The Successful Bookkeeper Podcast

“By offering corporate services, compliance services, payroll and sales tax registration services to their clients, they're actually not only enhancing their trusted advisory services, but they're also scaling their revenues, increasing their revenues. More importantly, they are keeping that client with them long term because they're becoming a one-stop shop.” -Nellie Akalp Nellie Akalp, CEO of CorpNet.com, shares how bookkeepers and accounting professionals can elevate their advisory role, boost retention, and increase revenue—all by helping clients with business formations, payroll tax registration, BOI filings, and more. In this episode, you’ll learn: Why compliance services are a natural extension of bookkeeping Flexible ways to earn (referral, reseller, or hybrid) What bookkeepers get wrong about forming LLCs and S-corps To learn more about Nellie, click here.  Connect with her on LinkedIn. Time Stamp 2:36 – Nellie’s Background 05:43 – Why Compliance Services Matter 09:02 – Practical Compliance Support 13:21 – The Revenue Potential of Compliance 18:06 – Bookkeepers as Strategic Partners 22:41 – Getting Started with Compliance 27:51 – Embracing Compliance as a Growth Area This episode is brought to you by our friends at Dext! Dext handles transaction capture, keeps your data accurate, and even simplifies e-commerce reconciliation, all in one place.  Join thousands of bookkeepers and accountants who’ve already made the switch. If you're ready to save time, reduce errors, and make bookkeeping more efficient, Dext is for you! Go to thesuccessfulbookkeeper.com/dext to book a demo TODAY and see how it can transform the way you work!

“Go out, stick your hand out, say hello and start talking. It's not easy, but over time it becomes easier and it's definitely worthwhile just creating the relationships either virtually or physically in the community.” -Holly Corcoran Holly Corcoran, owner and CEO of Corcoran Business Advisory Services, shares her journey from running a traditional CPA firm to launching a virtual, advisory-focused business that specializes in veterinary practices. She explains why she chose this niche, the value of niching down, and the importance of collaboration between bookkeepers and accountants. In this episode, you’ll also learn… Why collaboration between bookkeepers & CPAs leads to better client outcomes What bookkeepers can do to build strong, lasting partnerships with accounting firms The benefits of focusing on a specific niche like veterinary practices To learn more about Holly, click here. Connect with her on LinkedIn. Time Stamp 00:22 – Holly‘s transition from traditional CPA to advisory work 01:41 – How Holly got into veterinary advisory 03:41 – Benefits of niching & the unique needs of veterinary clients 06:10 – Developing branding, virtual practice setup & publishing her book 07:16 – Role of bookkeepers in Holly’s advisory model & collaborative opportunities 09:02 – Key qualities of a good bookkeeping partner & working relationship dynamics 11:30 – Red flags bookkeepers should watch for when partnering with CPAs 13:42 – Virtual firm structure & plans for national exposure in the veterinary space 16:07 – Holly’s strategy for outreach & educational webinars 17:56 – Perceptions and misconceptions between CPAs & bookkeepers 20:42 – The value of outsourcing, avoiding DIY traps & preventing fraud 24:44 – Encouragement for bookkeepers to connect with CPAs & overcome intimidation 27:20 – Final thoughts on consistency, outreach & building strategic relationships This episode is brought to you by our friends at Dext! Dext handles transaction capture, keeps your data accurate, and even simplifies e-commerce reconciliation, all in one place.  Join thousands of bookkeepers and accountants who’ve already made the switch. If you're ready to save time, reduce errors, and make bookkeeping more efficient, Dext is for you! Go to thesuccessfulbookkeeper.com/dext to book a demo TODAY and see how it can transform the way you work!

“If you think about the most common mistake that most small and mid-sized business owners make when it comes to cybersecurity, it's this assumption that ‘I'm not very big. It's not going to happen to me’. And so they're not doing any security or they're doing minimal security measures in place.” -Nick Mullen Cybersecurity expert, Nick Mullen, founder and CEO of Entoo Security, shares the rising threats facing bookkeepers and accounting professionals. He provides real-world examples, common vulnerabilities, and how bookkeepers can protect themselves and their clients using the FTC Safeguards Rule as a blueprint for compliance. In this interview, you'll learn: The 3 major cyber threats facing bookkeepers How social engineering tricks users into handing over sensitive info Why small firms are easier targets— and how criminals exploit that To learn more about Nick and his services, click here. Connect with him on LinkedIn. Time Stamp 02:13 – Nick’s Mullen’s background 04:05 – The biggest threat today: Ransomware 06:42 – Real-World Scam Examples 09:13 – How to Protect Your Money 12:11 – A $400K Real-Life Loss 14:36 – The most common mistake business owners make 17:18 – Social Engineering Tactics 20:11 – How criminals insert themselves into real email conversations to redirect payments. 23:27 – What is Ransomware? 27:25 – Risk Assessment 31:43 – Compliance Checklist 33:28 – Regulatory Fines 35:32 – How Entoo Security Helps 38:09 – Why cybersecurity is as essential as bookkeeping This episode is brought to you by our friends at BILL! BILL is the smarter way to create and pay bills, send invoices, manage expenses and control budgets, and access the credit your business needs to grow — all on one platform and they’re designed to help bookkeepers succeed and grow, whether you have your own bookkeeping firm or you’re a bookkeeper at an accounting firm. To find out more, check out BILL.com/successfulbookkeeper TODAY!

