Our Founder
Catherine Lane

Numbers tell the story of where you've been and where you have the potential to go. Cat excels at diving deep into the data to help business owners understand what the numbers truly mean, empowering them to make informed decisions and achieve their business goals.

Education

Earned a Bachelor of Science in Accounting and a Master of Business Administration from Benedictine College in Atchison, Kansas.

Experience

Has over 19 years of experience in corporate and small business accounting, specializing in financial reporting and analysis, cost accounting, project accounting, and tax preparation across various industries, including legal, manufacturing, banking, healthcare, and more.

Now

Began working with small business accounting in 2017 and founded Lane Accountants and Bookkeepers in 2018. In 2020, Cat rebranded the firm as Beyond the Books to better reflect its vision and future goals.

Our Mission and Values

At Beyond the Books, we offer monthly subscription-based bookkeeping services designed to empower business owners and entrepreneurs with a clear understanding of their financial health, enabling better decision-making for their businesses.

We go beyond routine bookkeeping by providing meaningful insights into what the numbers reveal and how financial decisions can impact the overall success of the business.

With our subscription model clients can ask questions and seek guidance without worrying about hourly charges. This approach allows us to build stronger partnerships learning and growing alongside our clients.

Beyond bookkeeping, we are your one-stop shop for financial success. In addition to our monthly bookkeeping services, we offer tax preparation and advisory services to meet all your financial needs. Whether it’s staying compliant with tax regulations, planning for growth, or navigating complex financial decisions, we provide expert guidance every step.

Our goal is to walk with you through your business journey, offering actionable insights into your financial data to help you achieve your goals. We're passionate about creating and analyzing financial information so that you can focus on the passion that inspired you to start your business in the first place.

“What Clients Have Said About Us”

  • "Before using Beyond the Books, my finances were a bit messy. Cat came in and organized everything and has helped my business grow by also showing me how to read my financial documents. She's always ready to answer my questions (and I have a lot). It's really been so amazing for my business and I worry a lot less and feel confident when making large business purchases."

    Sarah Haug, Workman by Design

  • "[She] gets things done on time while paying attention to the details. She always responds to email communication promptly, and whenever I have a question she makes herself available to address my concerns via phone or text. Would recommend her 10/10."

    Mike Massie, Author and Consultant

  • "Cat Lane is a trusted advisor, a dependable pillar when things seem chaotic. She is forward thinking ...creating platforms and reports that predict needs and prevent problems. I am a small business, and I don't know what I would do without her."

    Dr. Rowden, M.D.

  • "Starting a company requires a lot of front planning and implementation which is exactly what I got when enlisting Catherine Lane and her team. I went from nothing to a fully implemented accounting and tracking technology solution within 60 days. Now I have 100% visibility on all financial aspects of my business."

    Jeff McCollum, Fyxme

  • “Cat has supported my personal and business tax / accounting needs across multiple years & multiple businesses. She has handled multiple LLCs, business losses, personal income, etc. completely seamlessly. [+ she's a lovely human to work with]. I would HIGHLY recommend”

    Parker Olson Founder of PodPitch

  • "It is so wonderful to have my bookkeeping and taxes done in the same place.   The seamlessness of the documents and expense reports makes all the difference in the world."

    Suzanne founder of Holistic Family Doctor

Meet Our Team

  • Catherine Lane

    Founder

    Passionate about small business accounting and making a difference. Enjoys cycling, hiking, and anything else in the great outdoors.

    cat@beyondthebooks.co

  • Nikki Masterson

    Bookkeeper

    Joined Beyond the Books in 2019 with a background in Accounting and Human Resources. In her spare time, she likes to write books, crochet, and watch Hallmark movies.

    nikki@beyondthebooks.co

Contact us by scheduling a short call, or visit our social media pages. We look forward to hearing from you!