You shouldn't have to
navigate the numbers alone.

We're the accounting firm that makes you feel confident instead of confused—and shows up in the panic moments and the growth moments alike.

Start the conversation
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Two women having a conversation indoors, one holding an invoice, with a window and decorative flowers in the background.

Why We're Different

The industry is failing you.
We're fixing it.

Traditional accountants leave the emotional experience—the fear, shame, and loneliness—completely unaddressed. They treat accounting as a compliance checkbox instead of a partnership.

We built Highlight Financials to be different: operationally-embedded, emotionally intelligent, and always in plain language.

Insight Cards
Maine-Rooted
Community-first relationships with small businesses across Maine. We're here to stay.
Plain Language
No jargon. No assumptions. We explain everything so you actually understand your numbers.
Operations First
We observe how your business actually runs before touching your P&L. Systems that fit real life.
Always Present
Quick questions via text. Proactive guidance. We show up in the panic moments and the growth moments.

What We Do

Everything you need.
One relationship.

Service Cards
01
Individual Tax Services
Personal Returns

Stress-free tax preparation with the explanation and context you actually need—not just a finished return handed to you.

  • Federal & state income tax prep
  • Self-employment & freelance returns
  • Year-round tax planning
  • Plain-language walkthrough of your return
  • Proactive deduction identification
02
Small Business Bookkeeping & Tax
Business Foundation

Clean books, integrated tax strategy, and financial clarity—all from one partner who understands your whole picture.

  • Monthly bookkeeping & reconciliation
  • Business tax prep & filing
  • Quarterly estimated taxes
  • QuickBooks setup & cleanup
  • Cash flow monitoring
  • Custom workflows built for your life
03
Advisory & CFO Services
Growth Partnership

Strategic financial guidance for growth-stage businesses. The thinking partner you need to make confident decisions—without the full-time CFO cost.

  • Financial modeling & forecasting
  • Hiring & expansion analysis
  • Acquisition due diligence
  • Business structure strategy
  • Fractional CFO advisory
  • Monthly strategic check-ins
find your fit

Not sure which service is right? We'll figure it out together.

Who We Serve

Built for business owners in
the messy middle. (CHANGE LANGUAGE)

Who We Serve Cards
The Intentional Starter
New & Early-Stage
Just launched · $0–$100K revenue
"I want to do it right from day one. I'd rather pay now than pay to fix it later."
  • Proper structure & setup from day one
  • LLC vs S-Corp guidance
  • Education-first approach
  • A partner who'll grow with you
The Overwhelmed Expert [CHANGE LANGUAGE]
Growing & Rebuilding
Years 2–5 · $100K–$250K revenue
"I'm good at my work, but the business side is drowning me. I don't even know what I don't know."
  • Non-judgmental cleanup of messy books
  • Systems that fit your phone-first life
  • Confidence to make your next hire
  • Integrated bookkeeping + tax + advice
The Ready-to-Scale Founder
Scaling & Strategic
Years 5–10 · $300K–$600K revenue
"I need more than bookkeeping, but I don't need a full-time CFO. I want to grow smart, not just fast."
  • Strategic advisory + financial modeling
  • Acquisition & expansion analysis
  • Cash flow planning for growth
  • A thought partner, not a task-doer

You'll understand
your numbers.
We promise.

You started your business because you're brilliant at what you do. The accounting industry makes you feel small—like you should already know this. We think that's wrong.

start the conversation
Promise Pillars
01
You'll understand your numbers.
We explain everything in plain language. No jargon. No decoder ring required. You'll walk away knowing what your financials actually mean.
02
Your systems will fit your life.
We build financial workflows around how you actually work—not how accountants prefer you to work. Mobile-first? We're on it.
03
You'll never feel alone in this.
We show up—in the 2am spreadsheet panic and the "should I make this hire?" moment. You have a partner, not just an accountant.

Our Approach

How we work with you.

Work With Us
Process Steps
Step 01
We Listen First
No assumptions. We start with a real conversation about how your business actually runs—the workflows, the chaos, the goals.
Step 02
We Observe & Diagnose
We look at operations first, numbers second. Who does what? When does money move? What breaks when you're out sick?
Step 03
We Build Around You
Custom systems, not templates. Everything from reporting cadence to communication style is designed for how you actually live and work.
Step 04
We Stay & Scale
Monthly check-ins. Proactive guidance. As your business grows, our relationship grows with it—from bookkeeping to strategic advisory.

At a Glance

    • Expert Guidance Year-Round: Led by a federally designated Enrolled Agent (EA), we provide bookkeeping, financial insights, and business guidance to keep your company organized and positioned for growth.

    • Compliance and IRS Representation: Avoid costly fines and penalties with our proactive support, and rely on us for full representation before the IRS in audits, collections, and appeals.

    • Strategic Planning and Cash Flow: We help you manage cash flow, plan ahead, and make confident financial decisions that drive your business forward.

    • Deep Understanding: We learn your business, industry, and goals so our guidance fits your needs.

    • Guided Process: We guide you through each step, so collaborating is straightforward and efficient.

    • Accessible Partnership: Stay connected and engaged with timely check-ins and convenient ways to communicate, ensuring questions and decisions move smoothly.

    • Accessible Anywhere: Our client portal and mobile app make it easy to securely upload documents, sign forms, and access information anytime, anywhere.

    • Easy Scheduling: Convenient online scheduling allows you to book calls or meetings on your terms—by call or video with us—without the back-and-forth.

    • Step-by-Step Confidence: Clear guidance at every stage helps clients stay organized, maintain compliance, and minimize risk, so tax season arrives with clarity and peace of mind.

Kind Words from Clients

  • “Working with Sara was wonderful, very professional and responsive, she collated incomplete data, extracted the pertinent info and articulated it meaningfully. What stood out to me was that she identified serious issues in the cashflow forecast for a business we where evaluating that ultimately and gratefully resulted in me walking away from that deal.”

  • “Sara is an exceptional professional and a valuable asset to any organization. Her understanding of all tax laws and expertise instills confidence. She is responsive and reliable. Highly recommend!”

  • “Working with Sara was an absolute relief. She took the time to really listen and understand my situation, and approached everything with professionalism and zero judgment. In just a short time, she efficiently cleaned up two years of bookkeeping and helped me feel confident and organized again. I truly appreciate her calm, thorough, and supportive approach. Highly recommend to anyone!”

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Let's Talk

Ready to feel confident
in your numbers?

No judgment. No jargon. Just a real conversation about where you are and where you want to go.

Get Started

Serving Maine small business owners · Established 2024