Welcome to FinKitty! You're about to transform how you manage your business cash flow. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know to get up and running quickly.
What You'll Need
Before we start, make sure you have:
- Your business bank account details
- Online banking credentials
- 10 minutes of uninterrupted time
- Your financial goals in mind
Step 1: Create Your Account
- Visit finkitty.com/signup
- Enter your business email address
- Create a secure password
- Verify your email address
- Complete your business profile
Pro tip: Use your business email address - this helps with integrations and team features later.
Step 2: Connect Your Bank Account
This is where the magic happens. FinKitty uses Open Banking to securely connect to your bank accounts.
What is Open Banking?
Open Banking is a secure, regulated way for approved apps to access your financial data. It's actually more secure than traditional methods because:
- No passwords are shared
- Banks control the connection
- You can revoke access anytime
- All data is encrypted
Connecting Your Bank
- Click "Connect Bank Account" on your dashboard
- Select your bank from the list
- You'll be redirected to your bank's website
- Log in normally (FinKitty never sees your credentials)
- Approve the connection
- You're redirected back to FinKitty
Supported banks include: Barclays, HSBC, Lloyds, NatWest, Santander, Starling, Monzo, and 100+ more.
Step 3: Set Your Financial Goals
Goals give FinKitty context about your business and help prioritize alerts and recommendations.
Common Business Goals:
- Emergency Fund: 3-6 months of operating expenses
- Growth Investment: Saving for equipment or expansion
- Debt Reduction: Paying down business loans
- Cash Flow Buffer: Maintaining minimum cash levels
Setting Up Goals:
- Go to the "Goals" section in your dashboard
- Click "Add New Goal"
- Choose a goal type and target amount
- Set a target date
- FinKitty will track progress automatically
Step 4: Customize Your Dashboard
Your dashboard is your command center. Let's set it up for maximum effectiveness:
Key Widgets to Enable:
- Cash Balance: Current balance across all accounts
- 7-Day Forecast: Short-term cash flow prediction
- Upcoming Bills: Bills due in the next 30 days
- Goal Progress: Visual progress toward your financial goals
- Recent Transactions: Latest account activity
Customizing Widgets:
- Click the "Customize" button on your dashboard
- Drag widgets to rearrange them
- Click the settings icon on each widget to configure
- Save your layout
Step 5: Set Up Alerts and Notifications
Stay informed without being overwhelmed:
Recommended Alerts:
- Low balance warning (customize the threshold)
- Large unexpected transactions
- Bill due reminders
- Goal milestone achievements
- Weekly cash flow summary
Setting Up Notifications:
- Go to Settings → Notifications
- Choose email, SMS, or in-app notifications
- Set your preferences for each alert type
- Test your settings
Step 6: Explore Key Features
Now that you're set up, let's explore what FinKitty can do:
Cash Flow Forecasting
- View predictions up to 90 days ahead
- See confidence intervals for predictions
- Run "what-if" scenarios
- Identify cash flow gaps before they happen
Transaction Categorization
- Automatic categorization using AI
- Custom categories for your business
- Bulk editing for similar transactions
- Export for accounting software
Scenario Planning
- Model business decisions before committing
- Test hiring, equipment purchases, or expansion plans
- Compare multiple scenarios side-by-side
- Share scenarios with advisors or partners
Best Practices for New Users
Week 1: Get Familiar
- Check your dashboard daily
- Review transaction categorizations
- Set up your first goal
- Explore the forecasting features
Week 2: Optimize
- Fine-tune your categories
- Set up additional alerts
- Try running a scenario
- Connect additional bank accounts if needed
Month 1: Master the Basics
- Review forecast accuracy
- Adjust goals based on actual performance
- Use insights to make business decisions
- Consider upgrading to unlock advanced features
Common Questions
"Is my data secure?"
Absolutely. FinKitty uses bank-grade encryption and never stores your banking passwords. All connections use regulated Open Banking APIs.
"How accurate are the forecasts?"
Our AI achieves 87% accuracy for 30-day forecasts. Accuracy improves over time as the system learns your business patterns.
"Can I connect multiple bank accounts?"
Yes! Professional and Enterprise plans support unlimited bank accounts. This gives you a complete view of your business finances.
"What if I need help?"
Our support team is here to help. Contact us via:
- In-app chat
- Email: support@finkitty.com
- Help center: help.finkitty.com
Next Steps
Congratulations! You're now set up and ready to master your cash flow. Here's what to focus on next:
- Use it daily: Check your dashboard each morning
- Trust the process: Let FinKitty learn your patterns
- Explore features: Try new features as you get comfortable
- Share insights: Use data to make better business decisions
Need More Help?
- Watch our video tutorials
- Join our community forum
- Book a one-on-one onboarding call
- Read more cash flow tips
Ready to take your cash flow management to the next level? Explore FinKitty's advanced features or upgrade your plan for unlimited forecasting and scenarios.