The Successful Bookkeeper Podcast

“Innovation means always doing it differently, always doing it better. Innovation is not always technology; innovation is providing a different point of view to the status quo.”  -Hector Garcia   There will always be people more successful than we are. This is only a problem if we decide it's not worth taking any action to better our lives because we’ll never be better than those we idolize. Success doesn’t have to mean being the best. Having a healthy, steadily growing business, with loyal clients and dedicated employees is a feat that should be celebrated.    Very few people become well-known overnight, it takes time and the confidence to keep putting yourself out there, even if your numbers are low to start with. The more consistent we are, the faster those numbers begin to rise. Especially when you stop trying to sell people something and start showing them you want to authentically help them.   Hector Garcia, CPA and YouTuber, is this episode’s featured guest. In this first of a two-part series, Michael and Hector explore how to successfully market ourselves, the power of an innovation mindset, and why connecting authentically matters.    If you are tired of letting other people’s success paralyze you into inaction and want to learn to market yourself better, then this is the episode to get you thinking innovatively about the future of your business.    During this interview, you'll learn... The value of putting yourself out there How to embrace an innovation mindset  The importance of competing against yourself, not others To find out more about Hector, click here.    Connect with Hector on LinkedIn, YouTube or X.   Time Stamps   02:48 - Hector discusses his career journey  08:33 - Transitioning to hands-off business  14:55 - Putting yourself out there 21:49 - Success isn’t a zero-sum game This episode is brought to you by our great friends at BILL! BILL automates your clients’ AP, AR, spend, and expense, and lets them track and manage their cash flow, in real-time. You can also use the BILL Accountant Console to access insights to level up your advisory services plus so much more! To learn how BILL can help you and your clients, and to sign up for the referral program, visit thesuccessfulbookkeeper.com/bill.

“If they don’t have the right mindset and the right willingness to adopt the technology, it's just not going to work.”  -Tim Sernett Everyone is different. There will be those who love trying new things and those who are more hesitant to leave their bubble of security. One isn’t better than the other, but when it comes to business, you must consider who is best for you and your business. If you are someone who loves new technology, systems and processes, it’s probably not the best idea to seek clients who like to be set in their ways and keep things the same. The same is true in the other direction, if you have a tried and tested method, clients that want the latest up-to-date tech as part of your service, aren’t going to be a good fit. It’s okay, encouraged even, to embrace every kind of new experience you can have, we don’t know what we don’t know, and time spent searching for that one thing or niche that truly sparks joy is not time wasted.  Tim Sernett of Financial Optics is this episode’s featured guest. He has spent his career helping clients not only improve their profits but build peace of mind and future security in their businesses. In this episode, Tim and Michael discuss all things technology and much more!  If you are struggling to serve too many people, to the detriment of your true passions, want to embrace new technologies, or just want to give a little more thought to the future, then this is the episode to get you thinking about what your success could look like.  During this interview, you'll learn... The value of embracing opportunities to gain experience How to find your business niche The importance of seeking out the gaps in your business  To find out more about Tim, click here. Connect with him on LinkedIn. Time Stamps 01:53 - Tim discusses his career journey  04:27 - Embracing opportunities to gain experience  09:11 - Future forward thinking  12:29 - Seeking out the gaps in your business  17:44 - Finding your niche 23:30 - Bringing your team with you 27:12 - The value of your knowledge and systems

