Tell us about yourself.
I am a bookkeeping and payroll professional based in Ontario, working with small and growing businesses across multiple industries. I support clients with day-to-day bookkeeping, payroll compliance, and sales tax reporting, with a strong focus on accuracy, consistency, and maintaining clean records that stand up to review.
My background includes hands-on experience with cloud-based accounting systems, payroll processing, and compliance work, supported by formal training in accounting. I approach bookkeeping as more than data entry, viewing it as the foundation for reliable financial reporting and informed business decisions.
I enjoy building efficient processes, using technology responsibly, and helping business owners feel confident and in control of their numbers.
Why did you pursue the CPB Designation?
I pursued the CPB designation to build a strong, practical foundation rooted in real-world bookkeeping. It reinforced the importance of reconciliations, internal controls, documentation, and professional judgment, areas that directly impact the quality of financial information.
The designation gave me confidence in my technical approach and validated my commitment to treating bookkeeping as a profession with standards and accountability. It also strengthened my credibility with employers and clients, who can see that my work is backed by formal training and ongoing professional development.
What does success look like for you?
Success means being trusted with responsibility. It is knowing that my work supports payroll accuracy, tax compliance, financing discussions, and year-end reporting without last-minute surprises.
Long-term success is continuous growth, both technically and professionally, while contributing positively to the businesses I support and to the bookkeeping profession as a whole. It is about building a career grounded in integrity, competence, and meaningful impact.
What does a day in the life look like for you?
My day typically starts with reviewing priorities tied to deadlines, payroll cutoffs, CRA remittances, and client deliverables. From there, I move into detailed work such as bank and credit card reconciliations, reviewing general ledger activity, validating payroll entries, and ensuring sales tax accounts balance properly.
A significant part of my day is spent investigating discrepancies, asking the right questions, and documenting decisions so the books tell a clear and defensible story. I also spend time communicating with clients, translating financial data into plain language, and helping them understand what the numbers are actually saying.
I intentionally set aside time to refine workflows, test automation, and stay current on accounting and payroll rules, because strong systems are just as important as strong technical skills.
Do you have any advice for aspiring bookkeepers?
Master the fundamentals and never rush them. Reconciliations, proper documentation, and a clear understanding of how transactions affect financial statements are what separate good bookkeepers from great ones.
Be curious and ask questions. Many issues are not errors but misunderstandings, and strong bookkeepers investigate rather than assume. At the same time, invest in learning technology and automation, but always understand what is happening behind the scenes.
Most importantly, take pride in your work. Bookkeeping is not just about recording history; it is about creating reliable financial information that others depend on.
How can bookkeepers collectively advocate for their role in the success of businesses?
Bookkeepers can advocate for their role by consistently producing accurate, well-documented, and review-ready books, and by clearly explaining the value behind that work. When bookkeepers demonstrate how clean records impact cash flow, tax planning, financing, and strategic decision-making, their role becomes visible and respected.
Mentorship, collaboration, and adherence to professional standards also strengthen the profession. When bookkeepers speak confidently about their expertise and hold themselves to high ethical and technical standards, the value of the role speaks for itself.
