Lawsikho Blog

Discover how Indian finance professionals can capitalize on remote work opportunities with US startups. This guide covers in-demand services, typical project rates, essential skills, and step-by-step instructions for creating investor-ready financial models—everything you need to break into this growing global market.

A quiet revolution in global finance

“What is our burn rate looking like?” Alex asks, leaning back in his chair at their small WeWork office in Chicago.

Sarah, his co-founder, runs a hand through her hair as she stares at their latest financial spreadsheet. “About three months at current spending. We definitely need someone to help get our finances in order before the investor meeting.“
“Can we afford a proper CFO?” Alex asks.

“Not even close,” Sarah replies. “According to salary data in an article, ‘Breaking Down the Salary of a Startup CFO”, we would be looking at $150,000 to $250,000 minimum for a full-time startup CFO, plus equity. That is way beyond our budget.“

At the same time, Alex starts researching on his phone and pulls up a recent industry report. “It says here that major accounting firms are facing the same problem we are. According to Reuters, firms like RSM US and Moss Adams are expanding operations in India to address talent shortages in the US. And look—India ranked highest on the Kearney Global Services Location Index for outsourcing attractiveness.“

“So, we are not alone in this challenge,” Sarah says. “What are our options?“

“Well, according to DemandSage’s 2025 outsourcing statistics, 59% of businesses cite cost-cutting as the primary reason for outsourcing. And there are tons of virtual CFO services that connect US companies with Indian finance talent.“

Two weeks and twelve candidate interviews later, they are on a Zoom call with an Indian professional (‘Interviewee’) with three years of experience in financial modeling and analysis.

“So you have worked with SaaS startups before?” Sarah asks the Interviewee.

Interviewee nods. 

“Yes, I have helped three US-based SaaS companies with their financial projections and investor materials. I can show you examples of my work.“

After reviewing his portfolio and checking references, they bring the Interviewee on at $30 per hour for 20 hours a week—roughly one-fifth the cost of a local hire with similar skills.

Within a month, their financial house is in order: 

• streamlined projections, 
• clear unit economics, and 
• investor-ready slides for their upcoming pitch.

“I still cannot believe we have someone with this level of expertise at these rates,” Alex tells Sarah after reviewing the latest financial model prepared by the remote Indian professional they hired.

Welcome to the quiet revolution reshaping global finance.

As remote work became normalized, a remarkable trend has emerged: small and medium businesses in the US are increasingly turning to India’s deep pool of finance talent. This shift is part of a larger global movement. 

According to Connext Global, “The global finance and accounting business process outsourcing market was valued at USD 56.42 billion in 2022 and is expected to expand at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.1% from 2023 to 2030.“

The Asia Pacific region, in particular, is showing even stronger growth potential. “The finance and accounting business process outsourcing market in Asia Pacific is expected to grow significantly at a CAGR of 10.7% from 2024 to 2030. The growth of the Asia Pacific market can be attributed to the implementation of advanced technologies,” reports Grand View Research. 

This is particularly relevant for India, which is specifically mentioned as one of the major APAC countries, along with China and Japan, that have “a highly trained labor pool and cutting-edge technology infrastructure, which has made the area appealing as a center for F&A BPO services.“

With this background, I am writing this article to explore how Indian finance professionals can tap into the US market, what skills are most in demand, and how you can position yourself to take advantage of this growing opportunity, whether you are a seasoned professional or just starting your finance career.

The landscape: What remote finance work actually looks like

Let me break down what remote finance work actually looks like when you are working with US clients. After helping dozens of Indian professionals land these roles, I have seen three distinct categories emerge.

Freelance projects

First, you have freelance projects. 

These are your bread and butter when starting out. 

Think of them as clearly defined, one-off assignments where you are solving a specific problem. A founder needs a financial model for their Series A pitch? That is typically $300 to $1,500 project.

Do they need someone to create the financial slides for their investor deck? You are looking at a $200 to $800 project work.

According to Freelancer, financial modeling projects often require forecasting revenue growth, EBITDA margins, and creating DCF valuations. PeoplePerHour shows similar ranges, with hourly rates for finance projects ranging from $10-$70 per hour, translating to project rates consistent with our estimates.

I remember one of my friends working with a SaaS startup that needed a competitor’s financial analysis. They had an investor meeting in 48 hours and needed to show how their unit economics compared to similar companies. That project took him about 12 hours and paid $600. Not bad for a weekend’s work.

