The Numbers Don’t Lie
Tara Kelley finds her niche in helping clients keep their books balanced.
Life can have a funny way of showing people the path in which they pursue their respective careers. Sometimes, it could be passed down from generation to generation. Other times, it comes from a passion that begins in their youth. For Tara Kelley, owner of TJK Bookkeeping LLC, her desire to work in this field took a decidedly different approach…
…Tara said she fell into it.
She initially wanted to enter Hotel/Restaurant Management while enrolled at Johnson and Wales University in Providence. After her sophomore year, however, she moved back to her native New Hampshire and enrolled at New Hampshire College (now known as Southern New Hampshire University). After a discussion with her guidance counselor, she pursued a curriculum Business Administration.
“When I got to SNHU, I asked the guidance counselor which of their degree programs would be the fastest to earn, and he said, ‘Business Administration,’” she said with a laugh. “I love working with numbers because they
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“The numbers don’t lie.”
While earning her degree from SNHU, Tara worked at a local hardware store. What started as a summer job lasted for seven years. During that period, she was asked to manage the books. It was something she found came easily and felt comfortable doing. That decision led to the career she would enjoy for more than three decades.
Tara returned to Rhode Island in 2002. She did some temp work before accepting a role at Apex Technology Group in Cranston as an Office Manager. By the time she left 23 years later, Tara was their Vice President of Finance and Administration. Over the years, she did bookkeeping for other small businesses and was also co-owner of Santosha Yoga Studio in Cranston, her responsibilities included doing the bookkeeping.
Kelley said she realized changes were coming once the pandemic gripped the world in 2020.
“During Covid, (Apex Technology Group) grew really fast in part because remote capabilities became a requirement. The company’s structure changed significantly as did the demands of the job, which led me to consider exploring other options,” she said.
After departing from Apex Technology Group, Tara said she stood at a crossroads. She spent six months determining her next opportunity. As she thought about her love of numbers, Kelley decided to give opening her own bookkeeping firm a try. She enrolled in online classes and bookkeeping groups to gather information and learn about the industry from those who are already successful in the industry. The Bookkeeper Society became her go-to resource for such details. The group has a national following with Zoom meetings, online courses, and other reference tools that are readily available to its members.
In July 2025, Tara took a leap of faith and began turning her vision of owning her own business into a reality. What started as an idea quickly grew into something she was truly passionate about. Just a few months later, in October 2025, that vision became a reality when TJK Bookkeeping LLC was officially born. The name came as somewhat of a lark, she said.
“I was looking for a name that would stand out,” Tara said. “I gave it a lot of thought. Should it be catchy, offbeat, or something else? Ultimately, I chose using my initials because that was most aligned with who I am.”
Tara provides virtual bookkeeping services to clients throughout Rhode Island and beyond. She takes the time to understand each client’s financial transactions, invoicing, and bank activity, ensuring their books are accurate, organized, and up to date. Clients can have peace of mind knowing their bookkeeping is being handled reliably, accurately, and on time.
She can also act as a trusted resource for clients who have questions.
“I had a client who wondered if they could hire an additional employee. They were unsure if their revenue would sustain that move. I looked at her numbers and sales projections to see if the move made sense. Reading financial statements and reports are things most business owners have little idea how to do, and I enjoy educating them on how to. We meet as often as weekly or as long as quarterly to examine their progress and seeing what lies ahead,” she said.
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What sets Tara apart is her trustworthiness, her dedication to clients, and being non-judgmental. When prospective clients meet with Tara, she looks at the information closely before making recommendations. It does not matter whether a company comes to her with every expense noted down to the penny or has months’ worth of transactions that need to be sorted. Tara will review all the information and proceed from that point.
Something else that clients of hers can have peace of mind with: AI will not replace TJK Bookkeeping LLC. While there are times where AI can be a resource, it will not replace the human element, she said. Asking questions and getting responses from a human over a machine is how people would rather interact and do business, she said.
TJK Bookkeeping LLC seeks companies who range from solopreneurs to firms with up to 20 employees, especially consultants and professional service businesses. She works remotely, but will meet with local company executives in person.
For more details regarding Tara Kelley and her services, please contact her at tara@tjkbookkeeping.com or 401-603-8846.
