The Successful Bookkeeper Podcast

“If someone is asking for immediate payment, that’s a huge red flag. Telling you to 'go to your bank, buy a gift card’ or any kind of payment outside of the ordinary, be very, very weary. When it comes to taxes, you can always walk into an IRS office or state office. Go to the source.” -Hubert Johnson   Fraud is one of the biggest problems facing business owners. It is hard enough to keep up with all the changes in compliance law, that when we are then faced with identity or money fraud, it can seem an insurmountable problem.    But as with most things, these issues will only hit us hard if we don’t prepare for them or ignore them and hope they will go away. Education is the key to prevention, whether we do it one-to-one, or build community groups, sharing knowledge is the surest way to prevent more people falling into the trap of fraud.   Hubert Johnson, tax attorney and owner of Guardian Tax Law, is this week's featured guest. He has spent his career helping thousands of clients and businesses find resolutions and peace of mind when dealing with tax issues. In this episode, Hubert and Michael explore the concerning rise of fraud, how to protect yourself, and the value of working together to face the challenges of the future.    The cost of cleaning up a problem is often far more than the cost of making sure the problem never occurs. If you want to defend yourself against fraud but aren’t sure where to begin, this is the episode to get you started.    During this interview, you'll learn... How to protect ourselves from ever-increasing fraud  The value of keeping up to date with compliance changes  The importance of community in facing the challenges of fraud  To find out more about Hubert, click here.   Connect with him on LinkedIn.   Time Stamps   01:46 - Hubert discusses his career journey  02:42 - Protecting ourselves from identity fraud  08:59 - Spotting the scam  18:45 - The power of community in overcoming fraud  20:28 - Understanding changes to tax rules  26:52 - Getting payroll right  31:33 - Investing in business protection   38:17 - Learning more about Hubert

“I was outgrowing my money habits, and I was outgrowing the people teaching me about money, so what is that next level? Who is the next person I want to learn from?” -Stacy Tuschl Business owners often exist in the space between not believing we are worthy of our business, and believing we are the only ones that can get things done in our business. What would happen if you give yourself permission to start delegating some tasks to others? Of course, everyone is unique. If you are happy with the way things are working for you, then your growth may lay in other directions. But if you aren’t happy, if you are spending too much time IN your business and not enough time ON your business, it might be time for a change. Stacy Tuschl, founder of Well-Oiled Operations and operational systems expert, is this episode’s featured guest. She has spent her career not only building incredibly successful businesses but helping others to achieve their dreams, by freeing them from the limiting mindsets holding them back. In this episode, Stacy speaks to the power of delegation, shifting limiting beliefs and growing beyond our spheres of influence.  If you are struggling to let go in your bookkeeping business, not sure how to start trusting others with the things you do so well, or simply want that push to try, then this is the episode to get you out of an operator mindset and start thinking like an owner! During this interview, you'll learn... The value of mindset in shifting our business perspectives How delegation can change your life The importance of learning from the right places  To find out more about Stacy, click here.  Connect with her on LinkedIn. Time Stamps 01:46 - Stacy discusses her career journey  03:02 - The challenges of building a healthy business 04:32 - Who are we learning money from? 06:26 - How is this working for you? 08:22 - Learning to delegate 12:40 - Stacy’s tips for successful delegation  19:41 - Shifting out of the operator mindset 25:47 - Navigating the flow of change  31:15 - Getting our finances in order  36:35 - Learning more about Stacy

