How FirstLedger Works
Simple profit and loss tracking without accounting software
FirstLedger is a lightweight tool for tracking business income, expenses, and profit when spreadsheets start to feel limiting and accounting software feels like too much.
It's built for founders and small businesses who want clarity, not complexity.
The Problem
Most early-stage businesses start with a spreadsheet.
Over time:
- Formulas break
- Tabs multiply
- Versions drift
- Reporting becomes manual
On the other end, accounting tools introduce subscriptions, rigid workflows, and accounting concepts many early businesses don't need yet.
There's a gap between those two extremes.
The FirstLedger Approach
FirstLedger is a structured spreadsheet replacement.
You manually enter income and expenses, organize them clearly, and get clean profit & loss reporting, without bank syncing or accounting rules.
How It Works
Track transactions manually
Add income and expense transactions with date, amount, category, and optional source.
Organize with categories and sources
Create categories that match how your business actually operates.
View simple profit & loss reports
See profit & loss by month, quarter, year, or custom range.
Export when needed
Export CSV data when handing off to a CPA or moving to another system.
What FirstLedger Is and Isn't
FirstLedger is:
- A simple profit & loss tracking tool
- A spreadsheet alternative for small businesses
- Built for founders and early-stage teams
FirstLedger is not:
- Accounting software
- Bank-synced or automated
- A CPA replacement
- Designed for audits or compliance-heavy workflows
Who It's For
FirstLedger works best for:
- Solo founders
- Early-stage startups
- Side businesses
- Consultants and agencies
If someone is currently using a spreadsheet, this should feel like a natural next step.