Your expertise.
A stronger foundation.
Business coaches, independent consultants, and health and wellness coaches who want a clearer plan for uneven income, owner’s pay, and taxes.
Profit First for coaches, consultants, agency owners,
creatives, practices & professionals
creatives, practices & professionals
More peace.
More profit.
A business that
pays you.
You’ve built a business around what you do best. Let’s create a plan for the money it brings in—so you can pay yourself consistently, prepare for taxes, and make decisions with confidence.
Let’s get started
Room to breathe.A clearer plan for your business finances.
Certified Profit First ProfessionalPersonal guidance. Practical systems.Working virtually, nationwide
Built around your kind of business
You help your clients thrive.
Your finances deserve that same care.
I work with business owners who earn their living through their expertise, creativity, and care for others.
Your expertise.
Room to create.
Confidence to grow.
Creative businesses and agency owners balancing project revenue, contractor costs, payroll, and the question: what can I safely spend?
Care for your clients.
Clarity for yourself.
Therapists, real estate agents, and other professional service providers ready to bring more structure and breathing room to their business finances.
A good fit for established businesses generating $300,000+ in annual revenue and ready for ongoing financial guidance.
Does this sound familiar?
The revenue is there.
But where’s the money?
A busy business doesn’t always feel like a financially healthy one. If your bank balance leaves you guessing, you don’t have to figure it out alone.
- Your reports show a profit, but your bank account tells a different story.
- You pay everyone else first—and yourself whatever is left.
- Taxes feel like a surprise instead of something you’ve planned for.
- You want to hire, grow, or take time off, but aren’t sure what you can afford.
A practical plan. A personal partnership.
Bring purpose to every dollar.
Using the Profit First method, we’ll build a cash flow system around your business and the life you want it to support.
Profit First
advisory
Create a manageable rhythm for allocating money to profit, owner’s pay, taxes, and operating expenses—with guidance as your business changes.
Build your profit plan →Accounting review
& oversight
Make decisions using financial information you understand and can trust. Get accounting review and reconciliation support that complements your cash flow plan.
Find the right support →Proactive
tax planning
Plan ahead for tax obligations and keep them connected to your cash flow. I can collaborate with your tax accountant so your financial picture stays aligned.
Start planning ahead →Words from business owners
More clarity. More confidence.
Lori has been such a huge help with the assessment of my business. She has aided me in not only understanding my business finances and how to increase profit, she has also helped me understand the complexities of accounting; important for any business owner. Lori knowledgable, kind, and responsive. When I found her, I was relieved and excited to see where our work together would take my business. Highly recommend Lori and her services!Brigid Zarbock, Psy.D.
Licensed Clinical Psychologist
Healing Path Counseling LLC
I cannot say enough great things about Lori and the impact she has had on my business. As someone with no background in accounting or finance, I was overwhelmed with getting my company's finances in order, especially as tax season approached. Lori stepped in and completely transformed the process for me.Holly Black
She seamlessly cleaned up all of my accounting, set me up for a stress-free tax season, and went above and beyond by helping with profit management strategies. Thanks to her expertise and guidance, I feel confident in my financial systems and decisions for the first time. She has an incredible ability to explain complex financial concepts in a way that is easy to understand and implement.
If you're looking for someone who can not only organize your finances but also help you drive profitability and long-term success, I highly recommend Lori. She is an absolute game-changer for any business owner!
President/CEO
Crossborder Development Corp. & HURDLE Group Inc.
We have been clients with Lori from Financial Tally for over 15 years. She has been a true asset for our small business ventures. The professionalism, knowledge, and support provided by Lori have helped our operations prosper and grow. She is always on top of the ever changing tax and employment laws that make operating a small business a challenge. She is very responsive and effeicient and we would highly recommend her services.Tammy Poirier
CFO
Rene's Repair Inc & HeatWave
Meet your financial guide
Hi, I’m Lori.
Let’s make your numbers
feel less overwhelming.
I’m Lori Mercaldi, EA, a Certified Profit First Professional and Profit & Tax Planning Strategist based in Durham, North Carolina. I help service-based business owners nationwide implement Profit First, manage cash flow, pay themselves consistently, and plan ahead for taxes. My work brings together decades of accounting and tax experience with practical, ongoing guidance.
After putting Profit First to work in my own business, I saw the difference a clear cash flow rhythm could make. Now I help owners build a system they understand—and can actually use.
More about Lori →Conversations about better business finances
Hear Lori’s approach.
Get to know the person behind the plan. Listen to conversations about Profit First, financial clarity, and a business that supports your life.
The Gaelan Trombley Show
A conversation with Lori Mercaldi
Hear Lori discuss her work as a profit strategist and her approach to helping business owners.
Listen to the episode ↗ (opens in a new tab)Demystifying Franchise Ownership
Profit First Mastery
Explore Profit First with Lori and host Kristine Givens.
Listen to the episode ↗ (opens in a new tab)The Savvy Session
Unlock the Secrets to Financial Success
Join Lori, Kirsten Ramos, and Paula Kircher for a conversation about business finances and profitability.
Listen to the episode ↗ (opens in a new tab)Grow My Accounting Practice
Transitioning from Compliance to Profit First Consulting
Learn more about Lori’s transition toward profit consulting and the thinking behind her advisory approach.
Listen to the episode ↗ (opens in a new tab)Your next chapter starts here
A clear path forward.
Tell me about your business.
Complete a short questionnaire so I can learn about your goals and the financial challenges you’re facing.
Let’s see if we’re a fit.
In a discovery conversation, we’ll discuss what’s working, where you feel stuck, and the support you’re looking for.
Put your plan into practice.
If we’re a fit, we’ll outline the right support and create a personalized plan for a more financially healthy business.
Curious about Profit First?
Explore the approach before taking your next step. Get the first two chapters of Mike Michalowicz’s book.
Get the first two chapters →A few things you may be wondering
Let’s make it clearer.
Do I need to understand Profit First already?
No. We’ll start with your business and your goals. I’ll explain the method and help you put a practical cash flow system in place, step by step.
Can I keep my current tax accountant?
Yes. I can work alongside your tax accountant, connecting your cash flow plan with tax planning and helping you prepare for upcoming obligations.
Do you work with businesses outside North Carolina?
Yes. Financial Tally works virtually with business owners nationwide.
Is this a fit if I’m busy but still struggle to pay myself?
That’s exactly the kind of challenge we can discuss. Revenue alone doesn’t tell the whole story. We’ll look at your goals, cash flow, and readiness to put a consistent system in place.
Peace. Ease. Financial control.
Your business should support your life.
Let’s build a plan that gives you a clearer view of your money—and more confidence in what comes next.
Let’s get started