Advisory Skills for CPAs: Moving from Bookkeeping to CFO Services with Hannah Hood

Jul 21, 2026

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Most accounting firms have the talent to deliver real CFO-level advisory work. They just have not built the path to get there.

In this episode, Tom Wadelton sits down with Hannah Hood, VCFO Principal at Anders, to talk about what it actually takes to grow accounting talent from senior accountant to trusted CFO. Hannah has lived the full journey from bookkeeper to controller in industry, to VCFO Principal at one of the fastest-growing advisory practices in the country.

You’ll hear how Hannah made the mindset shift from doing the work to advising on it, why staying in the weeds is the most common trap for newly promoted CFOs, and how weekly cash flow conversations can become one of the most powerful advisory touchpoints a firm offers small business clients.

For any firm owner thinking about building stronger teams, pricing subscription services, or moving clients up the advisory value curve, this episode delivers the blueprint.

Press play on Advisory Skills for CPAs: Moving from Bookkeeping to CFO Services and hear what intentional firm growth looks like from the inside.

Episode resources:

● Website: https://anderscpa.com/

● If you have questions or would like to be a guest on the show, email us at [email protected]

● Check out the Virtual CFO Playbook Course:

https://anderscpa.com/virtual-cfo-services/vcfo-playbook/

Quotes

Hannah Hood: "We are selling trust to our clients more than we are selling accounting work."
Tom Wadelton: "The best value in advisory comes from asking really good questions, not from telling the client what you already know."

The Modern CPA Success Show is the go-to podcast for accounting firm owners eager to enhance profitability and master Virtual CFO services. This podcast leverages combined expertise in delivering top-tier Virtual CFO services across North America.

Website: https://anderscpa.com/learn/podcasts/the-modern-cpa-success-show/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AndersCPA

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/anders-cpa/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/anderscpa/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@andersvcfo

Tom Wadelton is a Partner and Virtual CFO at Anders, bringing over 20 years of financial expertise from his tenure at a Fortune 500 company. He has extensive experience spanning financial management, accounting operations, and information technology integration. Tom specializes in delivering strategic Virtual CFO services, helping businesses optimize their financial performance through advanced accounting solutions.

Website: https://anderscpa.com/about/your-anders-team/#thomas-d-wadelton

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tomwadelton/

Hannah Hood is a VCFO Principal at Anders, leading practice operations, onboarding, capacity planning, and team development for the Virtual CFO division. With 20 years of accounting experience spanning bookkeeping, controllership, and public accounting, Hannah brings a ground-level understanding of what it takes to grow accounting professionals into high-performing advisory practitioners. She also co-hosts the Young CPA Success Show.

Website: https://anderscpa.com/about/your-anders-team/hannah-c-hood/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hannahchood/