Aside from the obvious degree in accounting, which I have, I have years and years of experience in various industries: banking, higher education, private golf club, legal, real estate, audiology, a bit of construction, and a mortgage company that also owned an insurance company.

I have presented financial data to boards of directors, owners, and shareholders. I have guided new staff through expense reports and budgeting. I have collaborated with new managers to explain the financial reports they will receive and the budgeting process. I have participated in software conversions. I have reconciled some seemingly impossible bank accounts and reconstructed account histories to answer questions and balance accounts. I tend to notice the not-so-obvious because I love a puzzle, and I don’t see the world in the same way as many other accountants.

The aspect of my history that I believe is most significant to you includes all the co-workers, owners, and clients to whom I have successfully explained financial terms and data. I strive to find new and often creative ways to explain those accounting terms that vex so many of you.

You are the reason I write my books. If you sit through financial reviews and nodding your head politely murmuring—‘I see,’ ‘interesting,’ ‘Yes, we should look into that,’—all while secretly thinking, I have no idea what’s going on, these books are for you. If the word ‘budget’ makes you feel overwhelmed or lost, these books are for you. I wrote them to make numbers make sense—and maybe even make them a little less scary.

Take my hand. Take a deep breath and let it out slowly. We can do this!