FXBG Neighbors Podcast
Fredericksburg Neighbors Podcast
FXBG Neighbors Podcast
EP #209 From Bookkeeping To Strategy With A Fractional CFO
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Your business can’t run on vibes forever, especially when cash flow gets tight, expenses creep up, and you’re making big decisions without clear reports. We’re joined by Katelyn Duron from DuroSec, a management accounting, bookkeeping, and fractional CFO firm built to help small business owners bridge the gap between “I have transactions” and “I understand my financials.” If you’ve ever felt intimidated by a profit and loss statement, or you’ve been trying to DIY your books late at night after serving customers all day, you’ll feel seen.
We talk through Katelyn’s path from banking into consulting and CFO work, and the exact problem she kept noticing: talented owners often know their craft inside and out, but they don’t always have the systems, reporting, or support to translate numbers into strategy. She clears up common misconceptions, including the idea that accounting is only taxes and that every finance pro is a CPA. Instead, we focus on what ongoing financial partnership can look like: clean bookkeeping, management reporting, and practical planning that helps you make smarter choices about pricing, payroll, and growth.
We also get real about leadership and community. Katelyn shares how Leadership Fredericksburg pushed her personal growth, how networking works best when you show up to help instead of hunt for leads, and why delegating the “finance hat” can protect your energy for the work you do best. If you’re building a business in Fredericksburg, Spotsylvania, Stafford, Caroline, or King George, this one is for you.
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Katelyn Duron
DuroSec LLC
kduron@durosec.com
+1 703-615-1997
Welcome And Meet Katelyn
SpeakerThis is the Fredericksburg Neighbors Podcast, the place where local businesses and neighbors come together. Here's your host, Dori Stewart.
Speaker 1Welcome back to another episode of the FXBG Neighbors Podcast, where we share the stories of our favorite local brand. I have a special guest joining me today. We've got Katelyn Duron, and she is with DuroSec. Katelyn, welcome to the podcast.
Speaker 2Awesome. Thank you so much for having me. Hello.
Speaker 1I am so excited about this. I'm excited to learn more about you and more about your business.
What DuroSec Actually Does
Speaker 1So let's start there. Share with us what is DuroSec.
Speaker 2Yeah, yeah. So DuroSec is a management accounting bookkeeping fractional CFO firm. And so it's a firm I created so that we can start to bridge the gap between bookkeeping and you know higher level CFOs for small businesses in our community and just give them the ability to, you know, really have an understanding of their financials and strategy. And you know, have a resource that they can rely on because finances can be really overwhelming and really scary for some businesses.
Speaker 1So absolutely. Such a needed service. So I want to learn more about you. Tell me about your background and what led you to start Durosec.
From Bank Teller To CFO
Speaker 2Yeah, yeah. So I was um freshly out of high school. I was not sure what I wanted to major in. Um I was in, I was in community college and I'd switched my major five times, had no idea, and um I was looking for a job that I didn't have to work weekends. So I was researching and was like, why don't I go work at the bank? And so um I became a bank teller at 19 and um kind of worked my way up through becoming like a relationship banker and a business banker. And I got to start working with a lot of small businesses and people who were needing lending or um, you know, business accounts and trying to grow and payroll services. And um, I started to realize there's like a really big issue within the small business community. A lot of businesses are just kind of running things on their own. They don't really have a good understanding of what's going on in their business, or you know, you ask them for a profit and loss statement and they're like, I don't know what that is, but here's, you know, here's the money I brought in the last month. And so I started to realize there's a little bit of a gap there. And then I got an opportunity to work for a consulting firm where um, you know, we got to do fractional bookkeeping, um, you know, controller CFO work for small businesses. And um I really, really fell in love with just being able to work with business owners and teach them about their finances and help them strategize. And um, I did eventually land on a major in business. So I got my business, my business degree um while simultaneously learning accounting. And, you know, I think with DuroSec, I've really brought the two together. And um, I take not just that numbers piece, but also the strategy and operations piece as well.
Speaker 1So I love this so much. Congratulations on all your success. Starting starting in finance at 19 is quite impressive. And I love that you saw a gap and a need in your work and decided to run with it and further your education and start providing this service. It's you're right, it is so needed with small business owners. So many uh people are really, really good at what they do, and they decide, you know what, I'm gonna start a business because they're really good at that. And then they become a business owner and then they realize wait, I'm not doing just that. I'm now an accountant, I'm now, you know, a marketing sponsor. All of wearing all these hats. So you are such a great asset to a small business and kind of an extension of of their team. I love it so much.
