
Master the cogs journal entry process with this practical guide, covering everything from inventory tracking to accurate financial reporting.
Understanding your business's true profitability starts with one key metric: the cost of goods sold (COGS). This number represents the direct cost of making the products you sell, and getting it right is crucial for your financial health. The key to accuracy is knowing how to record cost of goods sold with the proper `cogs journal entry`. This guide provides a clear, actionable roadmap for everything from the initial `purchasing inventory journal entry` to the final `cost of goods sold journal entry`. We'll also cover different accounting methods and show you how to use COGS data to make smarter business decisions.
Cost of Goods Sold (COGS) represents the direct costs tied to producing the goods your company sells. Think of it as the sum of all the expenses directly related to creating your products, from raw materials to the labor involved in assembling them. Understanding COGS is fundamental for any business owner because it's key to determining profitability and making smart financial decisions.
COGS isn't just about tracking expenses; it directly impacts your bottom line. Calculating COGS accurately is essential for setting the right prices, managing expenses effectively, and ensuring profitability. It's also crucial for accurate tax reporting, helping you stay compliant and minimize your tax burden. Miscalculating COGS can lead to incorrect tax filings and potential penalties, so accuracy is essential. As Storific explains in their expense management guide, precise COGS reporting is essential for determining the correct tax amount. Green Growth CPAs reinforces this, emphasizing the importance of accurate COGS for compliance and minimizing tax issues.
So, what exactly goes into calculating COGS? It includes all the direct costs involved in producing your goods. This typically covers raw materials, direct labor costs tied to production, and manufacturing overhead. Manufacturing overhead can include things like rent for your production facility, utilities used in manufacturing, and the depreciation of manufacturing equipment. It's important to distinguish between direct costs (included in COGS) and indirect costs, like marketing or administrative expenses (not included in COGS). A common mistake, as pointed out by Irvine Bookkeeping, is overlooking direct labor costs in COGS calculations. Accurate record-keeping is paramount. The IRS requires businesses to maintain detailed inventory records for proper COGS calculation and determining taxable income. Clearly understanding what constitutes COGS is the first step toward accurate financial reporting and informed decision-making. At HubiFi, we help businesses accurately track and report COGS. Schedule a demo to learn more.
It's easy to mix up COGS with other business costs, but the distinction is crucial for understanding your profitability. The simplest way to think about it is that COGS covers the direct costs of making your product, while Operating Expenses (OpEx) are the indirect costs of running your business. As financial experts at Leapfin note, OpEx isn't directly tied to producing a specific item. For example, the cost of raw materials and the wages of factory workers are part of COGS. In contrast, expenses like marketing campaigns, office rent, and the salaries of your sales team fall under OpEx. Separating these costs allows you to calculate your gross profit (Revenue - COGS), which shows how efficiently you produce and sell your goods before other expenses are factored in.
This is a common question, and the answer is usually no—the cost of shipping products to your customers is not part of COGS. Instead, these outbound shipping fees are considered an operating expense, typically falling under the category of selling, general, and administrative (SG&A) expenses. This is because the cost is incurred after the product is ready for sale. However, it's important to note that the cost of shipping raw materials or components to your factory (inbound shipping) is a different story. Those costs are directly related to production and are typically included in the COGS calculation, often as part of the raw material cost.
You’ll often see the terms "Cost of Goods Sold" and "Cost of Sales" used, and it can be confusing to know if they mean the same thing. The short answer is yes, they are essentially interchangeable. According to QuickBooks, both terms refer to the direct expenses a business incurs to create the products it sells or to deliver a service. While they mean the same thing, you might see them used in different contexts. "COGS" is more traditionally used by businesses that sell physical products, like manufacturers and retailers. "Cost of Sales" is a broader term that is often favored by service-based businesses or companies that sell a mix of products and services, as it more accurately reflects the costs associated with delivering those services.
While COGS is most commonly associated with physical products, some service-based businesses have it, too. The key difference comes down to whether the business carries inventory. For example, a plumber or a construction company has direct costs tied to the services they provide, such as the pipes, spare parts, and other materials used on a job. These material costs, combined with the direct labor of the service provider, would be calculated as COGS. On the other hand, a pure service business like an accounting firm or a doctor's office typically does not have COGS because they don't sell physical inventory. Their primary expenses, like salaries and software subscriptions, are considered operating expenses. No matter your business model, getting your cost structure right is key. At HubiFi, we help businesses with complex revenue streams get a clear picture of their financials through our seamless integrations.
