The Hidden Challenges of Fundraising: Scaling People and Financial Operations

This article was contributed by John Delalio at EisnerAmper, a trusted partner of Justworks.

Growth Funding Brings New Expectations

Securing new capital is a milestone. Whether it's a seed round, Series A, grant, or major contract, it signals momentum — and it changes the way your organization is judged. Investors expect disciplined forecasts and GAAP-compliant reporting. Boards want proof that resources are being managed wisely. Employees expect competitive benefits and a smooth onboarding experience. Regulators and funders apply stricter oversight.

These expectations often arrive all at once. Suddenly, what should feel like a milestone can feel like a stress test for your entire organization. Keep reading to learn how to meet that moment by building two critical foundations: scalable people operations and credible financial operations.

Not All Growth Is the Same

Different types of growth introduce different operational demands:

1. Venture Funding Seed or Series A investors want accurate reporting, disciplined forecasts, and a hiring plan that proves you can scale quickly.

2. Market Expansion Entering new states or countries brings additional payroll taxes, compliance rules, and benefit requirements.

3. Contracts and Grants Winning a foundation grant, federal contract, or enterprise customer often requires audit-ready financials and detailed HR documentation.

4. Strategic Transactions M&A, IPO preparation, or leadership succession require both financial rigor and strategies to retain your top talent.

Each trigger raises expectations in two areas: your people operations and your financial operations.

Why People Operations Get Harder After Fundraising

Hiring often accelerates immediately after raising funds. This creates a new set of challenges:

• Payroll grows more complex as you add headcount in multiple states.

• Candidates expect better benefits than “startup basics.”

• Compliance expands with every new jurisdiction.

• Admins wearing multiple hats can't keep pace with manual HR tasks.

These pressures make it difficult for small teams to stay focused on growth.

How Justworks Helps You Scale People Operations

A Professional Employer Organization (PEO) like Justworks takes HR and payroll off your plate so you can focus on building your business.

1. Enterprise-Level Benefits at SMB Rates Access health insurance and wellness perks typically reserved for larger companies, helping you compete for top talent.

2. Multi-State Payroll and Compliance Coverage Stay compliant as you hire in new states without adding administrative overhead.

3. Employer of Record (EOR) Services Hire international employees without the time and expense of local entity creation. 

4. Transparent Pricing You Can Plan Around Predictable costs make it easier to budget during periods of rapid growth.

5. Reliable Support for Admins Wearing Many Hats Highly responsive service helps lighten the load, allowing your team to stay focused.

The result is scalability without the overhead. In fact, SMBs that use PEOs grow 7–9% faster, have 10–14% lower turnover, and are 50% less likely to go out of business (NAPEO).

Why Financial Credibility Matters

While people operations feel the strain first, fundraising also raises the bar for financial operations. Investors, boards, and regulators expect reporting and forecasts they can trust. Grants and contracts require audit-ready documentation. Strategic transactions demand experienced guidance. Meeting these expectations takes more than bookkeeping. It requires credibility.

How EisnerAmper Strengthens Finance Operations Alongside Justworks

EisnerAmper's Client Advisory Services (CAS) team provides the expertise and capacity to meet new financial expectations:

1. GAAP-Compliant Financials and Forecasts Investor-ready reporting and forecasts that build confidence.

2. Compliance and Incentive Expertise Support for industry rules and opportunities like R&D tax credits or grant compliance.

3. Transaction and Expansion Support Specialized knowledge for M&A, IPO prep, or entering new markets globally.

4. Fractional CFO-Level Guidance Strategic insight and scalable systems without the cost of a full in-house team.

This combination of expertise and scale ensures your financials can withstand scrutiny — and that credibility accelerates growth.

Scale Smarter After Fundraising

Fundraising is a milestone, but it is also a turning point. New expectations arrive quickly, and the partners you choose determine how well you meet them. Justworks helps you scale people operations with payroll, HR, benefits, and international support while EisnerAmper provides the financial expertise capacity and support that lend credibility to your numbers.

Growth funding isn’t just fuel for your plans — it’s a magnifying glass on how well your organization can execute them. The right foundations today ensure that your next round, contract, or expansion feels like progress — not pressure. Get scaling today.