“I have to do a lot of things that are downtime, or non-billable things, so I have to roll that into my rate. I had to do a mind shift change. I had to do a complete 180 on my thoughts and how I thought of clients and how I billed them and what I am doing for them.” -Robin Hall Automation is the future, but shortcuts are only helpful if we have already been to the destination the long way round, otherwise, there is no way to know if we have arrived at the right place. Until we have a full understanding of just how many steps it takes to achieve a certain result, we can’t begin to implement any useful shortcuts.  The next problem is successfully communicating the worth of that experience, especially when we reach levels of skill that make us really good at something, but unable to explain how to do it to others. Knowing the value of our skills is only half the battle. Not everyone that can do, can teach. It takes a different skill set to be able to effectively communicate and replicate in others those things we do well.  Robin Hall, owner and principal consultant at VARC Solutions, is this spotlight episode’s special guest. She has spent her career helping people get to grips with automation.  She discusses all things automation, from how to shift our mindset, to understanding the value of your skills and time, and how to bring your team along on the journey. If you have been considering a more automated approach to your bookkeeping business, but aren’t sure which direction to take, this is the episode to get you thinking about people-first automation.  During this interview, you'll learn... The power of pricing for your value not just your time How to shift your mindset to be open to the future The importance of bringing your people on the journey with you To find out more about Robin, click here.  Connect with her on LinkedIn and Facebook. Time Stamps 01:24 - Robin discusses her career journey 03:45 - The value of passing on our knowledge   06:03 - Shifting to value-based pricing  11:56 - Getting to grips with automation  15:44 - Factors to consider when automating accounts 22:31 - Bringing your team with you 27:10 - Finding your preferred solution partners  36:14 - Robin’s automation tips 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.

“There’s going to be some crazy stuff that happens in the next five to ten years. I think when we look back in ten years, we may see the same amount of change in that ten-year period that I have seen in my last thirty years, which is massive.” -David Hartley There are so many changes happening simultaneously in the world, often happening faster than our ability to process them. It is no wonder so many of us feel overwhelmed. Should we use AI or not, should we work in the office, remotely, or hybrid?  What matters more than understanding everything that is happening in the world, is an understanding of ourselves in terms of how well we embrace or resist change. Some people love to jump into the deep end, and that’s okay, but some like to be more cautious in their approach. In the second of a two-part special, David Hartley, a business and technology executive with over 30 years of continuous innovation and leadership, talks about how to achieve the right mix for successful hybrid working, co-creating value and the power of getting intentional about how you create and involve your teams in your business.  If you are afraid of change or aren’t sure whether in-office, remote or hybrid working is best for you or your bookkeeping business, this episode spotlights that it doesn’t have to be one or the other, there is room for everyone to succeed. During this interview, you'll learn... How to overcome the challenges of hybrid working The importance of embracing change  The value of connecting with like-minded people To find out more about David, click here.  Connect with him on LinkedIn. Listen to David's But Who’s Counting? podcast. Time Stamps 01:28 - Who gets access to your experience? 04:41 - The evolving role of a CPA 09:03 - Overcoming the challenges of hybrid working 18:47 - David’s tips for business success 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.

“What would I do, if I could still get my work done, but I had it done five hours faster, or ten hours faster? -David Hartley   There was a time those using the abacus, feared the calculator. It is natural to be nervous and have some fear around evolving technologies, especially at their current pace. But those that lean into these advancements, are far more likely to survive them. And more than just surviving, there are huge opportunities to thrive when we embrace them.   What makes us comfortable, might also be the same thing keeping us from reaching greater heights in our business. If there are tools that can systemize the repetitive, mundane tasks all of us must do to keep things running, why wouldn’t we let a capable AI handle them for us?   In the first of a two-part special, David Hartley, a business and technology executive with over 30 years of continuous innovation and leadership talks about the impact of AI on the bookkeeping industry, will discuss the need to embrace, adapt, and overcome the challenges of new technologies, why your advice matters, and what the future will look like.   If you are living in fear of the looming shadow of AI, afraid for your bookkeeping business or job security, this is the episode to help you lean into a pivot towards embracing the future, as it happens.   During this interview, you'll learn... The value of advisory skills in an automated world How to grow your business with AI The importance of embracing the changing technological landscape To find out more about David, click here.   To explore Anders CPAs + Advisors, click this link.   Connect with him on LinkedIn.   Time Stamps   01:27 - David discusses his career journey  03:18 - The impact of technology on our profession  04:58 - Using AI to your best advantage  10:23 - To fear AI, or embrace it? 12:08 - Growing your business with AI 19:37 - The continued evolution of AI 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.

