
Building the Premier Accounting Firm
A show dedicated to helping accounting professionals confidently and competently offer quality accounting services to get paid what they are worth. Each episode is conversational with tips and tricks to help you apply the principles of M.A.P. as they relate to starting and building a successful accounting business.
Topics include Marketing, Lead Generation, Ideal Clients, Pricing, Price Strategies, Accounting Services, Value Added Services, Workflow, Practice Management, Staff Training, Client On-boarding, Client Relations & Retention, etc. This podcast will help you become an Accountrepreneur, to work ON your business with advice from the experts.
Latest episodes

Mar 16, 2024 • 45min
Rewind : Niching, Automation & Virtual Teams: Running the Modern-Day Accounting Firm w/ Chris Hervochon
Join us as we revisit this conversation from 2023! In the latest episode of "Building the Premier Accounting Firm", host Roger Knecht sits down with Chris Hervochon, a successful accountant and entrepreneur, to discuss his journey in the accounting world. Chris shares how he started as an accountant and eventually left his job to start his own firm. He also talks about the crucial role his spouse played in allowing him to make the leap to entrepreneurship. Chris talks about how working with a coach has helped him grow his business and how he has found success by niching in marketing agencies. They also explore the differences between vertical and horizontal niching and why finding a niche in the accounting industry is essential. They also cover the differences between CFO and advisory services and Chris’s top tools to automate his business. He also shares his experiences with employee buy-ins and running his business virtually. Looking to start or grow your own accounting firm? Then this episode is a must-listen for you. The insights and advice shared by Chris Hervochon will inspire and motivate you to take your accounting career to the next level. Tune in now to hear this engaging conversation on "Building the Premier Accounting Firm." Your Host: Roger Knecht, president of Universal Accounting Center Guest Name: Chris Hervochon Chris Hervochon, CPA, CVA is the sole proprietor of his CPA firm. Chris Hervochon provides outsourced accounting and tax preparation for small businesses and individuals. Before starting his own CPA firm, Chris spent ten years between forensic accounting and corporate accounting and finance. He has been featured in publications such as the Journal of Accountancy, Accounting Today, AMEX Open Forum, and is the Co-Host for the CPA advisory show. Chris has been selected as one of the "40 Under 40" in the Accounting Profession by CPA Practice Advisor magazine for the years 2019 through 2021. In 2018, Chris was one of only 41 CPAs honored by the American Institute of CPAs (AICPA) as a member of the Leadership Academy’s tenth graduating class. Chris was selected based on his exceptional leadership skills and professional experience for the four-day Leadership Academy program, which he graduated from in October of 2018. Sponsors: Universal Accounting Center ● Helping accounting professionals confidently and competently offer quality accounting services to get paid what they are worth. Offers: Get a FREE copy of these books all accounting professionals should use to work on their business and become profitable. These are a must-have addition to every accountant’s library to provide quality CFO & Advisory services as a Profit & Growth Expert today: ● “in the BLACK, nine principles to make your business profitable” – e-book ● “Red to BLACK in 30 days – A small business accountant’s guide to QUICK turnarounds” – the how-to-guide e-book for accounting professionals Become a Profit & Growth Expert. Receive the training and skills you need to to offer quality CFO and Advisory services with confidence and competence. Now is the time to complement your accounting and tax services with an additional income stream. For Additional FREE Resources for accounting professionals check out this collection HERE! Be sure to join us for GrowCon, the LIVE event for accounting professionals to work ON their business. This is a conference you don’t want to miss. Remember this, Accounting Success IS Universal. Listen to our next episode and be sure to subscribe. Also, let us know what you think of the podcast and please share any suggestions you may have. We look forward to your input: Podcast Feedback For more information on how you can apply these principles to start and build your accounting, bookkeeping & tax business please visit us at www.universalaccountingschool.com or call us at 8012653777