“Nowadays I fire people. I fired one client last month. They didn’t even make it two months in. But the way they talked to my staff and scope creep and demanding a lot of things that we never agreed to, I let them go within a month and a half. Where before I would suffer those clients for a year.” -Tyler Otto It is natural when starting a business to want to take any clients, no matter how much they demand of us, or how badly they might treat us. We want to be grateful for something because it is better than nothing. But we don’t have to get stuck in this mindset once our work starts to speak for itself. We can increase our price, and remove negatively impacting clients and employees, without feeling guilty or disloyal. The goal for our business is growth and hanging on to things that just aren’t working, isn’t going to help us grow.  Tyler Otto, President and Owner of Specialty Bookkeeping and Tax, is this episode’s featured guest. He has spent his career building systems for business success. In this episode, Tyler and Michael explore learning from past mistakes, getting your people and systems right, and why building strong workplace culture matters. If you aren’t sure how to say no to difficult clients, want to hire a strong team, or just develop your company’s culture, then this is the episode to get you thinking about what the future could look like when you embrace your growth. During this interview, you'll learn... The value of getting it wrong so you know how to get it right How to roll with the punches The importance of building a strong work culture  To find out more about Tyler, click here. Connect with Tyler on LinkedIn. You can listen to the UNAccountable Podcast at this link. Time Stamps 01:36 - Tyler discusses his career journey 03:05 - Positioning yourself for success 05:16 - Getting it wrong, to get it right 08:36 - Managing problem clients 11:32 - Pricing for your value  16:36 - Rolling with the punches 18:55 - Future thinking 21:43 - Building a strong work culture  27:12 - Setting the rules & sticking to them

“The number one marketing strategy for bookkeepers, people would say, is 'do a good job and referrals will come.'” -Debbie Roberts  Finding the right people to work in our businesses is tough. Managing expectations on both sides can be challenging, maybe our systems and processes aren’t as great as we hoped, or maybe they just aren’t the right fit for us.  No matter what happens, mistakes are only a waste of time if we refuse to learn from them. When we get things wrong, it gives us a great opportunity to review our practices and see what isn’t working. This will help us understand where the fault lies and how to fix it.  Not everyone wants to be the boss, some just want to turn up and do what they love, but in order to find these people we have to be sure of their skills. You cannot take someone’s word on success. Spend time with them, sit with them and have them show you they can do everything you want them to do, in the way you want them to do it.  Peter Cook, and Debbie Roberts, co-authors of the E-Myth Bookkeeper and co-founders of Pure Bookkeeping, are this episode’s featured guests. This sixth episode regarding The E-Myth Bookkeeper is all about how to hire great people, develop your systems and be relentless in the pursuit of your dreams.  If you are struggling to grow in your business and want to scale but aren’t sure how to find and test the right people for you then this episode will teach you how to build the right systems and then test and hire with confidence.   During this interview, you'll learn... The value of never giving up on your dreams How to hire great people & keep them The importance of systems & processes in your business To find out more about Peter, click here or connect with him on LinkedIn.  To learn more about Debbie, visit  this link or connect with her on LinkedIn. Get your copy of The E-Myth Bookkeeper. To learn about Pure Bookkeeping, visit this link. Catch-up on the full E-Myth Bookkeeper Peter Cook podcast series with past episodes below! Episode 1 Episode 2  Episode 3 Episode 4 Episode 5 Time Stamps 01:21 - The Successful Bookkeeper 05:27 - Debbie’s story 09:34 - Developing your systems 18:52 - Finding the right people for you 30:54 - Embracing what you’re good at This episode is brought to you by Pure Bookkeeping. It's the proven system to grow your bookkeeping business.

Jeff Bartsch discusses the power of changing our personal and professional stories to attract ideal clients. He emphasizes the importance of asking the right questions, transitioning from bookkeeper to financial guide, implementing profit-first strategies, and crafting meaningful messaging for financial professionals. Bartsch also highlights the benefits of adding advisory services to business operations and unlocking business value through coaching opportunities.

