The Successful Bookkeeper Podcast

“If a majority of your leads come from LinkedIn, that's great, and you should keep doing that. But it doesn't hurt to diversify and to make sure that you have a couple of lead sources to pull in from different avenues.” -Kristen Corey Kristen Corey, founder of Media Books, dives into the importance of a well-designed website, how to make your firm stand out online, and common pitfalls to avoid.  In this interview, you'll also learn: Why a website builds trust & credibility How to turn visitors into loyal clients The best platforms for an easy-to-manage site Plus much more! To learn more about Kristen, click here. Connect with her on LinkedIn. Time Stamp 00:28 – Kristen’s journey from accounting to marketing 02:33 – Founding Media Books to help bookkeepers 04:21 – Common marketing struggles for bookkeepers 06:11 – Why websites matter for bookkeeping businesses 08:53 – The importance of an About page 10:44 – Choosing the best website platform 13:42 – Questions to ask when hiring a web designer 17:24 – The role of SEO in the AI era 20:35 – How websites improve user experience 24:15 – Common website mistakes to avoid 26:33 – Must-have features for bookkeeping websites 28:33 – Ensuring a website is user-friendly 31:48 – Pitfalls to avoid in website building 32:59 – Media Books’ website design process 35:01 – Client success story

“My workflow was going to tell me exactly what I needed to do that day. And I very intentionally and very consciously grounded myself into my work and into that routine and into that process, because that was the one thing in my life that was certain. My business got me through that time, that certainty and that control when everything else was so chaotic.” - Stephanie Kelcey Stephanie Kelcey, owner of Capture Bookkeeping, shares her journey of navigating major life transitions while building a successful bookkeeping business. She opens up about overcoming personal challenges, restructuring her business for efficiency, and the mindset shifts that helped her find stability and growth. In this interview, you'll learn: How systems & workflows can create stability during life transitions Why mindset shifts are crucial for financial success The impact of community and support networks on business growth Plus much more! Connect with Stephanie on LinkedIn. Learn more about Capture Bookkeeping here. Time Stamp: 00:39 – Journey into bookkeeping & business growth 02:56 – Navigating personal challenges 04:13 – The importance of support 09:54 – Coping mechanisms 12:56 – Creating space in business & shifting to an advisory model 17:17 – Mindset shifts in business, financial growth & client empowerment 22:02 – Financial mindset shifts 26:21 – Systems, hiring & structuring workflows for stability 30:09 – Focusing on rest, personal growth&  financial education 32:41 – Implementing a CRM system & improving work-life balance 34:50 – Business success, community & learning This episode is brought to you by our great friends at Hub Analytics! Imagine having all your financial data in one place, with real-time analytics and customized reports at your fingertips. Hub Analytics is a financial platform that streamlines bookkeeping operations, so you can focus on what really matters—delivering high-quality results for your clients. With Hub's easy-to-use tools, you’ll save time, reduce errors, and gain deeper insights into your clients' financials! Ready to take your bookkeeping to the next level? Book a demo to learn more and start your FREE trial TODAY!  

“I don't see a world where the profession of accounting is totally taken over by AI. There'll always be that need for human touch and validation because we do audits and we need to make sure that we get their taxes right. So I would just say, embrace it, think about how it's going to give you that better work-life balance, and then just go for it. Give it a try.” -Karen Ainley Karen Ainley, Head of the Accountants Business Unit at Sage, dives into how AI, automation, and digitization are transforming the bookkeeping and accounting profession. She shares key insights from the Practice of Now report, offering practical advice on embracing change, building client relationships, and staying competitive in a rapidly evolving industry. In this interview, you'll learn: How AI & automation enhance efficiency & client service The shifting role of bookkeepers from historical reporting to advisory services Why client expectations demand tech-savvy professionals today Connect with Karen on LinkedIn. Time Stamp: 01:19 - Overview of the Practice of Now report 02:13 - Key findings: skills, AI & client relationships 03:36 - How AI improves workloads & work-life balance 06:18 - Evolving client expectations & demand for tech-savvy services 09:01 - Global tax digitization trends & their impact 13:08 - Shift to subscription models & value-based pricing 16:59 - Advisory services replacing traditional bookkeeping 19:25 - How small practices can compete with AI tools 21:40 - Sage Copilot’s features: anomaly detection & automation 26:00 - Karen’s advice: embrace technology & take action 27:39 - How Sage supports bookkeepers with tools & resources 29:16 - Closing remarks & resources for listeners This episode is brought to you by our great friends at Sage! On February 13th at 12pm ET, Sage will be presenting its webinar, Practice of Now: How To Plan Your Practice for 2025 & Beyond, to our community. It'll cover The Practice of Now global insights study to help you plan your role and practice for the future.   During this webinar, you’ll learn: Current trends that are changing the profession The biggest opportunity to take in the next 12 months Key actions that all accountants and bookkeepers should be considering Plus much more! REGISTER NOW before it's too late!

