Charidy Clubbe, CPB
Tell us about yourself.
I’m the founder and driving force behind CDC Bookkeeping, a full-service bookkeeping firm that has grown into one of Saskatchewan’s leading bookkeeping providers. I started CDC in 2000 from my kitchen table, having earned my Accounting Diploma from SIAST. I built the business from the ground up by truly understanding the challenges faced by entrepreneurs and small business owners.
As a prairie girl through and through, I lead with a hands-on, people-first approach, offering services that include bookkeeping, payroll, reporting, client training, receivables and payables management, and government filings. Today, I’m proud to lead a growing team of 24 professionals and to continue building a tech-forward firm rooted in integrity, personalized service, and helping businesses gain clarity and confidence in their finances.
Why did you pursue the CPB Designation?
For a long time, I believed that becoming a CPA was the only way to be perceived as truly successful in this industry. Earlier in my career, I even tried to return to university while raising two small children, managing a household, and running a growing bookkeeping business. At the same time, I realized that while tax returns didn’t inspire me, helping small business owners and watching the bookkeeping puzzle come together absolutely did.
Choosing to focus solely on bookkeeping was a turning point in my career. Pursuing the CPB designation validated that decision. It provided professional recognition, credibility, and a clear signal—to clients, peers, and myself—that bookkeeping is a skilled, strategic profession, not just data entry.
The CPB designation aligns with what I’ve always believed: bookkeepers deserve recognition, standards, and a governing body that reflects the true value we bring to businesses. It reinforces my confidence, strengthens my leadership, and allows me to proudly advocate for the profession and the critical role bookkeepers play in helping businesses succeed.
What does success look like for you?
Success for me looks like leading and empowering a team of bookkeepers who are confident, curious, and committed to growing in their careers. It means creating clear career paths, offering mentorship, and fostering a supportive environment where learning and professionalism are valued.
At the same time, success is ensuring our clients feel fully supported—knowing their books are handled with care, accuracy, and intention so they can focus on running their businesses with confidence. When my team feels fulfilled, and my clients feel understood and supported, that’s when I know I’m doing meaningful work.
What does a day in the life look like for you?
No two days look the same, which is one of the things I love most about my role. My day usually starts with checking in on my team and our priorities, supporting team leads, and helping problem-solve more complex client situations. From there, my time is often split between mentoring staff, reviewing processes, and ensuring our standards for quality, efficiency, and client care are being met.
I’m also actively involved in sales conversations, client onboarding, HR and people development, operations, finance and marketing. That can mean interviewing candidates, refining workflows, reviewing capacity and pricing, meeting with prospective clients, or working on how we communicate our value to the market. Throughout it all, my focus remains on building a strong team, supporting our clients fully, and growing the business in a way that stays true to our people-first values.
Do you have any advice for aspiring bookkeepers?
My advice is to lead with positivity, patience, and perseverance. Set clear boundaries and don’t be afraid to ask for help—no one succeeds alone. Take smart risks and embrace challenges as opportunities for growth. Above all, lead with empathy and a genuine desire to help clients and your team reach their full potential, because the impact you make goes far beyond the numbers.
How can bookkeepers collectively advocate for their role in the success of businesses?
I think bookkeepers can really advocate for themselves by showing the difference we make beyond just crunching numbers. It’s about helping business owners understand how accurate, timely bookkeeping drives better decisions, saves money, keeps cash flowing, and supports growth. We can also raise the profile of our profession by sharing knowledge, mentoring others, and promoting standards like the CPB designation. When we step into our expertise with confidence and show the impact we have, it becomes clear that bookkeepers are essential partners in a business’s success.