“A story is where a character wants something, overcomes obstacles to get it and experiences transformation as a result. Identity, desire, obstacles and transformation. And then we as providers of services and products, we are the guide, we come alongside to help that hero get what they want.” -Jeff Bartsch   Being a bookkeeper is about more than our ability to do the math. There are plenty of technological solutions to bookkeeping, yet clients continue to hire human bookkeepers because we understand the story of that client’s business.    We can leverage our experience in a way a machine is unable to. We build personal connections with our clients and guide them to success. In this advisory role, lies the true value of a bookkeeper. Someone who can reassure, support and advise in a way that builds connection and empowers clients to make the best of their businesses.    Jeff Bartsch, founder of Story Greenlight is this episode’s featured guest. He has spent his career helping people understand the story of their business and how to tell it successfully. In this first of a two-episode special, Michael and Jeff explore ways to build connection with your audience, the power of storytelling and how businesses are transformed when you give the numbers meaning.   If you want to connect with your clients more, but don’t feel confident using your knowledge and experience to build deeper relationships, then this is the episode for you!   During this interview, you'll learn... The power of giving meaning to the numbers How to tell your story successfully The importance of building genuine connections To find out more about Jeff, click this link.   Connect with him on LinkedIn.   Get your complimentary 1-on-1 coaching with Jeff here.   Time Stamps   02:12-  Jeff discusses his career journey  05:55 - Connecting with your audience  11:39 - Telling your story  24:24 - Giving meaning to the numbers 30:10 - Delivering for your clients

“I think there are three main things that are super important for running a business. One is knowing how to be a great leader and a great manager of people. There’s learning how to hire the right people for your business and how to build a team. And then there’s knowing how to follow the rules and stay out of trouble!” -Jackie Koch As with all things in life and business, the earlier we get plans and systems in place, the more time, energy and money we will save down the road. This is especially true when it comes to employees. How do we know if we are hiring and firing too quickly or too slowly? The answer is we probably don’t. But it doesn’t have to be that way. We all want to do as much for ourselves as possible, but even if we can spread our knowledge to cover all the bases in a simple way, we will never be as good as a dedicated expert. We can guess what we need to do, but when we don’t know what we don’t know, there are going to be gaps.  Jackie Koch, founder of People Principles and host of the World’s Greatest Boss podcast, is this episode’s featured guest. She has spent her career helping people create and maintain HR strategies for lasting success. Jackie and Michael explore the way small mistakes often lead to big problems, the value experts add to your business and the true meaning of Hire Slow, Fire Fast.  If you want to hire new people or are finding exit conversations too challenging, this is the episode that will get you connecting with the right people to help you find your right people. During this interview, you'll learn... The value of expert experience in building your bookkeeping business How to hire & fire the right people at the right time The importance of catching mistakes early  To find out more about Jackie, click here . Connect with her on LinkedIn. Learn more about the World’s Greatest Boss Podcast. Time Stamps 01:54 - Jackie discusses her career journey  05:09 - Small mistakes lead to big problems  08:51 - Understanding the value of an expert  14:12 - Hire slow  22:47 - Fire fast! 30:44 - Finding the right fit  34:58 - Jackie’s recommendations This episode is brought to you by our great friends at Payworks! If you're looking for a reliable and affordable payroll platform for your business, look no further! To learn more, visit Payworks.ca TODAY!

“Spend 15 minutes a day every single day on something that matters to you. I don’t care if it matters to anybody else, but something that matters to you, and preferably do all this before you check your email.” -Sam Bennett Habit building is hard, especially when we aren’t always sure which way to direct our energy. The more we build a habit, the more momentum we gain, and the less we want to quit whatever it is we are doing. Unfortunately, the same is true of negative habits. If we struggle to even try, that is all that will happen. We’ll give up before we start to see results, and the more we give up, the more we’ll keep giving up. We can’t just copy others and hope to find the same success, we aren’t them. It’s scary to realize there is no right way to success, there is only our own way, all we have to do is lean into it, and build it up with good habits. Success is what follows those good habits.  Sam Bennett, author of The 15-Minute Method, has spent her career helping overthinkers get things done, 15 minutes at a time. She has created an environment to help people live their best, most fulfilling and productive lives.  In this episode, Sam and Michael illustrate the power of the 15-minute method, how to beat procrastination, and how to spend more time in your flow state. If you are an overthinker, constantly worried about making the right choices, then this is the episode that will get you believing you can be who you want to be. During this interview, you'll learn... The power of the 15-Minute Method How to spend more time in your flow The importance of overcoming procrastination To find out more about Sam, click here. To explore the Get it done! Daily Practicum, visit this link. Connect with Sam on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter and Instagram Time Stamps 01:35 - Sam discussses her career journey  04:30 - Adjusting to a new reality  10:10 - The power of 15 minutes  17:43 - Getting to grips with procrastination 20:58 - Building time in your flow state  32:03 - The daily practicum  This episode is brought to you by our great friends at Forwardly! With Forwardly, you can send free instant payments while keeping funds in your bank longer, receive instant payments for 80% less than credit card fees and enjoy same-day ACH—absolutely free! The best part? You can leap into the future of business payments with Forwardly and possibly earn yourself a FREE iPhone 15 Pro this summer! Visit thesuccessfulbookkeeper.com/forwardly for more information! 