Mar 13, 2024 • 54min
Blueprints to Balance Sheets: the Emotional Architecture of Entrepreneurship w/ Isaac Smith
Welcome to another fascinating episode of the Building the Premier Accounting Firm podcast, where our host Roger Knecht engages in an insightful conversation with Isaac Smith. This episode delves into Isaac’s unique journey from architecture to the world of accounting and the profound emotional impact of business performance on entrepreneurs. Main Themes: Transition from Architecture to Accounting: Isaac discusses his career shift and how it led to new realizations about the importance of accounting in the business world. Emotional Aspect of Business Performance: Isaac shares personal insights on how financial outcomes affect the mindset and emotions of entrepreneurs, highlighting the often-overlooked human side of accounting. Role of Accounting Professionals: The discussion underscores the vital role accountants play in providing security and clarity. Accountants are not just number-crunchers; they’re key advisors who guide business owners through the financial fog. Educating Clients on Financials: Issac and Roger stress the importance of financial literacy for clients. By understanding their numbers, clients can make informed decisions, leading to better business health and growth. Building a Remote Team in the Philippines: Isaac takes us through his experience in establishing an offshore team for his e-commerce venture, shedding light on the evolving landscape of outsourcing services. International Resources for Business Expansion: Smith encourages businesses to look beyond their borders for expansion opportunities, utilizing international resources to scale and compete in the global market. Be sure to tune into this enlightening episode to explore how accounting can be a source of empowerment for business owners worldwide. Whether you’re an industry veteran or new to the world of finance, there’s a wealth of knowledge and inspiration to be gained from Isaac Smith’s experiences and insights. To learn more about how to start your journey to owning an accounting business, call 801-623-6707. Your Host: Roger Knecht, president of Universal Accounting Center Guest Name: Isaac Smith Isaac Smith is the co-founder of the Bookkeeping firm Summit eCommerce Advisors and founder of the recruitment firm TeamUp. While at Summit he built a team in The Philippines to handle all of the bookkeeping work for their clients. Now, as the founder of TeamUp, he helps other accountants hire top talent in The Philippines, just like he did, directly without ongoing BPO fees. Sponsors: Universal Accounting Center Helping accounting professionals confidently and competently offer quality accounting services to get paid what they are worth. Offers: I'll put together a free resource for your listeners on building a team in The Philippines. They'll be able to get it at: www. hireteamup.com/roger Get a FREE copy of these books all accounting professionals should use to work on their business and become profitable. These are a must-have addition to every accountant’s library to provide quality CFO & Advisory services as a Profit & Growth Expert today: “Red to BLACK in 30 days – A small business accountant’s guide to QUICK turnarounds” – This is a how-to guide on how to turn around a struggling business into a more sustainable model. Each chapter focuses on a crucial aspect of the turnaround process - from cash flow management to strategies for improving revenue. This book will teach you everything you need to become a turnaround expert for small businesses. “in the BLACK, nine principles to make your business profitable” – Nine Principles to Make Your Business Profitable – Discover what you need to know to run the premier accounting firm and get paid what you are worth in this book, by the same author as Red to Black – CPA Allen B. Bostrom. Bostrom teaches the three major functions of business (marketing, production and accounting) as well as strategies for maximizing profitability for your clients by creating actionable plans to implement the nine principles. “Your Strategic Accountant” - Understand the 3 Core Accounting Services you should offer as you run your business. help your clients understand which numbers they need to know to make more informed business decisions. “Your Profit & Growth Expert” - Your business is an asset. You should know its value and understand how to maximize it. Beginning with the end in mind helps you work ON your business to build a company you can leave so that it can continue to exist in your absence or build wealth as you retire and enjoy the time, freedom, and life you want and deserve. Learn what it is you can do to become an author, leveraging your expertise to market effectively your services and get the clients you deserve. This is a webinar you don’t want to miss. Learn from Mike Capuzzi what a Shook is and how you can use it to position yourself as the Premier Accounting Firm in your area. This is a must-see presentation so get ready to take some great notes. In addition to becoming an author, see what you can do to follow the Turnkey Business plan for accounting professionals. After more than 40 years we’ve identified the best practices of successful accountants and this is a presentation we are happy to share. Check it out and see what you can do to be in business for yourself but not by yourself with Universal Accounting Center. It’s here you can become a: Professional Bookkeeper, PB Professional Tax Preparer, PTP Profit & Growth Expert, PGE Lastly, get your Business Score to see what you can do to work ON your business and have the Premier Accounting Firm. Join over 70,000 business owners and get your score on the 8 Factors That Drive Your Company’s Value. For Additional FREE Resources for accounting professionals check out this collection HERE! Be sure to join us for GrowCon, the LIVE event for accounting professionals to work ON their business. This is a conference you don’t want to miss. Remember this, Accounting Success IS Universal. Listen to our next episode and be sure to subscribe. Also, let us know what you think of the podcast and please share any suggestions you may have. We look forward to your input: Podcast Feedback For more information on how you can apply these principles to start and build your accounting, bookkeeping & tax business please visit us at www.universalaccountingschool.com or call us at 8012653777

