SMALL BUSINESS Bookkeeping Experts ON THE CENTRAL COAST

About Us

Keeping the Books is a team of professional bookkeepers, sort of like a Co-Op. Our combined experience and expertise provides a complete and well rounded set of services that will far exceed your expectations. You can count on us to take charge of your books so you can focus on growing your business.

We handle full charge bookkeeping and payroll. We specialize in QuickBooks with multiple Certified QuickBooks ProAdvisors in house. On average, Keeping The Books saves our business accounts over $12,000 per year. Click Here to see how we arrived at those savings - and how you can, too!

Learn More Frequently Asked Question (FAQ)

Safety & Security

To be sure the vast majority of bookkeeping professionals are honest practitioners. However, there have been cases of fraud and theft within our profession like any other. Over the years we have come to find that there are common areas of opportunity for most of these abuses of trust. After identifying these areas of opportunity we set out to ensure that we never allow any Keeping The Books employee in those areas. We have a set monthly fee, we don't sign checks and do not handle your bank deposits. Those sensitive areas remain under your control.

Most Common Areas of Fraud

Over billing or overstating hours.
Using company checks for "Other" expenses.
Stealing cash from deposits then forging the bank reconciliation.
Online Banking Fraud using "Bill Pay" etc.

KTB’s Fraud Proof System

We charge a flat monthly rate for services - no surprises, no padding hours.

We don't sign checks, however we do prepare them for your signature.

We don't handle your cash, or go to your bank for you. You deposit your money, we record the transactions.

Unless specifically asked to obtain transaction details from the internet we refuse to utilize your private login information.

What our customers say about us

A Great Crew! Tobin and crew are great! This is my first year in business and I have needed a lot of help. KTB was always there to answer questions. KTB has been an asset to my business.

Jesse Landon, Morin Brothers Automotive - SLO

Surpassed my Expectations as a small business owner with a demanding full time career I found it nearly impossible to keep up with my books. I tried for well over a year before I found Tobin and KTB. After a short consultation with Tobin and the amazing Kim, they tailored a package... Read More

Josh Riley, The Village Bean, Cambria - CA

Swift & Helpful. Tobin and his crew are swift and very helpful. they have a focus on creating a system that works for your specific business to streamline the process. I manage a large business with extreme high inventory volume and I feel the books are in good hands. (From Yelp)

Adam Graves, Owner - Cal Deals Furniture, San Luis Obispo - CA

Could Not Be Happier. Our jewelry store The Gold Concept has been working with Keeping The Books for a few years now. We could not be happier with how efficient and easily accessible they are. On our first meeting Tobin was very straightforward with his fee structure and what tasks... Read More

Aaron Gomez, The Gold Concept, San Luis Obispo - CA

Excellent For Our Business. Tobin and his staff at Keeping The Books has been excellent for our business. They are very reliable and professional. We are pleased to have them keeping our books.

Justin Jurgens, British Sports Cars

Management & Leadership. As a lawyer I passionately strive to help my clients search and destroy their legal problems. Keeping the Books utilizes the same professional philosophy. As their client, I am completely satisfied with their bookkeeping management and leadership.

Ilan Funke-Bilu, Attorney

He Does it All. When Tobin came to us in 2002, we had a big mess for our books. He took the time to set things straight and keep them that way. We have been using Keeping The Books exclusively ever since; he does it all.

Stephan Kennedy, Lesco Automotive Industries

Key to Our Success. Keeping The Books and Tobin's ability to handle the books for our start-up business has helped me make sound financial decisions early on in our operations and has been a key to our success. Thank you so much for your experience.

Dan Melton, SLO Veg

Changed my Business. Keeping The Books changed my business. How? They are honest, timely, very knowledgeable and exact in their approach. It allowed me to do what I do best and rely on them for the rest.

Raoul Silva, One Touch Environments

Great Job. Tobin did a great job with QuickBooks for me!