“The sales conversation isn’t about the details of how we do the bookkeeping, it's about, what are the benefits of that for a business owner.” -Peter Cook Most of us would say that referrals have been our best avenues to new business. Yet when quizzed about how we get them, many of us have no system or proactive approach in place with which to attract them.  It’s a fine line, make too many cold calls/posts and no one will take us seriously, but sitting back and waiting for things to happen to us, doesn’t yield positive results either. This coupled with the issue that most of us are good at bookkeeping, not marketing, can make gaining and retaining clients a real problem. Peter Cook, co-author of The E-Myth Bookkeeper and co-founder of Pure Bookkeeping, is this episode’s featured guest. He takes a deeper look at effective systems and strategies for marketing, and how prioritizing meaningful connections can make all the difference. If you are unsure how to market yourself, but not really gaining any meaningful leads, then this is the episode to help you move away from telling people what you’re good at, and start actively showing them. During this interview, you'll learn... The value of letting your skills speak for themselves  How to build meaningful relationships The importance of being proactive in your approach to referrals To find out more about Peter, click here. Connect with him on LinkedIn. Get your copy of The E-Myth Bookkeeper. To learn about Pure Bookkeeping, visit this link. Catch-up on the full E-Myth Bookkeeper Peter Cook podcast series with past episodes below! Episode 1 Episode 2  Episode 3 Episode 4 Time Stamps 02:09 - Growing your bookkeeping business  08:10 - Systems for marketing  13:00 - Seven effective marketing strategies for bookkeepers 16:52 - Building meaningful relationships 24:22 - Creating referral systems  28:30 - Is paid advertising worth it?  This episode is brought to you by Pure Bookkeeping. It's the proven system to grow your bookkeeping business.

“We are in a supply/demand economy that favours the suppliers. And it's economics 101, if you have a supply shortage that can’t meet all the demand of the market, then you increase price.” -Joe Woodard Compliance is one of the biggest realms of challenge for bookkeepers, but it also provides consistent opportunity. The rules and regulations change so frequently that it can be hard to keep up, and if we feel that way, just imagine how non-bookkeeping businesses feel about it. Supply and demand rule the market, and there is always going to be a supply of potential clients who would rather just pay someone to take care of the books for them. Despite this, we have to be careful not to fall into the trap of undercharging and over-promising.  Having hundreds of clients might feel like a success, but it probably doesn’t to the clients who barely get any of our time and, of course, if you're overworked for long enough, burnout will likely be in your future. Joe Woodard, acclaimed speaker and trainer, is this spotlight episode’s featured guest. He has spent his career helping businesses solve their complex operational needs and scale to new heights. In this episode, Joe and Louie Prosperi explore the importance of pricing, how to value your skills and experience and the role practice, planning and AI have in your business.  If you are taking on more and more clients but are starting to fall behind your promises, then this is the episode to get you focused on building connections and pricing based on your unique abilities, not just how many people you can get on board. During this interview, you'll learn... The value of having a solid plan & sticking to it How to value your skills & experience The importance of knowing your worth when it comes to pricing To find out more about Joe, click here. Connect with him on LinkedIn. To buy your tickets for the upcoming Scaling New Heights conference, check out this link. Time Stamps 01:30 - Getting to grips with compliance  04:35 - Making the best of engagement letters  06:55 - Staying on track  09:54 - Knowing your price  18:25 - Thinking long-term  24:40 - Valuation & profitability  29:58 - Practice, planning and AI