Benson Willis & Daniel Avery
About Us
We provide the owners and managers of independent restaurants with outsourced bookkeeping services so that they can focus on their businesses.
Our team has decades of restaurant bookkeeping and operational experience which allows us to understand our clients' needs and offer valuable insight.
We're also...
travelers,
musicians,
rowers,
artists,
sailors,
farmers,
tennis players,
yarners,
and, sometimes, decent home cooks.
Benson Willis
Partner
For over thirty-five years, Benson has worked within the restaurant and hotel industry. Prior to co-founding Bistro Accounting, he was the general manager of Hotel Veritas, The Inn at Castle Hill, Beacon Hill Hotel & Bistro, and the Bulfinch Hotel, as well as the financial controller for Mistral, the staff accountant for the Four Seasons Hotel Boston, and the financial manager for the Algonquin Club. His front-of-house managerial experience includes the Four Seasons Hotel Boston, XV Beacon, the Boston Harbor Hotel, and Radius.
Ideal meal
Charred Watermelon with Sea Salt, Rib Eye Steak with Corn on the Cob, and real Key Lime Pie
Sit at the bar or a table
Bar for the random conversations with strangers and to watch the bartenders at work
Coffee or tea
Strong dark coffee with a little sugar
When not working
Currently on a very long cross-country trip
Daniel Avery
Partner
Prior to co-founding Bistro Accounting, Dan oversaw financial services for Columbus Hospitality Group which included Mistral, Sorellina, Teatro, Mooo...., L'Andana, XV Beacon, and the Inn at St. Botolph.
Dan served in the United States Marine Corps from 1987 to 1993.
Ideal meal
Two pounds of steamers and a Harpoon IPA in New England
Sit at the bar or a table
Bar stools
Coffee or tea
Lavazza coffee gets my blood flowing in the morning
When not working
Close to, on, or in salt water
Alison Doughty
Account Manager
Ideal meal
Two crispy fried runny eggs on toast with avocado and sautéed spinach with lots of salt and hot sauce
Sit at the bar or a table
High top table
Coffee or tea
Double shot of espresso over ice with hazelnut milk
Ashley Guerrero
Account Associate
Ideal meal
Crab legs with Old Bay Seasoning, a side of crispy cajun fries, and a Tecate with lime
Sit at the bar or a table
Bar!
Coffee or tea
Vietnamese iced coffee
When not working
Can be seen around Chicago venues attending or playing shows with my bands.
Sharyn Shields
Account Manager
Ideal meal
Spiral ham, sage sausage dressing, sweet potato souffle, and pecan pie
Sit at the bar or a table
Bar
Coffee or tea
Hot mint tea with honey, no coffee for me.
Hilary Lockwood
Account Associate
Ideal meal
Any meal that starts with oysters and bubbles
Sit at the bar or a table
Bar
Coffee or tea
Assam tea with five crushed cardamom pods, honey and a generous amount of milk
When not working
I love baking bread, being outdoors, and anything yarn related.
Karen Dorr
Account Manager
Ideal meal
Anything seafood and a local craft beer
Sit at the bar or a table
Bar
Coffee or tea
Just a "little coffee" with my cream!
Rose Walsh
Account Associate
Ideal meal
Dim Sum on a snow day
Sit at the bar or a table
Bar (unless there's a patio)
Coffee or tea
Both - I am a big fan of the dirty chai latte.
When not working
I'm happiest outside exploring with my partner and our dog, Zeus!