Ratliff Accounting & Tax

MEET

A firm built to help overwhelmed business owners make sense of their finances — with clarity, confidence, and a deep sigh of relief. We know firsthand how stressful messy books, looming tax deadlines, and surprise audits can be. That’s why we meet every client with empathy, calm guidance, and the kind of practical expertise that turns financial chaos into confident decision-making.

A woman with long brown hair, light skin, wearing a red sweater, blue, red, and white patterned scarf, and silver earrings, posing against a gray background.

Rachel Ratliff, EA

Founder. Certified Tax Coach. Proud Nosey Accountant

Rachel didn’t become The Nosey Accountant by accident, she earned it by asking the right (and sometimes awkward) questions that lead to big breakthroughs for her clients.

She holds a BA from Roosevelt University and a BS from Limestone University. Rachel is a federally licensed Enrolled Agent and a Certified Tax Coach, which means she knows how to speak IRS fluently and save clients money in the process.

Rachel launched Ratliff Accounting & Tax LLC in 2021 in Spartanburg, SC and brought it north to Tinley Park, IL in 2024, where she now runs the show with the help of her husband Jay, stepdaughter Joanna, and their three very good dogs. From her cozy-but-mighty home office, she serves service-based business owners across the country — especially those who are overwhelmed, stuck in financial fog, or ghosted by their last accountant.

Rachel is also active in her local community, volunteering through the Tinley Park, Frankfort, and Mokena Chambers of Commerce, and proudly serving on the board of the Lincoln-Way High School District 210 Foundation to support student success.

When she’s not nerding out over spreadsheets or decoding IRS letters, Rachel’s off the grid — RV camping with her family, chasing sunsets, and trying really hard not to check her email (no promises).

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Meet the Team

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Freya

The good surprise. She was found as a stray begging for food in front of a restaurant. She hopped into our car and into our lives filling every moment with as much love and gratitude as she can. 

If any pup pops up into a virtual meeting, it will be Freya as she must insert herself into everything and say hello to everyone.

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Roxie

Roxie is the oldest of our employees and is our matriarch.

Always with a sense of duty and ensures that everyone stays on task she is a good team lead. When you’re frustrated, she comes by with a good nuzzle and warm head in your lap to let you know to not let life get too serious.

Happy black dog with brown eyes and white patches on face, wearing a yellow and black backpack on sandy beach, looking up at the camera with tongue out.

The good boy. He is always doing exactly what he should be where he should be. Whether that be getting a good nap in the sun or keeping the puppy occupied he is a good, lovable, goof.

He has recently been diagnosed with a thyroid tumor. His humans are heart broken.

Ralphie

A workspace with a MacBook laptop, an iPhone showing the time 4:47 with a geometric blue background, a pair of black eyeglasses, a black car keyfob, and a glass mug of coffee on a coaster on a white desk.
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To create a world where small business owners no longer feel buried by numbers, afraid of audits, or ashamed of financial messes.

We envision a future where finances feel like a tool for empowerment, not stress, and every entrepreneur has the clarity, confidence, and calm they need to love their business again.

Through expert guidance, judgment-free support, and powerful tax strategies, we help our clients reclaim their time, reduce their stress, and rediscover the freedom that inspired them to start their business in the first place.

OUR VISION

A young woman with long dark hair sits on the sidewalk working on a Microsoft Surface laptop, with a notebook and coffee cup beside her.
Man with glasses using a smartphone and working on a laptop at a cafe, with a glass of water and a bowl on the table in front of him.
Pink testimonial card with five yellow stars at top, five-star review, and a quote about Rachel praising her knowledge, organization, accessibility, caring nature, and results in bright white text, attributed to Kelly Ruhotina.
Customer testimonial with five stars, purple background, white text praising Rachel for her patience and job with taxes, signed Emily & Shane Bishop.
A customer review with five stars on a teal background, praising Rachel's work with her efficiency and timeliness on documents and financial statements, by Phil Gephart.
Testimonial with five yellow stars and pink background. Text says: 'Ratliff Accounting has helped us in so many ways since we started using them 6 years ago. It was to get out of a self-created mess, which they amazingly did! Now they have our busine
Customer review with five-star rating, purple background, white text praising Rachel's professionalism and knowledge in finance and tax law, attributed to Jeff Atwell.
Customer review graphic with five gold stars, light blue background, and white text. The review praises Rachel Ratliff's accounting firm, highlighting its professionalism and helpful tools for IRS tax situation. The reviewer is George Gower.
Pink background with yellow stars at the top, a customer review praising Ratliff Accounting for professional service, and the name Patrice O’Toole at the bottom.
A purple testimonial card with yellow star rating at the top, featuring a positive customer review about Rachel, praising her tax assistance and recommending her to others, signed Lori Stokes.
Five-star review quote from Jeffrey Eidenberger praising Rachel for handling accounting and taxes efficiently, wishing to highlight good service.
Pink testimonial graphic with five gold stars at the top, containing a positive review for Rachel Ratliff Accounting and Tax, signed by Steph A.
A purple quote card with five yellow stars at the top displays a customer testimonial praising Rachel for her knowledge about tax law and her recommendations for business tax and accounting services, signed by Frank Marmo.
Testimonial graphic with five stars, light blue background, and white text praising Rachel as an amazing accountant, signed by Roe Galati.
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Values We Live By

Empower Through Clarity

We believe knowledge is power—especially during audits or tax seasons. We guide our clients with calm, clear explanations so they feel informed, in control, and never alone in the process.

Judgment-Free Support

Financial messes happen. We meet clients where they are, without shame or judgment, and focus on solutions that move them forward with confidence.

Freedom Through Simplicity

We take the stress and overwhelm out of bookkeeping and taxes. By simplifying the process, we give business owners the freedom to focus on growth—and the peace of mind that comes from smart financial strategies.

Calm in the Chaos

Whether it’s cleaning up books or navigating complex tax issues, we bring order to the chaos. Our approach reduces fear and frustration by making the financial picture manageable—and even empowering.

A Safe Space for Vulnerability

We understand how personal your books and taxes can feel. We create a space where clients can be open and honest—knowing they’ll be met with reassurance, respect, and a path forward.

Gold and black badge with the words 'Certified Tax Coach' and the initials 'CT' in the center.
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Ready to work together?

Ready to work together?

I want to take the busy work of keeping your books and doing your taxes off your plate and help you find money you didn’t know you had so you can reinvest in your business (or go on vacation) and help take some of the weight off your shoulders.

Let's Connect!

Let's Connect!