Our Focus

We stay in our lane.
So we can be exceptional at what we do.

Stratum is purpose-built for one thing: delivering exceptional financial operations to growing businesses. Bookkeeping, CFO services, and FP&A — done with the speed, accuracy, and transparency.

That focus is intentional.

Clean books, clear numbers, and a financial partner who speaks your language — not accounting jargon.
The Stratum Model

AI-powered. Partner-reviewed.
Always.

Stratum was built from the ground up to be something the traditional accounting world hasn't caught up to yet. AI-powered speed with partner-level judgment. Every workflow we run is powered by modern tooling. Every output that reaches a client has been reviewed by a founding partner.

01
Every output reviewed before it reaches you.
We use AI to accelerate categorization, reconciliation, variance analysis, and reporting — tasks that used to take days now take hours. But every deliverable is reviewed by a founding partner before it leaves our desk. You get the speed of automation and the accountability of senior-level human judgment.
02
You always know exactly what you're paying.
Our engagements are fixed monthly retainers. No hourly billing. No surprise overages when a complex month takes longer than expected. Your rate is set at the start of the engagement and documented in a written agreement. If your needs change significantly, we discuss scope before adjusting price.
03
Faster books. Better decisions.
Our committed target is 10 business days from month-end for every client, every month. Most traditional accounting firms take 3–4 weeks. That lag isn't just frustrating — it means you're making decisions on numbers that are already a month old. We've built our systems, workflows, and staffing model specifically around delivering faster, consistently.
04
No handoffs to junior staff. Ever.
At most accounting firms, you pitch with a partner and get serviced by a first-year. At Stratum, the partner you meet is the partner running your engagement. You have a direct line — not a ticketing system, not an account manager, not a junior associate. When something needs an answer, you get one from someone who actually knows your books.
Our Clients

Built for companies
at every stage of growth.

We partner with founders, executives, and leadership teams who understand that strong financial operations are a competitive advantage — not an afterthought. Our clients range from early-stage startups establishing their financial foundation to scaling companies navigating fundraises, acquisitions, and rapid operational complexity. What they share is a commitment to running their business with clarity and confidence.

Early-Stage & Venture-Backed
Seed through Series B
You're moving fast, your investor expects clean reporting, and your time is better spent building the business than reconciling the books. We establish the financial infrastructure that supports your growth and holds up to diligence — at every stage of the fundraising journey.
Founder-Led & Bootstrapped
Growth-stage businesses
You've built something real and the financial complexity has grown with it. You need a firm that can meet you where you are — bringing structure, accuracy, and strategic insight without the overhead of a full internal finance team.
Growth-Stage & Beyond
Later-stage & transacting companies
Your investors and operating partners expect institutional-grade reporting. Whether you're preparing for an acquisition, navigating a transaction, or integrating a new entity, we deliver the financial clarity and documentation your stakeholders require.
The Team

Founded by a practitioner.
Built to grow.

Stratum was founded by Erin Dohan. She brings deep domain expertise and equal ownership — and runs every client engagement directly.

E
Erin Dohan
Founder & Managing Partner

I founded Stratum because I've spent the better part of a decade watching what happens when growing companies don't have the right financial infrastructure — and what becomes possible when they do.

My background is in outsourced accounting and financial operations. I've spent 10+ years working directly with founders, executives, and leadership teams at high-growth and venture-backed companies. Most recently, I served as Head of Client Delivery at a fractional CFO and accounting firm known for serving venture-backed startups from seed through exit across major markets. There, I led firm-wide delivery strategy, built client onboarding frameworks from the ground up, and oversaw accounting teams across a portfolio of complex, fast-moving client engagements.

That experience gave me a front-row view of what great financial operations looks like at scale — and where even well-run firms leave room for something sharper, more transparent, and more intentionally built. Stratum is that firm.

I hold a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting and Finance from the University of Colorado Boulder. I'm based in the Chicago area and work with clients remotely, nationwide.

— Erin Dohan, Founder
Get Started

Ready to see what real
financial clarity looks like?

Book a free 30-minute discovery call. We'll review your current setup and tell you exactly what we'd recommend — and what it costs. No pressure, no obligation.