Toptal Finance Blog

In this article, Toptal Finance Expert Scott Hoover runs through a useful list of the top ten most common mistakes he encounters with respect to the accounting practice in small businesses. By avoiding these mistakes, entrepreneurs can ensure they stop wasting money and stifling the growth prospects of their company.

Valuation of private fintech startups is a step-by-step process that requires a holistic assessment of macro industrial factors and micro assumptions about the startup's future prospects. Learn how to value fintech companies in a practical step-by-step manner with this working example for payments unicorn Transferwise.

In this article, Toptal Finance Expert Jacob Decter unpacks the concept of buyer power, one of the Five Forces that Michael Porter popularized in his now famous framework, providing useful insights and tips to businesses looking to stay ahead of the game and thrive.

Buying out the business you work for and then running it yourself doesn’t have to be a pipe dream. Management buyouts (MBOs) have been popular since the 1980s and when aligned correctly are appealing propositions for owners and motivated management teams.

Exchange rate fluctuation is an everyday occurrence. From the holidaymaker planning a trip abroad to the multinational organization buying and selling in multiple countries, the impact of getting it wrong can be substantial. This useful guide by Toptal Finance Expert Paul Ainsworth draws on 30+ years of experience as a CFO of large multinational companies to lay out the menu of options companies face in order to deal with foreign exchange exposure and manage risk effectively.

You are ready to start a business. You have a great idea and a great team. You’ve thought through your plan. Everything is primed. You’re ready to form an official legal entity and are faced with the question: What business entity type makes the most sense for my new company? Choosing between the different options is one of the most common questions (and frustrations) entrepreneurs face. In this article, Toptal Finance Expert Scott Hoover lays out a useful guide to help entrepreneurs think through the menu of options they face.

Compared to traditional financial services businesses, fintech startups require different valuation approaches. This article explores these differences and the best practices to apply when appraising a fintech investment.

Anyone vaguely familiar with the venture capital industry knows that down rounds are bad news. But what exactly are they, and why do they occur? What alternatives do founders have to avoid a down round? Toptal Finance Expert Natasha Ketabchi draws on her experience in the VC industry to run through the mechanics of a down round, its implications and effects, and concludes by offering some vital advice for founders and investors keen to avoid the dreaded down round.