Bookkeeping Today, LLC: Teri Pascone’s Rapid Rise to Success
The Bold Leap from Corporate to CEO
When Teri Pascone launched Bookkeeping Today, LLC full-time, she thought it would take years to build a business that could replace her corporate salary.
Eight months later, she made her dream a reality.
Teri walked away from the corporate world faster than expected, trading in the security of a paycheck for the freedom of entrepreneurship – and she hasn’t looked back since.
“I didn’t have a huge savings account when I started, and I fully expected to juggle both my corporate job and business for a couple of years,” Teri says. “I told myself, ‘The next year or two will be all about work. No vacations, no breaks. Just focus.’ Suddenly, I realized I didn’t have to wait years. I could leave now.”
In that moment, everything changed for Teri. Today, Teri serves small to medium-sized businesses locally and nationwide, specializing in monthly, quarterly, and annual bookkeeping. Whether cleaning up neglected financials, setting up accounting software, or helping business owners understand their numbers, Teri has built a company that does far more than track expenses.
“We’re more than just numbers,” Teri says, referencing her company tagline. “We don’t just enter data – we educate, clean up, and give business owners financial clarity.”
From Side Hustle to Full-Time Success
Teri’s journey into entrepreneurship didn’t start overnight.
As a single mother, Teri launched Bookkeeping Today in 2008 as a side hustle, taking on clients while maintaining her full-time corporate career. As her corporate responsibilities grew, she focused less on bookkeeping but never let the business go entirely.
“I knew at some point I would want to retire,” Teri explains, “and I felt that bookkeeping would keep my mind active and bring in a little extra income.”
It was her sister – the risk taker of the two – who gave her the confidence to take her bookkeeping business seriously.
“She was my inspiration,” Teri said. “Once my sons were grown, I decided to go all in.”
The moment Teri shifted her mindset, treating Bookkeeping Today as a business rather than a side project, clients started pouring in.
“The demand was overwhelming,” Teri says. “There were so many business owners who needed help, and they weren’t just looking for someone to track their expenses – they needed someone who understood accounting, could clean up their books, and get them back on track.” Now, two years after leaping into full-time business ownership, Teri has built a company that continues to grow, evolve, and serve clients nationwide.
The Bookkeeping Today Difference
With bookkeepers available at nearly every price point, it can be difficult for business owners to determine who is qualified. That’s where Teri stands out.
She holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting and has over twenty-five years of corporate accounting experience. These qualifications set Teri apart from many other bookkeepers. “Not all bookkeepers have actual accounting experience,” Teri explains. “Many business owners assume that if someone knows QuickBooks, they know accounting, but that’s not always the case.”
Teri’s expertise allows her to catch errors that others miss, reconcile financial records with precision, and ensure that CPAs get accurate financials for tax time.
“I love cleaning up books,” she says. “There’s something satisfying about taking a mess and making it make sense again.”
The Pitfalls of DIY Bookkeeping
One of the biggest mistakes business owners can make is not hiring a professional to oversee their bookkeeping.
“I see it all the time,” Teri says. “Business owners mean well, but they don’t realize how much time they’re losing trying to manage their books on their own. By the time they bring someone in, the financials are often a mess.”
She emphasizes that a good bookkeeper does more than data entry. They can help businesses maintain accurate records, allowing them to grow.
“If your numbers are off, you’re making business decisions based on bad data,” she says. “That can lead to major financial mistakes.”
This is why Bookkeeping Today specializes in cleanup work – helping businesses get back on track before tax season, loan applications, or financial forecasting.
“I can’t tell you how many times a business owner has come to me in panic mode before meeting with their CPA,” she says. “I like to make it my professional mission to relieve them of their stress.”
Transforming Financial Chaos into Clarity
Over the years, Teri has helped countless business owners regain control of their finances.
One memorable case involved a gentleman who had never reconciled his books – a process that should be done monthly. Going for years without reconciliation had turned his financial records into a mess, making it difficult to track cash flow, expenses, and profitability.
“I worked closely with his CPA to properly categorize discrepancies from 2021-2023,” Teri says. “When I shared the finalized books with my client and his CPA, they were both impressed.”
Teri cleaned up his financials, corrected errors, and restructured his bookkeeping system. By the time she finished, he had clear financial reports, accurate tax records, and peace of mind.
After the CPA received the financials to prepare this client’s tax return, he told the client, “I may want to build a car, but that’s not my area of expertise, so stay in your lane and do what you do
best, while Teri does what she does best.” In the end, the client went from hiring Teri for a single clean-up of his books to having her do his books quarterly.
Growth, Hiring, and Future Goals
As Bookkeeping Today’s client roster grows, Teri wants to expand her team and eventually open a physical office space.
“I’ve been running this business remotely for years, but I see the value in having a dedicated space where clients can come in, meet with us, and feel that hands-on support,” she says.
Hiring is also on the horizon, but Teri is selective about who she brings on board.
“I need someone thorough, detail-oriented, and who understands accounting – not just data entry,” she says. “An accounting student looking for a paid internship would allow me to mentor and train someone while they gain hands-on experience.”
Words of Wisdom for Entrepreneurs
As someone who transitioned to full-time business ownership sooner than expected, Teri has plenty of advice for aspiring entrepreneurs. One of the biggest challenges new business owners face is impostor syndrome—that nagging feeling that they aren’t qualified for the success they’re pursuing.
“I spent months doubting whether I could do this full-time,” Teri admits. “Looking back, I was more than ready. You probably are, too.”
Beyond confidence, she emphasizes the importance of knowing your value. Too many bookkeepers – and business owners in general – undersell themselves because they don’t realize how valuable their expertise is.
“If you have the experience and knowledge, charge for it,” she says. “Your skills are worth more than you think.”
Teri also reminds entrepreneurs that growth takes time.
“Building a business doesn’t happen overnight,” she says. “Stay consistent, keep showing up, and trust the process.”
Finally, she encourages business owners to get help sooner rather than later. Whether that means hiring a bookkeeper, CPA, or assistant, trying to do everything alone only slows down success.
“Your business will grow faster when you focus on what you do best,” she says.
Written by Eleni Owens | Photos by Gary Riggs Photography
Final Thoughts
What started as a side hustle has grown into a thriving, full-time business that helps clients organize their finances, clean up years of records, and gain clarity over their numbers.
With plans for expansion and a commitment to client education, Bookkeeping Today, LLC is redefining what thorough, expert bookkeeping looks like.
For business owners looking to clean up their books, gain financial clarity, and stop feeling overwhelmed by their numbers, Bookkeeping Today, LLC is ready to help. Learn how Teri Pascone can turn financial chaos into confidence by visiting Bookkeeping Today, LLC.
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