
Bookkeeper vs. CPA: What’s the Real Difference?
Part 1 of the “Bridging the Gap” Series When you’re running a small business, it’s easy to assume that if you’ve got a bookkeeper and a CPA, your financial bases
Missing money in your books?
Empowering Financial Insights with Data & Precision
Code. Analyze. Optimize.
Empowering Financial Insights With Data & Precision.
At Pettay Consulting LLC, we bridge the gap between traditional bookkeeping and high-level tax prep. We specialize in helping small business owners, CPAs, and accounting firms uncover missed deductions, clean up messy records, and create financial systems that actually make sense.
Using proprietary tools and deep IRS research, we go beyond data entry to ask why you spent it, how it should be categorized, and whether it can save you money.
We don’t just log transactions — we analyze them.
We don’t just clean your books — we make them work for you.
We find what others overlook — organize it with purpose, and make it usable.
Whether you’re prepping for year-end, applying for funding, or simply want clarity in your numbers, Pettay Consulting brings insight, structure, and confidence to your finances.
Delivering streamlined financial solutions with precision, efficiency, and trust.
We analyze every expense through a strategist’s lens — identifying deductible opportunities line by line.
This is where it starts: reviewing each charge, questioning its purpose, and aligning it with IRS guidelines to uncover deductions most bookkeepers overlook. This includes:
Includes:
• Review of business and personal transactions
• Flagging gray-area expenses (meals, subscriptions, home office, etc.)
• Categorization aligned with IRS publications (Pub 334, Pub 519)
• Supporting documentation review (PDF bank statements, vendor research, BBB reports)
Chase Bank Statement (PDF)
Navy Federal Credit Union Statement (PDF)
Discover Credit Card Statement (PDF) – shows charge from Web.com
Vendor Research: Web.com BBB Rating Review, Fraudulent Charge
IRS Source References: Pub 334 (Ordinary & Necessary), Pub 519
This step builds the foundation for accurate reporting — before any summary, P&L, or hand-off is created.
Every transaction is accounted for — nothing gets missed.
Turn your data into clarity.
We don’t just track — we translate.
Once your transactions are reviewed, we build detailed, customized reports tailored for easy handoff to CPAs, SBA lenders, or tax teams.
From clean P&L statements to annotated ledgers, every figure is backed by documentation and categorized to match your industry and accounts.
What’s included:
Built in Excel or Google Sheets
Organized by bank and account
Fully categorized with GL codes
CPA- and SBA-friendly formatting
Linked source documents and notes
Stop scrambling at tax time — start handing off with confidence.
We fix the financial mess others leave behind.
Messy records? Duplicate charges? Wrong categories? We clean up your general ledger (GL) so it’s not only accurate, but actually useful — for tax season, audits, and real decision-making.
You get more than cleanup — you get clarity, structure, and confidence in every line.
Includes:
Duplicate charge identification and correction
Misclassified transactions re-coded with IRS-aligned logic
Chart of accounts restructure or repair
Verification of receipts and payee names
Clean summaries that support handoff to CPAs or lenders
Stop reinventing the wheel every month.
Your finances shouldn’t feel like starting from scratch. We build custom tools and documentation that organize your workflow — and make it easy to stay consistent, whether you’re a solo owner or working with a team.
From step-by-step SOPs to smart Excel trackers, these systems reduce stress, eliminate errors, and put control back in your hands.
Includes:
Written SOPs for recurring financial tasks
(e.g., reimbursements, expense reviews, monthly reporting)
Excel-based trackers customized to your categories, accounts, and frequency
Shared Google Sheets or Drive folders if needed
Optional onboarding walkthroughs for you or your staff
Why it matters:
Most businesses don’t struggle because they’re doing too little — they struggle because they’re doing everything manually, inconsistently, or without a system. We fix that.
Because numbers should tell a story — not just sit in a spreadsheet.
We go beyond recording transactions. We interpret the data, identify patterns, and help you understand where your money’s going — and whether it’s working for you.
This is where trends turn into strategy, and your financials start to speak your language.
Includes:
Monthly or quarterly data reviews
Visual summaries of spending, vendor usage, and cash flow patterns
Trend spotting: client activity, charge creep, duplicated subscriptions
Consults to help shift spending based on your goals
Optional graph overlays and category heat maps
Why it matters:
It’s not about more reports — it’s about smarter decisions. When you see how your financial behavior aligns (or conflicts) with your business goals, you finally have the power to adjust.