Calculating the cost of goods sold (COGS) might seem intimidating, but it's a straightforward process once you break it down. Understanding COGS is crucial for determining profitability and making informed business decisions. This section provides a clear, step-by-step guide, along with a practical example, to help you master COGS calculations.
To accurately calculate COGS, follow these steps:
Determine Beginning Inventory: Start by figuring out the value of your inventory at the beginning of your accounting period. This is the cost of all the goods you had on hand ready to sell.
Add Purchases: Add the cost of any new inventory purchased during the accounting period. This includes all costs directly tied to acquiring the goods, such as the purchase price, freight-in costs, and any applicable taxes.
Add Additional Costs: Include other costs directly related to getting your inventory ready for sale. This might involve things like manufacturing or production costs, packaging, and even the labor costs associated with preparing the goods. For many businesses, these costs are considered overhead costs.
Calculate Total Inventory Costs: Sum up the beginning inventory, purchases, and additional costs to get your total cost of inventory available for sale.
Determine Ending Inventory: Figure out the value of the inventory that remains unsold at the end of the accounting period. This requires a physical inventory count or an estimate based on your inventory management system. For help managing inventory, explore dedicated inventory management software.
Calculate Ending Inventory Cost: Apply a suitable inventory costing method, such as FIFO (First-In, First-Out), LIFO (Last-In, First-Out), or weighted average cost, to determine the monetary value of your ending inventory. AccountingTools offers a helpful explanation of these methods.
Calculate COGS: Finally, subtract the cost of your ending inventory from the total cost of inventory available for sale (calculated in step 4). The result is your COGS for the accounting period. For automated COGS calculations and revenue recognition, consider exploring solutions like HubiFi.
Let's illustrate with an example. Imagine you own a small business selling handmade candles.
Therefore, your COGS for the month would be $2,200 (total inventory costs - cost of ending inventory). This example demonstrates how COGS is calculated in a practical scenario. For more detailed examples, especially regarding journal entries, resources like Escalon can be helpful. Understanding this calculation is essential for accurate financial reporting and informed decision-making.
This section explains how to record your cost of goods sold. Understanding this process is crucial for accurate financial reporting.
So, why do we go through the trouble of this specific journal entry? It all boils down to a core accounting concept: the matching principle. This rule dictates that you must record expenses, like COGS, in the exact same period you record the revenue they helped generate. For example, if you sell a product and recognize the revenue in May, the cost of creating that product must also be recorded as a May expense. This is more than just tidy bookkeeping; it’s fundamental to getting an honest look at your profitability. As Patriot Software notes, failing to match revenues with their costs will give you a skewed view of your finances. By correctly aligning these numbers on your income statement, you get a clear picture of your true profit, which is critical for setting smart prices and managing your business well.
A cost of goods sold journal entry decreases your inventory cost by the amount you sold to customers. It reflects the transfer of costs from your inventory to expenses once the goods are sold. This involves two key accounts: Cost of Goods Sold (COGS) and Inventory. The process involves debiting the COGS expense account and crediting the inventory account. This straightforward entry represents the flow of goods from your shelves to your customers.
Every time you make a sale, you need to record the transaction in your books. This first journal entry captures the revenue you've earned and any sales tax you've collected for the government. For example, if you sell a product for $100 with an 8% sales tax ($8), you'll receive $108 from the customer. In your journal, you would debit your Cash account for $108. Then, you would credit your Revenue account for $100 and your Sales Tax Payable account for $8. This entry ensures your books are balanced and clearly distinguishes your actual earnings from the tax you owe. For businesses with a high volume of transactions, manually tracking these entries is prone to error, which is why many use automated solutions to maintain compliance and accuracy.
Once you've recorded the revenue, the second step is to account for the cost of the item you sold. This entry is what moves the product's cost from an asset (Inventory) to an expense (COGS). Continuing with our example, let's say the $100 product cost you $40 to produce. You would debit your COGS account for $40, which officially recognizes that cost as an expense on your income statement. Simultaneously, you would credit your Inventory account for $40, which reduces the value of your inventory on the balance sheet. This two-part process gives you a clear and accurate picture of your profitability on each sale. Keeping these records perfectly aligned is vital, especially when using different sales and accounting systems, making seamless data integrations a critical component of efficient financial operations.
