There’s a moment I’ll never forget—a turning point that reshaped everything for me. I had just finished cleaning up three years’ worth of financial records for a small-town automotive repair shop. The books were messy. The software was clunky. Nothing lined up. But I dug in, fixed the cost of goods sold, reconciled the invoices, and pieced everything back together.
When I handed the final reports to the local CPA, she paused, looked up, and said: “These are some of the cleanest books I’ve ever seen.”
And in that moment, something shifted. That single sentence gave me the confidence to realize: I can do this. Not just for one business—but for many. That was the day Amber’s Accounting & Bookkeeping started taking root
It Started With a Problem
At the time, I wasn’t an “accountant” in the formal sense. I had been running a professional organizing business in Chicago for years. I had my own QuickBooks setup. I knew how to track transactions, categorize expenses, and keep things orderly.
So when I met Daniel—my future husband—he asked if I could help clean up the books at his shop. He had years of messy data from a franchise system that didn’t play well with QuickBooks. I thought, “Sure, let me take a look.”
That clean-up process became a full-blown project:
- Reconciling cost of goods sold
- Cleaning up vendor payments
- Mapping software imports
- Fixing years of outdated entries
It was a mess. But it was my kind of mess—one that I knew how to organize.
When a Compliment Becomes a Calling
The CPA didn’t know how much her words meant to me. I didn’t just hear “clean books”—I heard validation. It was as if someone handed me permission to do the thing I was already good at. And that one sentence gave me the clarity and courage to build a new business.
From there, I began offering bookkeeping services to other small businesses, especially ones who were struggling to keep up. Many of them were just like Daniel—hardworking owners who were too deep in the weeds to stop and clean up their financial systems.
That’s where I came in.
What “Clean Books” Really Mean
When I say “clean books,” I don’t mean just tidy columns in a spreadsheet. I mean:
- Every dollar is tracked.
- Your reports actually match your reality.
- Your CPA doesn’t cringe when tax season rolls around.
- You can finally make decisions based on facts—not just feelings.
Clean books are the financial equivalent of a clean house. You feel calmer. More in control. Less stressed when unexpected expenses pop up. And most importantly—you can grow with confidence.
And that’s what I aim to give every client: calm and control, wrapped in clarity.
From a Side Project to a Purpose
After that first clean-up job, I realized this wasn’t just a service—it was a calling. Over time, what started as a few side projects grew into a full-blown business. Daniel eventually joined me, and together we built a virtual bookkeeping and accounting firm that helps small business owners across the country.
We’ve worked with gyms, law firms, marketing agencies, breweries—you name it. And no matter what the industry, the issues are often the same:
- Disorganized books
- Unclear reporting
- Missed tax deductions
- Business owners flying blind
What we offer isn’t just bookkeeping. It’s a reset. A fresh start. And a chance to finally know what your numbers are saying.
Clean Books Build Confidence
One of the things I say often is: You can’t grow what you can’t measure.
If your numbers are off, if your reports don’t make sense, or if you haven’t reconciled your accounts in months—it’s no wonder you feel stuck. That feeling of spinning your wheels? That usually comes from not knowing where you stand.
That’s why our mission is simple: We create confidence around your numbers.
Because when you’re confident in your books, you:
- Make smarter hires
- Price your services properly
- Prepare for taxes with no surprises
- Make decisions with actual clarity
And all of that starts with clean, accurate records.
Real-World Help, Not Just Software
There’s a misconception out there that tools like QuickBooks are “easy.” That you can just plug in a few numbers and it’ll all magically work.
Let me be clear: the software is powerful, yes. But it’s only as good as the data you put into it—and how well it’s set up. That’s where most business owners struggle. And that’s exactly where we come in.
We don’t just plug in numbers. We:
- Map your accounts properly
- Rebuild reports that make sense
- Help you understand what the data actually means
Because this isn’t just about filing taxes. It’s about running a business you’re proud of—one that’s built on accurate, reliable information.
If You’re Feeling Overwhelmed, You’re Not Alone
I’ve worked with enough business owners to know: most aren’t ignoring their books because they don’t care. They’re overwhelmed. Busy. Wearing all the hats. And honestly? They just don’t have time.
But let me say this: you don’t have to do it alone. There’s no shame in asking for help. In fact, asking for help might be the smartest financial decision you make this year.
Whether you’re buried under receipts or just unsure if things are being done right, we can help. And it starts with a simple review.
