SX Business Services Employee Spotlight: Elizabeth LaFortune, Staff Accountant
January 26, 2023

Liz joined SX in March of 2022 as a Real Estate Staff accountant. Shortly after she graduated with a Master’s in Accounting from Suffolk University in May of 2022.


The youngest of three, she grew up with her older brother and sister in a suburb of Kansas City on the Kansas side. She attended boarding schools in Georgia and Vermont but after graduation from school she decided she wanted to live closer to Boston. There she attended Endicott College and graduated in 2005 with a Bachelor’s in Psychology and a Minor in Literature.


Her first job was working at a residential home for at risk adolescents where she became a Shift Supervisor. Her next job was working as a protective service worker for the elderly community of Massachusetts. In that role, she investigated allegations of abuse. After years of working in this capacity, she became interested in owning her own business and decided to study Accounting. This avenue of study helped Liz to see the world with a whole new understanding.


In her downtime, you will often find her out and about, where she likes to strike up conversations with anyone who will talk to her. She is an altruistic person and is known to make friends anywhere she goes. Liz enjoys talking and listening to people as it helps her to see the world through a different perspective. She believes that everyone has something to learn (and teach) from everyone they meet.


Liz is also an avid reader and like books that help to expand her mindset. Once she finds a topic, she is interested in learning about she will find and read any book that might help her to better understand that subject.



What do you like most about your job?


I feel extremely fortunate to be working at SX, as the environment allows me to grow and improve on a daily basis. The atmosphere at SX is the best. I feel very supported and feel like I can ask any question and any of my coworkers will be willing to help me. I’ve been interested in real estate for many years and am happy that I get to do accounting that helps me to understand this topic even more.


What is your dream job?


I would love to be able to combine my experience in human services, my natural ability to talk and work with people, and my knowledge of accounting to become someone who helps others make better financial decisions. I would also like to become an author at some point.


5 Costly Accounting Mistakes in Rental & Leasing—and How Outsourcing Can Save You

By Lindsay Van Kauwenberg • January 22, 2026
Managing rental properties and leasing agreements is no small feat. Between tenant payments, maintenance costs, and compliance requirements, even minor accounting mistakes can lead to major financial consequences. Unfortunately, these errors are more common than you think—and they can cost property managers thousands in lost revenue, penalties, and inefficiencies. Here are five common accounting mistakes rental and leasing companies make—and why outsourcing your accounting could be the smartest move for your business. 1. Mismanaging Security Deposits Security deposits are subject to strict state regulations. They must be properly recorded, held in separate accounts, and returned within legal timeframes. Misallocating these funds or failing to track them accurately can result in legal penalties, tenant disputes, and reputational damage. Example: A property manager accidentally uses a tenant’s security deposit for operating expenses. When the tenant moves out, the funds aren’t available—leading to legal action and fines. 2. Inaccurate Rent Tracking Late payments, partial payments, and rent increases can easily cause errors in your books. Missing even one entry can throw off cash flow and make financial reporting unreliable. This often leads to incorrect budgeting and missed opportunities for growth. Impact: Poor rent tracking can result in underreported income, making your financial statements inaccurate and potentially causing tax issues. 3. Overlooking Maintenance Expense Allocation Property maintenance costs often get lumped together or misclassified. This can distort your profit margins and lead to incorrect tax deductions. For multi-unit properties, failing to allocate expenses properly can make it impossible to assess which units are profitable. 4. Failure to Reconcile Escrow and Operating Accounts Rental businesses often manage multiple accounts for deposits, operating expenses, and reserves. Skipping reconciliations can allow discrepancies—or even fraud—to go unnoticed. Regular reconciliation is essential for catching errors before they spiral out of control. 5. Ignoring Compliance and Tax Rules Rental income is subject to specific tax regulations, and mistakes in reporting can trigger audits or fines. Many companies also fail to properly account for depreciation on rental properties, missing out on significant tax benefits. Why Outsourcing Is the Solution Outsourcing your accounting to professionals who specialize in property management offers key advantages: Industry Expertise: Outsourced teams understand rental-specific regulations and best practices. Improved Accuracy: Reduce costly errors in rent tracking, deposits, and expense allocation. Cost Savings: Avoid hiring full-time staff and reduce overhead. Scalability: Easily handle growth as you add more properties. Peace of Mind: Stay compliant and focus on tenant satisfaction instead of spreadsheets. Bottom Line Simple accounting mistakes in rental and leasing operations can cost thousands in lost revenue, penalties, and inefficiencies. Outsourcing ensures accuracy, compliance, and financial clarity—so you can focus on growing your portfolio. Ready to eliminate costly mistakes and streamline your accounting? Contact us today to learn how outsourcing can transform your rental business.

What to Look for When Choosing an Outsourced Real Estate Accounting Firm

By Lindsay Van Kauwenberg • July 9, 2025
Choosing the right outsourced accounting partner requires a careful evaluation of several key factors.

SX Business Services Employee Spotlight: Edward Keogh, Accounts Payable Administrator

By Lindsay Van Kauwenberg • May 1, 2025
SX Business Services is proud to introduce our newest Accounts Payable Administrator, Ed Keogh. His first job out of school was in financial services in Dublin where he spent 7 years working in various roles in the branch. Originally from southwest Dublin, he emigrated to the US in 2003. Married for 22 years to his lovely wife Sue they share two sons together, Aodhan (18) and Ryan (12) and a beautiful love story. They met at a bar in Dublin one Wednesday night and hit it off immediately while she was travelling through Europe. After a week or two of dating they took a vacation together and before the trip ended, he asked her to marry him with only his Claddagh ring. The importance of family was instilled in Ed as he was raised in a small 3-bedroom house with his parents and 6 siblings. He tries to return to Ireland once a year and brings his family back when he can. He loves watching, playing, and coaching football (OK soccer) and has been a volunteer Treasurer for Norwood Youth Soccer since 2019. His favorite team is Manchester United, and his favorite US soccer team is the NE Revolution. Additionally, he enjoys woodworking and has a small woodshop in his basement at home. He and his wife have traveled extensively together through the years and have also brought their kids to places such as: Ireland (obviously), Mexico, Canada, Spain, and Dominican Republic. Once they find a place they like, they are known to go back. Ed in his own words: What do you like about working at SX so far? “I love how friendly everyone is since I only started last month. I love the collaborative spirit as well. I love the work, my team and everyone I have come into contact with here.”