Pilot

Accounting & Finance

4.0(18 ratings)

80% recommend

Pilot offers bookkeeping and tax services tailored for startups and small businesses.

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About Pilot

Best for startups and SMBs wanting fully managed bookkeeping services.

Pilot is a managed bookkeeping and financial services provider that handles accounting, tax preparation, and CFO services for startups and growing businesses. Rather than offering self-service software, Pilot pairs companies with dedicated bookkeeping teams who use technology to deliver accurate monthly financial statements and reports. It was co-founded by Waseem Daher, Jeff Arnold, and Jessica McKellar — repeat entrepreneurs who previously built and sold companies to Oracle and Dropbox. Pilot is particularly well-suited for venture-backed startups and e-commerce businesses that need reliable financials but don't want to hire an in-house accounting team. It's essentially outsourced accounting with a tech-forward approach, backed by investors like Sequoia Capital and Bezos Expeditions.

Pros

Dedicated bookkeeping team handles everything for you
Built specifically for startups and growing companies
Offers CFO services for strategic financial guidance
Accrual and cash basis accounting both supported
Tax preparation included in higher-tier plans

Cons

Pricing is significantly higher than DIY accounting software
Less control compared to managing books yourself
No free tier or low-cost entry plan available
May be overkill for very early pre-revenue startups

Use Cases

Best for VC-backed startups needing investor-ready monthly financial reports

Best for e-commerce businesses with complex revenue recognition and high transaction volume

Best for founders who want to outsource bookkeeping entirely and focus on product

Best for growing companies needing fractional CFO advisory without a full-time hire

Key Features

5 features

Dedicated bookkeeping team for startups

Monthly financial reporting and analysis

Tax preparation and filing services

Real-time expense tracking and categorization

Customizable financial dashboards for insights

SaasHunter Score

7.2/10

“You're a startup seeking tailored bookkeeping and tax services without hiring in-house accountants.”

Ease of Use

7.0

Features

8.0

Pricing

6.0

Support

8.0

Integrations

7.0

Best For

Startups 9Small Business 8Agencies 7Freelancers 6Enterprise 5

Integrations

QuickBooks OnlineStripeGustoBrexExpensifyBill.comShopifyRippling

Bookkeeping Services Financial Reporting Financial Services Accounting Software

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Pilot?

Pilot is a managed accounting and bookkeeping service designed for startups and small businesses. It provides dedicated finance teams who handle bookkeeping, tax preparation, and CFO-level advisory so founders can focus on running their business.

How much does Pilot cost?

Pilot's pricing starts at around $800-$900 per month for its core bookkeeping plan and scales up based on company size and services needed. Tax preparation, R&D tax credits, and CFO services are available at additional cost or on higher-tier plans.

What are the main features of Pilot?

Pilot's core offerings include professional bookkeeping with monthly financial statements, tax preparation and filing, R&D tax credit calculations, and fractional CFO services. It also provides a dashboard for reviewing reports and communicating with your dedicated finance team.

Who should use Pilot?

Pilot is ideal for venture-backed startups, e-commerce companies, and growing small businesses that need professional-grade accounting but aren't ready to hire a full in-house finance team. It's especially popular among tech startups that want clean books for fundraising and board reporting.

Is there a free plan for Pilot?

No, Pilot does not offer a free plan. It is a premium managed service with pricing that reflects having a dedicated team of professional bookkeepers handling your finances.