Women Business Owners Who Are Making a Difference: Meet Beth Carter

Meet Beth Carter, bookkeeping powerhouse, no-BS mentor, and the unapologetically bold CEO of BBA Bookkeeping and The Badass Bookkeeper. With a sharp eye for the numbers and a soft spot for doing business with heart, Beth is transforming the way entrepreneurs think about their finances… and their freedom.

From starting her business in the wake of personal loss to now leading a thriving virtual team that values kindness just as much as spreadsheets, Beth has built a company that walks the talk. She’s fiercely committed to helping business owners ditch the shame and confusion around their finances and step into clarity, confidence, and control.

In this candid and inspiring interview, Beth shares how she turned a freelance gig into a purpose-driven business, the lessons she’s learned about leadership and boundaries, and why being a badass in business doesn’t mean sacrificing your humanity. Get ready for real talk, practical wisdom, and more than a few mic-drop moments!

Lynn Davey: Tell me a little about yourself! Where are you from, and what inspires you every day?

Beth Carter: I’m Beth Carter, founder and CEO of BBA Bookkeeping and The Badass Bookkeeper. I live in New Hampshire with my unicorn of a husband and our pup, Mario Speedwagon.

What gets me up in the morning (besides one of the above snoring in my face) is impact. It’s knowing that I’m building something meaningful. I started BBA to help business owners stop feeling overwhelmed and alone when it comes to their finances. Now, I get to lead an incredible team, support clients who actually give a damn, and mentor other bookkeepers who want to do things differently—without burning out or selling out.

I believe in kindness, transparency, and the power of saying “hell no” to the wrong clients so you can say “hell yes” to the work that matters.

LD: How would you describe your business in one sentence?

BC: We help businesses get (and keep) their shit together financially—kindly, clearly, and with zero judgment.

LD: What does your business do, and who do you serve?

BC: BBA Bookkeeping is a full-service virtual bookkeeping firm that supports small to mid-sized businesses, usually in the $1M to $15M range, who are done flying blind with their finances. We step in, clean up the mess, keep things running smoothly, and make sure the numbers actually tell a story.

Our clients come from all kinds of industries, but they have one thing in common: they care. They’re looking for a partner who’s proactive, honest, and not afraid to say, “Hey… this doesn’t look right.” That’s us.

And through The Badass Bookkeeper, I teach other bookkeepers how to do the same, intelligently and authentically.

LD: What inspired you to start your business, and what was the moment you knew this was the path for you?

BC: I didn’t leave my job to start a business—I left because my mom was dying, and I realized how painfully short life really is. Sitting with her in hospice, I kept thinking: What the hell am I doing with my one and only life? I didn’t want to spend it trapped in a job that had begun to drain me.

After she passed, I couldn’t go back to “business as usual.” I needed something that felt more personally meaningful. So I started freelancing, taking on bookkeeping work here and there—nothing fancy, just helping people clean up their books and get organized. But pretty quickly, I realized I was onto something. Clients were relieved to have someone who actually gave a damn. Who explained things in a way they understood. Who wasn’t just punching numbers into QuickBooks and disappearing.

That’s when I knew—I could build something real. Something impactful. And build a company that I, myself, would have wanted to work for.

LD: What’s one thing you wish more people knew about your industry or the work you do?

BC: I wish more people knew that bookkeeping isn’t just data entry. It’s not just “keeping track of receipts” or clicking buttons in QuickBooks. When it’s done right, bookkeeping is a powerful decision-making tool. It shows you where the money’s really going, what’s working (and what’s not), and where the danger zones are before they turn into disasters.

Also? Bookkeepers aren’t second-string accountants. The good ones are smart as hell, strategic, and often the first to notice when something’s going sideways. We’re not just reconciling—we’re protecting the damn business. Oh, and we’re not ‘Just’ Bookkeepers.

LD: What do you love most about running your business?

