There's something incredibly satisfying about taking a business's messy financial records, getting everything organized, and helping the owner finally understand where things stand.

But after years of working in the corporate world, I was ready for something different.

As a mom of children with special needs, I needed flexibility. I needed to be able to build my work around my family's needs, rather than constantly trying to fit my family around a traditional work schedule.

And quite frankly, I was tired of the corporate grind and feeling like I was just another replaceable employee.

So I decided to build something of my own.

That's how Lakeside Accounting was born.

But there was another reason I wanted to start my own firm.

I saw a real need for small business owners who wanted professional bookkeeping and accounting support but couldn't justify the cost of a large CPA firm.

And in many cases, they didn't need one.

They needed someone approachable. Someone who understood small businesses. Someone who could help them stay organized, answer their questions without all the accounting jargon, and take some of the financial stress off their shoulders.

And over the years, working with small business owners has taught me something important...

Most business owners don't struggle with bookkeeping because they aren't capable of doing it. They struggle because nobody has shown them a manageable way to do it.

Think about it.

You probably started your business because you're good at something.

Maybe you're a contractor, a hairstylist, a consultant, a shop owner, or someone who turned a passion into a business.

You didn't necessarily sign up to become your own bookkeeper, too.

But suddenly you're expected to know what expenses you can claim, how to record transactions, what paperwork to keep, when things need to be filed, and whether you're even doing any of it correctly.

So you do your best.

You Google questions. You try to figure out your accounting software or spreadsheet.

Maybe you keep up with things for a while, but then business gets busy and bookkeeping gets pushed aside.

Or maybe you're keeping up just fine, but you're still second-guessing whether you're recording things properly.

And here's where my experience as a bookkeeper has really shaped how I look at this...

I've worked with people who have fallen years behind on their bookkeeping and tax filings.

What started as a few months of putting things off eventually turned into years of missing records, overdue tax returns, CRA letters or phone calls, and interest and penalties adding up.

By the time they reached out for help, they were overwhelmed — and getting everything sorted out was often a much bigger and more expensive undertaking than it ever needed to be.

The part that gets me? In so many cases, I believe it could have been avoided.

Not because those business owners should have known better — but because having a simple routine, understanding what needed to be done, and knowing where to turn when they had questions could have made such a difference.

And I don't want business owners to have to reach that point before they get help.

There absolutely comes a time when hiring a professional bookkeeper makes sense. I own a bookkeeping firm, and I know firsthand how valuable that service can be.

But not every small business needs someone doing their bookkeeping for them every month.

Maybe you're just starting out. Maybe your bookkeeping is relatively straightforward. Or maybe you simply prefer to manage your own finances.

What you need isn't necessarily someone to take over. You need a system that works, practical guidance, and someone knowledgeable to turn to when you're unsure.

And that got me thinking...

What if small business owners could get the guidance and support of a professional bookkeeper, without having to pay for full-service bookkeeping?

What if they had somewhere to ask those questions they've been Googling?

What if they knew what bookkeeping tasks needed to be done each month?

And what if they had someone in their corner to help them stay on track, instead of waiting until something went wrong?

That's why I created DIY Bookkeeping Support, through The Bookkeeping Experience.

It's a membership designed to help Canadian small business owners confidently manage their own bookkeeping with a simple monthly system, practical resources, and ongoing professional support.

Whether you're brand new to business, trying to establish a better routine, or already managing your books but want some reassurance along the way, there's a place for you here.

You don't need to become a bookkeeper.

You just need to feel confident managing the bookkeeping for the business you've worked so hard to build.

Because doing your own bookkeeping shouldn't mean having to figure everything out alone.

And I'd love to help you do just that.

If you’re ready for a clearer routine and someone to turn to when you’re unsure, I’d love to welcome you inside.

Tori Patriquin

Founder of Lakeside Accounting & The Bookkeeping Experience