Becoming a Successful Cannabis CFO in Just 6 Months

You’re dreading the start of the week: the soul-crushing commute to the office, the long working hours that resemble more like a 5-9 than a 9-5, and the monotonous day to day grinding, crunching numbers for the same thankless clients — does this daily routine resonate a little too much with you? Have you ever envisioned breaking free from the rigid corporate cycle and embarking on a more prosperous, fulfilling path but...

Whether you’re a Cannabis CBD/Hemp CEO or an accounting professional supporting licensed businesses in this space, knowing what is required with regards to compliantly managing inventory, as well as understanding the necessary processes and controls is valuable knowledge that can serve you well.    

It’s complicated for licensees who need to comply with how their particular state tells them inventory must be reported yet need some relief from the punishing...

Don’t know how much you should charge for providing Cannabis accounting services to pre-revenue businesses? You’re not alone! In this blog post, we uncover two main ways to consider setting your price. The first is by accurately framing the value you provide and asking a number of smart questions. The second is by reviewing a number of areas within the company’s pitch deck. Investing some time and energy into this process in the ways we suggest below will enable you to price...

Building a successful Cannabis/CBD Hemp accounting, tax, and Chief Financial Officer firm within six months is highly possible. Many DOPE CFO members have done it themselves, some in just a matter of weeks or months. It will however require work, commitment, putting in the time, and going through all of the necessary steps we will talk about in this blog post. If you’re wondering whether you can build your own firm while you keep your day job, the answer is yes. 

One major thing to...

Whether launching a startup, collaborating with established industry players, or stepping into the shoes of an investor, knowledge is imperative when it comes to making sound investments; the Cannabis/CBD/Hemp industry is no exception. The potential profits in this booming market are undeniable yet the pitfalls of balancing accurate accounting, navigating intricate tax codes, and comprehending personal liabilities can quickly turn an investment dream into a financial nightmare. The mistakes...

Whether you’re looking to serve Cannabis startups as a world class CFO or are a Cannabis CEO in the making, knowing what it takes to properly position the company for success is imperative. 

Now, we don’t say all of this to scare anyone away or to be gatekeepers in any form or fashion. We say this so that all parties can know what is needed in order to do well in this niche. We want this niche to thrive, and not die on the vine because the blind are leading the blind into...

David Alport, co-founder of Bridge City Collective, started his Cannabis career in 2009 as a medical Cannabis cultivator in Oregon, after receiving his BA in Business with a focus in Finance from the University of Puget Sound, a career at Nike, and stint as a trader at the Mercantile Exchange in New York.

Today, David is the co-founder of two cultivation sites and two of Portland, Oregon’s first licensed dispensaries. Now, more than a decade since he joined the industry, he and business...

As they say, knowledge is power. Social equity applicants for Cannabis licenses have a number of important things to stay on top of as they apply for licensing and work to raise capital. Among them are a great and grounded pitch deck, a well-thought-out capital and entity plan, a bullet proof financial model, appropriate entity and funding structure, and the right team, including a qualified CFO.

Whether you are a social equity applicant or want to help those who are seeking licensure in...

Many Cannabis businesses such as dispensaries, manufacturers, and cultivators tend to have a lot of cash on hand, even six-figure amounts, due to there being a lack of available banking services and solutions. Obviously, safeguarding massive amounts of cash is essential to day-to-day operations but there are many other reasons why managing cash flow matters greatly. 

With improved cash flow comes greater peace of mind, greater profits, and better forecasting. That’s not all. A...

Last year was a landmark year for the Cannabis industry with the AICPA (American Institute of Certified Public Accountants) acknowledging the potential for career growth in this rapidly expanding sector.

Now, just one year later, the Cannabis industry is nowhere near finishing its climb; instead it’s expanding as more and more states get on board with legalizing Cannabis. This year there is an entire Cannabis conference dedicated to bringing together industry leaders, including a more...