Islanders are eager to have accounting help, and Genie Williams, who officially opened New Horizons, a bookkeeping company, March 15, is ready to assist.

“I have been slammed!” Williams said laughing. In fact, she has been so busy, she is already expanding. Williams recently rented a second office, across the hall, and will be welcoming Tina Barnes on May 1. Barnes has been a bookkeeper for Peace Health. New Horizons is located in the building referred to as the sustainable technology center, at 640 Mullis St., Suite 208, upstairs between the San Juan Island Visitors Bureau and the Journal. The hours are 8 a.m. – 4 p.m., Monday through Friday. If a client needs to meet beyond those times, she is willing to set up a special appointment.

Williams and her husband moved to the island in 2002, and for six years Williams worked for Cathy Cavanaugh, a well-known local accountant.

“I learned so much from her,” Williams said.

Locals may recognize her and her husband as owners of The Hot Shop in Friday Harbor. Her role focused on bookkeeping and other behind-the-scenes work, she said.

After the store closed, she continued running her bookkeeping business out of her home. This spring, Williams decided it was time to open an office.

New Horizons is a full-service bookkeeping company, and she is a certified QuickBooks adviser. Williams is not, however, a CPA, or Certified Public Accountant.

“I don’t do taxes,” Williams said, adding that she knows a few CPAs to whom she can refer people. She explained that not everyone is a good match with every CPA, which is why she is glad to have more than one name on hand, to try to meet everyone’s needs.

By knowing good bookkeeping, and what a CPA needs, Williams said, her services can cut tax preparation costs.

“I keep everyone in compliance with what they need to be compliant in, as I have for over 40 years,” Williams said proudly.

For more information, visit www.newhorizonsbookkeeping.com.