About Still River Accounting Services
The Lesson I Never Forgot
Twenty years ago, I made a quilt that was too big to quilt on my sewing machine.
I wasn’t a professional — just someone who loved to sew and had taken on something bigger than I could finish alone. When it came time to complete it, I realized I needed someone with specialized equipment to handle large quilts.
And I hesitated.
Not because I wasn’t capable — but because bringing my work to someone more experienced felt vulnerable.
So the quilt sat folded in a closet for years.
Eventually, I found someone whose website made it clear she welcomed people like me — hobbyists, learners, people doing their best. I brought it to her.
She didn’t critique my stitching.
She didn’t point out what I could have done differently.
She simply helped me finish what I had started.
That experience stayed with me.
Because I realized something important: sometimes it’s not about ability — it’s about capacity. It’s about having someone steady step in and help you move forward.
Today, I see something similar in business owners when it comes to their numbers.
Not failure.
Not incompetence.
Just the weight of running a business and carrying too much all at once.
The reconciliations that haven’t happened yet.
Reports that exist but don’t feel clear.
Financial decisions that feel heavier than they should.
Business owners are incredibly capable. They’ve built something real. But running a business means wearing every hat — and sometimes the financial side becomes too much to hold alone.
At Still River Accounting Services, my role is to meet you where you are.
To step in calmly.
To organize what feels scattered.
To bring clarity where there’s noise.
Just steady progress and clean, reliable financial information you can trust.
Chris Bartlett Founder|Fractional Controller
Professional Experience You Can Rely On
I bring more than 20 years of controller-level experience across growing organizations.
Throughout my career, I have:
Led full month-end close processes
Prepared and analyzed financial statements
Cleaned up complex or disorganized books
Built accounting systems and internal controls
Navigated audits and mergers
Managed payroll, accounts payable, accounts receivable, and reconciliations
Worked extensively in both QuickBooks and NetSuite environments
I understand what strong financial infrastructure looks like — and how to build it.
After many years in corporate leadership roles, I chose to step away from that environment to work more directly with small business owners in my community. I want to use my experience in a way that feels personal, relational, and grounded — not transactional.
Now, I focus on supporting small businesses who want clarity in their numbers without feeling overwhelmed by them.