“My unique ability is to have people become aware of the value they provide, and then use that to transition their businesses to what they want.” -Lisa Campbell   There is a world of difference between making a living in a job, and creating a business that gives us true freedom. The problem is many of us get stuck on the way. Stuck charging low prices to clients who don’t value our skills.    Creating a bookkeeping business, just to have a business, is not the same as setting out with a clear idea of what you want your future to look like and directing all your effort behind that goal. Your business should be the gateway to the life you have always dreamed of, not another barrier.    Lisa Campbell, founder of Accelerate 2 Advisor, is this episode’s featured guest. She has spent her career helping people find their personal pathways to success. In this episode, she speaks about how to determine our unique abilities, what it takes to beat limiting beliefs and how you can set yourself up for a great 2024.   If you are struggling to measure your successes, aren’t sure what you offer that makes you special, or love her courses and want to listen to even more useful tips for success. This is the right episode for you.    During this interview, you'll learn... The value of facing limiting beliefs How to determine your unique abilities The importance of measuring past successes for future growth To find out more about Lisa, click here.   Connect with her on LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook.    Time Stamps   01:18 - Lisa discusses her career journey  05:44 - Determining your unique ability  10:43 - Lisa’s recommendations for a great 2024  15:22 - What do you want your business to do for you? 18:24 - Beating the limiting beliefs  23:37 - The Accelerator Method Masterclass This episode is brought to you by The Accelerator Method Masterclass Series! If you're a bookkeeper tired of working in overwhelm on compliance detail, learn how to reposition to high-value advisor correctly with this virtual opportunity that's hosted by Lisa Campbell.   It begins on March 4th at 4pm ET. REGISTER TODAY!

“The good thing is that you don’t have to be the one to replicate the knowledge, you can hire those that do. Know your strengths but know when somebody else is stronger, and lean to each person’s strength.” -Rachel Fisch Finding your niche is a great way to work with focus on the things that matter most to you and to find your ideal client. In this episode, Rachel Fisch, owner of RealityTax.ca and FischBooks Inc and now General Manager of Dext, speaks to what your ideal client profile could look like, the power of organic networking, and how getting excited about the success of others, can drive our own. If you have found your niche, but are stuck with the wrong clients, aren’t sure which direction to invest your energy, or want to learn more about effective networking, this is the episode for you.  During this interview, you'll learn... The value of getting excited about shared success How to build an ideal client profile The importance of organic networking  To find out more about Rachel, check out her LinkedIn profile. To learn about RealtyTax.ca, go here. To explore Dext, click this link. Time Stamps 01:28 - Rachel discusses her career journey  03:03  - The story of RealtyTax.ca  08:44  - Managing a new acquisition   13:31  - The key factors of a good merge  18:40  - Finding your ideal niche  25:39  - The value of a strong network  30:36  - Getting excited about shared success This episode is brought to you by our great friends at Dext! They have a FREE webinar called AI: The Accounting Trend That’s Here to Stay that’s on February 22nd at 12pm ET. During the session, you’ll learn how to leverage AI to positively impact your bookkeeping business plus so much more! REGISTER NOW You’ll be glad you did! 🙂

“Our clients, they’re consumers at some level, and they’re comparing the experience they have with you. They are going to compare it to the great experiences they have. Their favourite businesses are the ones that take care of them the most. The best service experience they have ever had, that is their benchmark.”  -Shep Hyken All of us are customers. And yet despite having a wealth of experience, we hardly ever apply it to our own bookkeeping business. Getting started on the journey of quality customer service and experience can begin with some simple questions: Why do people work with us, and why don’t they? And what do I love about my favourite businesses, and what don’t I like? That is not to say you have to do what everyone else is doing. But if you can identify the criteria in yourself and others that really gets you excited about your work. You will have better footing to make more informed decisions about the future of your business.  Customer service and customer experience expert, Shep Hyken, is this episode’s featured guest. He has spent his career helping the world’s best brands build a customer-centred culture. In this episode, Shep digs into what it means to set the tone in your business, the importance of great customer service, and how to measure it successfully.  If you are tired of people deciding what you do, and how you do it, this is the episode to get you clear about who you are, what your business can offer, and how best to present that to the rest of the world.  During this interview, you'll learn... The value of a great introduction How to find & retain clients that fit your business The importance of great client services To find out more about Shep, click here. Connect with him on LinkedIn. Time Stamps   01:41 - Shep discusses his career journey  05:44 - Labelling ourselves before others can 08:11 - Creating the best client services   15:27 - The fine balance of quality customer service  21:23 - The Right Fit Client  25:50 - Why are your clients picking you? 33:33 - How much better do you need to be? This episode is brought to you by The Accelerator Method Masterclass Series! If you're a bookkeeper tired of working in overwhelm on compliance detail, learn how to reposition to high-value advisor correctly with this virtual opportunity that's hosted by Lisa Campbell.   It begins on March 4th at 4pm ET. REGISTER TODAY!

