Finlens, a new AI-powered solution for accounting, has officially launched, aiming to streamline financial processes for startups and accounting firms alike. Backed by Y Combinator and Accel, Finlens positions itself as a tool designed specifically for founders and financial professionals who seek faster month-end closes, real-time financial visibility, and accurate bookkeeping without the usual spreadsheet clutter that bogs down many early-stage companies. The idea behind Finlens emerged after extensive conversations between its founders, Halim M. and Pawan Rochwani, and numerous founders and accountants. A consistent theme in those discussions was the frustration surrounding the manual and often disorganized nature of early-stage accounting. In response, Finlens was developed to automate much of the accounting backend, managing tasks like categorization, GAAP scheduling, and collaboration without requiring companies to migrate from existing systems like QuickBooks or endure complex change management processes.

According to co-founder Pawan Rochwani, the real challenge is not that founders are neglectful of their financial data but that traditional accounting platforms are not founder-friendly. Most founders have little interest in engaging directly with complex software like QuickBooks, preferring to rely on accountants to decipher and organize the data. Finlens seeks to bridge that gap by transforming the backend processes into something more intuitive and usable. The platform promises to give founders real-time visibility into their financials, reducing the need for accountants to repeatedly chase down receipts and preventing the typical end-of-month scramble many businesses experience.

Finlens offers features such as smart transaction categorization, receipt capture, and the management of split transactions. More complex accounting elements like accruals, compliance processes, and GAAP schedules are seamlessly integrated into the platform’s workflow. CPA firms can also benefit from its organized dashboard, designed to help them manage client accounts efficiently, whether they serve five clients or fifty. By syncing directly with QuickBooks through a two-way integration, Finlens eliminates the need for redundant data entry or double work.

Both founders bring prior experience in product development and go-to-market strategy. Rochwani, having previously held leadership roles in marketing and demand generation at companies like inFeedo and Pepper Content, also has experience as an angel investor. His co-founder, Halim M., had earlier worked on decentralized giving platforms and built widely-used consumer applications like FancyKey.

While Finlens enters an increasingly competitive market of AI-driven accounting solutions, it differentiates itself by focusing on usability and minimal disruption to existing systems. Another player in this growing space is Minerva Accounting, which also leverages artificial intelligence to automate core accounting functions. Like Finlens, Minerva aims to reduce manual workloads, minimize human error, and offer real-time insights into business finances. Minerva additionally promotes smart tax planning tools and on-demand financial chat services, presenting itself as a provider of CFO-level intelligence at a reduced cost.

Both companies reflect a broader trend in which artificial intelligence is reshaping financial operations, simplifying complex accounting tasks, and allowing both startups and accounting professionals to focus more on strategic growth rather than day-to-day financial admin work. Finlens, with its practical integration and founder-focused approach, is positioning itself as a key player in this evolving landscape.