Show Me the Numbers
Building Trust with Financial Clarity
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Transparency isn’t optional in crowdfunding—it’s essential.
Today at noon Eastern/9:00 AM Pacific, I’m hosting the SuperCrowdHour webinar on one of the most misunderstood—and most critical—topics in regulated investment crowdfunding:
Financial statements.
You can watch live (or later via replay) right here in this post—or on the e360tv Network via Roku or Amazon Fire TV. If you’ve got the app on your Smart TV, you can literally watch from your recliner. Bowl of popcorn optional.
Why This Topic Matters So Much
As I explain in Chapter 6: Show Me the Numbers of Crowdfunding Made Simple, financial statements are not just regulatory paperwork.
They are:
A window into your business’s health
Evidence of operational credibility
A demonstration of professionalism
A signal to investors that you take accountability seriously
They are the foundation of trust.
If you’re asking the crowd to invest, you are asking them to believe you. Financial transparency is how you earn that belief.
The Three Tiers of Financial Statement Requirements
One of the biggest sources of confusion for founders is:
“What exactly do I need?”
The answer depends on how much you plan to raise under Regulation Crowdfunding.
There are three tiers:
Under $124,000
Certified GAAP-compliant financial statements
Founders may self-certify
Must comply with GAAP
Often $500–$2,000 with professional help
This is the entry-level threshold—but it still requires care and accuracy. Self-certifying doesn’t mean “casual.” It means responsibility rests squarely on you.
$124,000 – $1.235 million
Reviewed financial statements
Conducted by an independent CPA or audit firm
Greater investor assurance
Typically $3,000–$20,000+
This is where many founders experience sticker shock. The review must be paid for before your campaign launches. You cannot use the raise proceeds to cover it.
Which means planning is not optional.
Over $1.235 million
Audited financial statements
The gold standard.
Comprehensive CPA examination
$5,000–$30,000+ depending on complexity
Paid out-of-pocket before launch
Here’s the reality I emphasize strongly in today’s session:
You cannot “work harder” to speed up an audit.
Auditors follow strict procedures and timelines. This often becomes what I call “the long pole in the tent.” It can take longer than anything else in your preparation process.
And that’s why founders who don’t start early get delayed.
The Planning Most Founders Miss
You must:
Estimate the required tier
Budget the cost up front
Set aside funds
Start early
Build time buffers
Financial statement preparation is a pre-campaign expense. It belongs in your early planning spreadsheet, not in a wishful-thinking column labeled “covered after we raise.”
Avoiding Costly Mistakes
Regulation Crowdfunding requires that financial statements be finalized before your campaign goes live.
Material restatements during a campaign should be avoided at all costs.
That means:
Conduct an internal review before engaging your CPA
Organize bank statements, invoices, and receipts
Address discrepancies early
Be transparent if issues arise
Financial transparency isn’t just about compliance—it’s about protecting your credibility.
For Impact-Driven Founders: Expectations Are Higher
This is especially important for social entrepreneurs and community builders.
If you tell an impact story, you create higher expectations for transparency—not lower ones.
You cannot ask investors to trust your mission if you are unclear about your numbers.
Impact amplifies the need for financial clarity.
Preparing for Future Rounds
Your current raise is not the end of the journey.
Every round builds on the last.
That’s why today we’ll also discuss:
Maintaining meticulous records
Demonstrating growth between rounds
Anticipating escalating disclosure requirements
Building financial discipline that compounds over time
Strong financial systems today make tomorrow’s raise smoother and less expensive.
Bonus: How AI Can Help
Today, I’ll also share practical ways to use AI tools like ChatGPT to:
Understand your required tier
Create financial document checklists
Draft emails to auditors
Navigate discrepancies professionally
AI doesn’t replace your CPA—but it can dramatically improve your preparation.
Why You Should Watch
This topic intimidates founders. It slows campaigns. It delays launches. It derails timelines.
But once you understand:
The tiers
The costs
The timeline realities
The strategic advantages of transparency
…it becomes manageable.
Even empowering.
Today’s session will go deeper than this overview. I’ll provide practical examples, planning guidance, and clarity on how to approach this with confidence.
How to Watch
No registration required.
Just:
Click the embedded livestream in this post
Or open the e360tv app on Roku or Amazon Fire TV
Watch live—or catch the replay later.
If you’re planning a Regulation Crowdfunding raise—or even thinking about it—this session could save you time, money, and credibility.
Your financial foundation is not a side detail.
It’s the key that unlocks the crowd.
See you at noon Eastern / 9:00 Pacific.
The Super Crowd, Inc., a public benefit corporation, is proud to have been named a finalist in the media category of the impact-focused, global Bold Awards.
Support Our Sponsors
Our generous sponsors make our work possible, serving impact investors, social entrepreneurs, community builders and diverse founders. Today’s advertisers include rHealth, Crowdfunding Made Simple and SuperCrowd26 featuring PurposeBuilt100™️. Learn more about advertising with us here.
Max-Impact Members
(We’re grateful for every one of these community champions who make this work possible.)
Brian Christie, Brainsy | Cameron Neil, Lend For Good | Carol Fineagan, Independent Consultant | Hiten Sonpal, RISE Robotics | John Berlet, CORE Tax Deeds, LLC. | Justin Starbird, The Aebli Group | Lory Moore, Lory Moore Law | Mark Grimes, Networked Enterprise Development | Matthew Mead, Hempitecture | Michael Pratt, Qnetic | Mike Green, Envirosult | Nick Degnan, Unlimit Ventures | Dr. Nicole Paulk, Siren Biotechnology | Paul Lovejoy, Stakeholder Enterprise | Pearl Wright, Global Changemaker | Scott Thorpe, Philanthropist | Sharon Samjitsingh, Health Care Originals | Add Your Name Here
Upcoming SuperCrowd Event Calendar
If a location is not noted, the events below are virtual.
SuperCrowd Impact Member Networking Session: Impact (and, of course, Max-Impact) Members of the SuperCrowd are invited to a private networking session on February 17th at 1:30 PM ET/10:30 AM PT. Mark your calendar. We’ll send private emails to Impact Members with registration details. Upgrade to Impact Membership today!
SuperCrowdHour February: This month, Devin Thorpe will be digging deep into my core finance expertise to share guidance on projections and financial statements. We’re calling it “Show Me the Numbers: Building Trust with Financial Clarity.” Register free to get all the details. February 18th at Noon ET/9:00 PT.
Superpowers for Good Live Pitch: The top-raising Reg CF campaign of 2025 won the June 2025 Superpowers for Good Live Pitch. We’re taking applications for the March 17, 2026, Live Pitch now. There is no fee to apply and no fee to pitch if selected! Apply here now!
Community Event Calendar
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