Judi Young, Stems of California & Bella's Fine Flowers

Knowledge, Convenience and Experience. When we enlisted the assistance of Keeping the Books in 2008 we were debating whether to hire a bookkeeper or contract with a bookkeeping company. We went with Keeping The Books because of their knowledge, convenience and experience and to avoid... Read More

Owners, Cool Hand Luke's; Huckleberry's - Paso Robles; Pismo Beach

Efficient and Economical. Keeping the Books did an excellent job of getting our books together. Tobin was far more efficient and economical than our previous bookkeepers. He and his staff are personable, resourceful, professional, and great at providing a better product for a lower... Read More

Rory Davis Costa De Leon Properties

Easy to Work With. I found Keeping The Books easy to work with and Tobin Risner of high integrity. He told me exactly what he needed and what he would deliver. Get straight to the bottom line and it's easy to come to an agreement with him. I like that.

MaryAine Cherry, Return to JOY

It Makes Sense. Many times it makes more sense to outsource your time-consuming bookkeeping activities. Keeping The Books brings a bookkeeping service that allows small businesses to focus on "revenue - generating" activities. Tobin can step right in and be an efficient, reliable... Read More

Eric Ekdahl, Paychex

Professional and Dependable. We have been working with Tobin since December 2008. In the beginning we were skeptical about taking a full time position down to one day a week. We were wrong. Tobin immediately recognized some deficiencies in our accounting practices. With his... Read More

Barbara Greenwood, Dolphin Shirt Company - San Luis Obispo, CA

Always Proactive. It is a true pleasure working with Keeping The Books, who provides regular finance oversight for my small business. Over the past few months in working with Tobin, I've been quite impressed with his ability to execute so well on a part-time basis. Tobin... Read More

Bryan Sarlitt, TechXpress, Inc - San Luis Obispo, CA

Saved Money. Tobin and his staff are a pleasure to work with and are very accommodating to the needs of my business. Since contracting with Keeping The Books, my business has saved money in payroll expenses and our financial reports are updated to the penny every week. Tobin has... Read More

Brian Wampler Star, Automotive - San Luis Obispo, CA

Simplified my Life. Keeping The Books has simplified my life tremendously. Tobin taught me how to install and use QuickBooks which has helped my small business to expand by allowing me more time to take on new clients. I highly recommend Tobin and Keeping The Books for both... Read More

Tricia Knight, TEK Consulting Inc. - Pismo Beach, CA

Exceeded our Expectations. By simplifying our accounting procedures, Tobin Risner of Keeping The Books has saved us countless hours of otherwise wasted time and energy. His expertise with QuickBooks and his efficient approach to the problem exceeded our expectations. We highly recommend his service to anyone.

Seamus Carroll, SportKilt.com

Honesty, Integrity. Tobin Risner of Keeping The Books has saved our company a significant amount of money each month. We also really appreciate the professional way in which he deals with our CPA. His honesty, integrity and work ethic are above approach.

Jim Thane, German Auto - San Luis Obispo, CA

Peace of Mind. Keeping The Books has helped us focus on building our business with peace of mind that budgets are kept, bills are paid and staff is receiving their paychecks on time. The books are in order and in very safe hands!

Uta Birkmayer, Xsense Experiential Design - San Luis Obispo, CA

A Great Bookkeeping Partner. Keeping The Books is a great bookkeeping partner for our law firm. In addition to their integrity and diligent bookkeeping efforts, they demonstrate terrific attention to detail and keep our firm's finances on track. As we have offices in both... Read More

Steven L. Simas, President, Simas & Associates - Ltd. Government & Administrative Law

Extremely Knowledgable And Very Reasonable. I have been using Tobin, owner of Keeping the Books, as my book keeper for several years. He is extremely knowledgable and very reasonable, especially considering the quality of his work. I have an Optometry Office for over 30 years, and... Read More

Richard S, Kings Point - MT

Nothing Short Of A Super Star. Our law firm has been working with Keeping The Books for several years now for all our bookkeeping needs. We work with Kim Alexander on a daily basis and she is nothing short of a SUPERSTAR when it comes to our AR, AP and reconciliation of all our... Read More

Simas And Associates - Sacramento, CA

Keep Your Books in Check,
While You Focus on Growth!

Accurate. Timely. Stress-Free Bookkeeping Services for Small Businesses.