About Us

About Sooter Consulting

At Sooter Consulting, we’re not your typical accounting firm. We foster a culture where courage, curiosity, and creativity are at the heart of everything we do. Here, bold ideas aren’t just welcomed. They’re celebrated. We encourage both our team and our clients to take risks, learn from experience, and push the boundaries of what’s possible to drive growth and success.

Our expertise lies in serving professional service providers, such as insurance agents and consultants, who face fluctuating incomes and unique financial challenges. Understanding these dynamics, we equip our clients with the Profit First tools and strategies they need to thrive — even in uncertain economic conditions.

Instead of relying on traditional accrual accounting, we focus on practical, cash-based insights that clarify rather than complicate. Our goal is to empower our clients with financial clarity and actionable insights, allowing them to manage cash flow confidently and reach their financial goals.

 

We’re More than Number-Crunchers

We’re a diverse team of continuous learners, financial strategists, and “data detectives,” each bringing complementary skills, a collaborative spirit, and even a touch of humor to every client interaction. Our unique approach ensures that each client benefits from a big-picture perspective that’s both comprehensive and refreshingly straightforward.

Meet our team and see how we can help turn your financial challenges into sustainable success!

Babe Ruth

“The way a team plays as a whole determines its success. You may have the greatest bunch of individual stars in the world, but if they don’t play together, the club won’t be worth a dime.”

— Babe Ruth

Our Lead Consultants

Donna Lim

Donna Lim

President & CEO

Phone: 408-413-0911, ext. 7002

It’s no secret that Donna LOVES money…but the extraordinary thing is that she loves other people’s money as much as her own! With an entrepreneurial spirit, 20 years of professional experience and a lifetime of fiscal problem-solving, her passion for accounting is deeply unstoppable and vastly contagious. Since the inception of Sooter Consulting, Inc. in 2005, Donna has cultivated her business from a humble beginning of two clients to a thriving and reputable Silicon Valley accounting firm serving over 50 diverse business owners and counting.  

Qualification Highlights: B.S. – Business Management, Accounting Emphasis, QuickBooks Desktop ProAdvisor & Online Advanced ProAdvisor, 20 years of progressive experience in administrative and accounting work. 

Motivating Force: The clients! Having the ability to enable clients to accomplish their goals and dreams

In Three Words: Honest, Direct, Sassy

Certifications

Profit First CertifiedQuickBooks Advanced ProAdvisor
Bretney Brazil

Bretney Brazil

Accounting Manager

Phone: 408-413-0911, ext. 7009

It The only thing that Bretney loves more than a good challenge – is a DIY (Do-It-Yourself) project! As a highly self-motivated, self-reliant and resourceful bookkeeper, Bretney is also a lifelong learner with experience as a fellow business owner and an educational foundation in Business Administration & Professional Bookkeeping. As a domestic violence survivor her ability to overcome some of life’s greatest adversities through consistency, resourcefulness and the courage of conviction is among what makes her an invaluable asset to our team and our clients.

Qualification Highlights: Bachelor of Arts, Business Administration (Ashford University), Member of the American Institute of Professional Bookkeeping, Former Small Business Owner & 5+ of years experience in Business Operations, payroll processing, monthly and annual report production, accounts payable & accounts receivable.

Motivating Force: The deliberate intention of maximizing available resources to implement advantageous solutions.

In Three Words: Independent, Meticulous, Resourceful

Certifications

Profit First CertifiedQuickBooks Advanced ProAdvisor

 

Our Approach: Profit First

At Sooter Consulting, we know that true financial success comes when profitability is prioritized. As a Profit First Certified firm, we’ve embraced the Profit First methodology — a cash management system designed to help businesses shift from merely covering expenses to strategically focusing on profit and cash flow.

Using the Profit First Cash Management System, we help businesses structure their finances by setting up dedicated bank accounts for profit, taxes, operating expenses, and owner compensation. This approach ensures that profitability is built into each transaction. With Target Allocation Percentages (TAPs), we guide your business to allocate funds effectively, minimizing surprises at tax time or during slow seasons.

Our method allows you to pay yourself first, take control of your cash flow, and secure your financial future. If you’re looking for a smarter, sustainable, and profit-focused way to grow your business, Sooter Consulting is here to help you put profit first every step of the way.

Empowering Financial Success with Profit First Principles

Our values are the cornerstone of our mission to drive financial success for small and mid-sized businesses. As a Profit First Certified firm, we bring a distinctive approach to bookkeeping the Profit First way, ensuring transparency, integrity, and excellence in every client relationship.

We believe in fostering a culture of bold growth, encouraging both our team and our clients to embrace challenges, take calculated risks, and learn from experience. Our services focus on professional service providers with fluctuating incomes, understanding the unique business challenges they face and providing targeted solutions in cashflow management, budget preparation, and profitability assessments.

