The Nosey Accountant

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 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, South Carolina, and brought it north to Tinley Park, Illinois, in 2024. Today, she serves clients in Illinois, South Carolina, and across the country from her cozy-but-mighty home office, with help from 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).

Three people dressed as medieval warriors standing outdoors in a forested mountainous landscape.

Meet the Team

A close-up of a resting dog with brown and white fur, lying on a soft surface, with its eyes nearly closed, appearing relaxed and sleepy.

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.

Close-up of a happy dog with its tongue out outdoors on a rocky landscape, with a forest and cloudy sky in the background.

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.

Ralphie is the very best boy. He’s always exactly where he’s supposed to be—whether that’s soaking up a sunny nap or keeping the puppy happily occupied. Lovable, loyal, and a total goof, he brings joy to everyone around him.

Earlier this year, Ralphie was diagnosed with a thyroid tumor, which was heartbreaking for his humans. After bravely completing chemotherapy, we’re grateful to share that he is doing well and continuing to show us just how strong (and good) he truly is.

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.
A man with a beard and short hair sitting in a brown chair, looking at a silver Apple MacBook, smiling, wearing a plaid shirt and khaki pants, in an office or art gallery with artwork on the walls.

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.
Clouds in the sky during daytime

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.

National Association of Tax Professionals logo
Logo of the Tinley Park Chamber of Commerce with a blue circular background, black text 'TPCC', and a stylized cityscape icon
IRS Enrolled Agent logo with stylized building and scales of justice
Logo for the Chamber of Commerce featuring a green crystal shape with the text 'MOKENA' and the slogan 'Creating Community Connections' surrounding it.
Logo of the National Association of Enrolled Agents with the acronym 'NAEA' and full name below.
Frankfort Chamber of Commerce logo with black and blue text and design elements.

Ready to work together?

Ready to work together?

I help take bookkeeping, tax prep, and tax planning off your plate so you can understand your numbers, find opportunities, and make confident decisions for your business — whether that means reinvesting, catching up, or finally taking that vacation.

LET'S TALK

Let's Connect!

Let's Connect!