Over nearly two decades, Blazej Accounting has worked with all kinds of businesses – from Professional Services (medical doctors, dentists, lawyers), Real Estate, Construction, Non-Profits, B2B Services (landscaping, event planning) and Restaurants. Each has a unique story, and took advantage of different expertise of our services, but what’s interesting is that the lessons they taught us are universal.
Here are three client stories that shaped how we think about client service and success.
The Client: A thriving healthcare practice that kept expanding—adding new patients, medical staff, and even additional offices. Revenue was strong, but the doctor was unsure where he stood financially. Some entities had QuickBooks files, others relied on Excel, and a few used nothing more than a checkbook and credit card.
The Challenge: The lack of consistency made it nearly impossible to pull accurate reports. With information scattered across multiple systems, the doctor couldn’t get a clear picture of performance, cash flow, or how the different businesses were contributing to the bigger picture.
Our Solution: We centralized all accounting into QuickBooks Online and standardized processes across every office and entity. Once everything was in one place, we could provide accurate reporting by location and business line. We worked closely with the doctor and his team to review the reports and explain what the numbers meant.
The Outcome: The reports revealed that one clinic was underperforming. With this insight, the doctor made targeted adjustments that turned things around. Most importantly, he finally had the confidence to continue expanding, knowing he had accurate data to guide decisions. The process didn’t happen overnight, but step by step, the fragmented system became a solid financial foundation.
Lesson Learned: This experience taught us how critical visibility is. Growth can hide inefficiencies, but accurate, consolidated reporting shines a light on them. Just as important, it reminded us that it’s not enough to deliver numbers—clients need clarity and guidance on what the numbers mean and how to act on them.
The Client: A successful residential real estate firm with a team of over five agents. They were closing deals from starter homes to multi-million-dollar properties, but the books told a very different story.
The Challenge: The firm was only recording net commissions—the company’s share after paying out agents and fees. That meant total sales, commission payouts, and fees weren’t being tracked. Important details like agent profitability, marketing ROI, and cash flow patterns were missing. The owner often felt frustrated, saying she didn’t really know where the money was going. When she tried to secure a credit line, the bank questioned the financials. On paper, the numbers looked “off,” even though the firm’s sales success was obvious.
Our Solution: We rebuilt the accounting system from the ground up. Instead of netting commissions, we started recording the full gross commission for each sale, then booking related expenses. This gave the owner a true picture of sales activity. We also cleaned up the chart of accounts, separating key expenses like franchise fees, MLS fees, and advertising, so nothing was buried in “other expenses.” Each agent’s revenues and direct costs were tagged, creating mini P&Ls by agent. On top of that, we introduced cash flow forecasting to help the owner plan for the ups and downs of commission income. And every month, we met with her to review the reports in plain language—translating data into insights she could use.
The Outcome: For the first time, the owner had a clear picture of her business. She discovered her firm’s gross commission income was far larger than she realized—a proud milestone she could confidently share with lenders. She also saw exactly how much was paid to agents and how much was left for overhead and profit. The clarity gave her leverage with the bank and peace of mind internally. She cut duplicate marketing expenses, created reserves for slower months, and finally eliminated the need to dip into personal funds to cover business costs. With better financial footing, she could focus on mentoring agents and planning strategically for growth.
Lesson Learned: This client showed us how industry-specific accounting makes all the difference. Real estate has unique challenges with irregular income streams and commission splits. By tailoring the accounting to fit the business model, we unlocked clarity that generic bookkeeping would never have revealed. The transformation also reinforced the importance of being more than a bookkeeper—we became a trusted financial partner with whom she now consults before making big decisions.
The Client: A residential remodeling contractor who had grown from flipping houses to running a thriving renovation firm. Kitchens, additions, full home remodels—the work was booming, but the owner admitted, “We’re great at building homes, not at bookkeeping.”
The Challenge: The books were messy. Accounts weren’t reconciled, job costs weren’t tracked, and the chart of accounts wasn’t set up for a project-based business. The owner had no idea which jobs were profitable. Billing was inconsistent, sometimes delayed for months, creating cash crunches. Subcontractor paperwork like W-9s and insurance certificates wasn’t being tracked, creating compliance risks. In short, the owner was flying blind.
Our Solution: We “renovated” the financials, starting with a full cleanup of QuickBooks Online. We reconciled every account, reclassified transactions, and built job-level reporting. Suddenly, the owner could see P&Ls by project and spot profit margins for the first time. From there, we built ongoing processes: weekly reconciliations, a new accounts payable system, subcontractor compliance checklists, and structured draw schedules for invoicing. Payments were tracked, reminders set, and invoices went out on time. We also held monthly financial review meetings to discuss company P&Ls, job P&Ls, and budget variances, while working hand-in-hand with their CPA on tax planning.
The Outcome: The changes were transformational. The owner went from uncertainty to clarity—knowing exactly which projects were profitable, when bills were due, and how cash was flowing. Stress over missing invoices or late draws disappeared, replaced with confidence and control. With better financial visibility, he could focus on what he loved—building and growing the business—without constant financial anxiety.
Lesson Learned: Building a business is like building a house—it needs a solid foundation. For contractors, that foundation is accurate job costing, consistent billing, and compliance processes. This client reminded us that when entrepreneurs gain control over their finances, they gain control over their future.
These three stories represent very different professions, but share the importance of: accurate, timely financial information coupled with sound advice can transform a business. Each client taught us something new about their world, and together we found ways to create clarity, confidence, and smarter decisions. Want to learn how we can help your business? Contact us today to set up a call.