Mar 11, 2024 • 35sec
This Week on BPAF : Isaac Smith
Join us this Wednesday for a new episode where Roger discusses building a bookkeeping service for ecommerce businesses and working with teams overseas with Isaac Smith.

Mar 9, 2024 • 37min
Rewind : Your Ultimate Guide to Outsourcing & Lead Generation w/ Chris Ducker
Entrepreneur and virtual staffing expert, Chris Ducker, shares insights on outsourcing benefits, choosing between remote and internal staffing, tips for hiring remotely, identifying tasks not to outsource, generating high-quality leads, scaling business, and the importance of consistency in success. A must-listen for those seeking to elevate their accounting firm.

Mar 6, 2024 • 1h 39min
Integrating Family Therapy Principles in Business Leadership with Dr. Tim Thayne
Welcome to another insightful episode of Building the Premier Accounting Firm, hosted by Universal Accounting Center President Roger Knecht. In this engaging discussion, Dr. Tim Thayne takes listeners on an exploratory journey through the realms of family therapy and business organization. From Academia to Business Consultant: Learn about Dr. Thayne’s transition from an academic path with a master’s from BYU and a PhD from Virginia Tech to a practical role in applying marriage and family therapy principles to business environments. Solution-Focused Leadership: Discover the core concepts of the leadership program Dr. Thayne spearheaded, where he marries leadership skills with solutions to family-related challenges, showcasing the synergistic effects of managing professional and personal life dynamics. Healthy Interactions and Motivation: Delve into Dr. Thayne’s perspective on the significance of nurturing healthy interactions in both family and business settings. The conversation also taps into how motivation plays a pivotal role in achieving goals across both domains. Deep Relationships and the 80/20 Principle: Dr. Thayne elaborates on the value of cultivating profound relationships and how this aligns with success and happiness, drawing parallels with the well-known Pareto principle. Business Strategies for Family Life: Roger and Dr. Thayne explain how the structure and discipline of business strategies can be adapted to family life, encouraging accountability, planning, and the importance of maintaining high expectations, even when faced with mental health challenges. An Organized Home Environment: Lastly, the episode emphasizes the benefits of a more intentional and structured approach to managing the household, similar to how one would navigate a business, fostering a healthier and more productive family dynamic. This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in business leadership to understand how family therapy principles can create powerful outcomes for a business’s progress. Join us for an episode that promises to reshape the way you think about leadership, both at the office and at home. Thank you for listening to this episode of Building the Premier Accounting Firm. For more information on how you can start or build the premier firm in your area, call Universal Accounting Center at 801-623-6707 or schedule an appointment online at your convenience. Your Host: Roger Knecht, president of Universal Accounting Center Guest Name: Dr. Tim Thayne Sponsors: Universal Accounting Center Helping accounting professionals confidently and competently offer quality accounting services to get paid what they are worth. Offers: As part of the conversation, we have for our listeners the opportunity to take advantage of the TRUSTYY APP. The App to Help Parents and Teens Build Trust at Home. Because parents and teens have never been busier or overwhelmed. The Trustyy app is the first designed to help parents build mutual trust, address issues competently and consistently, and strengthen their relationships with their teens. www.trustyy.com/uac Likewise, take a moment and receive free access to the Money Management and Couples Course that was discussed on the show. This is a MUST-DO activity for parents, especially for those with teens, young adults, and newlyweds. It’s also used by counselors, youth ministers, financial planners and more. Take the time to see what you can do to live debt-free and have a healthy committed relationship. https://universalbusinessbuilders.com/money-management-video-course For Additional FREE Resources for accounting professionals check out this collection HERE! Be sure to join us for GrowCon, the LIVE event for accounting professionals to work ON their business. This is a conference you don’t want to miss. Remember this, Accounting Success IS Universal. Listen to our next episode and be sure to subscribe. Also, let us know what you think of the podcast and please share any suggestions you may have. We look forward to your input: Podcast Feedback For more information on how you can apply these principles to start and build your accounting, bookkeeping & tax business please visit us at www.universalaccountingschool.com or call us at 8012653777

