OUR PILLARS ARE: APPROACHABILITY, AFFORDABILITY & ACCURACY

We are a different kind of financial services firm. We are the one that always returns your phone calls, texts, and emails. We understand the stresses and difficulties you have as a small business owner, which is why we value communication. We are approachable because no one should feel ashamed or embarrassed that they don’t know all the ins and outs of business finance. We are affordable because accounting doesn’t market most businesses, it doesn’t sell any products, or explain to customers why you are such a great business. If it’s not bringing customers in the door, then how can any company thrive with a massive financial services budget? Yes, accounting can be complex, but no one said it had to be expensive. We are accurate, because that is how we achieve excellence in our work; it is our promise.

OUR FOUNDERS STORY

Shaun Fowler, Owner

I started a computer business when I was 17 and throughout my two years in business, I constantly worried about whether I was doing things right. Would I get audited? What are the tax rules on mileage and food? How do I collect money and file my sales tax returns and what if I forget to file? The worrying was enough for me to close up shop and go to college for accounting so that I would never feel afraid to be in business again.

My college pursuits led to an MBA in Accounting and work in finance for some of Rochester’s most successful companies. For over 12 years, I’ve managed billions of dollars annually in receivables and payables. Over the years, I also helped friends and family start and run their businesses. I learned that my fears as a 17-year old entrepreneur were not just my feelings, but something nearly all business owners struggle with. When I looked into what accountants were doing to solve this problem, I was gravely disappointed. Many weren’t truly interested in bookkeeping and offered over-priced services as a way to supplement their main business: tax filing. Accountants were rarely available to clients or to provide support. Worst of all, many in the accounting industry knew accounting, but not how to build and run efficient systems that keep financial record keeping at a minimum.

I decided to create Friendly Neighborhood Bookkeeping as a response to this reality. At our firm, our mission is to partner with businesses to create space for them to sell and create through affordable bookkeeping. We teach simple and effect processes that fit with your personality and abilities so that you spend as little time bookkeeping as possible and maximize time with your customers and your personal life.

OUR TEAM

Friendly Neighborhood Bookkeeping is an approachable team of financial professionals with a wide range of financial and accounting expertise. We would love the opporunity to work side-by-side with you to meet all your business goals.