Wrapping Up the Year at Column & Post: What I Learned, What I’m Grateful For, and What Comes Next
A Year of Growth, Clarity, and Connection
As the year comes to a close, I’ve been thinking a lot about why I do this work and what it’s meant to the people I’ve had the privilege of working with.
When I started Column & Post, I didn’t set out to build just another bookkeeping business. I wanted to create something that made business ownership feel lighter. Less confusing. Less isolating. Less filled with “I hope this is right” moments.
This year reinforced that mission more than ever.
I worked with business owners who came to me stressed, embarrassed, or overwhelmed by their books. Owners who were trying to do everything right, but felt like they were constantly behind. Many of them told me they didn’t actually want to understand QuickBooks in detail. What they wanted was peace of mind, transparency, and someone they could trust to tell them what was really going on.
That trust is something I never take lightly.
Key Takeaways
This year reinforced why thoughtful, transparent bookkeeping help for small business matters more than ever.
From cleanup services to full-charge bookkeeping, clarity and collaboration change how owners experience their finances.
The most-read Column & Post blogs tackled QuickBooks automations, bookkeeping pricing, AI in bookkeeping, and how to do proper bookkeeping for small businesses.
As we close the year, the next step is simple: gather the right resources, then book a free 15-minute consultation to move forward with confidence.
What Happened This Year at Column & Post
Taking On New Clients Who Needed More Than “Basic” Bookkeeping
This year, I took on clients across a wide range of industries, from service-based businesses to creative professionals and local Florida companies. A common theme emerged quickly. Most had some form of bookkeeping in place, but very few had what I would call support.
Many were paying for transaction categorization or using automated rules in QuickBooks for small businesses, yet still had inaccurate reports, unreconciled accounts, or lingering issues their CPA kept flagging.
What they needed wasn’t more software. They needed a bookkeeper who would slow down, ask questions, and take accountability for the entire financial picture.
That’s where full-charge bookkeeping makes such a difference.
Cleanup Services That Changed the Trajectory of Businesses
Cleanup services were a major part of this year, especially toward the end. I worked on books that hadn’t been properly reviewed in years. Credit cards didn’t match statements. Loans were misclassified. Prior CPAs had made annual entries that didn’t reflect reality.
It was time-consuming work, but deeply meaningful. Once the cleanup was complete, these business owners finally had accurate income statements, balance sheets they could trust, and CPAs who could file on time without panic.
Cleanup isn’t glamorous, but it’s powerful. It’s often the turning point where business owners stop dreading their finances and start using them.
Client Relationships That Mean More Than Numbers
One of my favorite moments this year had nothing to do with QuickBooks or reports. At the end of the year, I sent handwritten cards to each client. It was a small gesture, but it mattered to me.
Because behind every set of books is a person taking a risk, supporting a family, and trying to build something meaningful. I’m grateful for every client who trusted me with that responsibility.
The Four Blog Posts That Resonated Most This Year
This year, I spent a lot of time writing educational content to answer the exact questions clients were asking me on calls. Four blog posts stood out as the most impactful, and if you haven’t read them yet, they’re worth your time.
1. Dangers of Automations in QuickBooks
QuickBooks automations are helpful, but they are not infallible. This article broke down real examples of how automated bank feeds and rules can silently create errors that compound over time.
It resonated because many business owners assume automation equals accuracy. It doesn’t. Automation needs review, reconciliation, and context. That’s why experienced bookkeeping oversight is essential.
2. Bookkeeping Pricing Structures: What Small Businesses Need to Know
This article addressed one of the most confusing topics for business owners: how bookkeeping services are priced and what you’re actually paying for.
I explained why per-transaction pricing often creates unpredictable costs and limited service, and why package-based bookkeeping is usually more transparent and supportive. This blog helped many readers realize they weren’t getting the value they thought they were.
3. The Role of AI in Financial Bookkeeping (Part 1 and Part 2)
AI is everywhere right now, and bookkeeping is no exception. In this two-part series, I explored what AI can actually do well, where it falls short, and why it cannot replace professional judgment, collaboration, or accountability.
Business owners appreciated the balanced approach. AI can support bookkeeping, but it can’t understand the unique story of your business. That’s still a human job.
Read Part 1 Here and Part 2 Here
4. How to Do Proper Bookkeeping for Small Business
This article was one of the most practical posts of the year. It walked through what proper bookkeeping actually involves, beyond categorizing transactions.
Readers told me it helped them understand why their books never felt “done” and why working with a full-charge bookkeeper changes everything. It also helped many owners feel less alone in their confusion.
Why I Love This Work and What Comes Next
I truly believe business owners make things harder on themselves than they need to. Not because they want to, but because no one ever showed them another way.
My role is to make the complex feel manageable. To translate financial reports into real insights. To collaborate with CPAs and financial teams so nothing falls through the cracks. To be transparent when something doesn’t make sense and proactive when something needs attention.
I love what I do because I see the relief on clients’ faces when their books finally make sense. When they stop apologizing for their numbers. When they realize they don’t have to carry this alone.
As we wrap up the year, my encouragement is simple.
Read the resources. Learn what good bookkeeping should look like. Then take the next step.
A free 15-minute consultation is often all it takes to get clarity on where you stand and what support would actually help. Whether you need cleanup services, ongoing full-charge bookkeeping, or just answers, that conversation can change the way you enter the new year.
If you’re ready to move forward with confidence, I’d be glad to help.