Our Story
Family Helping Families Focus on What Matters Most
BAM Bookkeeping was built around a simple belief: business owners should be able to understand their finances without feeling overwhelmed by them. We take care of the details, explain what the numbers are showing us, and give our clients the kind of personal attention we would want for our own family.
How BAM Bookkeeping Came to Be
BAM Bookkeeping is growing out of a shared vision between a mother and daughter to build something meaningful together while helping business owners have more time to focus on what matters most in their lives.
BAM stands for Bissell, Albrich, and Mothers — our two last names and the role we both share as moms. The name reflects exactly what this business is built around: family helping families focus on what matters most.
We each bring different experience and strengths to the business. Telissa brings years of hands-on experience with cash accountability, customer service, transaction records, bookkeeping-related work, and keeping financial information organized and accurate. Lou-Ellen brings decades of experience involving bookkeeping and accounting, payroll, collections, state tax work, financial records, account review, customer service, leadership, and communication.
Together, we are building BAM from the ground up with one goal in mind: to give our clients more than completed books. We want them to understand their numbers, notice changes that may need attention, and feel comfortable asking questions along the way.
As BAM continues to grow, our focus remains the same: helping clients feel known, respected, and supported — not like another number on a client list.
What we believe in
Honesty first
We tell you what you need to hear, not just what you want to hear. Clear, straightforward communication — always.
Personal service
You'll always work directly with us — not a junior associate or an automated system. We know your business by name.
No jargon
We explain your finances in plain English. You should understand your own numbers, and we'll make sure you do.
Community roots
We're proud to be a Salem, Oregon business serving other Salem businesses. Local matters to us.
Meet the Family
We built BAM together, combining our experience, strengths, and belief that good bookkeeping should feel personal. Our clients deserve accurate work, clear answers, respect, and people who genuinely care about helping their business succeed. We want you to know where your money is going, understand what your numbers are telling you, and see how your money is working for your business so you can make more confident decisions.
Telissa Albrich
Founder & Accountant
Telissa brings years of experience working with money, financial records, customer service, and bookkeeping-related responsibilities. Her background includes managing cash accountability, balancing and verifying funds, recording financial activity, coordinating transactions, and keeping business records accurate and organized.
She also brings more than five years of hands-on experience involving bookkeeping-related transaction entry and coordination, giving her real-world experience following business activity from the beginning of a transaction through the financial records.
Telissa believes clients should feel comfortable asking questions and confident that someone is paying attention to the details.
Lou-Ellen Bissell
Co-Founder & Accountant
Lou-Ellen brings decades of experience involving accounting and bookkeeping, payroll, collections, state tax work, financial records, account review, customer service, and administrative financial responsibilities. Her background also includes college accounting coursework, payroll work, reconciliation and discrepancy review, collections and payment arrangements, and extensive experience working with financial information.
Her years in customer service, leadership, Toastmasters, and public speaking also shaped the way BAM works with clients today: explain things clearly, listen carefully, and never make someone feel uncomfortable for asking a question.
Lou-Ellen believes bookkeeping should go beyond producing reports. When something in the numbers stands out — an expense that has increased, a pattern that is changing, or something that simply deserves a second look — she believes the client should know about it.
Ready for bookkeeping that feels a little more personal?
Let's talk about your business, what you need, and how BAM can help you focus on what matters most.
Get in touch