Agency Bytes Ep 114 – Courtney De Ronde, Forge Financial – Unlocking Business Growth
In episode 114, I sit down with Courtney De Ronde, CEO of Forge Financial and Management Consulting, to talk about the powerful intersection of financial visibility and leadership growth. Courtney shares her journey from CPA to strategic business advisor, and we dig into her Simple Scale Up System—a framework designed to help agency leaders evolve from scrappy doers to scalable CEOs.
We explore the importance of accurate revenue recognition, the dangers of relying too heavily on gut instincts, and the mindset shifts needed to lead at the next level. Courtney also gets candid about AI’s impact on the accounting industry and why embracing technology is a must—not a maybe. We wrap things up with some rapid-fire questions that reveal the human side of this numbers expert.
Key Bytes
• Courtney De Ronde has over 20 years of experience as a CPA.
• Understanding financial visibility is crucial for business growth.
• AI presents both challenges and opportunities in the CPA industry.
• The Simple Scale Up System focuses on scaling leaders and organizations.
• Leaders must shift from relying on instincts to leveraging insights.
• Cash flow issues often indicate deeper business problems.
• Delegation and trust are essential for scaling a business.
• Learning from others' failures can accelerate growth.
• Financial reporting should match revenue with related expenses.
• Things don't have to be perfect to be effective.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Agency Bites and Guest Background
01:04 Courtney's Evolution from CPA to Business Leader
03:19 Understanding Financial Visibility and Coaching Services
04:12 Common Financial Red Flags in Service-Based Businesses
08:06 The Impact of AI on the CPA Industry
12:25 The Simple Scale Up System Framework
15:46 Shifting Mindsets: From Instincts to Insights
22:53 Challenges in Scaling Dependent Businesses
25:13 Rapid Fire Questions and Closing Thoughts
Courtney De Ronde is the CEO of Forge Financial & Management Consulting and the creator of the Simple ScaleUp System™. With over 20 years as a CPA and 15 years in business
leadership, Courtney specializes in guiding small businesses from startup to scaleup. She’s an expert in business intelligence, leadership, and corporate finance. We’re thrilled to have her share her insights on how you can achieve your most ambitious goals.
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