Think of it this way: when you make a sale, you record two entries. You debit COGS, which increases your expenses, and credit Inventory, which decreases the value of your inventory because you've sold some of it. This double-entry system ensures your books stay balanced. For a more detailed breakdown, Escalon Services offers a clear explanation of recording a cost of goods sold entry. By debiting the Cost of Goods Sold account and crediting the Inventory account, you accurately reflect the financial impact of selling your products.
At the heart of every accounting entry, including the one for COGS, is the principle of double-entry accounting. This fundamental concept states that every financial transaction has equal and opposite effects in at least two different accounts. Think of it as a balancing act for your books. When you sell a product, you're not just recording the cash you received; you also need to account for the product that left your inventory. This is where the COGS entry comes in. By debiting COGS, you increase your expenses, and by crediting Inventory, you decrease the value of your on-hand stock. This two-sided entry ensures your financial statements remain accurate and balanced, reflecting both the revenue from the sale and the cost associated with it. For businesses with high transaction volumes, keeping these entries balanced can be complex, which is where automated solutions that handle integrations with your accounting software become invaluable.
This section clarifies how cost of goods sold (COGS) journal entries affect both your COGS expense account and your inventory account. Understanding these impacts is crucial for accurate financial reporting and informed decision-making.
The COGS expense account reflects the direct costs tied to producing and selling your products or services. When you make a COGS journal entry, you debit this account. This debit increases the balance of the COGS expense account, accurately representing the cost of the goods you've sold during a specific accounting period. Think of it as tallying up the value of what you've used to generate revenue. For a more detailed explanation of COGS accounting, take a look at this guide from Ramp.
Your inventory account represents the value of the goods you currently have available to sell. When you sell these goods, their associated costs shift from your inventory account to your COGS expense account. This transfer is reflected in the COGS journal entry by crediting the inventory account, which decreases its balance. This accurately shows the reduction in the value of goods on hand after the sale. For a closer look at the mechanics of COGS journal entries, explore this resource from Stream Your Accounting. This dynamic between the COGS expense account and the inventory account is fundamental to precise cost accounting.
Understanding your cost of goods sold (COGS) is more than just a number-crunching exercise. It directly influences your company's financial health and the decisions you make about your future. Let's explore how COGS plays a crucial role in shaping your financial statements.
COGS is the backbone of your gross profit calculation. This key metric, representing revenue minus COGS, shows how efficiently your business turns inventory into revenue. A healthy gross profit indicates you have enough funds left over after covering production costs to handle other operating expenses like marketing and administrative costs. Knowing your gross profit helps you understand your overall profitability and make informed decisions about pricing strategies and cost control. If your gross profit margin starts to shrink, it's a signal to examine your COGS and identify areas for potential improvement. For a deeper understanding of COGS and its impact on profitability, explore this helpful resource on understanding COGS.
While gross profit gives you a dollar amount, the gross profit margin converts that figure into a percentage that shows your profitability on each sale. You can calculate it with a simple formula: (Gross Profit / Total Revenue) x 100. This percentage tells you how much profit you make from each dollar of revenue before factoring in other business expenses. For example, if your business generated $5,000 in revenue with a COGS of $2,200, your gross profit is $2,800. Your gross profit margin would be 56%. Tracking this margin over time is essential. A declining percentage is a clear signal that you need to re-evaluate your pricing or find ways to reduce your COGS. Having precise, real-time data is key to this analysis, as it allows you to make strategic adjustments quickly. For more on financial ratios, check out this helpful overview from Investopedia.
Beyond gross profit, COGS also has a ripple effect on your net income, the bottom line of your income statement. Since COGS is an expense, it directly reduces your net income. Accurately calculating and reporting your COGS is essential for determining your tax liability. Miscalculations can lead to incorrect tax filings and potential penalties. Maintaining precise COGS records ensures compliance with tax regulations and helps minimize your tax burden, contributing to a healthier financial outlook for your business. For a deeper dive into the tax implications, resources like this article on the impact of COGS on business taxes offer valuable insights. By understanding the relationship between COGS, gross profit, net income, and taxes, you can make more strategic decisions to drive profitability and ensure long-term financial stability. Consider scheduling a data consultation to discuss how optimizing COGS reporting can benefit your business.