Mar 4, 2024 • 55sec
This Week on BPAF : Dr. Tim Thayne
Join us this Wednesday for a new episode where Roger discusses integrating family therapy principles in business leadership with Dr. Tim Thayne

Feb 28, 2024 • 56min
Mastering the Art of Delegation on the Accountrepreneur’s Journey w/ Jason Blumer
Roger Knecht and Jason Blumer discuss transitioning from CPA to entrepreneur, strategic delegation for business growth, building effective teams, leadership, and creating supportive environments for sustained business success.

Feb 26, 2024 • 35sec
This Week on BPAF : Jason Blumer
Join us this Wednesday for a new episode where Roger discusses mastering the art of delegation on the accountrepreneur’s journey with Jason Blumer

Feb 24, 2024 • 47min
Rewind : Intentional Cash Flow w/ Amber Dugger
Join us as we revisit this conversation from 2022! Get ready for this thought-provoking conversation that Roger & Amber have as they dive into the principles of money management and how we each view it. For example, consider this, what is the clarity that you really want and experience or do that isn’t tied to money? Think of it like “profit for joy”. This can be accomplished when we reverse engineer our goals. With this focus, we each can work with more purpose and intent. Money Blocks, have you heard of this before, and do you know what it means? You should because it may be holding you back from the success you deserve. It stems from the idea that we need to understand money, how to manage it, and leverage it. Do we realize how much our relationship with money relates to our self-worth, Business investment vs. business expense? This is a perspective you need to have personally and professionally. Is your time contaminated, and what does that mean to you? Regarding your clients, there are 3 questions every business owner needs to know with your help. Pay attention and see what you can do to help answer them for your clients. In fact, what is the value the client finds in the services we offer, it perhaps is the core of what we are bringing to the relationship with our clients. So, remove the distractions, be present and enjoy this thoughtful conversation. Your Host: Roger Knecht, president of Universal Accounting Center Our Guest: Amber Dugger Amber Dugger is the founder of Profit For Keeps, a system developed for online entrepreneurs to end the stress and anxiety around numbers. It is a holistic system combining personal finance and business cash flow strategies using Profit First and YNAB (You Need a Budget). She has helped hundreds of coaches implement this system and has helped thousands more calculate revenue goals that actually make sense! She is a certified health coach from I.I.N. and worked in corporate finance for 15 years before venturing out on her own in 2015 and thrives on being location independent. She loves traveling, wine, bicycles, knitting, and a good cup of tea (if in England) and coffee (if in Italy). Sweet Life, Purposeful Money is a high vibe Facebook community of virtual service-based entrepreneurs seeking a group to up-level their money game. Join in the fun here! www.amberdugger.com/community Sponsors: Universal Accounting Center Helping accounting professionals confidently and competently offer quality accounting services to get paid what they are worth. Offers: Amber is so kind to share with us all her FREE Profitability & Revenue calculator: https://amberdugger.com/calculator Also, this is a course you don’t want to miss. This is a class used with couples, newlyweds, couples and youth to introduce the principles of money management for individuals and households. See what everyone is talking about with this FREE training to help you live debt-free. Register now and in less than an hour, the path to financial freedom will be very clear. Go HERE to get access to this Money Management 101 – Payday course today. Lastly, get a FREE copy of this book all accounting professionals should use to work on their business and become profitable as a Profit & Growth Expert for their clients. This is a must-have addition to every accountant’s library to provide to have the premier accounting business today: “Red to BLACK in 30 days – A small business accountant’s guide to QUICK turnarounds” – the how-to-guide e-book for accounting professionals For Additional FREE Resources for accounting professionals check out this collection HERE! Remember this, Accounting Success IS Universal. Listen to our next episode and be sure to subscribe. For more information on how you can apply these principles in your business please visit us at www.universalaccountingschool.com or call us at 8012653777

