Function isn’t just another accounting firm. It’s a response to broken systems, missed opportunities, and the endless frustration of entrepreneurs who are told they need to “just get their books in order” without ever being shown how to use those numbers strategically. In this conversation, Josh shares the thinking behind Function, the gaps it’s filling, and what every startup needs to know about finance today. 

Starting With a Frustration

Josh Yelen’s inspiration for Function didn’t come from a moment of success—it came from a long-standing frustration. During his years in corporate America, Josh noticed a troubling pattern.

Managers were always told to “go pull a report” whenever they needed insights. There were dashboards, databases, and systems, but no proactive sharing of information. Valuable insights were buried in spreadsheets and broken systems.

That experience sparked the core idea behind Function: flip the script. Instead of asking clients to dig through data, Function pushes timely, meaningful information directly to them.

“IT and accounting should be pushing stuff out to the managers—not making management pull stuff out.” 

Doing It Right the First Time

Function is built on the belief that accounting is about storytelling, not just math. With tools such as Excel and calculators handling calculations, the value lies in interpretation. Josh sees accountants as translators, turning raw data into a narrative that founders can use to make strategic decisions.

Function was designed to prevent a common trap: founders trying to handle everything themselves. Many assume they can manage their finances early on, only to end up with messy books and costly cleanup work down the road.

Josh hears it all the time: “I took an accounting class in college, so I can do it myself.” But startup finance isn’t about balancing a checkbook. It’s about understanding the financial engine of your business—and knowing how to use it to drive growth, make hiring decisions, and prepare for investors.

“It’s easier to do it right the first way than to go back and fix it when it’s already too far down.” said Josh.

At Function, early intervention is key. The team works with startups from the beginning to set up systems that scale. This approach saves time, money, and stress when the stakes inevitably get higher. 

The Founder Experience

The most powerful insight Josh brings to Function is that he’s not just advising startups—he’s building one himself. That shared journey of entrepreneurship runs deep through every part of how Function operates. 

Josh understands the mental load that comes with being a founder because he lives it: the constant juggling of priorities, the pressure of uncertainty, and the daily decisions that make or break momentum.

"You’re building the plane while it’s in the air."

This quote isn’t just a metaphor, it’s a lived reality. Founders are constantly balancing sales, product development, team morale, customer service, growth strategies, and investor relations. 

There’s rarely time to pause, and yet every decision must be thoughtful. Josh’s personal experience with this balancing act brings a rare level of empathy to his leadership.

This founder-to-founder perspective changes everything. It means financial guidance is delivered with real-world practicality. It means the team knows when to listen, when to challenge, and when to simplify. 

For clients, it means working with a team that doesn’t just understand their challenges, it shares them. Function isn’t just providing a service. It’s walking the same road, offering a hand not from above, but from beside.

Delegating to Grow

Like many founders, Josh initially tried to do it all. He was managing bookkeeping, fractional CFO work, and client communication himself. But he quickly learned that to grow, he had to let go. 

At some point, every founder hits a wall: the moment when effort alone is no longer enough to carry the business forward. For Josh, that moment came with the realization that his own capacity was limiting the company’s ability to grow. Letting go wasn’t just a business decision, it was a personal evolution.

Delegating is tough, especially when the business is your vision, your sweat, and your name. But it’s essential. Josh learned to hire, train, and trust a team, and in doing so, he built a stronger, more scalable business.

“You can’t do it all. Otherwise, you’re going to work 24/7/365—and that’s just not sustainable.”

Now, Function runs with a growing team that reflects Josh’s values and vision. The high-touch, client-focused service remains, but it’s no longer reliant on one person doing everything. 

Delegation has become a core strength of the business’s infrastructure, allowing Function to scale, while still feeling personal to every founder they support.

Setting the Tone

One early decision set Function on the path it walks today. Josh had to decide whether to build a solo consulting practice or create something bigger. He chose the latter.

“We can build something big—something that helps more than a couple clients and creates a sustainable, repeatable firm.”

That decision wasn’t just about revenue. It was about impact. Today, Function operates with a repeatable framework designed to scale while still delivering tailored, high-value insights. It’s not about growing for the sake of growth. It’s about growing with purpose.

Looking Ahead

As Function takes off, Josh is focused on one question: How can we keep delivering value at scale? 

Today, the team brings immense value to a smaller group of clients. But as the company grows, so does the need for systems that maintain quality without adding friction.

That means automation, process improvements, and smart hiring. It also means constantly asking what startups need most and finding new ways to deliver it.

“We’re always looking for the next thing that can increase value for clients at a scalable level.”

Function’s vision isn’t just to grow. It’s to grow well, in a way that continues to serve founders with the clarity and confidence they need to succeed. 

Navigating a Tougher Market

The fundraising landscape has changed. According to Josh, it’s harder than ever to raise money, a reality affects everything.

Founders can no longer afford to be sloppy with their finances. They need to be streamlined, organized, and laser-focused. That’s where Function comes in. The firm offers fractional CFO services, providing high-level guidance without the cost of a full-time executive.

With Function, founders get an unbiased perspective from someone who’s been through the fundraising process, someone who can provide strategic advice without personal stake in the outcome. 

Final Advice for Founders

Josh left us with one key piece of advice: Plan wisely and stay disciplined.

Every dollar raised dilutes ownership. That’s why Function focuses on helping founders build strong, intentional financial plans, ones that support growth without relying heavily on external funding. From budgeting to forecasting to operational strategy, Function equips startups to scale on their own terms.

“A good financial plan lets you raise less money while still executing your operations.”

This mindset of being efficient, strategic, and focused is at the core of everything Function does. It’s not about trying to do everything. It’s about doing the right things, at the right time, with the right support.

We want to extend a sincere thank you to Josh Yelen for sharing his insights, lessons, and real-world experience. His journey as a founder is what fuels Function’s mission: to turn complexity into clarity and help startups succeed with confidence. 

Thanks to leaders like Josh, Function isn’t just delivering a service, it’s redefining how financial partnerships should work.

To learn more or get started, visit onefunction.com.

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