“If we could get what’s in your head, about how you do bookkeeping, out of your head and onto paper, into a system or process that someone else could follow, do you think then you could trust somebody else with your clients?”  -Peter Cook   The world of bookkeeping is ever-evolving.   More and more frequently we are being relied on not only for our number crunching but in an advisory capacity. There is a wealth of knowledge we each possess from years of working within our niches. The problem is, all that great information is trapped inside our heads.   Building effective systems and processes is about more than just having a computer run the numbers. Our systems should reflect the very best of ourselves. They should contain our knowledge and experience, so others can easily use that information to help clients.   Peter Cook, co-author of the E-Myth Bookkeeper and co-founder of Pure Bookkeeping, is this episode’s featured guest. He has spent his career mentoring business owners to find out what they really want from their businesses and their lives and how to get it.    If you are struggling to move from working IN your business to working ON your business, are looking to scale your business, but everything is stuck in your head, or just want to test your systems against the advice of a master in the field, then this is the episode to get you started!   During this interview, you'll learn... The power of the entrepreneurial mindset How to build your ultimate systems manual The importance of getting out of your own head To find out more about Peter, click here.   Connect with him on LinkedIn.   Get your copy of The E-Myth Bookkeeper.    Time Stamps   03:12 - Peter talks about his journey  06:34 - Evolving with the times 09:40 - The story of E-Myth  14:02 - What is a business system? 17:18 - Measuring successful outcomes   20:01 - Building your ultimate systems manual  24:01 - The impact of great systems    This episode is brought to you by The Accelerator Method Masterclass Series!   If you're a bookkeeper tired of working in overwhelm on compliance detail, learn how to reposition to high-value advisor correctly with this virtual opportunity that's hosted by Lisa Campbell.   It begins on March 4th at 4pm ET. REGISTER TODAY!

“It was going to be another thing, like the internet itself, that completely changes the landscape of everything.” -Seth David Embracing the future of technology in our bookkeeping businesses can be a daunting task. Taking the leap into AI and innovation requires trust and a willingness to adapt. There are so many innovative apps on the market, constantly changing and evolving their offerings, that it can be really hard to know which direction to turn.  If we make our systems the starting point, we better position ourselves, such that we may not understand how the technology works, but we do understand how to leverage it for the best outcomes for our business. We can’t know the right tool until we understand the problem we have to fix.  Seth David, Chief Nerd at Nerd Enterprises, is this episode’s featured guest. He has spent his career helping people to understand not only the tools and resources available to them, but how to apply them for maximum results in their businesses.  If your work management isn’t flowing, you don’t know which tool is the best fit for your business or are unsure about the future, this is the episode to get you future-focused.  During this interview, you'll learn... How to work in partnership with AI How to choose the right tool for your business The importance of workflow management  To find out more about Seth, click here. Connect with him on LinkedIn. Time Stamps 01:42 - Seth discusses his career journey  09:38 - Getting to grips with AI 21:25 - Looking to the future  30:08 - Finding the right apps for you 37:45 - Understanding work management flow    49:34 - Seth’s app recommendations  56:41 - 2024 & beyond This episode is brought to you by our great friends at Gusto! Gusto’s payroll and HR services can make your life a little easier.  Automatically calculating paychecks, filing payroll taxes and much more! Gusto does it all.  The best part? Because you’re a listener, you get THREE MONTHS TOTALLY FREE! Just go to gusto.com/thesuccessfulbookkeeper to sign up TODAY!