“Define your customer first. I only want to work with people who understand that accounting is important to their business.” -Debra Kilsheimer Debra Kilsheimer, owner of Behind the Scenes Financial Services, shares her journey from growing up in an accounting household to running a modern, client-focused bookkeeping business. She discusses the power of flat-rate pricing, building strong client relationships and how embracing technology can transform your business plus much more! Connect with her on LinkedIn and Facebook. To listen to The Bookkeepers on Fire podcast, click here. Check out her YouTube channel at this link. Time Stamp 01:05 - Debra’s journey into accounting 04:31 - Early career struggles & leaving CPA firms 08:51 - Building a thriving firm with a focus on forward-looking financial strategies12:06 - Becoming a QuickBooks Pro Advisor 19:31 - Defining the ideal client & pricing strategies 25:46 - Embracing technology & efficiency30:05 - Work-Life balance & boundaries42:00 - Where to find Debra This episode is brought to you by our friends at BILL! BILL is the smarter way to create and pay bills, send invoices, manage expenses and control budgets, and access the credit your business needs to grow — all on one platform and they’re designed to help bookkeepers succeed and grow, whether you have your own bookkeeping firm or you’re a bookkeeper at an accounting firm. To find out more, check out BILL.com/successfulbookkeeper TODAY!

“As I was building all these processes in my mind, if I had been documenting them, I would have not had to spend that two years documenting everything after the fact when the team started to come. If you're good at what you do, your accountants are going to find you and they're going to start referring business to you. So just to have those processes documented and you're ready for when they come, that's gonna be a huge time saver.” -Rae Gagnon In this episode, Rae Gagnon, founder of Blue Jean Business Solutions, discusses the challenges of fast growth, the importance of documenting processes, and how systemizing allowed her to take a 10-week break without disruptions.  In this episode, you’ll also learn... How niching in real estate bookkeeping accelerated growth The power of referrals & partnerships in scaling a firm Moving beyond bookkeeping with advisory & financial coaching To learn more about Rae, click here. Connect with her on LinkedIn. Time Stamp 02:06 – Rae’s journey into bookkeeping 04:10 – Finding a niche in real estate 08:18 – Rapid business growth 10:38 – Managing growth & personal life challenges 11:59 – Hiring & scaling the business 14:28 – Implementing systems & processes 16:15 – Strengths & weaknesses as a business owner 18:06 – Industry changes in real estate 20:38 – Advice for bookkeepers starting their business 22:31 – Implementing Pure Bookkeeping System 24:28 – The impact of systemization 28:08 – Transitioning to advisory services 30:25 – Expanding offerings beyond bookkeeping 33:42 – What’s next? 34:39 – Final thoughts This episode is brought to you by our friends at BILL! BILL is the smarter way to create and pay bills, send invoices, manage expenses and control budgets, and access the credit your business needs to grow — all on one platform and they’re designed to help bookkeepers succeed and grow, whether you have your own bookkeeping firm or you’re a bookkeeper at an accounting firm. To find out more, check out BILL.com/successfulbookkeeper TODAY!  

“People came to me thinking that I was an expert. They saw the posts that I was posting about bookkeeping for law firms, and they already had buy-in to use my services. So I didn't need to sell them that much. I just needed to prove that I was a real person. I don't want to be out there selling my services. I want people coming to me already sold on my services.” -Brandy Derrick Brandy Derrick, owner of Legal Ease Bookkeeping, discusses her journey from learning bookkeeping for her father’s business to building a successful virtual firm specializing in law firms. Brandy shares how she overcame self-doubt, found her niche, and leveraged online marketing to grow her business while working remotely—even from a sailboat! You'll also learn... The role of LinkedIn, YouTube & referrals in client acquisition strategy Why niching down simplifies marketing, sales & client trust The importance of persistence, overcoming self-doubt & finding a support system To learn more about Brandy & Legal Ease Bookkeeping, click here. Connect with her on LinkedIn. Time Stamp: 01:00 – Brandy’s background & start in bookkeeping 03:00 – Challenges of working remotely without reliable internet 08:00 – Getting clients as a new bookkeeper 14:00 – Narrowing focus & building a niche in legal bookkeeping 17:00 – The role of Google Ads in business growth 21:00 – LinkedIn & Referral Marketing Strategy 30:00 – The power of offline marketing 38:00 – The value of niching in bookkeeping 42:00 – Overcoming challenges & growing confidence 45:00 – Final thoughts & where to find Brandy This episode is brought to you by our friends at BILL! BILL is the smarter way to create and pay bills, send invoices, manage expenses and control budgets, and access the credit your business needs to grow — all on one platform and they’re designed to help bookkeepers succeed and grow, whether you have your own bookkeeping firm or you’re a bookkeeper at an accounting firm. To find out more, check out BILL.com/successfulbookkeeper TODAY!

