In the News
Unbalanced Podcast: Find your People, Teams, Pricing and the Cannabis Niche
Being an entrepreneur can feel isolating sometimes. Talking about it matters because it helps immensely to be reminded that we’re not meant to build alone.
I recently joined hosts Candy Bellau and Samantha Hallburn on Unbalanced to talk about what it really takes to build and sustain a firm, especially in a complex, fast-moving industry like cannabis.
Automated Accounting Services Awarded a 2025 Woodard Top 50 CAS Practice
We’re honored to be recognized by Woodard in their feature, “Automated Accounting Services: A Leader in CAS.”
When I started Automated Accounting Services, my goal wasn’t just to “do the books.” Over the years I’ve built a team that empowers business owners to make confident, data-driven decisions.
This recognition reflects our commitment to bringing clarity, strategy, and partnership to every client relationship.
Separation of Duties in a Small Team: Yes, You Still Need It
When you run a small business, wearing multiple hats is normal. But when one person wears all the financial hats—that’s where trouble starts.
I’ve seen it more than once: A trusted team member who enters invoices, cuts the checks, and reconciles the accounts… and before long, things don’t quite add up. Sometimes it’s a mistake. Sometimes it’s intentional. Either way, it’s a mess to untangle.
6 Warning Signs Your Small Business Has an Internal Controls Problem (and how to fix them)
I can’t tell you how many times a small business owner has called us in for help with their books—only for us to uncover something much bigger.
They often think it’s just a reconciliation issue or a miscategorization. But once we start digging, we almost always find gaps in internal controls—some small, some serious. And in most cases?
Most Small Businesses Have Weak Internal Controls—Here’s How to Fix Things Before It’s Too Late
Running a business of any size is no small feat. When it’s a small business, the buck stops with you— you’re in charge of all decisions, putting out fires, and wearing more hats than you ever imagined. It makes sense that internal controls often get overlooked, but failing to put a system in place can cost you in a big way.
I’ve worked with countless small businesses, and I can tell you that most don’t realize they have an internal controls problem until something goes horribly wrong. Maybe an employee has too much access, an account is tied to the wrong person, or fraud goes undetected for months.
HubSpot Feature: How To Sell Your Business and Make a Successful Exit
When I got the opportunity to offer comments on this How to Sell a Business article for HubSpot, I jumped because this has dominated so many conversations lately and has been a topic I've focused on in the last year. I've found there are two groups of people getting ready to sell their business:
To Modernize or Not to Modernize: Navigating Change in a Family-Owned Business
Modernizing a family-owned business is almost never just a technical decision—it’s deeply personal, with multiple stakeholders often holding strong opinions about how things get done. For one company we’ve been working with, the question of whether to overhaul their project management and CRM systems went far beyond improving efficiency. Like many small businesses with multi-generational family stakeholders, it required a careful balance between supporting a legacy, maintaining harmony within the family, and preparing for future growth.
Woodard Feature: Do You Have the Time (Block)?
If there’s one thing Q1 reminds us of every year, it’s this: time management isn’t just a nice-to-have for accountants—it’s the difference between staying ahead and constantly playing catch-up.
And let’s be real—when everything feels like a priority, how do you avoid drowning in deadlines?
Woodard Feature: Adapt to the Talent Crisis with a Diverse, Tech-Savvy Accounting Team
Building and leading an accounting firm is about so much more than the numbers—it’s about the people. The industry is facing major talent challenges, from hiring the right people to retaining them long-term. At our firm, we’ve been intentional about creating a workplace that attracts top talent, supports growth, and makes people want to stay.
Changing the Conversation on the ROI of Accounting
Most businesses fail to recognize that accounting is the difference between guessing and growing.
When I hear people talk about accounting as a “necessary evil” or simply “overhead,” I know we’re not having the right conversation. Accounting isn’t just a line item on your budget—it’s table stakes for your business to remain competitive, stay on the right side of the law, and thrive.
Firm of the Future Article: Leverage the power of the QuickBooks Online Project Center
When I was selected to present on QuickBooks Online’s Project Center at Intuit Connect, I said, “Sign me up!” I really enjoy the opportunity to help other accountants unlock new ways to show up for their clients.
As a quick overview: The QuickBooks Online Project Center revolutionizes project costing and profitability tracking. Leveraging a centralized platform equips you with essential tools to monitor profitability, manage expenses, and identify the key factors driving your project's success.
Helping a Small Family-Owned Business Break Through to Real Profitability
When the owner of a family-owned business came to us, he shared something we hear a lot: "I think I’m making money, but I don’t know for sure. Is my pricing set up the right way?"He’d been figuring out his gross margin by subtracting commissions and overhead from sales. But even with a profit target in mind, he couldn’t see where he really stood—or how to confidently reach his goals.
Woodard Feature: Cultivating Professional Growth Through Continual Learning
The Woodard Report recently featured an article I wrote about continual learning.
Accounting is always evolving. That may sound strange, given that math is math, but new technologies and changing regulations mean that we have to be on our toes to best serve clients AND make sure we have the most efficient way to work. For me, it goes beyond professional competence, though that matters, too.
Woodard Feature: What’s Next for You? Succession Planning Matters Now
The Woodard Report recently featured an article I wrote about succession planning.
M&A is everywhere these days...especially in the accounting space where older professionals are ready to pass the torch to younger generations. We're also seeing it with our clients as well, some of whom are getting ready to buy and sell businesses.
Is Your Business Really Profitable? Understanding Financial Health Beyond the Bank Balance
A healthy bank balance often makes small business owners feel like they’re in good financial standing—it’s something I see all the time. Unfortunately, what’s in the bank (and what’s not in the bank) doesn’t always tell the full story.
How, you might ask?
On one hand, you might be sitting on cash and still not be profitable. Conversely, you may wonder why your business is profitable on paper, but there’s barely any cash in your account.
Monique Swansen named one of the Top 50 Women in Accounting 2024
I can’t tell you how excited I was to get an email letting me know that I was named one of the Top 50 Women in Accounting this year.
Does Your Bookkeeper Prioritize Continual Learning?
Even though the principles of accounting—and to that end, mathematics—don’t see huge changes from year to year, if ever, the field of accounting faces the same continual change as the rest of the world. New tech, new industries, new regulations, and new reporting requirements. All of that means that any bookkeeper or accounting pro who isn’t committed to continual learning risks falling behind.
Enhancing Accounting Services Through Strategic Time-Blocking
As an accounting firm, staying ahead isn’t just about keeping up with the numbers. Instead, by optimizing how we manage our time, we can serve you—our clients—better. So why is an accounting firm talking about time-blocking? It boils down to two main reasons
Automated Accounting Services Recognized as a Woodard Top 50 Accounting Services Practice
SALISBURY-BASED AUTOMATED ACCOUNTING SERVICES NAMED TOP 50 ACCOUNTING SERVICES PRACTICE AWARDS BY WOODARD
Monique Swansen Named Top 100 ProAdvisor for 2024
SALISBURY-BASED AUTOMATED ACCOUNTING SERVICES CEO MONIQUE SWANSEN NAMED TOP 100 PROADVISOR 2024 BY INSIGHTFUL ACCOUNTANT