The beauty of freelance projects is that they are perfect for building your portfolio. You can start small—maybe a simple cash runway analysis for $200—and gradually work your way up to complex valuation models that command $2,000 or more.

Retainer arrangements

Then you have retainer arrangements. 

This is where things get interesting. Instead of one-off projects, you become part of a company’s extended team. You might serve as their part-time CFO, handling everything from monthly financial reports to board presentations. The pay ranges from $800 to $2,500 monthly, depending on the complexity and time commitment.

According to Driven Insights, part-time CFO services “can range from $1,200-$2,500 per day,” which aligns with our monthly retainer estimates. Preferred CFO reports that “on average, fractional CFOs cost $3,000/month to $10,000/month” with “most common agreements between $5,000-$7,000/month for most small- to mid-sized companies.“

You can have multiple US startups on retainer and be their financial backbone—preparing budgets, managing cash flow projections, and creating investor materials. The predictability of retainer work means you can actually plan your life around it.

Project-based strategic work

Finally, there is project-based strategic work. 

This is the high-value stuff that requires serious expertise. We are talking due diligence for funding rounds, cap table restructuring, and tax optimization strategies. These projects can range from $1,000 to $6,000, sometimes more.

According to CMA Exam Academy, virtual CFOs can earn “between $175 to $300 an hour,” which supports our project-based pricing for complex strategic work requiring 20-40 hours of effort.

Where to find these opportunities

The most common platforms for securing these roles include:

• Upwork and Fiverr (best for beginners building a portfolio)
• Contra (growing platform for independent finance professionals)
• AngelList Talent (focuses on startup roles, including remote finance positions)
• LinkedIn (direct outreach to founders and finance leaders)
• Referrals (once established, this becomes your primary source)

A screenshot from upwork

5 common remote finance projects you can start with

1. Monthly financial performance dashboard – Create visualized reports showing revenue, expenses, and key metrics
2. Simple 12-month financial forecast – Develop basic revenue and expense projections
3. Competitor financial analysis – Research and compare financial metrics of industry competitors
4. Basic pitch deck financial slides – Create 3-5 slides showing financial projections and funding needs
5. Cash runway analysis – Calculate how long current funds will last based on burn rate

The key is to start with what you know and gradually expand your offerings as you gain experience with US business practices and startup dynamics.

What US clients are really looking for

I have seen countless young professionals struggle to land remote finance projects despite having MBAs from top Indian business schools. They keep emphasizing their qualifications in proposals and get nothing in response. Here is what I have learned about what US clients actually want.

The truth is, US clients—especially startups and growth-stage companies—aren’t impressed by prestigious degrees or certifications alone. They want results and value. Once you understand this, everything changes.

What matters most to US clients:

Quick turnaround: In the US startup world, yesterday is often the deadline. Being responsive and delivering quality work quickly is paramount. The ability to turn things around quickly can win more repeat business than any certification ever could.

One of my clients, a Boston-based SaaS CEO, put it perfectly: “When we are raising funds or preparing for a board meeting, we need financial materials turned around in 24-48 hours. My remote finance team in India delivers while I sleep.“

Clarity in financial communication: The ability to explain complex financial concepts simply is invaluable. Most founders are not finance experts—they are product people, engineers, or salespeople who started companies. They need someone who can translate numbers into business decisions.

I learned this the hard way. Early on, I would deliver these elaborate financial models with sophisticated formulas and complex terminology. Clients would look confused and ask, “But what does this mean for my business?” 

Now I lead with simple summaries: “Your current burn rate gives you 8 months of runway. Here are three ways to extend it to 12 months.“

Strategic thinking + Spreadsheet mastery: Excel skills alone are not enough. Understanding the business implications behind the numbers sets top remote finance professionals apart. It is not just about building the model—it is about knowing which scenarios matter and why.

For instance, a D2C brand might ask for a standard financial model, but what they really need is a cohort analysis to track customer lifetime value. Identifying these unstated needs will set you apart from the competition.

Core hard skills in demand:

• Excel modeling proficiency (especially scenario planning)
• Financial statement analysis and creation
• Valuation methodologies (particularly for startups)
• Pitch deck structuring and financial storytelling
• Basic accounting knowledge and terminology

Core soft skills that win projects:

• Clear, concise writing in emails and reports
• Ability to summarize complex findings into actionable insights
• Meeting deadlines consistently
• Proactive communication (especially important in remote settings)
• Cultural adaptability to US business communication styles

That last point is crucial. US business communication tends to be more direct than what many Indian professionals are used to. They appreciate concise emails, bullet-point summaries, and getting straight to the point. Skip the formal pleasantries and lengthy introductions—lead with the value you are providing.