While COGS appears on your income statement, it has a direct and significant impact on your balance sheet. The key connection is your inventory account, which is listed as a current asset. Think of your inventory as a holding area for value. Before a sale, the cost of your products sits comfortably on the balance sheet within this inventory account. When a sale happens, the cost of that specific item must shift from your inventory account to the COGS expense. This journal entry—crediting inventory and debiting COGS—reduces the value of your inventory on the balance sheet, accurately reflecting that the goods are no longer in your possession. This is why precise inventory management is non-negotiable; it ensures both your income statement and balance sheet present a true picture of your company's financial health.
Choosing the right COGS accounting method is crucial for accurate financial reporting. Each method has its own implications for your business’s financial statements and taxes. Let's break down three common methods: FIFO, LIFO, and weighted average cost.
The FIFO method (First-In, First-Out) assumes that the oldest inventory items are sold first. Imagine a stack of pancakes—you eat the one on top first, right? FIFO works the same way. This method is particularly relevant when dealing with perishable goods or products subject to obsolescence. During periods of rising prices, FIFO generally results in lower COGS and higher profits. This is because the older, less expensive items are used to calculate the cost of goods sold.
LIFO (Last-In, First-Out) is the opposite of FIFO. With this method, the most recently purchased items are assumed to be sold first. Using the pancake analogy, you'd somehow be eating from the bottom of the stack. While permitted under U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), LIFO is not allowed under International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). LIFO can result in higher COGS and lower profits during periods of rising prices, as the newer, more expensive items are factored into the cost of goods sold. This can, however, offer potential tax advantages in some regions by reducing your reported income.
The weighted average cost method offers a more straightforward approach. It calculates the average cost of all inventory items available for sale during a specific period. This method smooths out price fluctuations, providing a consistent measure of COGS. It's a good option for businesses that sell products that are largely indistinguishable from each other, like nails or screws. This simplifies inventory management and provides a more stable COGS figure.
Your choice of costing method isn't just a technical decision—it has real financial implications, especially during periods of inflation. When prices are rising, the FIFO method matches older, lower-cost inventory against current revenue, which can result in higher reported profits and, consequently, a larger tax bill. Conversely, the LIFO method matches your newest, most expensive inventory against sales, leading to lower reported profits and a potential tax advantage. The weighted-average method acts as a buffer, smoothing out these price fluctuations. Choosing the right approach requires a clear understanding of how each method impacts your financials during different economic cycles.
Precise COGS calculations are crucial for understanding your business's profitability and making informed decisions. Accurate tracking ensures you're not overstating or understating expenses, which directly impacts your tax liability. Miscalculations can lead to incorrect tax filings and potential penalties. Think of it like building a house: a faulty foundation compromises the entire structure. Similarly, inaccurate COGS data can undermine your financial stability. Maintaining detailed records of your inventory costs, purchases, and sales is essential for calculating COGS accurately and complying with tax regulations. Even seemingly small discrepancies can compound over time, creating significant issues later. Recording expenses in the correct tax year is also vital for accurate financial reporting. Choosing the right inventory accounting method also has significant tax implications, especially during price fluctuations.
Your inventory management system is the engine behind your COGS calculation. The two primary methods are perpetual and periodic. A perpetual inventory system continuously updates your records in real-time. Every time a sale or purchase occurs, the system automatically adjusts inventory levels and records the corresponding COGS. This provides a constant, accurate view of your inventory and profitability. In contrast, a periodic system updates inventory at specific intervals, like monthly or annually, after a physical count. COGS is then calculated for the entire period at once. While simpler for some small businesses, this method can lead to discrepancies and doesn't provide the real-time data needed for agile decision-making. For high-volume businesses, a perpetual system is almost always the better choice for maintaining accurate financials.
