My Business Is Booming, But My Books Are a Mess: Insights from Cecily Welch, CPA

Elaine Truesdale
Sep 29
2 min read

For many natural hair care professionals, running a salon or beauty business is fueled by passion and creativity. But when it comes to the numbers, too many of us would rather look away. That’s exactly why the 2025 ANHC PRO Business Mastery Series featured Cecily Welch, CPA, CFP®, PFS—the accountant you can understand.

With over 30 years of experience, Cecily specializes in helping small business owners and entrepreneurs cut through the confusion and take control of their finances. In her presentation, “My Business Is Booming, My Books Are a Mess,” she gave ANHC PRO members practical tools, busted myths, and offered next steps for getting—and keeping—your books in order.

Why Understanding Your Books Matters

Cecily emphasized that every entrepreneur is capable of understanding their numbers. It’s not about complex accounting language—it’s about thinking of your business finances like you do your personal finances:

Income Statement = Your Checkbook (what’s coming in and going out)
Balance Sheet = Your Net Worth Statement (what you own vs. what you owe)

Banks, grant programs, and even potential partners don’t just want to see your sales—they want complete financials. “If you want legitimate money, you need legitimate books,” Cecily explained.

Common Myths—Busted

Cecily addressed the misconceptions that hold many entrepreneurs back:

“I didn’t make any money, so I don’t need to file.”Wrong. Businesses must file returns regardless of profit.
“I’ll wait to file since I can’t pay.”Filing late creates two penalties: one for filing and one for not paying. Always file, even if you can’t pay.
“Cash App or Venmo income isn’t taxable.”All income is taxable—no matter the platform.
“I can just hand my bookkeeper a stack of receipts.”Your advisor needs context and your input. You can’t outsource responsibility for accurate records.

Universal Truths for Business Owners

Tax law is law. It’s not about tricks—it’s about strategy and planning.
Technology has changed the game. IRS notices have increased over 600% in recent years as systems catch inconsistencies faster.
Your industry is a target. Beauty businesses are considered “cash-heavy,” whether it’s literal cash or digital apps. Accurate documentation is essential.

Practical Next Steps

Cecily left attendees with clear action items:

Keep receipts. A bank statement shows you paid something; a receipt proves it was a business expense.
Start where you are. If you’re behind on taxes, file the most current year first, then go backward.
Don’t go it alone. Seek professional help if you receive IRS notices—terms like “payroll” or “contractor” have precise meanings that can make or break your case.
Decide your best use of time. Know when to outsource bookkeeping so you can focus on clients and revenue.

Special Offer: Cecily is offering a $250 value consultation for only $50. Participate in the promotion here: Business Books Self-Audit & Consultation Promotion.

Stay Connected: Sign up for Cecily’s free newsletter, The Tax Translator, on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/the-tax-translator-7130174142623977473/.

Contact Cecily directly at cecily.welch@cecilywelchcpa.com or call 404-591-6777.

A Final Reminder

Cecily closed with a powerful statement:

“Running a business is not the same as running your personal life. You’ve got to do what you’ve got to do to get to what you want to do.”

The complete recording is available for ANHC PRO members and partners in our video library: https://www.anhcpro.org/pro-library.