“I put my clients on notice in the first week of December. All of my clients get an email blast so that they know what to expect, and that helps so much. So we are having this conversation now in the third week of January. All of my clients who gave me their information are tax-ready. And I could not have said that five years ago.” -Jessica Fox Jessica Fox, founder of Florida Virtual Bookkeeper, shares how she transformed her business with systems that simplify tax season and prioritize work-life balance. From implementing proactive workflows to setting clear client boundaries, Jessica reveals how these changes have allowed her to thrive in her career and personal life. In this interview, you'll learn: How to turn tax season into a year-round, stress-free process The importance of clear client boundaries & communication Strategies for maintaining work-life balance while running a bookkeeping business To find out more about Jessica, click here. Connect with here on LinkedIn and Twitter. Learn about The Pure Bookkeeping System here. Time Stamp 00:38 - Evolving systems & nurturing a community 01:27 - The importance of treating tax season as a year-round process 04:08 - Implementing the Pure Bookkeeping System 07:03 - Strategies for requesting information & avoiding bottlenecks 09:35 - Ensuring a healthy work-life balance 13:19 - Setting boundaries by creating systems & focusing on clear communication 15:23 - Saying “no” to unrealistic client expectations & charging rush fees 18:50 - Celebrating stress-free tax seasons & prioritizing vacations 20:17 - Handling client re-homing & transitioning 24:24 - Upcoming goals 27:51 - Connect with Jessica & join her bookkeeping systems lounge

“And so I went through all of the little folders and things that I had stored different goals, and I pulled them all into one place and had a whole week to really think about what I wanted my goals to be for next year. And that brought tremendous clarity.” -Nancy Gwynne-Vaughan In this episode, Nancy Gwynne-Vaughan, President of Graham Consulting & Training Inc., explores the realities of running a small business in the bookkeeping sector, offering insights on overcoming challenges, creating effective systems, and setting purposeful goals. She underscores the importance of adaptability, continuous learning, and support systems in navigating the complexities of business ownership. To learn more about Nancy, click here. Connect with her on LinkedIn. If you need help building systems in your business, visit PureBookkeeping.com. Time Stamp: 00:39 - The constant unpredictability & challenges of running a small business 03:01 - Building systems, managing staff effectively & creating a supportive team 04:54 - Reflecting on the past year & planning actionable steps for success 09:05 - Breaking down annual goals into quarterly & weekly plans 13:20 - How goal-setting & positive thinking can shape business outcomes 17:45 - Balancing personal & business goals 24:32 - Preparing for challenges 31:23 - Building a reliable team & leveraging tools 36:35 - Maintaining an entrepreneurial growth mindset 42:19 - Insights on lifelong learning, embracing change & finding fulfilment

“I had no niche. I didn't know what I wanted to do. I knew the clients I really didn't like to work with. But they were also talking about, ‘You got to find your niche.’ And I'm like, ‘How do you find a niche?’” -Leslee Hickerson Leslee Hickerson shares her inspiring journey from a small Ontario town to becoming a successful bookkeeper and consultant specializing in law firms. She reflects on her challenges during the pandemic, her transformative decision to join the Pure Bookkeeping community, and the importance of finding clarity and direction through a niche focus in her business. In this interview, you'll learn: The benefits of specializing in a niche for business success The value of certification in elevating your bookkeeping career Tips for conquering imposter syndrome & embracing growth opportunities Connect with Leslee on LinkedIn. Time Stamp: 00:53 - Leslee's Journey into Bookkeeping 05:58 - Navigating Challenges During COVID 11:56 - Finding Community & Support 17:59 - Narrowing Down to a Niche 24:00 - Transitioning to Advisory Services 29:52 - Overcoming Imposter Syndrome 36:05 - The Importance of Certification & Education