Speaker 2No, yeah, it's funny. I it's like a little salesy. It's like my only sales pitch you'll ever get from me as a finance girl. But I I tell people all the time, I'm like, my why is your why. And so, you know, you started your business, you have a why, you have a reason, right? Whether that's you know, you really love to help businesses, you know, market themselves, or you know, maybe you really love to detail cars or you know, whatever your passion is and why you did what you did. And then, you know, but like my why, I promise you, you didn't start your business because you love to look at profit and loss statements. So that's my why, but it's not everybody's. So um, I like my reasoning behind what I do and my why is because I like to help business owners focus on theirs.
Speaker 1I love that. I love that. And it comes through when you talk about your business and you talk about what you do. That that passion does come through. Thank you. Thank
Common Accounting Myths Explained
Speaker 1you. So, do you find that there are any myths or misconceptions about what you do?
Speaker 2Yeah, so um a couple, there's a couple of them. I think a lot of people think um when you're in accounting or finance, you're just like a spreadsheet junkie and you just live in numbers all day long. Um, and then the other side of that too is that a lot of people hear the word accounting and immediately think CPA and taxes. Um, and so I think those are the two big things that I run into a lot now that I'm in, I've been in business, um, is a lot of people are like, oh yeah, you're a girl who just sits behind spreadsheets and you know, they don't realize that kind of strategy operations piece that um a lot of us in this industry bring to the table because we have that experience. And um, you know, and then the flip side is like I do not file tax returns. I am not a CPA. Um, I I'm not interested in going that route. I really love what I do and getting to do like the day-to-day, all-year-long work with business owners. Um, and you know, I love partnering with CPAs, they're super knowledgeable, they're super up to date on the tax laws. And um, yeah, I just I I love what I do. But those are the probably the two biggest things.
Speaker 1Thank you for clearing that up for us. And I have enjoyed getting to know you and I've watched you take your own business growth very seriously.
Leadership Growth As A Business Tool
Speaker 1And you recently graduated from Leadership Fredericksburg. So talk to me about the importance of that and how it's helped you in your own business.
Speaker 2Yeah, yeah. So I started Leadership Fredericksburg while I was working full-time as a CFO, um, and I had DuroSec also kind of like smoke slowly starting it up. And um, I started Leadership Fredericksburg, I think, originally because I was like the girl that said yes to everything. I think a a more a more politically correct term would be an impulsive overcommitter, is is what I would check the box for. And so I was like, this is another great thing I can check a box for, um, you know, which is is not great to admit, but it was it's the truth. And then um, you know, getting into it, I just cannot even put into words how amazing of an experience it was for not just like my business development, but for personal growth. Um, it taught me a lot about, you know, work family self, really understanding, you know, who I am as a leader and how I'm able to, you know, help people better. Um, a lot of people fall into different categories of leaders. And I think that if you really can hone in on what your assets are and then also understand how that may be taken to other people, um, you know, it can really help you. The other thing that was really interesting was when I started, I was a CFO, I had a team. And by the time I left and graduated, I was full-time self-employed as a company of one. And so getting to see like, not only are you leading people in your life, but you lead yourself in a lot of ways too. And I think that that was a really beautiful thing that I got to develop of like, how can I lead myself into the best version and how can I lead myself into being able to do more for my customers, my clients, my people, my friends, you know, and my family. And so I think that that that all coming together was just the most beautiful thing. And I I I'm the number one cheerleader for Leadership Fredericksburg, class of 2026, the class of impact is what we were, and and we were we it was a beautiful experience. I'd recommend it to anybody.
Speaker 1I love that so much. And I love how seriously you you take uh growing yourself as a leader because you're to your point, it it just makes uh your clients better because it makes you better.
unknownYeah.
Speaker 1And I imagine also the connections that you make through that also are so
Networking That Builds Real Community
Speaker 1important. So talk to me about that because some business owners, you know, they hate networking, they hate putting themselves out there. But talk to me about that. How has that impacted your growth as a leader and a business owner?