Remember: your competition is not other Indian professionals with better degrees. It’s local US talent charging five times your rate. 

When you deliver quality work quickly, communicate clearly, and think strategically, you become the obvious choice.

Practical skill focus: How to build a simple startup financial model

“I need a financial model by tomorrow morning. Can you help?“

That message came to me at 8 PM Delhi time. 

It was from James, a founder in Austin, whom I had been working for two months. His investor meeting was at 9 AM CST the next day, and he had just realized his Excel model was missing scenario planning.

This happens a lot. 

After building dozens of models for US startups, I have learned that founders often underestimate how much investors scrutinize their financials. Based on my experience and market observations, I would estimate that around 80% of investors consider financial projections critical to their investment decisions.

Here is the thing, building a startup financial model is not rocket science. But there is a specific approach that US investors expect, and most Indian professionals learn this the hard way.

Let me walk you through exactly how I built a model for TechTasker, a SaaS startup that went on to raise $1.5 million in their seed round.

Step 1: Choose and understand the business model

TechTasker is a project management platform for small businesses. When their founder, Mike, first approached me, he said: “I know we’re SaaS, but I don’t know how to model our growth.“

I started with their pricing structure:

• Basic: $19/month
• Pro: $49/month
• Enterprise: $99/month

From what I have observed in the market, most successful SaaS companies typically have between 3-4 pricing tiers, so TechTasker’s structure seemed well-aligned with industry standards.

Step 2: Identify key revenue drivers

“What metrics should I even be tracking?” Mike asked during our first call.

For a subscription business, I explained that investors focus on specific KPIs. Based on my work with multiple SaaS startups, these are the primary revenue drivers:

• Customer acquisition rate (how many new subscribers per month)
• Monthly recurring revenue (MRR) by tier
• Churn rate (we assumed 5% monthly, which aligns with typical B2B SaaS averages I have seen, ranging between 3-7%)
• Expansion revenue (upgrades between tiers)

I set up our assumptions based on realistic targets:

• Starting with 0 customers (pre-launch)
• 50 new customers in month 1, growing 10% monthly
• Customer distribution: 60% Basic, 30% Pro, 10% Enterprise
• 3% of Basic customers upgrade to Pro monthly
• 1% of Pro customers upgrade to Enterprise monthly

Step 3: Create the customer growth model

This is where things get interesting. Most founders want to jump straight to revenue, but I always start with customer math.

“Why are we spending so much time on customer counts?” Mike asked impatiently.

I explained: “Because in my experience, over 70% of failed SaaS startups struggle primarily with customer acquisition. If we get the customer model wrong, everything else falls apart.“

Here is how we modeled Month 1:

• New customers: 50
• Basic: 30 (60% of 50)
• Pro: 15 (30% of 50)
• Enterprise: 5 (10% of 50)

For Month 2, it got more complex:

• New customers: 55 (50 × 1.1)
• Churned customers: 2.5 total (5% of 50)
• Upgrades: 1 customer from Basic to Pro

By the end of Month 2:

• Basic: 61 customers
• Pro: 32 customers
• Enterprise: 10 customers

Step 4: Calculate monthly revenue

“Finally, we are talking money!” Mike said when we reached this step.

The math here is straightforward, but the presentation matters. From my experience working with VCs, investors expect to see MRR broken down by tier:

Month 1 Revenue:

• Basic: 30 × $19 = $570
• Pro: 15 × $49 = $735
• Enterprise: 5 × $99 = $495
• Total MRR: $1,800

Month 2 Revenue:

• Basic: 61 × $19 = $1,159
• Pro: 32 × $49 = $1,568
• Enterprise: 10 × $99 = $990
• Total MRR: $3,717

Step 5: Add major cost heads

“How detailed should our costs be?” Mike wondered.

