Ever sat down to build your budget, only to realize you don't even know what you're building it for? A budget without a goal is like a map without a destination. In this episode, Danielle Hayden, reformed corporate CFO and founder of Kickstart Accounting, Inc., is pulling back the curtain on the exact step-by-step framework she and her team use with CFO clients to set financial goals first, and then create a budget that actually gets them there.

Key Takeaways:

• Celebrate the Wins (and Lessons) First: Before setting new goals, reflect on what you achieved last year and the hard financial lessons you learned. This helps you build from a place of clarity instead of starting from scratch.

• Big Picture and Dreams Before Details: Start with your 10-year vision, narrow it down to a 3-year target, and then break it into actionable 12-month goals. This ensures your short-term actions align with your long-term vision.

• Your Personal Life Matters: Your business goals must support the life you want to create, not work against it. Aligning both ensures sustainability and fulfillment.

• Define Your CEO Role: Whether you want to be client-facing, step fully into the visionary seat, or do a blend of both, knowing your role helps you make smarter hiring and budgeting decisions.

• Pay Yourself First: As the business owner, you deserve to be compensated. Budgeting your pay upfront creates healthy financial guardrails and sustainable profitability.

Topics Discussed:

(00:00) Intro: Why Your Goals Need to Come Before Building a Budget

(02:02) The Importance of Looking Back Before You Move Forward

(06:03) Setting Long-Term, Mid-Term, and Short-Term Goals

(10:27) What Mode Are You In: Aligning Your Life & Personal Goals with Your Business Goals

(12:44) Defining Your CEO Role and Team Structure

(14:54) Profitability, Sustainability, and Paying Yourself First

(18:30) Action Steps to Complete Your Financial Goal Setting Worksheet & Your Responsibility as a CEO

(19:33) Outro: Kickstart's CFO Services, Like, Share and Subscribe!

Resources:

Financial Goal Setting Worksheet | https://kickstartaccountinginc.com/goal-setting-worksheet

CFO Services | https://kickstartaccountinginc.com/the-cfo-solution/

Healthy Budget Percentages Episode | Healthy Spending Habits: Business Budget Percentages That Fuel Sustainable Growth

Book a Call with Kickstart Accounting, Inc.:

https://kickstartaccountinginc.com/book-a-call/

Connect with Kickstart Accounting, Inc.:

Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/Kickstartaccounting

YouTube | https://www.youtube.com/@businessbythebooks

Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/kickstartaccountinginc