Bookminders
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Accounting |
| Founded | 1991 |
| Founder | Tom Joseph |
| Headquarters | Pittsburgh , United States |
Area served | United States |
Key people | Jessica Minkus (CEO) |
| Products | Outsourced bookkeeping and accounting services |
Number of employees | Not specified |
Bookminders is an American accounting firm headquartered in Pittsburgh, specializing in outsourced bookkeeping and accounting solutions for medium to large enterprises and nonprofit organizations. The company operates with a workforce primarily based in home offices. Established in 1991 by Tom Joseph, Bookminders originated from Steele Financial Services, which was created to offer adaptable employment options, especially for women aiming to balance professional and personal responsibilities. Motivated by the advent of early home computing technology, Joseph crafted a business model that merges cost-effective, high-quality outsourced bookkeeping services with meaningful part-time job opportunities.
Bookminders introduced the innovative "Cottage Corporation" model, where staff members perform their duties remotely from their homes while corporate administration functions from a central office location—setting it apart from conventional home-based business structures.
The firm has been featured in numerous business publications such as the Philadelphia Business Journal, Pittsburgh Business Times, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Austin Business Journal, and Accounting Today. Additionally, platforms like MSN Money and KXAN have spotlighted Bookminders for its expansion strategy and its strong appeal within the nonprofit sector.
History
Tom Joseph launched Bookminders in 1991 with the goal of attracting exceptional professionals through offering flexible work arrangements. The idea originated when he implemented an accounting system for his family’s company after their bookkeeper departed in 1984. Drawing on his early familiarity with Apple computers, Joseph established Steele Financial Services, initially involving his sister Diane working remotely—a pioneering concept before widespread internet adoption. Although Steele Financial Services achieved initial success, it lacked scalability and eventually ceased operations.
Continuing his career in factory automation, Joseph maintained his dedication to the Bookminders vision. After viewing a 60 Minutes segment on innovative pay structures, he envisioned utilizing technology to create part-time accounting roles tailored for women seeking alternatives to traditional office environments while providing affordable, high-quality bookkeeping to small businesses.
At its inception, Tom collaborated with Diane’s twin sister Lynne and secured their first client located in Shadyside, Pennsylvania. Client feedback led to enhancements culminating in the establishment of Bookminders’ Quality Assurance program, attracting auditors committed to supporting client success. One auditing partner described Bookminders’ approach as forward-thinking; Tom contended it was already current practice. The company’s employee-focused culture, distinctive compensation system, cost-efficient financial model, and dedication to quality propelled substantial growth over subsequent decades.
By adopting cutting-edge technology, Bookminders transitioned from using floppy disks and shared emails to a proprietary cloud-based platform that facilitated remote work well ahead of widespread acceptance. Presently, it stands as a leading provider of outsourced bookkeeping services for nonprofits and mid- to large-sized companies, known for its quality service, affordability, and employee-centric philosophy under the motto: "Driven by Excellence, Distinguished by Trust." Early accolades as one of Pittsburgh’s Fastest Growing Private Companies and advocacy for home-based employment established new benchmarks for work-life balance within the region’s accounting industry.
Concentrating on resources designed specifically for nonprofits and small to mid-sized businesses, Bookminders expanded by opening a Philadelphia branch in 2006, becoming Pennsylvania’s foremost outsourced bookkeeping provider. Over the following decade, additional offices were launched in Cherry Hill, New Jersey, and Eastern Maryland. The firm’s strong corporate culture and remote work opportunities attracted an increasing number of employees. Responding to growing demand and resource availability, Bookminders extended beyond the Eastern United States with new locations in Central Texas (2022) and Indiana (2024).
Recognition
Bookminders has been distinguished with numerous awards reflecting its business achievements and workplace quality. It was featured in the Pittsburgh Business Times list of "50 Best Places to Work" and received accolades from the Pittsburgh Human Resources Association for its pioneering employment practices. The company earned the "Balance Award - Company of the Year" from the American Society of Women Accountants. Additionally, the U.S. Small Business Administration honored Bookminders as the "Pennsylvania Home-Based Business Champion" in recognition of its exceptional performance. From 1997 through 2004, it consistently appeared among Pittsburgh's 100 Fastest Growing Private Companies as ranked by the Pittsburgh Business Times.
In more recent years, Bookminders achieved the #2 spot in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette's Top Workplace awards for both 2022 and 2023, advancing to #1 in 2024. The Daily Record also recognized the firm as an Empowering Women award recipient in 2024.
CEO Jessica Minkus has been individually celebrated, receiving the title of Top Leader by the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette in 2022 and again in 2024. Her leadership was further acknowledged through Smart Business Magazine’s Smart 50 Awards and the Pittsburgh Business Times's C-Suite Awards in 2023.