BC: What I love most is having the freedom to build a business on my terms. I get to choose who I work with, how we show up, and what kind of environment I create for my team. I get to create a work environment where people are kind, boundaries are respected, naps are encouraged, and no one’s burning themselves out just to prove they’re productive. No corporate bullshit, no pretending to be someone I’m not. Just real work, done with integrity, surrounded by people I genuinely like and respect.

I didn’t start a business to be a boss—I did it to build something better. And now I get to show up every day in a way that feels aligned, not forced.

LD: How does your business make a difference, either in your community, industry, or for your clients?

BC: I honestly think the biggest difference BBA makes is in the lives of our staff. We’ve created a workplace that prioritizes mental health, flexibility, and treating people like actual humans—not cogs in a machine. Our team isn’t burning out, quietly drowning in deadlines, or being micromanaged to death. They’re supported, trusted, and encouraged to take care of themselves and do great work.

That shows up in the work we do for clients, too. Because when your team is thriving, your clients feel it. They get better communication, more thoughtful support, and a partner who’s actually present—not just checking boxes. That’s how we change the game—by doing right by our people first.

LD: Are there any causes or organizations you support that align with your mission?

BC: Yes—and not just with dollars (but yes, that too), but with time, energy, and visibility. We support causes and organizations that align with what we believe in: LGBTQIA+ rights, mental health awareness, and empowering women in business.

We’ve donated to the trans youth support org, The Trevor Project, Planned Parenthood, Human Rights Campaign, and made it a point to speak out—even when it’s uncomfortable.

LD: What’s one of the biggest challenges you’ve faced as a business owner, and how did you overcome it?

BC: One of the biggest challenges I’ve faced was learning how to lead—and build a business—without compromising who I am. In the early days, I took on whatever clients came my way, even when they were demanding, disrespectful, or just clearly not a good fit. I swear, I had one who treated me like his 1950’s secretary (not that it was ok then, but DUDE, it’s the 2000’s! ) I also thought I had to show up as some perfect, polished version of a “CEO” to lead a team. Both left me feeling drained and disconnected from the whole reason I started this in the first place.

What changed everything was realizing that I get to choose. I don’t have to serve everyone. I don’t have to be anyone other than myself. When I started honoring my values, setting real boundaries, and hiring people who shared that vision—it all shifted. The business became sustainable. The work became fulfilling.

LD: What’s a piece of advice you’d share with another woman who is thinking about starting her own business?

BC: Stop waiting until you feel “ready.” You won’t. No one does. You don’t need another certification, another six months of research, or permission from anyone. You just need to start. (Spoiler: I knew way less about bookkeeping when I started than I do now—and it didn’t stop me one bit.)

And when you do start? Protect your peace like it’s your damn job. Set boundaries early. Work with people who get it. Don’t contort yourself to fit into someone else’s idea of what a business owner should look like. You’re allowed to build this in a way that feels right to you—and trust me, that’s where the magic happens.

LD: What’s one song that always gets you motivated or in a great mood?

BC: 1 million percent: “Eye of the Tiger” – Survivor

LD: Where can people find you or learn more about your business?

BC: You can find me at bbabookkeeping.com as well as at bbabookkeeping.com/connect.

Redefining Success on Her Own Terms

Beth Carter isn’t just building a successful bookkeeping business… she’s building a movement rooted in integrity, humanity, and unapologetic authenticity. Through BBA Bookkeeping and The Badass Bookkeeper, she’s proving that you don’t have to play by outdated rules to create real impact. You can lead with kindness, set bold boundaries, and still show up as your whole self… tattoos, sass, softness, and all.

Whether she’s mentoring fellow bookkeepers, supporting clients through financial clarity, or building a team culture that says “people first, always,” Beth is redefining what leadership looks like and empowering others to do the same.

Her story is a reminder that success isn’t just about the bottom line, it’s about building something you believe in, working with people who share your values, and never being afraid to say hell yes to what truly matters.

Know another inspiring woman business owner who should be featured? Send me an email! I’d love to share more stories like Beth’s.