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Founder Clarity
A reflective series designed to help founders cut through noise and make clear, confident decisions. Each post blends financial insight with perspective, showing how structure, focus, and self-awareness shape stronger leadership and better outcomes.


The Challenges of Leadership Undervaluing Accounting
When leadership undervalues accounting, standards erode like a building left untended — what once stood strong begins to crumble under neglect. Standards rarely collapse all at once — they fade as attention fades. When leadership undervalues accounting, the department slowly follows. At first, nothing looks broken: the numbers get reported, deadlines are met, and the surface appears stable. But without questions being asked or decisions relying on the data, the incentive to m

Brett J. Federer, CPA
Sep 154 min read


Navigating Tax Changes: The Importance of Clarity in Your Financial Systems
The One Big Beautiful Bill was signed on July 4, 2025 — a reminder that financial clarity matters when policy shifts. You don’t need to be a tax expert. You need a structure you can trust when things change. When a major tax law hits the headlines, most founders tend to fall into one of two camps. The first thinks, “That doesn’t apply to me.” The second shrugs and says, “I guess I’ll deal with it later.” Both reactions are understandable. You’re running a business, not studyi

Brett J. Federer, CPA
Aug 205 min read


You’re Profitable but Broke: 5 Financial Warning Signs Founders Miss
“Clarity changes everything — you can’t navigate what you can’t see.” Revenue’s coming in. Your books look “fine.” But cash still feels tight — and you can’t quite explain why. Here are 5 subtle signs you’re running your business on guesswork, not clarity. 1. You’re Guessing Where Your Cash Really Went Your books can be reconciled and technically “clean” — but still leave you guessing. The problem isn’t bad bookkeeping. It’s that most founders don’t have a structured way to c

Brett J. Federer, CPA
Jul 214 min read


When Companies Are Missing the Middle: Between Bookkeeper and CFO
Let’s get your numbers as grounded as nature. A common pattern I see in growing businesses is subtle, but familiar. You bring on a bookkeeper, the books are closed each month, and reports start showing up. But even with those reports in hand, something feels off. The numbers are technically there — income, expenses, balances — but they don’t quite help you understand what’s actually happening. You try to use them to make decisions, or explain results to a stakeholder, and the

Brett J. Federer, CPA
Jul 13 min read
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