About TAABS (Now KeepingCount)
Total Accounting and Bookkeeping Solutions, widely known by its acronym TAABS, is an outsourced accounting firm that was founded in 1996 and has since operated as a subsidiary of KeepingCount following an acquisition completed in December 2023. The firm is headquartered in Encino, California, and has historically served small and medium-sized businesses across the United States in a range of industry sectors.
TAABS was built around providing practical, day-to-day financial management for businesses that prefer to outsource their accounting functions rather than maintain in-house staff. Over the course of more than two decades, the firm developed a client base spanning sectors such as entertainment, real estate, e-commerce, apparel retail, professional services, and specialty manufacturing.
In December 2023, KeepingCount, an accounting and bookkeeping platform backed by private equity firm Housatonic Partners, acquired TAABS. The transaction marked KeepingCount’s third acquisition in 2023, following earlier additions of RealCount and Reveal Business Solutions. Song Pettus, the original owner of TAABS, joined KeepingCount as Chief Operating Officer following the transaction.
1996
Year TAABS Founded
2023
Year Acquired by KeepingCount
18+
Industry Verticals Served
$250M+
Client Annual Revenues Managed
355 Yrs
Combined Team Experience
| Data Point | Details |
|---|---|
| Original Company Name | Total Accounting and Bookkeeping Solutions (TAABS) |
| Current Operating Name | KeepingCount (acquired brand) |
| Founded | 1996 |
| Acquisition Date | December 15, 2023 |
| Headquarters | 16501 Ventura Blvd, Suite 508, Encino, CA 91436 |
| Parent Company | KeepingCount |
| Investor / Backer | Housatonic Partners |
| KeepingCount CEO | Jeff Russell |
| Former TAABS Owner | Song Pettus (now COO at KeepingCount) |
| Primary Industry | Accounting, Audit, and Tax Services (B2B) |
| Business Type | Private, Private Equity-Backed |
| Website | keepingcount.com |
What KeepingCount Does and Why It Matters
KeepingCount operates as an outsourced accounting and financial management platform for businesses that lack the internal capacity or preference for in-house accounting departments. The platform is structured around industry specialization, with accounting professionals assigned to clients based on sector expertise rather than general practice.
The company positions its services around three main areas: core accounting functions, financial performance management through advisory and CFO-level support, and platform technology consulting. This structure allows clients to engage with a full accounting function without the overhead associated with full-time employees.
The TAABS acquisition brought an existing client base and experienced leadership into the KeepingCount platform. TAABS had developed particular depth in serving businesses in entertainment, apparel, real estate, and e-commerce, and this industry knowledge became part of KeepingCount’s broader service capability. The firm’s model targets businesses in need of consistent, scalable accounting support as they grow.
Core Services and Programs
The range of services offered through TAABS and its parent platform covers both routine accounting tasks and more complex financial advisory work. The table below outlines the primary service categories available to clients.
| Service Category | Description | Target Client Need |
|---|---|---|
| Outsourced Bookkeeping | Day-to-day transaction recording, reconciliations, and ledger maintenance | Businesses needing accurate, up-to-date books without in-house staff |
| Outsourced Accounting | Month-end close, financial statement preparation, and reporting | Companies requiring regular financial reporting and compliance support |
| Payroll Management | Processing employee and contractor payroll, compliance filing | Small to medium businesses managing payroll without a dedicated HR function |
| Bill Payment and Invoicing | Digital accounts payable and receivable management | Firms seeking to streamline cash flow and vendor payment cycles |
| Controller Services | Higher-level oversight of accounting operations and internal controls | Growing companies transitioning from basic bookkeeping to structured finance |
| CFO Advisory Services | Strategic financial planning, forecasting, and performance analysis | Businesses looking for executive-level financial guidance without a full-time CFO |
| Catch-Up Accounting | Bringing disorganized or outdated financial records current | Businesses with backlogs or incomplete financial records |
| Business Consulting | Strategic advice on financial systems, process improvements, and growth planning | Entrepreneurs and small business owners navigating expansion decisions |
| Platform Technology | Accounting software setup and optimization (QuickBooks, Sage Intacct, etc.) | Clients needing the right tools integrated into their operations |
Industries and Sectors Served
Both TAABS historically and KeepingCount currently take a vertical-focused approach to service delivery. Rather than serving all clients through a single generalist model, professionals are aligned with specific industries. This structure allows accounting staff to develop familiarity with sector-specific regulations, revenue models, and reporting norms.