Real-time inventory systems offer a solution to the challenges of manual COGS tracking. These systems automatically update inventory levels with each sale, providing a current snapshot of your available stock. This eliminates the need for time-consuming physical inventory counts and reduces the risk of errors. By integrating your inventory management system with your accounting software, you can streamline the COGS calculation process. This automation not only saves time but also ensures greater accuracy in your financial reporting. Accurate COGS journal entries are essential for reflecting the true cost of sales in your financial records. Real-time systems help ensure that each journal entry accurately reflects the movement of inventory and associated costs, minimizing the risk of overreporting or underreporting COGS. For high-volume businesses, real-time inventory management is especially valuable. It provides up-to-the-minute data needed to make informed decisions about pricing, production, and purchasing. This visibility empowers businesses to optimize operations and improve profits. Consider exploring solutions like HubiFi, which offers automated revenue recognition and seamless integrations with popular accounting software, ERPs, and CRMs. You can learn more about how HubiFi can help streamline your financial operations by scheduling a demo or visiting our website. For more insights on optimizing your financial processes, check out the HubiFi blog.
For high-volume businesses, manually tracking inventory and calculating COGS isn't just tedious—it's a recipe for errors that can skew your financial data. This is where automation becomes a game-changer. HubiFi is designed to tackle this exact problem by connecting all your disparate data sources into one cohesive system. By creating seamless integrations with your existing accounting software, ERP, and CRM, HubiFi automates the entire process. This means your inventory levels and COGS are updated in real-time with every sale, ensuring your journal entries are always accurate and your financials are compliant. The result? You can close your books faster, pass audits with confidence, and gain the clear data visibility you need to make smarter decisions about pricing and purchasing. If you're ready to move past manual tracking, you can schedule a demo to see how it works.
Solid COGS reporting is the backbone of sound financial management. It helps you understand profitability, stay compliant with tax regulations, and make informed business decisions. Let's explore some best practices to ensure your
Clear and accurate COGS reporting on your financial statements is crucial for presenting a true picture of your company’s financial health. This information directly impacts your gross profit margins, showing stakeholders how efficiently you manage costs. Make sure your COGS is clearly labeled and easily reconciled with your other financial data. This transparency allows stakeholders to quickly grasp your profitability. For a deeper dive into COGS journal entries, check out this helpful resource.
Accurate COGS reporting isn't just good business practice—it's essential for staying compliant with tax regulations. The IRS uses your reported COGS to calculate your taxable income, so precision is key. Meticulous calculations ensure you’re paying the correct amount of tax and avoiding potential penalties. A common pitfall is mismatching COGS with the correct tax year, which can lead to discrepancies. Always double-check that your expenses align with the corresponding tax period. For guidance on avoiding common tax issues, this article offers valuable insights.
The IRS requires businesses to calculate the cost of their inventory, but it also requires consistency. Once you choose an inventory costing method, you must stick with it to ensure your financial reporting is comparable year over year. The main methods are FIFO (First-In, First-Out), LIFO (Last-In, First-Out), and the Average Cost Method. Each one affects your COGS calculation differently, which in turn impacts your reported profit and tax liability. Choosing the right method depends on your inventory type and business goals, but the most important rule is to apply your chosen method consistently. For a detailed breakdown of each approach, QuickBooks offers a great guide to COGS and inventory valuation.
When tax season rolls around, you'll report your COGS on specific forms, such as Schedule C for sole proprietors or Form 1125-A for corporations. The IRS uses this figure to determine your gross profit and, ultimately, your taxable income. This is why meticulous record-keeping throughout the year is so important. An accurate COGS ensures you pay the correct amount of tax and reduces the risk of facing audits or penalties down the line. Leveraging an automated system that provides real-time, accurate data can make this process much smoother, ensuring the numbers you report are reliable and compliant. This level of precision is exactly what we help businesses achieve at HubiFi, simplifying tax time and providing peace of mind.
Even small errors in COGS reporting can have a ripple effect on your financials. One frequent oversight is omitting directly related production labor costs from your calculations. Make sure you’re capturing all relevant direct costs, including raw materials, freight, and direct labor associated with production. Another common mistake is inaccurate or incomplete journal entries. This detailed explanation can help you avoid these errors and maintain accurate records. Regularly reviewing your COGS process and seeking expert advice can help you identify and address potential issues. For more insights on common COGS mistakes, this article offers valuable guidance.
Knowing how to calculate Cost of Goods Sold (COGS) is the first step. The real power comes from using your COGS data to make informed decisions that impact your bottom line. Think of COGS as a window into your business's efficiency and profitability. By analyzing it, you can identify areas for improvement and implement strategies for growth.
