Today we’d like to introduce you to Allison Vitek.
Allison, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Somehow I always manage to combine music with another industry. After college I focused most of my energy building my private flute lesson studio as well as giving lessons at a few public schools. After several years I became increasingly burned out but also really good at managing the financial aspects of teaching and gigging, such as tracking tuition payments, budgeting, and dealing with W-9s and other tax concerns,
In 2018 I decided to become a bookkeeper and gradually phase out teaching completely. All musicians need good bookkeeping, but only a few of us are actually good at it, so I created A-Sharp Bookkeeper to service this niche market. I took online courses and eventually earned two bookkeeping certifications. In 2020 I got my first monthly clients, and taught my last lesson in mid-2024. This entire time I was also gigging and performing, but not enough to satisfy my artistic itch.
2024 was also the year I discovered a love of sewing, I learned to make a padded case for my alto recorder and small bags to hold supplies a flutist always needs, like pencils, a small screwdriver, swabs, etc. In early 2025 I decided to start another business making bags and instrument cases. Perfect Pouches is still getting off the ground, but long-term goals include more recorder bags and flute cases, and other bags that are perfect for their purpose.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
2018-2020 was a difficult period because I was so burned out on teaching but did not know if switching to bookkeeping was the right move. I had never done it before and would be starting at the very bottom of a new industry after I had already invested so much time and energy in teaching music. I endured an uphill battle as I continued to teach while also learning Accounting fundamentals in my spare time. Even after earning my certifications it still took time to find anyone willing to hire someone with no prior accounting experience. I constantly questioned if I was just wasting my time and if I was better off just sticking to what I knew and push through the burn-out. I felt caught on a hamster wheel.
But once I found two people willing to give me a chance, A-Sharp Bookkeeper took off and has been going steadily for five years now.
Perfect Pouches is still new and has its own challenges, but I’m having fun showing off my creations and getting people interested.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about A-Sharp Bookkeeper?
A-Sharp Bookkeeper handles the monthly bookkeeping for musicians so they can have a smooth tax-season and have peace of mind knowing their records are accurate and compliant. I categorize transactions, make sure invoice payments are matched properly, spot mistakes, and even file 1099s for my clients who pay out other musicians for gigs and recording sessions. I also offer live 1-on-1 training for those who want to do the bookkeeping themselves.
Very few bookkeepers want to work with musicians or other creatives. There are many CPAs who cater to the music industry, but it is quite rare to find a professional musician who can offer professional bookkeeping services, understand a musician’s financial activity, explain accounting and tax concepts using relevant music industry examples, and “get it”. My clients appreciate they can boast to me about their latest project and I will understand what they are talking about and be equally excited for them.
So, before we go, how can our readers or others connect or collaborate with you? How can they support you?
I have an eBook in very early stages of development that will boil down accounting concepts in a way that will educate and empower musicians to better understand the financial aspect of their career, collaborate with their bookkeeper/CPA/tax person, or handle their bookkeeping and taxes on their own. Once it is published, please consider purchasing it!
People can get updates or reach out to me for services on my website or Facebook page.
Pricing:
- Monthly bookkeeping can cost as little as $40 depending on volume of transactions
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.a-sharpbookkeeper.com/
- Instagram: @perfectpouches_
- Other: https://perfectpouches.bigcartel.com/