| Industry Sector | Relevant Financial Needs |
|---|---|
| Real Estate | Property accounting, rental income tracking, CAM reconciliation |
| Entertainment | Project-based budgeting, royalties, talent payments, production accounting |
| E-Commerce | Inventory accounting, platform reconciliation, sales tax compliance |
| Apparel Retail | Cost of goods tracking, seasonal reporting, vendor management |
| Professional Services | Revenue recognition, billing, utilization reporting |
| Construction | Job costing, progress billing, contract accounting |
| Life Sciences | Grant accounting, clinical trial budgeting, compliance reporting |
| Vacation Rentals | Occupancy revenue tracking, property expense allocation, seasonal forecasting |
| Specialty Manufacturing | Production cost tracking, supply chain finance, margin analysis |
| Consumer Products | COGS analysis, distribution accounting, product-level profitability |
Structure, Acquisitions, and Platform Growth
KeepingCount was founded in 2023 by Jeff Russell and operates as a platform designed to consolidate accounting and bookkeeping firms under a single organizational structure. The company actively pursues partnerships with firms generating between one million and twenty million dollars in annual revenue.
TAABS represented the third company to join the KeepingCount platform in 2023. Each acquisition is intended to preserve the existing client relationships and team while plugging into shared operational infrastructure, technology, and leadership resources.
| Acquisition | Year | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| RealCount | 2023 | First acquisition under the KeepingCount platform |
| Reveal Business Solutions | 2023 | Second acquisition in 2023 |
| TAABS (Total Accounting and Bookkeeping Solutions) | December 2023 | Third acquisition; Song Pettus joined as COO |
Industry Impact
The outsourced accounting segment has grown alongside the broader shift toward remote and distributed business operations. Firms like TAABS and KeepingCount address a structural gap for smaller companies that need professional financial management but cannot justify the cost of full in-house accounting departments. The two-column section below outlines the distinct value that this type of platform delivers to two different audiences.
For Small Business Owners
Small business operators often carry the burden of managing their own financials while simultaneously running operations. Outsourcing accounting functions removes this responsibility, allowing owners to focus on revenue-generating activities. Access to experienced accountants and CFO-level advisors would otherwise require significant salary investment. A platform such as KeepingCount provides those capabilities on a fractional basis, which is more cost-effective for businesses at earlier growth stages.
For Mid-Market and Growing Companies
Companies that have outgrown simple bookkeeping but have not yet reached the scale to justify a full finance department benefit from structured outsourced accounting. The availability of controller services, audit preparation support, and financial performance management through advisors allows these businesses to operate with a mature financial function. Industry-specific expertise reduces the time accountants spend learning sector norms, resulting in more relevant financial analysis and faster onboarding.
Mission and Organizational Values
KeepingCount, the parent organization of the TAABS brand, has articulated a mission focused on helping business leaders remove accounting from their list of daily concerns while simultaneously gaining clearer insight into their financial position. The organization emphasizes accuracy, timeliness, and clarity as foundational principles in its client relationships.
The platform also has a stated commitment to growth through acquisition, inviting accounting firms to join a shared structure that provides scale and resources while allowing existing client-facing professionals to continue focusing on client service. This approach is designed to preserve the service culture of smaller firms while giving them access to larger infrastructure and support systems.
Song Pettus, who built TAABS over more than two decades before its acquisition, has continued in an executive role at KeepingCount, reflecting the organization’s approach of retaining experienced leadership through its integration process. The combined team’s expertise, which KeepingCount reports as totaling 355 years of accumulated experience across its professional staff, underpins the platform’s service delivery model.
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