Christy Bertani top 100
Editor's Note: This is another installment in our ongoing series highlighting this year's Insightful Accountant's "Top 100 ProAdvisors." Over the remainder of the year, we will introduce you to our winners, getting their insights on a wide range of topics, including what it is like to be a leader in their profession, how to stay on top and what the future holds.
Christy Bertani loves technology – loves what it has done for the accounting landscape. Maybe that's why after more than 30 years in the bookkeeping business, the founder of Christy Bertani Bookkeeping in Berkeley, Calif., continues to embrace everything and anything that technology throws her way.
Today, even semi-retired, Bertani assists small businesses with their bookkeeping needs, from manual journal entries and general ledgers (the "Jurassic" period, as she calls it) to the Cloud, QuickBooks Online, Xero, and its accompanying apps.
Her client list includes a diverse set of industries, including architects, software developers, bakers, wine distributors, craft beer makers, brokers, acupuncturists, physical therapists, air quality manufacturers (aerosol detection), travel specialists, law firms, and more.
The only catch – in 2016 she unloaded a number of clients and only works with those who allow her lots of vacation time.
That's calling your own shots.
What does it mean to you to be recognized out of more than 200,000 ProAdvisors in the world?
I always feel amazed that I’m on that list, considering all my other colleagues. I must be number 99 or 100.
Your first thoughts on getting the news?
Just simply, "Wow." I can’t believe I’m listed.
How has your ProAdvisor practice changed or evolved over the last couple of years?
I’m probably considerably pickier about choosing clients than I haver ever been.
Why is continuing to enhance your skills and acumen critical to staying one step ahead of the curve?
Everything seems to change so quickly. If you stop keeping pace, very quickly, you end up playing catch up and losing value.
What do you do?
Basically, bookkeeping and troubleshooting my clients ever-changing needs.
Give us a snapshot of today's accounting landscape.
For the San Francisco Bay Area, there is a rapid growth of entrepreneurship. Lots of people see niches of opportunity and most, if not all, have little to no understanding of accounting.
What was the best piece of advice you ever received?
My very non-technical mother told me to buy a computer, only when she said it, she drew out the "u" sound – "compuuuuter."
What's the story that best describes how you help your clients?
Give them a basic understanding of accounting and make them feel comfortable with the software.
What's on your to-do list the rest of 2017?
I recently returned from a vacation (kayaking 70 roadless miles of the John Day River) and have set my sights on hiking about 70 roadless miles of the Bob Marshall wilderness. Oh, did you mean work? Continue to hone life/work balance.