“You think that you're competing against other accountants, but for people who are just starting, you're competing against ‘free’. As far as they're concerned, ‘I've been doing my bookkeeping and I was doing fine and it didn't cost me anything, so why should I pay you?’” -Keila Hill-Trawick In this episode, Kyla Hill Treywick, founder and CEO of Little Fish Accounting, shares her journey into accounting and the lessons learned while building a thriving firm. She highlights the value of client relationships, effective team building, and maintaining a strong company culture to drive success.  In this episode, you’ll learn… How to overcome challenges in starting & scaling a business with a quality-first approach Building a strong team & company culture Embracing industry trends focused on collaboration & connection To learn more about Keila, connect with her on LinkedIn. Check out her company website here. Time Stamp 01:37 - Keila’s career shift from corporate roles to launching an accounting firm 04:02 - Starting a business & refining services 07:44 - Overcoming challenges 12:20 - Evolving sales process 18:17 - Importance of diagnostics & addressing client needs up front 23:21 - Transitioning to relationship-focused services 26:28 - Prioritizing sustainable growth & intentional scaling 29:44 - Growing a remote team, managing turnover & fostering a strong company culture 34:27 - Embracing trends like collaboration, niching & human connection in accounting

Stephanie Skryzowski, Founder and CEO of 100 Degrees Consulting, shares her remarkable journey from corporate law to nonprofit financial management. She discusses the critical role of accurate bookkeeping in driving nonprofit growth and outlines innovative strategies for scaling teams while maintaining mission focus. Stephanie emphasizes the importance of setting boundaries to combat scope creep and provides insights on targeted outreach for client acquisition. Her passion for impactful causes shines through as she inspires others to approach business growth with strategic intent.

Kick off your new year with inspiration and actionable insights in this special year-end episode!   Host, Michael Palmer welcomes an exceptional panel of industry leaders for an engaging conversation reflecting on the trends, triumphs, and challenges of 2024!   From unexpected industry shifts to personal stories of resilience and powerful client success transformations, this episode dives deep into the strategies that have shaped bookkeeping businesses globally.   Packed with valuable takeaways, this discussion sets the stage for a productive and impactful 2025!   A heartfelt thank you to all of our amazing listeners for being part of our journey this year.   YOU are the reason this show exists, and we’re so grateful for your support.    We wish you a joyful and prosperous New Year!   To find out more about our guests, click below:   Lisa Campbell Katrina Aarsman Jessica Fox  Teresa Slack   To explore Pure Bookkeeping, visit this link.   Time Stamp   02:10 - Biggest Surprises of 2024 06:30 - Setbacks in 2024 12:40 - Heartwarming Client Success Stories 18:50 - Key Strategies for Success in 2024 27:10 - Trends in 2024 and Predictions for 2025 40:25 - Focus and Vision for 2025 54:50 - What’s Ahead   This episode is brought to you by our great friends at Succession Security! What if you couldn’t work tomorrow?  Who would step in to manage your clients and keep your income flowing? That’s where Succession Security comes in. Think of it as ‘insurance’ that pays out in labor.  If an unexpected emergency strikes—whether it’s an illness, accident, or even a family crisis—Succession Security ensures your business keeps running. They step in to manage operations, communicate with clients, and protect everything you’ve built. Learn more and start your business continuity plan today at successionsecurity.com.

Doreen Binkiewicz, owner of DGL Business Solutions, shares her inspiring journey of juggling a successful bookkeeping business and family life. She emphasizes the critical need for succession planning and how it should be an ongoing focus for business owners. Doreen discusses effective hiring strategies and building a thriving team through referrals. She also highlights the transformative impact of implementing systems like 'Profit First' to enhance business value, preparing for smooth transitions, and ensuring long-term growth.