The Anastasia Journal
Honest writing about money, profit, and building a business that funds the life you actually want. Strategic finance, written the way I'd say it over a coffee. Pour yourself one and have a read.
Financial Strategist vs Accountant vs CFO: What's the Difference and Which One Do You Need?
Bookkeeper, accountant, CFO, financial strategist. The labels overlap, the industry is confusing, and every one of them has someone online claiming to be the most important hire you'll ever make. Here's the clearest possible breakdown of who does what, and which one your business actually needs right now.
When Should I Hire a Financial Strategist? (7 Signs You've Outgrown Your Bookkeeper)
I’ll be honest, most founders wait too long. They keep telling themselves they'll sort the numbers properly when things calm down. They never do. If you've been quietly wondering whether it's time to bring in strategic financial support, here are the seven signs that almost always mean yes.
Can I Use AI to Help With My Business Finances?
Every founder I speak to has tried plugging her P&L into ChatGPT. Fair enough, it's a brilliant tool. But it's a tool, not a strategy. Here's where AI genuinely shines in your business finances, where it quietly falls short, and how to use it without outsourcing the thinking that matters most.
What Does a Financial Strategist Actually Do? (And Why Your Bookkeeper Isn't One)
You have a bookkeeper. Maybe an accountant. Possibly someone tidying your VAT and filing your year-end. All useful. All looking firmly in the rear-view mirror. A financial strategist looks forward. Here's what that actually means, the difference it makes to a growing service business, and the signs you've outgrown the basic setup.