Zachary Elfman

Zachary is an expert in financial modeling, fundamental analysis, and valuation. He has completed the sale of a small business, advised on early-stage funding rounds, and acted as interim CFO for startup companies. He holds a master’s degree in economic history from the London School of Economics and Political Science.

Communicating With Investors: Best Practices for Startups

Investors aren’t patrons—they’re business partners, and startups should treat them as such. Regular updates and the occasional call for advice go a long way toward optimizing the relationship.

8-minute readContinue Reading

Christopher Holloway

Christopher is an award-winning journalist covering how technology transforms sectors like banking, manufacturing, and healthcare. Based in Latin America, he previously worked at AmericaEconomia, La Tercera, and Netmedia. He is a Senior Writer for Technology at Toptal.

Refining Your Middle-market Merger Strategy: From Acquisition to Integration

The M&A failure rate runs as high as 90%, and middle-market companies tend to fare worse than larger ones due to more limited resources. Here’s how to ensure that your next acquisition succeeds.

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Michael J. McDonald

Michael is an award-winning journalist who has worked at Bloomberg News and Thomson Financial. He is the Senior Writer for Toptal’s Finance Blog.

Tell a Compelling Story: Pitch Deck Components That Persuade

To persuade investors to fund your startup, your pitch deck must do more than present a solid business case. It must generate an emotional response.

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Brian Nichol

Brian is a seasoned finance expert who has held multiple corporate SVP roles and has been a consultant for startups seeking advice on fundraising and valuing their businesses. Having successfully raised seed capital for his own startup, he has a deep understanding of the commercial and operational aspects of starting a business.

The New Risk Management Playbook: Black Swans and the Rise of Scenario Analysis

Want a risk management strategy that fosters resilience and reveals new opportunities? Shift your focus from predicting events to preparing for impacts.

9-minute readContinue Reading

Michael J. McDonald

Michael is an award-winning journalist who has worked at Bloomberg News and Thomson Financial. He is a Senior Writer for Toptal’s Finance Blog.

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.