Based on my experience with startup financial models, I recommend focusing on the major categories that investors care about:

Fixed costs:

• Software hosting: $500/month (typical for early-stage startups using cloud services)
• Tools and subscriptions: $300/month
• Office rent: $1,000/month (assuming co-working space for founders)

Variable costs:

• Customer support: $5 per customer (outsourced initially)
• Payment processing: 3% of revenue (standard industry rate)
• Customer acquisition cost: $50 per new customer

Personnel costs:

• Two founders: $8,000/month total (minimal salaries)
• Developer: $5,000/month
• Marketing specialist: $4,000/month

Step 6: Build the 12-month P&L

This is where everything comes together. Mike watched as I built the full projection:

“Wait, we are losing money every month?” he asked, concerned.

“That’s normal,” I explained. “Based on market trends I have observed, the typical SaaS startup does not reach profitability until month 18-24. Investors know this—they are looking at your path to profitability, not immediate profits.“

Here is what our simplified P&L showed:

Month	1	6	12
Revenue	$1,800	$12,450	$35,969
Total Expenses	$21,604	$26,890	$36,740
Net Profit	-$19,804	-$14,440	-$771
Burn Rate	$19,804	$14,440	$771

Step 7: Add key metrics and analysis

“What numbers do investors actually care about?” Mike asked.

Based on my experience with fundraising processes, these are the metrics that make or break a pitch:

• LTV ratio: 3.2:1 (measures the lifetime value of a customer against the cost to acquire them—generally, anything above 3:1 is considered healthy)

• Payback period: 4.2 months (shows how long it takes to recover the customer acquisition cost—under 12 months is typically viewed favorably)

• Monthly burn rate: Declining from $19k to under $1k (the amount of cash the company spends each month beyond its revenue)
• Months to profitability: 14 months (projected timeline until revenue exceeds all expenses)
• Runway: 8 months at current burn (how many months the company can operate with current cash before needing more funding)
• MRR growth rate: 35% month-over-month (measures how fast monthly recurring revenue is growing—a key indicator of traction)
• Gross margin: 85% (revenue minus direct costs divided by revenue—SaaS companies typically have high gross margins)

• Customer acquisition cost (CAC): $50 per customer (total sales and marketing spend divided by new customers acquired)
• Average revenue per user (ARPU): $36 (total revenue divided by total customers—helps track monetization efficiency)
• Churn rate: 5% monthly (percentage of customers who cancel their subscription each month—lower is better)

Financial strategy corner: making your model investor-ready

After submitting the model, Mike called me the next evening. “They loved it! But they asked tough questions I was not ready for.“

This is why I always include a “sensitivity analysis” tab. In my experience, investors will always test your assumptions. We created three scenarios:

1. Conservative: 30% slower growth, 7% churn
2. Base Case: Our original projections
3. Aggressive: 50% faster growth, 3% churn

The result? Mike could confidently answer “what if” questions during his pitch. Two weeks later, he closed his seed round.

“Your model did not just help us raise money,” Mike told me later. “It became our operating plan. We still use it every month to track our progress.“

That is the real value of a good financial model. It is not just a fundraising tool—it’s a roadmap for building your business.

The best way to learn is by doing. 

Start with a basic template, customize it for a real startup, and you will be building investor-grade models in no time. Remember, every assumption should be justified based on market research or industry benchmarks—investors will ask where your numbers come from, so be prepared to defend them.

Your starter kit: what to learn and what to skip

If you are inspired by the opportunity of remote finance work with US clients, here is your roadmap:

1. Essential skills to learn

a. Excel mastery

If you cannot navigate Excel with your eyes closed, you are not ready for US clients. 

This might sound harsh, but I have seen talented professionals lose opportunities because they clicked through menus instead of using keyboard shortcuts during screen-share sessions.

Here is what you actually need to master:

• SUMIF and SUMIFS (for conditional calculations)
• VLOOKUP and INDEX/MATCH (for data lookup and matching)
• Pivot Tables (for quick data analysis)
• NPV and IRR functions (for investment calculations)
• Data Tables (for scenario analysis)
• Keyboard shortcuts (seriously, this matters more than you think)

Google Sheets proficiency:

• Many startups, particularly early-stage ones, rely heavily on Google Sheets for collaboration
• Understand the subtle differences in formula syntax between Excel and Sheets
• Master Google Sheets’ real-time collaboration features and comment functionality
• Learn Sheets’ connection to Google Data Studio for visualization

Efficiency matters as much as accuracy in the US market. Clients expect you to update models in real-time during calls, not schedule follow-ups to make simple changes.

b. Revenue modeling

Everyone can do basic math. What sets you apart is understanding different business models and translating them into financial projections.