“In the bookkeeping and accounting world, if someone gets sick and that client can't get what they need, they just get back into the universe and another bookkeeper picks them up. So you lose everything.” -Christine Siegenthaler Christine Siegenthaler, founder of Succession Security, discusses the importance of contingency planning for solo bookkeepers and small bookkeeping firms. She shares how Succession Security helps ensure businesses continue operating during unexpected events like illness, injury, or even death. In this interview, you'll learn: Why contingency planning is essential How technology enables seamless business continuity Steps to secure your business To find out more about Christine, click here. Connect with her on LinkedIn. To learn how Succession Security can help you, visit SuccessionSecurity.com. Time Stamp 00:37 - Why solo bookkeepers need a contingency plan 01:52 - Risks of losing clients without a backup plan 03:22 - Importance of documentation and access to critical accounts 04:07 - Using cloud-based technology for seamless transitions 07:30 - The role of internet and cloud-based services in contingency planning 13:35 - Finding and trusting the right person to help manage your business 15:04 - The personal nature of bookkeeping and why AI can’t replace human interaction 17:23 - The challenge of bookkeepers taking time off – business doesn't stop 19:31 - Legal considerations and recommended insurance coverage 21:22 - Best practices for security, encryption, and protecting client data 24:14 - How proactive planning ensures business continuity and client security 29:05 - The importance of designating an emergency point of contact 30:05 - How to get started with Succession Security and where to learn more

“If it's consistently where you're feeling behind like you can never get on top of your to-do list, that you're always having to reschedule stuff for tomorrow, that's probably a sign that you have too much work on your plate. That's a sign that you could use more help within your business.” -Jamie Van Cuyk Jamie Van Cuyk, owner of Growing Your Team, joins the podcast to help solo bookkeepers and small business owners master hiring and delegation. She shares practical strategies for building a strong team, improving efficiency, and setting up a business for long-term success. In this episode, you’ll learn: Common delegation mistakes & how to avoid them How to create a job post that attracts the right candidates The difference between micromanaging & effective leadership To learn more about Jamie, click here. Connect with her on LinkedIn. Time Stamp 01:07 - Jamie Van Cuyk’s background 02:57 - Common fears around delegation 06:22 - The mindset shift needed to delegate effectively 10:42 - Key signs to hire & delegate tasks in your business 14:05 - How shifting from control to trust can create freedom & growth 20:06 - The importance of clear processes & training when delegating tasks 26:45 - How to determine what tasks to delegate 32:25 - Steps in hiring the right person & avoiding common mistakes 35:14 - Real success stories 39:58 - How to connect with Jamie for hiring support 41:33 - Business-building resources

“I remember being on Zoom and we saw our colleagues' children, people got personal and talked about the health challenges they were dealing with or that a family member was dealing with. I saw leaders and bosses having to have that same transparency. It was human to human. Since the workplace has evolved, employees are expecting that same transparency. They're expecting the same collaboration. And what they want specifically for the next generation of workers is the ability to contribute meaningfully to the decisions that impact their work.” -Dr. Angela Jackson Dr. Angela Jackson, founder of Future Forward Strategies and author of The Win-Win Workplace, shares how investing in employee well-being can boost productivity, profitability, and retention. She explains why traditional top-down management no longer works and how small businesses can create thriving workplaces by listening to employees and offering flexibility. In this interview, you'll learn: Why empowering employees leads to 23% higher profitability How small businesses can compete with larger firms by offering flexibility How to measure the ROI of employee engagement To learn more about Angela, click here. Connect with her on LinkedIn. To order her book, The Win-Win Workplace, visit this link.  Time Stamp 02:00 - Dr. Angela Jackson and her background 04:50 - Career journey and inspiration behind The Win-Win Workplace 04:51 - Research on aligning employee well-being with business success 08:39 - Why top-down decision-making is outdated 13:59 - The importance of flexibility in modern workplaces 19:01 - Small bookkeeping firm example of flexible work policies 24:01 - Offering meaningful benefits to boost retention 29:01 - Addressing benefit abuse and tracking productivity 33:01 - Key employee metrics and how to access the book

“Money is an energetic source in our world. When you get it, you feel really good, and when it leaves, you feel very bad. That's an energy. That's an exchange.” -Lou Clarke Lou Clarke, who is a CFO and profit strategist, discusses the power of confidence, pricing strategies, and how bookkeepers can shift into advisory roles to better serve clients. She also explains the importance of understanding money dynamics and building a business that truly thrives. To learn more about Lou, click here. Follow her on Instagram. Time Stamp 01:10 - Lou’s Journey into Bookkeeping 03:30 - Early Business Growth & Pricing Challenges 06:40 - Losing a Major Client & Financial Struggles 10:00 - The Road to Financial Recovery 15:00 - Finding Clients & Business Growth Strategies 20:30 - Pricing for Value & Selling Results 25:10 - Confidence & Business Success 30:00 - Transitioning to Advisory & Profit First 35:50 - Understanding the Energetics of Money 40:20 - What’s Next for Lou 45:00 - How to Connect with Lou