This event is brought to you by Wildfire Labs in partnership with Elevate Rapid City.

Understanding your finances isn't just for accountants and CFOs. It's one of the most powerful things a founder can do to protect their business, make smarter decisions, and actually know where things stand, but only if you know where to start.

In this session, we'll cut through the jargon and get practical about the numbers that matter most: the financial statements every founder should understand, how to forecast cash flow and manage your runway, and the tax basics that keep you out of trouble - including when it's time to bring in a professional.

Key Takeaways

• Read the Scorecard: The income statement, balance sheet, and cash flow statement aren't just documents for your accountant. They're the clearest picture of how your business is actually doing. You'll walk away knowing how to read them, what to look for, and what the numbers are really telling you.
• See What's Coming: A great business can still fail if it runs out of cash at the wrong moment. Learn how to forecast your cash flow, understand your runway, and make proactive decisions before a shortfall becomes a crisis.
• Get Tax-Smart, Get Help When You Need It: You don't need to become a tax expert, you just need to know enough to avoid costly mistakes and recognize when a professional will save you more than they cost. Walk away with the basics covered and a clearer sense of when to hand it off.

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