Your Financial Clarity Team
At Build Your Books, we believe financial confidence shouldn’t be complicated. We help business owners understand their numbers, get organized, and make decisions with clarity — without the stress.
Our team combines deep bookkeeping expertise with practical business experience, so you get more than just reports — you get financial support you can act on. We’re here to make bookkeeping and strategic financial guidance work for you, not the other way around.
About Build Your Books
Build Your Books was founded with one simple idea: business owners shouldn’t have to struggle with their finances alone. Whether you’re an e-commerce brand juggling multiple sales channels, a medical practice balancing operations and HIPAA compliance, a service business with varied revenue streams, or a gym managing memberships and payroll — solid books are the foundation of informed decisions.
We use modern tools and tailored processes to deliver financial clarity and peace of mind, helping clients focus on what matters most — growing their business and achieving their goals.
Meet Our Team
We’re more than service providers — we’re your financial partners. That means clear communication, responsive collaboration, and a proactive approach to your bookkeeping and financial strategy. Whatever your goals, we’ll help you get there with confidence.
Sarah Philabaum
Owner & CFO
Sarah is a tech-savvy numbers nerd who thrives in the sunshine and loves perfecting her baking skills. As a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ (CFP®) and former insurance auditor with over a decade of experience, she blends financial expertise with analytical problem-solving. When she’s not diving into data, she’s creating in the kitchen or spending time with family and friends.
Sarah Deiter
Account Manager
Sarah Deiter brings nearly 15 years of experience in Human Resources, Operations, and Account Management to her role at BYB. A graduate of Kansas State University, Sarah earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Communication Studies with a minor in Leadership Studies. With a background centered around people, processes, and relationship management, Sarah is passionate about creating organization, supporting teams, and helping things run smoothly behind the scenes. She brings a thoughtful, dependable approach to her work and enjoys being part of a collaborative team. Outside of work, Sarah enjoys baking and can often be found cheering on her children at their sporting events.
Jodee Talley
Senior Bookkeeper
Jodee Talley brings over 20 years of bookkeeping and accounting experience to BYB, with a strong background in QuickBooks Online. Throughout her career, she has worked in a variety of industries, including nonprofit accounting, and was an owner-operator of a franchise for five years. Her experience has given her a strong eye for detail and a natural ability to troubleshoot issues and find solutions when the numbers don’t quite make sense. At BYB, Jodee works as a Resolution Specialist, supporting the team with complex bookkeeping and accounting projects. Outside of work, Jodee enjoys spending time with her daughter, roller skating, and traveling.
Melinda J. St. Peter
Senior Bookkeeper
Melinda J. St. Peter, BSA, MBA, is an experienced accounting and bookkeeping professional with extensive expertise in full-charge bookkeeping and financial reconciliation. Holding a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Husson University and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Maine, she has strong foundational financial knowledge. Throughout her career, Melinda has supported a diverse range of organizations—specializing in accounts payable and receivable management, general ledger management, and complex account troubleshooting along with auditing. As a QuickBooks Online Certified ProAdvisor proficient in modern productivity platforms such as Google Workspace, Bill.com, Asana, and Slack, she delivers reliable, detail-oriented financial support for virtual business environments.
Ashlee Eaton
Account Manager
Ashlee Eaton began her career as a financial analyst while attending college and has since built more than a decade of experience in accounting and finance. Throughout her career, she has served in a variety of roles across corporate accounting and small business bookkeeping, giving her valuable insight into financial processes from multiple perspectives. Ashlee uses this experience, along with her organization, dependability, and strong communication skills, to improve accounting workflows, maintain clean and accurate books, and create a smoother financial experience for her clients. Outside of work, you can find Ashlee soaking up the sun and exploring with her husband and two boys, preferably with good food and a great view.
Liz Evans
Bookkeeper
Liz brings a diverse background and strong work ethic to her bookkeeping role. From co-owning a restaurant to mastering organized financial records, she keeps things accurate and reliable behind the scenes. Outside of work, she enjoys time with her husband and dogs, plus knitting and crocheting.
Kate Bernier
Senior Bookkeeper
Kate has over a decade of accounting and bookkeeping experience, with roots in public accounting and internal auditing. Her eye for detail and process improvement ensures clients’ books are organized and dependable. She’s also a creative spirit currently writing her first novel.
Katherine Leiter
Tax Preparer & Consultant
Kate brings extensive experience in tax and bookkeeping and specializes in creating efficient systems that reduce stress for clients. She makes complex financial information clear and actionable — and loves baking and knitting in her downtime.
Jessa Marie Macapobre
Admin Assistant & Bookkeeper
Jessa keeps operations running smoothly with her strong administrative and organizational skills. She supports both clients and the team with dependable care. Outside the office, she enjoys music, nature, and family adventures.