Speaker 2Yeah, so um our leadership class is family. That's like hands down, I gained 31 other family members through that process, through that nine-month process. So um I still, I mean, we I think I get lunch with somebody from leadership every week. Like we're just we're always connecting, we're always um, you know, from that standpoint. And I think it's it was such a special experience to all go through together. Um, and I think that the point of leadership is it's such a unique experience to each class. Like the conversations and the rawness of what you're talking about is is unique. And so um, you know, we really bonded as a group. And I think that that gave us um a really good opportunity to just be connected and understand each other from a different standpoint. Um, when it comes to networking, even just in general, I think that I've learned like Fredericksburg is a beautiful place. I think that I don't think I've walked into any room where somebody hasn't been like, hey, like who are you? How are you? And what are you doing? And you know, I know you experienced the same thing. Like people just loved people here and love businesses here. And we're such a thriving community. Um, you know, Fredericksburg, Spotsy, Caroline, Stafford, King George. Like it's just, it's such a beautiful area with such diversity and such different business opportunities and people. And um, you know, I think that everything that I've done through DuroSec has been through my commitment to networking and knowing people and not just going into places with like, how can I get business here or who can I meet here and whose books can I do here, but you know, who can I connect with and what are what are they doing and can I help them? And I think if you start business for that reason and you jump into networking with a with that standpoint, um, you know, it's it's off to the races. You you'll take off of it. And I recommend it to everybody.
Speaker 1Absolutely. I do love our our our little our little town, our area. Our business owners are so open to collaborate. And that that part was the surprising part to me is once you open yourself up to it, so many other business owners are um have the same mindset of you know, um, giving and collaborating over competing. And it's just it's lovely. It's beautiful.
Speaker 2I love it. I didn't ever think going into business. Um, I mean, I was just a girl who was like, hey, I can do this. I have this experience and I want to help people. And the fact that I was just a girl who was like, I'm gonna start this business and be able to do it. Like, there was no, I that's really terrible to say. I think a lot of businesses have a lot of roadblocks and there's a lot of things that happen, but no roadblocks. I just went into rooms and showed up for people and was there and and the community has been great. So I'm very grateful that I'm here.
Speaker 1I love it. I love it.
Life Outside The Spreadsheet
Speaker 1Okay, let's switch gears a little bit. You are clearly uh the the say yes girl, and you are doing all of the things.
Speaker 2Yeah.
Speaker 1So when you are not busy in your business and uh in you know leadership and and networking, what are you doing personally for fun? We need to know. Yeah, yeah.
Speaker 2So um I coach a high school soccer team. Um I coach at Westmoreland County High School. Uh, those are my other adopt, my other family. So I um I just started head coaching this past season, and um, that's that's a huge passion of mine. I played soccer my whole life, and so um dedicating my time to those girls uh is is just it means the world to me. I can't, it brings me to tears every season. I I love it. I love being able to be a part of the community in that way. And um soccer meant so much to me growing up and knowing that I'm able to give that opportunity to to other girls. That's that's really important as well. Um, and then I also live in uh the Northern Next, so I live on the water. So uh my husband and I love to be out on the water and jet skiing and uh our dogs are our our whole world. So being able to relax a little bit and unwind when I'm not, you know, go go going all the time.
Speaker 1I love that so much. That's awesome. I need to come visit you. We do, yeah.
Speaker 2We need a we need a beach day.
Speaker 1Right, right. So,
Advice For Owners Wearing Every Hat
Speaker 1what is a message that you would like to send to local small business owners who are still wearing that finance hat?
Speaker 2Yeah. Um, the message I would send would be that you are really, really good at what you do and you are really capable of it. And if you continue to try to juggle all the hats, you are gonna get to a point where you can no longer do what you're really good at. And so I always tell people sometimes there's little things we have to sacrifice um in order to keep going and keep keep moving forward in our mission and our and our values. And so um, as a small business owner myself, you know, sometimes it's great. I love doing my social media, but I would do much better working with Fredericksburg neighbors and, you know, and and having another opportunity where I don't have to focus on that and I can spend more time helping clients on what I'm really good at. And so to all the small business owners out there, um, any resources that you can find to fill gaps for you that give you the ability to live your why, that's what you should focus on.
Speaker 1Such great advice. I love it.
How To Connect And Nominate Businesses
Speaker 1So if the listeners want to connect with you, if they want to learn more from you, where can they find you?
Speaker 2Yeah, um, so I have Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn. So you can look me up, DuroSec LLC. Um, I'm also uh my website is www.durosec.com. Um, and then I'm also at all the things. Uh Dori and I are influencers together. So if there's a ribbon cutting going on, you're gonna find us there. And um, you know, so any networking events you see me at, please don't hesitate to jump in and say hello. I love meeting new people. I love networking. So um anytime you see me anywhere, feel free to reach out.
Speaker 1Amazing. Katelyn, thank you so much for joining me on the podcast today and sharing DuroSec with us.
SpeakerAbsolutely. Thank you for giving me this opportunity. Thank you for listening to the Fredericksburg Neighbors Podcast. To nominate your favorite local businesses to be featured on the show, go to FXBG NeighborsPodcast.com.