My Journey: 30 Years of Numbers, Teaching, and Real-Life Lessons
The Technical Foundation: 10 Years in Global Banking
The Philippines My professional life began in the banking sector of the Philippines. For a decade, I worked within complex financial systems where precision was a requirement. Managing institutional-scale ledgers gave me a “banker’s eye” for detail—a technical foundation that allows me to see the story behind every decimal point.
The Business Side: Private Sector Management
United States After moving to the U.S., I worked for a private management company. This role was where I learned the heart of business operations. I wasn’t just looking at spreadsheets; I was seeing how a business actually runs day-to-day. I learned how to balance the books while keeping a practical eye on the needs of a real company. This gave me a deep empathy for the “business owner’s perspective” that I carry into my work today.
The Public Trust: A Decade in Arlington & Growth in Fairfax
Northern Virginia I brought my experience to the Arlington County Treasurer’s Office, where I served as an Accountant for 10 years, managing the public funds that keep our local community running.
Building on that decade of service, I moved to the Fairfax County Government, where I have served as a Financial Manager for the past three years. Overseeing the fiscal health of county operations requires a high level of accountability, but it also taught me how to keep things organized even when they feel overwhelming.
The Heart of a Teacher: From Volunteer to Professional Educator
While working in accounting, I felt a pull to give back. I started volunteering my time to teach ESL (English as a Second Language). I realized I had a knack for breaking down “foreign” concepts into simple, actionable steps. My volunteer work eventually turned into a paid teaching position—a role I balanced alongside my full-time career for over a decade. This period taught me patience and clear communication.
The Honest Truth: Writing, Blogging, and Real Life
Throughout my 20+ years in finance, I realized something important: even as a professional Financial Manager, I still struggled with budgeting and handling money in my own personal life.
I launched my blog, LaughsByTeresa, to share these experiences with total honesty. I wanted to show that “unbalanced ledgers” can happen to anyone—even the experts. This transparency led to the publication of my book, The Unbalanced Ledger. Writing became my way of helping people navigate the intimidating world of money without the shame or the “math-headache.”
How I Help Small Businesses Today
The 30-year journey—from the banks of the Philippines to the management suites of the private sector and the government offices of Fairfax County—led to the creation of TeresaMaza.com.
I saw that small business owners in Northern Virginia didn’t need a “consultant” to tell them what to do; they needed a partner to help them get it done. Today, I combine my banker’s precision, my teacher’s patience, and my writer’s clarity to help you with:
- Financial Oversight & Bookkeeping: Practical, judgment-free help to get your business ledgers in order and ready for tax season.
- Business Writing: Drafting the professional proposals, manuals, and communications your business needs to grow.
- Small Business Web Design: Building simple, functional websites for owners who want a professional digital home without the tech-stress.