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CASE STUDY

How Lilac Built a Finance Department Without Hiring One

After outgrowing in-house bookkeeping, Lilac partnered with Accountix to gain financial clarity, strategic guidance, and the confidence to scale.
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About Lilac

Lilac Pâtisserie and Lilac Montecito are a locally owned restaurant and bakery group founded by Alam and Gillian Muralles, known for quality ingredients and a warm, inviting experience.

Lilac Pâtisserie operates as a bakery and café, known for its gluten-free, European-inspired pastries, breads, and desserts that have earned a loyal following. Lilac Montecito expands on that foundation as a full-service restaurant and bistro, offering a broader dining experience alongside Lilac’s signature baked goods and pâtisserie creations.

Together, the businesses represent a multi-entity operation with distinct revenue streams, service models, and operational complexities. Over more than a decade, Lilac has grown from a single, owner-operated location into a layered hospitality brand requiring more sophisticated systems, financial visibility, and strategic oversight to support continued growth.

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The Challenge

Where Growth Created Complexity

 

As Lilac expanded, its financial infrastructure didn’t keep pace. What once worked became a source of friction, risk, and uncertainty.

  • Outgrown DIY financial management – After eight years of handling bookkeeping internally, complexity exceeded internal capacity
  • Costly errors from unreliable support – A previous bookkeeper mistake resulted in a major sales tax overpayment
  • Limited financial visibility – Decisions were based on historical reporting rather than forward-looking insight
  • No forecasting or scenario planning – Hiring, expansion, and profitability decisions lacked clear financial modeling
  • Manual, inefficient workflows – Reliance on handwritten checks and inconsistent processes created unnecessary risk and inefficiency
“It’s like having a full finance department—which is incredible for a small business.”
lilac-l2
Gillian Muralles
Executive Chef & Co-owner
Lilac Restaurant Group

The Solution

A Financial Partner, Not Just a Bookkeeper

Accountix stepped in to provide both execution and strategy,  functioning as a fully integrated finance team.

  • Full-service accounting + fractional CFO support - Accurate, consistent bookkeeping paired with strategic advisory, without the cost of building an in-house team
  • System modernization and automation -  Transitioned from manual check-writing to tools like Bill.com, improving efficiency, accuracy, and control
  • Forward-looking financial planning - Introduced forecasting models to evaluate hiring decisions, profitability targets, and growth scenarios
  • Structured reporting and performance alignment - Built reporting frameworks and financial targets that aligned leadership decisions with day-to-day operations

The Results

From Uncertainty to Control

With Accountix in place, Lilac transitioned from reactive financial management to confident, strategic decision-making.

  • Accurate, trusted financials - Leadership now operates with reliable, up-to-date data
  • Reduced stress and mental load - Ownership no longer carries the burden of managing or second-guessing financials
  • Confident, data-driven decisions - Forecasting enables clear evaluation of hiring, investments, and growth opportunities
  • Operational efficiency gains - Automated systems reduce manual work and minimize errors
  • Stronger financial strategy - CFO-level insight supports realistic planning, profitability targets, and sustainable growth
  • Improved team accountability - Financial targets and reporting frameworks align managers with business performance

     

Lilac didn’t just outsource bookkeeping, they gained a financial partner who could challenge assumptions, model decisions, and bring clarity to growth.

For small businesses operating without a finance team, that shift isn’t incremental, it’s foundational.

 

“I can finally relax knowing the numbers are accurate and the advice is solid.”
lilac-l2
Gillian Muralles
Executive Chef & Co-Owner
Lilac Restaurant Group

Financial Expertise to Power Your Business

Reach out today and discover how financial clarity can strengthen your business.

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