Preparing for Scale: How TSG Your Trusted AccountantModernized with Clarity

Based just minutes outside Portland, Maine, TSG Your Trusted Accountant is the largest woman-owned accounting firm in the state, proudly serving clients across New England. From the outside, the firm looks like the definition of a classic New England business — with a quaint storefront, the kind of place you’d expect tradition to outweigh change.

Inside, it’s the opposite.

TSG has a clearly articulated vision for the kind of firm they’re building: one grounded in growth, consistency, strong relationships, and a people-first culture. As their services expand, their team grows, and new leadership roles come online, the firm has been deliberate about ensuring its internal foundation can support what comes next — without losing what makes the firm feel like TSG.

That mindset is what made this a modernization moment, not a reactionary one. As the firm formalized its growth plan, operational pressure became more visible.

“We weren’t in crisis, but we could feel pressure building as the firm grew. Work was getting more complex, timelines were tighter, and it was harder to see where things stood at any given moment. With our growth plan development and focus on becoming an ESOP, we knew additional offices being acquired would require a more robust practice management system.” – Tabitha C. Swanson, CPA, SMA, CFM, Owner & CEO, TSG Your Trusted Accountant

Why This Move Matters Now

TSG isn’t standing still.

• Actively acquiring firms across New England, including Brauel & Brauel based in North Conway, New Hampshire most recently.
• Continuing to invest in new talent and leadership
• Exploring new service lines and broader advisory capabilities

With that momentum came an important question: Would their existing infrastructure scale with the firm, or quietly slow it down?

“The biggest friction was visibility, knowing where work stood, how billing lined up with effort, and where things were stuck. Too much time was spent chasing information instead of moving work forward. We needed better budget-to-actual insight and real-time reporting to create guidelines on jobs for the team.”

From Practice CS to IRIS Firm Management

The decision to move off Practice CS wasn’t about replacing a tool for the sake of change. It was about reducing friction that had become part of the daily workflow and setting themselves up for success with multi-offices. Conversations about the system often revolved around “workarounds” — a sign that the technology was no longer keeping pace with how the firm operated.

Swanson Group needed a solution that could support:

• A growing, distributed firm model
• Greater visibility across work, people, and billing
• Consistency as new teams, offices, and services came online

As an existing Doc.It by IRIS customer, the team saw IRIS Firm Management as a natural next step, one that aligned with where the firm was going, not just where it had been.

Early Impact, Clear Direction

Even early in the implementation, the difference is tangible.

“There’s more clarity day to day. We don’t have to piece things together across systems or conversations. It’s easier to see what’s in progress and what needs attention, which has reduced a lot of background stress.”

That clarity matters — especially during periods of growth — because it gives leadership and teams the confidence that the firm’s operations can keep up with its ambition.

If another firm were considering a similar move, Swanson Group offers simple advice:

“Don’t wait until things feel broken. If you’re growing or adding complexity, it’s worth asking whether your current setup will still work a year from now — not just today. I would add that IRIS team works to plan to get you through this major transition.”

People-First Growth, Grounded in Leadership and the Right Foundation

What makes this story especially compelling is how TSG is growing.

In 2025, the firm was recognized as a Top Company to Work For in Maine, proof that expansion isn’t coming at the expense of culture. Even during busy season, leadership made time to engage with their team, welcome partners on-site, and create moments of connection amid the work.

That combination of ambition and humanity is rare. And it’s exactly the kind of firm IRIS Firm Management is built to support — firms that want to modernize their operations without losing the culture, relationships, and values that define them.