Effective cost management starts with accurately tracking all the direct costs associated with production. This includes not only the raw materials but also direct labor costs tied to production. Many businesses miss this crucial component, leading to an incomplete understanding of their true COGS. By meticulously tracking these costs, you gain a clearer picture of your profitability. This accurate view allows you to make informed decisions about pricing strategies and inventory management. For example, if your COGS is too high, you might consider negotiating better rates with suppliers or finding more cost-effective materials. Small changes here can make a big difference over time.
Beyond materials and labor, explore other avenues to optimize costs. Streamlining your production process can reduce waste and improve efficiency. Investing in automation tools can also help minimize errors and free up your team to focus on higher-value tasks. Remember, managing COGS isn't just about cutting costs; it's about finding the sweet spot where you maintain quality while maximizing profitability. Learn more about how HubiFi can help automate your revenue recognition.
Your COGS isn't a static number; it fluctuates with sales and production costs. Regularly analyzing your COGS can reveal important trends that might otherwise go unnoticed. For instance, a sudden spike in COGS could indicate a problem with your supply chain, rising material costs, or inefficiencies in your production process. Conversely, a consistent decrease in COGS could signal successful cost-saving measures or improved operational efficiency. Tracking these trends allows you to adjust your business strategies proactively. Perhaps you need to revisit your pricing model, adjust your inventory levels, or invest in new technologies. By using COGS data to inform these decisions, you can stay ahead of the curve and keep your business on the path to sustainable growth. Remember, understanding your COGS is not just about knowing your costs; it's about using that knowledge to drive better business decisions. For more insights, check out our blog.
While COGS is a vital metric for gauging production efficiency, it's important to recognize its limitations. It doesn't provide a complete picture of your company's financial health because it only accounts for direct production costs, leaving out crucial indirect expenses like marketing, sales commissions, and administrative salaries. Relying solely on COGS can give you a skewed sense of overall profitability. This metric is also less relevant for businesses that primarily sell services and don't carry significant inventory. To make truly strategic decisions, you need to look beyond COGS and consider all your operating expenses for a holistic view of your financial performance.
Why is understanding COGS important for my business?
COGS is a key factor in determining your profitability. Knowing your COGS helps you set appropriate prices for your products or services, manage expenses effectively, and ensure you're earning a profit. It's also crucial for accurate tax reporting, which helps you stay compliant and avoid potential penalties.
What's the difference between direct and indirect costs when calculating COGS?
Direct costs are expenses directly tied to producing your goods, such as raw materials, direct labor for production, and manufacturing overhead. These are included in COGS. Indirect costs, like marketing, administrative salaries, or office rent, are not directly tied to production and are not included in COGS.
Which COGS accounting method is right for my business?
The best method depends on your specific business needs and circumstances. FIFO (First-In, First-Out) assumes the oldest inventory is sold first, LIFO (Last-In, First-Out) assumes the newest inventory is sold first, and weighted average cost averages the cost of all inventory. Each method has different implications for your financial statements and taxes, so it's important to understand the nuances of each before making a decision. Consulting with a financial professional can help you choose the most appropriate method.
How can I improve my COGS tracking and reporting?
Accurate COGS tracking starts with detailed record-keeping of all inventory-related costs. Implementing a real-time inventory management system can automate this process, reducing errors and providing up-to-date information. Integrating this system with your accounting software further streamlines COGS calculations and financial reporting. Regularly reviewing your COGS processes and seeking expert advice can also help identify areas for improvement.
How can I use COGS data to make better business decisions?
COGS data provides valuable insights into your business's profitability and efficiency. By analyzing COGS trends, you can identify areas for cost optimization, such as negotiating better prices with suppliers or streamlining production processes. COGS data also informs pricing strategies, helping you set prices that cover costs while remaining competitive. Regularly reviewing and analyzing your COGS empowers you to make data-driven decisions that improve your bottom line.
Former Root, EVP of Finance/Data at multiple FinTech startups
Jason Kyle Berwanger: An accomplished two-time entrepreneur, polyglot in finance, data & tech with 15 years of expertise. Builder, practitioner, leader—pioneering multiple ERP implementations and data solutions. Catalyst behind a 6% gross margin improvement with a sub-90-day IPO at Root insurance, powered by his vision & platform. Having held virtually every role from accountant to finance systems to finance exec, he brings a rare and noteworthy perspective in rethinking the finance tooling landscape.