Tech, Tools & Taxes: How Janine Burke Helps Businesses Thrive

Bret: Good morning and welcome, everyone. My name is Bret Schanzenbach, President and CEO of the Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce. I’m your host once again, and I’m excited to have with me one of my own team members: Janine Burke. She’s a founding partner of Spira Accounting and also part of our Chamber team. Welcome, Janine!
Janine: Good morning, Bret. Thank you for having me.
Bret: How does it feel to be in the hot seat?
Janine: A little nerve-wracking, but with you hosting, I feel comfortable.
Bret: I’ve known you for years, but I did a little “social media stalking” and was reminded you’re originally from Northern California.
Janine: Yes, born and raised in Walnut Creek. I went to Sonoma State University in the wine country, then moved down to San Diego for a change of scenery — and never looked back.
Bret: And your degree was in business administration with a focus on accounting?
Janine: Correct. I originally thought I wanted to be a math teacher, but I gravitated toward accounting. Numbers just clicked for me.
Bret: Fun fact: I also discovered you were on the track and cross-country team! Still a runner?
Janine: Yes, but now it’s more of a meditative practice. I run a few times a week to clear my head.
Bret: You married a CPA, so I can only imagine the exciting dinner conversations.
Janine: (Laughs) Definitely riveting. Not many friends join us for accounting talk!
Bret: Walk us through your professional journey.
Janine: After college, I worked at a CPA firm doing audits and tax work. I learned a lot but realized it wasn’t my passion. I then worked in private accounting at Sharper Image, but corporate life wasn’t a fit either. That’s when I decided to start my own bookkeeping business in 2004. I was 28 at the time. My early clients came through referrals from the CPA firm, and the business grew from there.
Bret: And today, Spira Accounting helps small businesses with bookkeeping and accounting, right?
Janine: Exactly. We’re like an outsourced accounting team. All of our clients use QuickBooks Online, and we help keep their financials accurate, compliant, and ready for tax time.
Bret: I know you love technology and efficiency. You’ve brought tools like bill-pay automation (via Melio) and Ramp (a modern business credit card system) to the Chamber. Talk about how tech has changed accounting.
Janine: It’s been transformational. When I started, everything was on paper checklists in binders. Today, digital tools let us work remotely, automate approvals, and track expenses seamlessly. Ramp, for example, lets us assign cards to employees, track receipts instantly, and eliminate reimbursement headaches. It’s a game changer.
Bret: And now AI is stepping into accounting too.
Janine: Yes! QuickBooks already has built-in AI tools that analyze financials. AI will help small businesses make smarter decisions and reduce tedious work. It’s exciting — it frees up time for more strategic planning.
Bret: You’re also hosting workshops at the Chamber on year-end prep and using QuickBooks effectively, right?
Janine: Yes, one per month through December. We’ll cover bookkeeping basics, tools, and efficiencies to help small businesses start the new year strong.
Bret: Perfect. Before we wrap, how can people reach you?
Janine: LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/janineburke. Website: spiraaccounting.com. Or email me at janine@spiraaccounting.com.
Bret: Fantastic. Thanks so much, Janine.
Janine: Thank you for having me!