Cannabis Startups and Financial Planning: A New Frontier for Accountants

“Stay away from startups.” It’s a phrase many cannabis accounting professionals hear early in their careers. The concern? Cannabis startups often lack capital, have limited historical financial data, and come with a messy cleanup process. But here’s the truth: Cannabis startups and financial planning represent an untapped goldmine—if you’re equipped with the right mindset and skills.

Rather than avoiding these businesses, consider the potential they offer. Startups and relaunching cannabis companies often come with a unique vision, flexible business models, and founders who are hungry for knowledgeable advisors. If you believe in their mission and bring financial clarity to the table, you don’t just offer support—you become part of their growth story.

Join us on Tuesday, April 18th at 10AM PT, for an engaging conversation with Precious Osagie-Erese, COO and co-founder of Roll Up Life, Inc.. She’ll share how her accountant played a pivotal role in the successful rollout of a new cannabis tech service, and what she believes every cannabis startup needs from a financial partner.

Why Cannabis Startups and Financial Planning Go Hand-in-Hand

Supporting cannabis startups requires a unique blend of flexibility, financial expertise, and strategic foresight. With the right planning, accountants can provide immense value and stability to founders navigating an ever-changing landscape.

1. Be a Nimble Financial Partner

Learn how to pivot with clients as they evolve. Cannabis operators frequently shift strategy—successful accountants are those who can adapt just as quickly.

2. Meet the Core Financial Needs of Startups

Understand the basic yet critical financial services cannabis startups need, from proper bookkeeping to cash flow management and tax planning.

3. Embrace a Flexible Mindset

Whether your client is in pre-licensing or scaling to multiple dispensaries, you’ll need to adjust your approach. Cannabis startups require custom solutions—not cookie-cutter models.

4. Stay Ahead of Regulations

Regulations vary drastically by state and change frequently. Your clients rely on you to stay up-to-date and guide them through financial compliance.

5. Offer High-Impact Services

Help cannabis startups think like big businesses. Budget forecasting, pricing models, and fractional CFO services can help them operate strategically and raise capital with confidence.

6. Land Your Dream Clients

Not every dream client comes with a perfect balance sheet. Some are early-stage operators with passion and grit. Learn how to identify the ones worth your time—and how to stand out as their go-to financial expert.

Cannabis startups and financial planning is not just a niche—it’s a dynamic space filled with possibility. If you’re ready to work with forward-thinking entrepreneurs and make a real impact on the cannabis industry, this is a conversation you don’t want to miss.

Whether you’re offering basic compliance or CFO-level support, there’s no better time to position yourself as an expert in cannabis startups and financial planning.

Precious Osagie-Erese

CO-FOUNDER AND CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER OF ROLL UP LIFE, INC.

East Orange, New Jersey native Precious Osagie-Erese joined Roll Up Life, Inc., in 2019 as a co-founder and chief operations officer after noticing the lack of minority representation in the cannabis industry. Along with the founder, Tiyahnn Bryant, the two created the first black-owned delivery and logistics cannabis company in New Jersey with a mission to be the premier provider and transporter of high-quality cannabis and related products and have expanded into cannabis technology and retail. With a B.S. in journalism from Howard University and a M.S. degree from Columbia University, Precious uses her background in journalism, marketing and social media to grow the Roll Up Life brand. Since its inception, Roll Up Life, Inc., has been featured in publications such as the NJ Cannabis Insider, New Jersey Star Ledger, Politico News, Cheddar News, CannaTechToday and PBS to name a few. Precious was recently named as 23 to watch in 2023 by NJ Cannabis Insider for the second year in a row, and named NJBiz Next Generation of Leaders. Precious also utilizes the Roll Up Life platform to advocate and educate community leaders and residents on the benefits of cannabis for medicinal use as well as the parallels between marijuana legalization and decriminalization.

Precious also serves as the communications director for the Minority Cannabis Business Association (MCBA), the nation’s largest cannabis trade association representing minority-owned cannabis companies. In her role, she ensures that resources are allocated to MCBA members to support their operations and professional careers, all while advocating for social equity policies that support entrepreneurs on the federal, state and local level. Precious is proud to be a part of Roll Up Life and MCBA as it looks to be not just a change agent in the cannabis industry, but a beacon for more people to seek financial freedom in minority communities.