The tech industry is synonymous with rapid change and evolution. How does Sleek support startups during periods of scaling, pivoting, or significant growth, especially in terms of managing financial complexities?
It took me two years to understand that we’re a SwaS – Software with a Service. Our clients are with us because we get things done. Whether we do it with tech or not, they don’t really care as long as we deliver within the imparted time at the agreed price.
With our human-first approach, supported by tech, we’re able to be flexible and there when you need us. The ability of our clients to make it through their first years (and the following ones) is everything to us, so we’ll be there when they need us.
If we look at the share capital of all the companies we have registered, we’re around $10B. Each year, all our accounting clients’ revenue combined is around $2-3B.
We have been around for seven years, so we’ve had our fair share of big learnings, and all sorts of enquiries coming from clients. All the accounting and compliance data we have is a unique source of knowledge, allowing us to address all kinds of situations and questions.
We’re currently having fun working hard on a few generative AI projects to leverage the unique knowledge we have. The prototypes are really interesting and I am overly excited by the value they will bring to our clients on their growth journey.
Serving over 450,000 clients is an impressive feat. Could you provide insights into how Sleek manages to uphold its personalised services and human-centric approach, even with such a high volume of clients?
Our philosophy for client service is all about ‘fit for purpose’. We provide the level of service that early-stage start-ups need, at a fair price point. Think of it like catching a Jetstar or Virgin flight vs. a business class flight adapted to accounting – without the delays!
We understand that our service might not be for everyone, but we are convinced the level of attention, time and expertise we can provide smaller size start-ups (between 1-40 employees) is perfect for that end of the market.
Julien and I are obsessed with client satisfaction – this is the #1 priority. Obviously, we measure and track everything client-facing to ensure that we’re pacing correctly, and learning when we need to. We’re cruising at 97% satisfaction, with over 16,000 reviews from clients in the last year.
Finally, for any entrepreneur who is currently navigating the early stages of their We startup journey, what advice would you offer to assist them in effectively managing their financial and accounting needs?
Keep your books neat: Don’t let your financial paperwork turn into a mess, it can bring your business down. It’s like a garden that you need to tend to regularly! Keep a close eye on your finances. Use tools such as Xero, it’s great to start and track your performance.
Know your ASIC duties: If you’re a director, remember you’ve got some yearly obligations. Following the rules is simple. Forgetting about them can be very costly and with consequences. If you intend to raise funds, it’s best to have this cleared.
If you’re running out of time to manage these two principles, find the right partner to support you: Life is too short and building a business as a founder is about growth. Not spending a lot of time on your books. Having the right partner is like having a buddy for your startup journey. Look for an accountant who understands what startups are all about. They can help you make smart money moves and keep you out of financial hot water.
We founded Sleek after a frustrating experience with an accountant being a pain. We’ve decided to build the opposite of that traditional model: we are very responsive and will support your business. Thanks to that, we made our way to the top 2% of Xero partners globally within only 2 years.
Hit us up, tell us about the challenge you’re facing, and we’ll share how we can help you.
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