Master these revenue structures in order:

• Subscription/SaaS models (start here—it is the most common)
• E-commerce unit economics (focus on contribution margins)
• Marketplace dynamics (understand take rates and GMV)
• Transaction-based models (payment processors, fintech)

I recommend spending at least two weeks building sample models for each type. This investment pays off—I have seen professionals land $1,000+ projects because they understood hybrid business models that combine multiple revenue streams.

c. Pitch deck financial slides

Half the founders seeking funding cannot explain their own financial projections. This creates a massive opportunity for finance professionals who can tell stories with numbers.

Focus on creating:

• The “hockey stick” revenue growth slide (but make it believable)
• Use of funds breakdown (show exactly where investment money goes)
• Unit economics visualization (make complex metrics simple)
• Path to profitability timeline (investors love this)
• Market sizing slides (TAM, SAM, SOM explained visually)

d. Basic US accounting terminology

Don’t let terminology gaps embarrass you during client calls. I’ve seen professionals lose credibility by not knowing common US financial terms.

Key terms to know:

• Burn rate vs. runway (cash spent monthly vs. months of cash left)
• ARR vs. MRR (annual vs. monthly recurring revenue)
• Churn vs. retention (customers lost vs. kept)
• CAC and LTV (customer acquisition cost and lifetime value)
• Gross margin vs. contribution margin (know the difference)
• Accrual vs. cash basis accounting (US startups often use cash basis)

2. Valuable skills to learn

a. PowerPoint/Google Slides

Pretty slides don’t close deals, but ugly ones can kill them. Once you’re comfortable with Excel, learn to create clean, professional presentations.

Master these skills:

• Create clean, professional templates
• Build data visualizations that tell a story
• Master animation basics (subtle transitions, not fireworks)
• Design consistent formatting across decks

But remember: this comes after Excel mastery, not before.

b. Due diligence frameworks

After about six months of freelancing, you will start seeing requests for due diligence work. The pay is significantly better—DD projects typically range from $1,500 to $3,000.

Learn to evaluate:

• Financial statement quality (spot red flags)
• Revenue recognition practices (especially for SaaS)
• Customer concentration risk (too much revenue from a few customers)
• Working capital management (cash conversion cycle)
• Debt structure and covenants (if applicable)

c. Cap tables and equity structures

If you can model dilution through multiple funding rounds, you become extremely valuable to startup clients.

Start with the basics:

• Simple cap table creation in Excel
• Modeling founder and employee equity dilution
• Understanding liquidation preferences
• Calculating option pool impacts
• Creating a waterfall analysis for exits

This skill alone can command $3,000+ per project.

3. What to skip initially

a. Advanced certifications

Here is a reality check: In my experience with hundreds of US client interactions, not one has asked about certifications. They look at portfolios and test projects.

Skip these (for now):

• CFA Level 1 (unless you want to work in investment management)
• FRM (Financial Risk Manager)
• Advanced Excel certifications
• MBA (definitely not needed to start)

Save your money and time. Build skills and a portfolio instead.

b. Complex financial instruments

Do not waste time learning options pricing models or derivatives valuation for startup clients. You will never use them.

Skip studying:

• Black-Scholes models
• Complex derivatives
• Advanced portfolio theory
• Structured products
• Currency swaps

Save these for later if you want to work with hedge funds or investment banks.

c. Overly complex models

US startup clients prefer simple, usable models over complex, impressive ones. I’ve seen 25-tab models rejected in favor of clean 3-tab versions.

Avoid the temptation to:

• Build models with 15+ tabs
• Use complex macros when formulas work fine
• Create circular references (most clients hate these)
• Add unnecessary Monte Carlo simulations
• Over-engineer simple projections

Final thoughts

The traditional Indian finance career path—

• degree, 
• certifications, big firm, 
• climb the ladder—is no longer the only option. 

Remote work has created a parallel path based on skills rather than credentials.

In my experience, many financial analyses for US startups are now handled by remote talent from India. These companies care about capability and results, not degrees or office attendance.

The shift is simple but profound. US clients need specific problems solved. They do not care where you studied—they care if you can build a SaaS financial model, create investor-ready pitch decks, or analyze unit economics.

My advice? 

Pick one specific skill (like SaaS financial modeling) and master it. Build sample models. Create templates. Show, do not tell.

The remote finance revolution is just beginning. Will you be part of it?