With our expert guidance in financial planning, cash management, and business consulting, we empower clients to achieve their financial goals and navigate uncertainty with confidence, knowing that sustainable growth and long-term success are at the heart of everything we do.

Transparency and Integrity

We believe that honest, clear communication is essential to effective financial planning and business consulting. As Profit First professionals, we guide clients with accurate financial reporting, providing transparency that builds trust and ensures long-term success. There are no hidden agendas—just genuine guidance focused on improving profit and achieving your business goals.

Bold & Courageous Growth

True growth often requires stepping out of your comfort zone, which is why we encourage our clients to take calculated risks to reach their financial goals. Through our business coaching and cashflow management strategies, we help you confront business challenges head-on, guiding you to embrace opportunities with confidence and clarity.

Operational Excellence

Efficient cash management and streamlined operations are key to financial success. By optimizing processes through Profit First accounts, budget preparation, and cashflow forecasting, we enable our clients to focus on core activities, knowing their finances are handled efficiently and effectively to drive profitability.

Excellence in Service

Our goal is to provide exceptional, high-quality financial solutions that deliver long-lasting value. With a focus on the Profit First accounting method, our services go beyond standard bookkeeping. We offer comprehensive financial and profitability assessments, prioritizing sustained growth and financial health for your business over cost-cutting measures.

Generosity and Contribution

We believe in contributing to our clients’ financial journeys without expecting anything in return. Our Profit First certified advisors provide unwavering support and valuable business advice, empowering business owners to succeed and achieve their financial goals. Our commitment to helping clients improve their bottom line fosters trust and reinforces our mission to provide genuine value.

 

How We Have Helped Our Clients

The best business decision I’ve ever made.

I’ll tell anyone who’ll listen — implement the Profit First bookkeeping model and hire Donna to do it. I’ve never been more clear with my books, where my money is, where it is going. I don’t “worry” if I have money to pay myself and pay taxes, and pay staff, and go on my next vacation. The PF accounts show me all of this. I know my books are in good hands and when I look at the numbers, I know what they mean, and I am confident they reflect my current situation.

Allison Y., 2024
An amazing partner for making your business profitable!

They challenge you to take the appropriate steps to improve margins and operating costs while applying Profit First principles in a meaningful way! Our business reduced debt by 15% and reduced our expenses by 55% by working with Sooter! I am forever grateful to their assistance!

Jennifer C., 2024
Responsive and easy to work with.

Donna is one of the few business services that I have used religiously for over 10 years! She’s and her team are responsive and easy to work with, and I can’t imagine using anyone else!

Laura P., 2023
Donna and her team are awesome.

They have been critical to my business growth over the past two years. They are very responsive and knowledgeable. They have helped design a plan for growth for the next year and the next five years. Do yourself a favor and reach out to them.

Adam H., 2023
Efficient, responsive, and thoughtful leaders.

Donna Sooter and her team are terrific business partners to me in managing my payroll of 8 employees and also my monthly bookkeeping. I have been self-employed for 15 years and used many bookkeeping services. Donna far exceeds expectations in terms of consistent delivery and helpful council. Sooter and team have a proven system that works for my business, and they are my best thought partner in my business operations. Thank you, Donna.

Dianne M., 2022
I can only imagine how many hours/weeks of time they have saved me!

Donna and her team are timely, very supportive and genuinely want to see your small business grow. I’ve worked with a handful of people on the Sooter Consulting team: every interaction and service has exceeded expectations. If you want to save time, lose the headache from managing your own books, and move toward outsourcing the task of bookkeeping, talk with Donna and her team!

Madeline H., 2022
Consistently excellent across the board.

Donna and her team are great with communication, which is helpful and clear. They understand real estate, our many expenses and categories of expenses, and have been flexible about delivering the reports in the way that is most helpful to me. On a personal level, I want to add that I feel cared about as a valuable client, and that they are partners in my success.

Mary P. , 2021
Consummate professionals.

Our firm had been through several bookkeepers, and it began to feel like we were spending more time with our bookkeeping and finances than actually practicing the law. Hiring Sooter Consulting for our bookkeeping was one of the best decisions we have made as a firm. Donna is a consummate professional who will make it so that you no longer need to worry about bookkeeping. You can finally just run your business with the knowledge that your business records are accurate and will be completed on time. Thank you Donna and Team!

Justin F., 2021
Great people, great service.

So much more than a bookkeeper. Donna and her team are more like business counselors. I have gone from not really knowing where the money goes, to now having a solid plan in place. Instead of just getting by, in a very short time I have actually been able to PROPERLY allocate my company’s income and show a profit! Thanks to Donna I’m excited about my financial future as opposed to being worried!

Jerry F., 2020
So grateful I found Donna and her team.

I opened my business last year, and Donna has been with me during the lows and the highs. What a great value to have an affordable bookkeeper to help manage my cash flow and profitability. Donna, thanks for helping me have clarity around my business. I am very happy.

Joe F., 2015