Know where you stand. Decide where to go.
This is where your numbers meet your goals. We step back and look at the big picture — helping you understand what’s working, what’s not, and what needs to shift for your business to grow with clarity.
We bring insights, not just spreadsheets. You’ll walk away with real direction, not just more data.
Includes:
1:1 consulting sessions to review financial patterns
Guidance on spending adjustments, growth strategies, or budget realignment
Pre-tax season planning to reduce surprises
Coordination with your CPA, bookkeeper, or team as needed
Decision-support documents and goal-aligned spending strategies
Why it matters:
Your books are a map — but only if someone helps you read them. That’s where we come in.
Every business is different — so our process starts with listening. We begin with a detailed conversation to understand your entire financial picture: how information is stored, how personal and business expenses are intertwined, and where gaps might exist.
When questions arise and standard sources don’t provide clarity, we don’t guess — we investigate. Any gray areas are flagged and prioritized for deeper review. We leave no stone unturned.
While others rely solely on surface-level platforms or dashboards, we take a deeper approach. From identifying duplicate charges and miscategorized expenses to flagging potential fraud, we ensure your financial data is accurate, clean, and built for trust.
Because helpful isn’t good enough — it needs to be correct.
Skilled in Excel, Salesforce, and data pattern analysis — translating complex information into clear trends, solutions, and strategic insight.
We go beyond surface-level numbers to create tailored systems that align with how your business actually operates. There is no one-size-fits-all here.
From cleaned-up ledgers to missed deductions recovered, our work leads to decisions backed by clarity — not guesswork.
Whether you’re seeking clean Profit & Loss statements, a full expense review, time-saving systems, or customized reporting — we’re here to bridge the gap between your spending and your strategy.
Schedule your free consult today and let’s talk through your goals.
At the core of Pettay Consulting, LLC is Amanda Pettay, a Financial Strategist with over 15 years of hands-on experience in decoding financial data and optimizing processes for small business owners, accounting firms, and CPAs.
Amanda bridges the gap between bookkeepers and CPAs — not just tracking transactions, but identifying what’s deductible, what’s missing, and how to organize it all for clear decision-making and tax-time readiness.
Her background in analytical engineering, paired with real-world consulting experience, allows her to spot patterns others miss and build custom systems that work.
She previously developed the Salesforce Console for Tampa Bay Trane, a testament to her deep technical capabilities and process improvement mindset.
Specialties:
Financial Coding & Strategy
Deduction Identification
General Ledger Repair
Excel Tools & Custom Reports
Operational SOP Development
EXCELLENT Based on 3 reviews Mick E. Hoover2025-01-15Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Pettay Consulting have transformed our financial operations with their intuitive, efficient platform. Their exceptional customer support is always professional and solution-focused, making the entire experience seamless. We’ve seen improved accuracy, time savings, and greater financial clarity. Highly recommend them as a trusted partner for any business! William Atkinson2024-12-24Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Amanda did an incredible job providing financial organization for my small businesses. I would highly recommend Pettay Consulting to anyone seeking solutions for tax preparation. Jan Brandi2024-12-23Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I had the pleasure of working with Amanda Pettay at Pettay Consulting, and I can't recommend her services enough! Amanda has a unique ability to break down complex financial situations and present clear, actionable plans. She helped me organize my budget, analyze my expenses, and provided invaluable advice on building my credit. Her personalized approach and genuine care for her clients make her stand out in her field. Thanks to Amanda's expertise, I've gained financial clarity and feel more confident about my financial future. If you're looking for a financial consultant who is knowledgeable, professional, and truly dedicated to her clients' success, Amanda Pettay is the one to call!
Part 1 of the “Bridging the Gap” Series When you’re running a small business, it’s easy to assume that if you’ve got a bookkeeper and a CPA, your financial bases
When you’re running a small business, it’s tempting to track things loosely—maybe a spreadsheet here, a few receipts there, and a mental tally of what’s coming in and going out.
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Schedule a time that works for you and let’s discuss how we can streamline your financial workflows. Select an available slot below or reach out via our contact form.
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