Who We Are

 

Leslea Burnett - Little Enrolled Agent | Fractional CFO | Founder

I started Simply Balanced Accountants in 2011 with one simple goal: fill the gap.

There was always this disconnect between the day-to-day transactions in a business and what happened at year-end when you finally sat down with your CPA. Business owners were making decisions all year long—but nobody was paying attention to the numbers until it was too late to do anything about them. That gap frustrated me, and I wanted to fix it.

I started small, working with a handful of clients in the Lansing area as a Bookkeeper and Tax Preparer—filling the gap. For years, it was a side hustle—something I built while working full-time. By 2019, I was ready to go all in.

In 2021, I became an Enrolled Agent—a federally licensed tax professional authorized to represent clients before the IRS. In 2022, I acquired a tax preparation business and expanded our capacity to serve more clients the right way.

That's when everything clicked.

I realized the real value wasn't in bookkeeping or tax prep on their own—it was in bringing it all together. Year-round support. Proactive planning. One team that sees the full picture and helps you make smarter decisions before it's too late.

Today, Simply Balanced is a year-round tax planning and advisory firm based in Holt, Michigan. We serve small business owners who want more than a once-a-year tax return—they want a strategic partner who sees the full picture.

With over 25 years of experience and a four-generation legacy in accounting, I've built a firm that replaces the one-size-fits-all CPA model with a concierge approach—proactive tax strategy, integrated financial guidance, and year-round support.

As a business owner myself, I understand the real challenges entrepreneurs face. I'm not here to take over your business or tell you what to do.

I'm here to be your Who.

Our Vision

We envision a firm where tax planning and advisory come first—where clients receive year-round insight, high-touch support, and strategies that align business decisions with personal financial goals. By focusing on fewer, deeper relationships, we provide a concierge experience that transforms the way taxes contribute to growth, wealth, and peace of mind.

Our Mission

To deliver proactive tax strategy and personalized advisory services that give clients clarity, confidence, and control. At Simply Balanced Accountants, we go beyond compliance to create tailored financial strategies that reduce taxes, protect wealth, and support long-term success.

Our Core Values

Integrity
We do what's right, even when it's hard. Trust is built through transparency, follow-through, and doing exactly what we say we'll do.

Passion
Your goals are our mission. We bring focus, care, and energy to every client relationship—because we truly love what we do.

Relationships
Connection is everything. We prioritize meaningful, long-term relationships based on honesty, mutual respect, and sincere communication.

Balance
We believe financial clarity creates freedom. We help our clients—and our team—make space for what matters most, both professionally and personally.

Growth Mindset
We never stop learning. We embrace change and invest in growth—for ourselves, for our clients, and for the future we're building together.

How We Work Together

Our approach works because everyone on the team sees the full picture. Ana ensures nothing falls through the cracks. Paul translates numbers into strategy. Marte brings four decades of technical expertise and institutional knowledge. Aileen and Kesley handle the details that keep everything running smoothly. When you work with Simply Balanced, you're working with all of us—not handed off between departments, but supported by a team that actually talks to each other.

Marte Drumheller AKA Mom

Marte has an impressive 45-year legacy spanning three generations. Her journey started with her father, the respected Harvey W. Lynn CPA, and they worked together until he passed away in 2000. Marte, along with her brothers Larry and David, then took charge, leading Lynn and Associates Inc. to ongoing success. In 1996, Marte married Mike, her soulmate, creating a blended family with three daughters, two sons, and five beloved grandchildren.

Driven by a desire to share her deep knowledge, skills, and steadfast support, Marte began a new chapter in 2022. By teaming up with her daughter at Simply Balanced Accountants, she carries on the family legacy for future generations.

Marte handles payroll, compliance, and bookkeeping for our northern Michigan clients and a select group of nonprofits. Her four decades of experience mean payroll runs smoothly and compliance deadlines are never missed. Semi-retired now, she enjoys focusing on the work she loves—while watching the next generation step into the more complex challenges she's equipped them to handle.

Ana Luther Client Success Manager

With over 15 years of experience in banking, administrative support, and legal assistance, Ana brings exceptional expertise in documentation, organization, and client service. Her ability to streamline workflows and maintain meticulous records enhances efficiency and ensures a seamless client experience.

Ana guides new clients through our 90 Days to Success onboarding process—making sure you understand what to expect, what we need from you, and how to get the most value from your advisory relationship. She's the one who ensures you're set up properly from day one, with systems in place and clear communication established. After those first 90 days, your primary working relationship shifts to Paul and the technical team—but Ana remains your go-to for coordination. Need to schedule a planning session? Have a question about an upcoming deadline? Not sure who to ask? Ana makes sure the right person gets what they need, when they need it, so nothing falls through the cracks and you're never left wondering what happens next.

Paul Rieke Senior Accountant

With a unique blend of experience in financial services, blue-collar industries, and pastoral ministry, Paul brings strong analytical skills, a deep understanding of financial processes, and a commitment to ethical business practices. His diverse background gives him firsthand insight into the challenges business owners face and the clarity they need to make confident decisions.

Paul leads our advisory engagements and works directly with business clients on strategy and fractional CFO services. When Ana identifies a client concern or upcoming decision, Paul steps in to analyze the numbers and present options. He collaborates closely with Leslea on complex planning scenarios and relies on Aileen's accounting work to ensure the recommendations he makes are grounded in accurate, current financials. His ability to translate financial data into plain-English action steps bridges the gap between what the numbers say and what business owners need to do about it.

 

Aileen Lamire Staff Accountant

Aileen handles the monthly accounting review, reconciliation, and reporting that keeps our advisory clients' financials accurate and current. She's the one ensuring the numbers Paul uses for CFO meetings are reliable and clean. When Ana sends client documentation, Aileen processes it and flags anything that needs attention—whether that's a missing transaction, an unusual expense, or an opportunity for tax savings. Her work is the foundation that makes proactive advisory possible instead of reactive cleanup.

Kesley Guire Tax Specialist

Kesley has built a well-rounded career in public accounting spanning audit, assurance, taxation, and bookkeeping. Her diverse background allows her to approach tax work with a deep understanding of the financial data behind each return—seeing not just what needs to be filed, but what the numbers reveal about planning opportunities.

Kesley manages tax return preparation and ensures compliance across all client filings. She works from the financial data Aileen maintains and implements the tax strategies Paul and Leslea develop throughout the year. When she spots something during return prep that suggests a planning opportunity for next year, she brings it to the team so we can address it proactively. Leslea and Kesley work hand in hand to ensure technical accuracy and catch opportunities others might miss. Her attention to detail and understanding of how current-year decisions affect future returns makes her an essential part of our year-round approach.

Mike Izdebski Seasonal Tax Specialist

With over 30 years of experience in the pharmaceutical industry and a background in physiology from Michigan State University, Mike brings precision, attention to detail, and a scientific mindset to every tax return he prepares. Since joining the tax world in 2017, he's applied the same rigor that defined his career at organizations like Wyeth-Ayerst Laboratories, the American Red Cross, and Emergent BioSolutions. A Lansing native who's traveled the world but always called mid-Michigan home, Mike has been married to Sandra for 48 years. Together they have two daughters and an extended family of over 60—nearly all in the Lansing area.

Mike handles in-person tax appointments during the season and provides critical capacity for the tax department—allowing Kesley to focus on complex returns while he meets with clients directly. His calm, methodical approach ensures clients feel heard and their returns are accurate and complete.

Ready to Meet Us?

Let's Talk

We'd love to learn about you and your business. No pressure, no pitch—just a conversation to see if we're the right fit.