Tanya Hilts: Turning Cloud Bookkeeping into a Catalyst for Small Business Confidence

Great Story
Apr 29
3 min read

Before she built an award-winning accounting firm, Tanya Hilts was simply a mother, a mentor, and a woman who couldn’t stand watching entrepreneurs drown in disorganized spreadsheets.

She didn’t just want to manage books. She wanted to transform them—and the businesses behind them. Today, through Cloud Business Services, she’s helping entrepreneurs across Canada and beyond find clarity, control, and confidence in their finances.

From Numbers to Narratives: A New Kind of Bookkeeper

In 2010, from Belleville, Ontario, Tanya launched Cloud Business Services Inc. not just as another accounting shop, but as a lifeline for small and medium-sized businesses struggling to keep up with messy books and manual processes.

Her mission? Simplify small business finance using technology, empathy, and strategy.

What began as a traditional bookkeeping service quickly evolved into a tech-forward, cloud-first powerhouse, offering:

Real-time financial dashboards
Full-service bookkeeping, payroll, tax, and consulting
Seamless integration of AI-powered tools and automation
Personalized financial guidance for growing businesses

“Our clients aren’t numbers—they’re people with dreams, families, and responsibilities. We take that seriously.”

A Cloud-First Vision, Before the Buzz

Long before the cloud was cool, Tanya was already building in it. She rebranded in 2020 to reflect her firm’s forward-thinking model, giving clients access to real-time visibility, remote collaboration, and smart automation that was lightyears ahead of most competitors.

That leap of faith paid off. Cloud Business Services received global recognition:

Top Global Business in Accounting – Great Companies, 2023
Top 50 Client Accounting Services Practice – Woodard, 2023
Finalist, International Firm of the Future – Intuit, 2018

“The cloud let us show clients a different way. Once they saw the ease, there was no going back.”

When Crisis Hit, She Showed Up

The COVID-19 pandemic shook small businesses to the core—but Tanya didn’t flinch.Her team became more than service providers—they became strategic partners. They helped clients navigate government relief programs, manage cash flow, and adjust to new financial realities.

But keeping up wasn’t easy.Tanya had to battle tech challenges, constant regulatory changes, and talent shortages. Her solution? Invest in education, training, and mentorship—not only for her team, but for her clients too.

“We weren’t just teaching them about tax reports. We were teaching them why tools matter—how they free up time for real growth.”

The Impact: Clarity Over Chaos

Today, Tanya and her firm serve a fast-growing client base across Canada that values clarity, accuracy, and strategy. A retail business she worked with cut manual data entry time in half by adopting cloud tools—leading to faster decisions, better operations, and increased revenue.

“Sometimes, the biggest transformation isn’t on paper—it’s in how calm the client feels.”

She’s not just balancing books. She’s helping entrepreneurs breathe again.

Tanya’s Advice to Women Entrepreneurs: Believe, Begin, Build

Tanya keeps it real when asked about what she’s learned.

“Start before you feel ready. Self-doubt is normal. But don’t wait to be fearless—just begin.”

Her guiding principles?

Embrace failure — it’s your best teacher.
Define your values — they’ll guide your toughest calls.
Speak up — for yourself and others.
Balance matters — health fuels long-term success.

She champions advocacy and mentorship, urging women to lift others while climbing.

“It’s not just about what we build—it’s about who we bring with us.”

A Legacy of Numbers—and a Future Built on Purpose

Tanya Hilts isn’t your typical accountant. She’s a digital visionary, an empathetic leader, and a fierce believer in businesses built with heart and horsepower.

Her journey proves that when you combine tech with empathy, and data with purpose, bookkeeping becomes more than a service.