Accounting for startups
Three things a startup must get right from day one: incorporate with the right structure, keep books investors can read, and run HR properly from your first hire. 3M covers all three on one platform: incorporation in about a week, books typically closed within 7–10 working days each month with English reporting (burn rate, runway), and error-free payroll and social insurance - AI handles the volume, auditors review and sign. Accounting from ₫1.5m/mo.
Investors want clean books and English reports
Burn rate, runway, P&L vs plan - in English, to regional fund standards, from the start. Translating by hand every month is not the answer.
Your entity structure shapes your fundraise
An SG holding + VN opco + ESOP structure has to be designed correctly so you don't have to redo it right before a round.
Don't let accounting stall the round
Due diligence uncovering messy books is one of the most common reasons deals drag on for weeks - or die outright.
Compliance obligations right after incorporation
The milestones founders most often miss - each with its own penalty.
Initial tax registration & digital signature
10 daysE-tax account, digital signature and e-invoicing must be ready right after your licence (ERC) is issued.
File from the very first period
VAT and PIT returns are due monthly/quarterly even with zero revenue - skipping a nil return still gets fined.
Pay in charter capital
90 daysMembers / shareholders must fully contribute charter capital within 90 days of licensing; shortfalls force a licence amendment.
Social insurance for your first hire
30 daysRegister and enrol employees within 30 days of signing a labour contract; late payment accrues 0.03%/day interest.
Annual FS & finalisation
Mar 31Financial statements plus CIT and PIT finalisations are due within 90 days of fiscal year end.
ESOP & structure before fundraising
ESOP, SG holding and cap table need early design - fixing them later is expensive and slows your round.
Three pillars, one partner
Incorporation → accounting → HR: everything a founder needs in the first 12 months.
Incorporation & legal
- Entity type, charter capital and business-line advice
- Full filing - licence in ~5-7 working days
- Digital signature, e-invoice, bank account
- SG holding + ESOP structure via partners
Investor-grade accounting
- Books typically closed within 7–10 working days each month
- English reporting: burn rate, runway, P&L vs plan
- VAT, CIT and PIT filed on time
- VSRE 2400 review before your round
HR & payroll
- Bilingual labour contracts & digital HR files
- Payroll, PIT and bilingual payslips
- Automatic social-insurance registration & updates
- ESOP administration when you roll one out
Reference fees
Fixed fees agreed before we start; full VAT invoices. The whole first-year bundle typically costs far less than one full-time accountant.
Why startups choose 3M
Bilingual, investor-grade reporting
Client portal and reports in Vietnamese / English, with burn rate and runway built in - send them straight to funds in Singapore or anywhere in the region.
SG + VN + ESOP structuring
Multi-entity structure designed right from the start, executed through our partners.
Due-diligence ready
Books typically closed within 7–10 working days, 90%+ of entries posted by AI, reviewed and signed by auditors - with a review (VSRE 2400, from ₫15m) available anytime.
From idea to operating company
Structure consult
Entity type, capital, business lines, ESOP - tax and fundraising consequences mapped upfront. Free.
Incorporate
Filings, licence, digital signature, invoicing - operational in about a week.
Operations setup
Initial tax registration, social insurance, payroll and your bilingual client portal.
Monthly rhythm
Monthly close typically within 7–10 working days, investor reporting, every deadline reminded - you focus on product.
Frequently asked questions
Does a startup need an SG + VN structure?
If you're targeting markets beyond Vietnam or raising internationally, an SG holding + VN opco + ESOP structure usually fits. We advise on it and execute through partners.
Do you provide English reporting for investors?
Yes. English reporting at ₫2.0m/mo covers burn rate, runway and P&L vs plan - ready to send to investors.
What should we prepare before fundraising?
Typically a financial statement review (VSRE 2400) at ₫15m per engagement so investors trust the numbers, plus clean books and bilingual reporting.
How much does startup accounting cost?
Full-service accounting from ₫1.5m/mo; investor reporting and reviews are added as needed. Everything comes with a VAT invoice.
Do we have to file if we have no revenue yet?
Yes. VAT and PIT returns are due every period even at zero - missing nil returns is the most common fine for young startups.
What do we need to do when hiring our first employee?
A compliant labour contract, personal tax-code registration, and social-insurance enrolment within 30 days. Our HR & payroll package covers it all from ₫140k/employee/mo.
Books ready for your next round
Book a free consultation on structuring, books and investor reporting for your startup.
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