SmallBizMaven
Plant the Seeds of Financial Clarity with SmallBizMaven
At SmallBizMaven, we help service-based business owners move from financial chaos to calm with systems that support growth. Based in Oakland, California, we serve clients across the Bay Area and beyond, offering a full garden of bookkeeping, accounting consulting, HR, payroll, and business advisory services all rooted in structure, clarity, and care. Whether you’re a solo attorney, real estate professional, or startup founder, we help you build your team, organize, forecast, and make confident decisions.
Our team blends hands-on support with cloud-based tools like QuickBooks, Dropbox, and Gusto to design workflows that actually work. From clean-ups to controller-level strategy, we guide business owners with empathy and accountability—no judgment, just progress.
“SmallBizMaven has been a tremendous asset to my company the past 8 years. Blythe is an expert when it comes to bookkeeping with QuickBooks. I would give her 10 Stars if I could”
Dan H. – Business Owner
Our Core Services
Clarity-Driven Accounting Consulting and Advisory Services
Bookkeeping Services
Healthy books are the roots of your business. We keep your finances tidy, track expenses, and deliver reports you can actually use.
• Track accounts payable and receivable
• Manage payroll, 1099s, and reconciliations
• Organize receipts and documents digitally
• Deliver and review accurate financial reports
• Full charge bookkeepping
Accounting Controller Management
Ready to scale? We help prune messy systems, plant better workflows, and keep your numbers in shape for smart, sustainable growth.
• QuickBooks setup, clean-up, and oversight
• Budgeting, forecasting, and reporting
• Audit prep and tax documentation
• Cloud-based filing and financial workflow systems
Business Advisory &
Financial Consulting
We turn your numbers into insights that guide growth. From financial literacy to cash flow planning, we help your business flourish.
• Financial reporting literacy training
• Operations management and internal controls
• Credit line and cash flow strategy
• Compliance support and due diligence
Payroll & HR Solutions
A happy team starts with smooth systems. We manage payroll, build HR structure, and ensure you’re compliant from onboarding to helping you develop a handbook.
• Payroll processing and tax filings
• Time-off tracking and onboarding systems
• HR compliance and employee handbook creation
• Employee contract development and coaching
Cloud-Based Systems &
Workflow Design
• QuickBooks, Dropbox, Gusto, and more
• Digital filing systems for receipts and records
• Task and time-tracking platforms like Trello & Harvest
• Automated workflows for approvals and reporting
• SOP Software
Systems Training &
Mentorship Hero Shot
We don’t just set up your systems—we teach you how to use them with confidence. Whether it’s QuickBooks, Dropbox, or team workflows, we coach you and your staff so everyone is set up for success.
• 1:1 Business Owner Support
• Team Training on New Systems
• Financial Literacy for Founders
• Hands-On QuickBooks Mentorship
Connect with SmallBizMaven!
Get Clarity Confidence, and a Plan—It Starts Here!
Yes – I’d like to schedule a meeting!
"We empower business owners by creating a supportive environment where clarity takes root and businesses grow."
Blythe Adams – President, SmallBizMaven
Testimonials
See what our clients think of us
Our Clients
Who We Work With
We specialize in supporting service-based businesses that are growing, evolving, and ready to get organized. If you’re tired of flying by the seat of your pants, we’re here to plant structure and help your business thrive.
We proudly serve:
Real Estate Professionals
Agents, brokers, and investors navigating seasonality, commissions, and cash flow
Legal Practices
Solo attorneys and small firms managing trust accounts, retainer billing, and compliance
Creative Professionals
Designers, coaches, consultants, and freelancers balancing passion with process
Property Management / Air BnB
Contracts to budgeting and cash flow projection, SmallBizMaven has your covered.
Professional Services Firms
Engineers, architects, and business consultants managing projects, payroll, and growth
Startups & Solo Founders
Early-stage entrepreneurs who want to build strong systems from day one
OurBlog
Scattered Data, Missed Deadlines, and Stress: How Cloud-Based Accounting Systems Can Save Your Sanity
If you’re managing your business finances through a patchwork of spreadsheets, email chains, and outdated software,...
Is It Time for a Controller? Signs Your Small Business Has Outgrown DIY Accounting
DIY accounting can work — for a while. But as your business grows, so do the numbers, the complexity, and the risk of...
From Chaos to Clarity: Why Full-Charge Bookkeeping Is a Game Changer for Small Business Owners
When you’re a small business owner, it’s easy to fall into the trap of reactive bookkeeping — entering numbers just to...