When Candice Noguera talks about her work, her voice carries both warmth and conviction. As the owner of Bookkeeping & CFO Solutions 5280, she knows firsthand the challenges small business owners face, and the resilience it takes to push through them. “The biggest lesson I’ve learned is that perseverance is everything,” she says. “Especially in those first five years of business. That’s the critical mark where stability starts to set in.”
Candice’s journey into accounting began close to home. Inspired by her grandmother’s small business, she gravitated toward bookkeeping early on, eventually spending a decade in corporate America before deciding it wasn’t the right fit. “I wanted more lifeblood in my work,” she explains. “After I had my daughter, I knew the corporate gig wasn’t where I wanted to be. I wanted the flexibility to create something that not only provided for my family but also gave me balance.”
That decision led her to launch her own firm in 2010. What began as a solo practice has now grown into a thriving team of eight. The turning point came about six years ago, when she was teaching at the Accounting and Business School of the Rockies. Many of her students were struggling to find opportunities. “I realized there was a need for jobs,” Candice recalls. “That’s when I began hiring, and it’s been incredibly rewarding to build a team that shares the same values.”
Those values—integrity, accuracy, and a commitment to treating clients as people first—form the backbone of her firm. “When clients come to us, they’re not just numbers on a spreadsheet. They’re individuals running businesses, often feeling stressed and overwhelmed,” she says. “Our job is to take some of that weight off their shoulders.”
Community engagement is also a cornerstone of Candice’s approach. From free monthly lunch-and-learn sessions to quarterly CFO calls, her firm prioritizes education and accessibility. “We want to give our clients as many touchpoints as possible,” she explains. “It’s not just about doing the work—it’s about empowering business owners with knowledge and confidence.”
Outside the office, Candice is deeply rooted in Colorado. She enjoys riding motorcycles, snowboarding, camping, and spending time outdoors with her family. “Those activities are how I recharge,” she says. “Owning my own business has given me the freedom to create balance. That’s been life-changing.”
Still, Candice knows that balance doesn’t come easily for most small business owners—especially at the end of the year. That’s why she’s passionate about equipping entrepreneurs with the tools they need to stay ahead. Her first piece of advice? Don’t ignore your financial statements. “Too many owners wait until December or even January to scramble through their books,” she cautions. “That’s when sloppy work happens, and it can cost you.”
Instead, she recommends reviewing financials regularly and heading into the final quarter with clarity. “You need to know your net profit now—not later—so you can make smart tax decisions,” she emphasizes. “That gives you the chance to move money into tax-efficient areas before it’s too late.”
Looking ahead is equally important. “Don’t wait until January to set goals. Before the holiday season, create a forecast and a budget for the new year,” Candice advises. “Decide what your revenue goals are, outline your planned expenses, and be intentional about your growth.”
For many entrepreneurs, the temptation to save money by handling bookkeeping themselves is strong—but Candice warns against it. “One of the biggest mistakes I see is owners trying to do it all,” she says. “Bookkeeping is one of the very first things you should delegate. When you free yourself from that stress, you have more energy to actually grow your business.”
She knows that finances can feel intimidating, but she believes the key is to face them directly. “The most important piece of advice I can give is this: confront your finances head-on with an expert,” she says. “When you stop avoiding the numbers, you stop being afraid of them. And when you feel empowered instead of anxious, everything else in your business starts to flow better.”
Candice’s story is one of perseverance, balance, and service—qualities that resonate with the small business community she champions. Through Bookkeeping & CFO Solutions 5280, she has built more than a firm; she has built a resource, a lifeline, and a reminder that financial health is foundational to every dream.
As the year winds down, her words carry particular weight: “The end of the year doesn’t have to be overwhelming,” she says. “With the right support and preparation, it can actually be the best time to set yourself up for success.”
"The biggest lesson I’ve learned is that perseverance is everything.”
“It’s not just about doing the work—it’s about empowering business owners with knowledge and confidence.”