It takes knowledge to know something, but it takes guts to do what you know.
Jeanna-Marie Bennett’s original plan about eight years ago was to return to the workforce for another accounting firm after finishing university, but everything changed when she needed income while completing her Bachelor’s Degree.
Being a part-time money mentor as a student a Nipissing University gave her an income and further honed her bookkeeping skills, in practice and in theory.
“Consulting provided me with the income I needed while not interfering with my studies. When I was close to completing my degree, I had to make the decision to return to working for another company or consult on a full-time basis,” she shared.
Bennett started her own company, JMB Bookkeeping and Consulting, in May 2013 and never looked back.
“I liked being my own boss and making my own schedule. When I was done (with) my degree, I made the decision to continue consulting and haven’t looked back,” Bennett said, adding that it was the right decision.
“I feel fulfilled. I enjoy coming to the office every morning, seeing my team, although now usually via a virtual call, and our clients,” she said.
JMB Bookkeeping and Consulting provides an array of solutions to help local businesses manage their bookkeeping and business requirements.
The company specializes in government remittances, payrolls, software training and support and general bookkeeping activities.
“For me, the most inspiring thing that happens is seeing the success of other small businesses that we’ve helped along the way. I love being a part of their journey,” she said.
Bennett said the firm is flexible with schedules and staff can customize their schedules to work around family and their personal lives.
“I believe that foundation leads to best practice. Foundations derived from education, experience, and teamwork,” she added, discussing JMB's best practices.
Recently JMB Bookkeeping and Consulting received a 2021 Firm of the Year by Certified Professional Bookkeepers of Canada, legally known as the Institute of Professional Bookkeepers of Canada (IPBC).
To be awarded by CPB Canada Firm of the Year Award, Canada Certified Professional Bookkeeper (CPB) members must prove to uphold standards and ideals of the association, and have contributed to CPB Canada’s success, as well as the success of its community.
CPB also stated that the company has proved growth, makes use of the latest technology and has achieved a high-level of recognition from its clients.
JMB’s client, Rainville Health CEO Patrick Rainville recalled that in 2017, his company’s financial records were in distress.
“Jeanna was a great listener and understood exactly what I needed and she knew how to fix my situation. She and her team came onsite to work on my books until everything in my bookkeeping department was back in control,” Rainville said in his testimony about JMB.
“For the first time in 20 years of business my year-end documents are ready to be brought to the accountant within two months after year-end,” he added.
Bennett did not expect to win the award, she said that even just to be nominated by the institution made her feel like she was already a winner.
“I was honoured to receive the award…When the CBP Chair contacted me under the pretense that additional questions were needed for the nomination, I was hit hard with emotion, I was holding back the tears, when she told me our firm had won. After the call it still took a while to really sink in — I couldn’t wait to tell the team,” she said.
Bennett added that since she started her firm, the Timmins residents, her clientele, and the bookkeeping industry have been very supportive of their cause.
For now, she does not plan to expand her business and will continue to provide bookkeeping services to Timmins businesses.
To learn more about JMB Consulting, visit its website.