Feb 21, 2024 • 56min
From Ledgers to Leadership: Reza Hooda’s Blueprint for Accounting Success and Mentorship
Welcome to today’s episode of Building the Premier Accounting firm with Roger Knecht, where we dive into the captivating journey of Reza Hooda, a seasoned chartered accountant and tax advisor turned mentor and coach for practice owners in the UK. Here are the highlights of her insightful discussion with Roger: Reza’s professional journey: Reza shares his diverse professional background, from cutting his teeth in PwC’s tax department to acquiring a small accounting practice and facing the trials and triumphs of running his own virtual firm. Beyond Technical Skills: Learn how Reza broadened his skill set in marketing, sales, leadership, and pricing, and why he believes that technical know-how in accounting is just the starting point for a successful practice. Transition to Coaching: Discover Reza’s passion for coaching and how his hands-on experience led to the development of a 4-pillar framework that guides practice owners toward growth and efficiency. The 4 Pillars Framework: Roger and Reza explore the details of Reza’s framework as laid out in his book “The 4 Pillars: How to Build an Accounting Firm That Gives You More Money, Time, and Freedom.” The pillars include: Pricing: Moving away from traditional time-based billing to value-based pricing. People: Building a team and fostering a positive culture. Process: Streamlining operations for better efficiency. Positioning: Enhancing the firm’s presence in the market. The Value of Pricing: Reza emphasizes the importance of value-based pricing and the strategies for communicating this model to clients to align expectations and satisfaction. Entrepreneurial Freedom: Roger discusses the importance of time and financial freedom for entrepreneurs and Reza’s advice for continuous self-development, including the lifelong habit of reading. Community and Knowledge Sharing: Reza advocates for the sharing of knowledge within the accounting community and highlights the role of events like GrowCon, Universal Accounting’s annual conference, for accounting business owners to network, share strategies, and learn from industry experts. Join us for this episode to get a wealth of actionable insights from Reza Hooda, whether you’re an accounting professional looking to expand your practice or an entrepreneur interested in the intersection of accounting and business mastery. Thank you for listening to this episode of Building the Premier Accounting Firm. For more information on how you can start your own accounting practice, call Universal Accounting Center at 801-623-6707 or schedule an appointment online at your convenience. Sponsors: Universal Accounting Center Helping accounting professionals confidently and competently offer quality accounting services to get paid what they are worth. Offers: Reza is offering to our listeners a free copy of his book (just pay shipping and handling) from this page: https://go.rezahooda.com/order-348362211681564311623 You can also listen and follow his podcast The Profitable Accountant wherever you listen to your podcasts: https://www.rezahooda.com/podcasts/the-profitable-accountant-podcast Get a FREE copy of these books all accounting professionals should use to work on their business and become profitable. These are a must-have addition to every accountant’s library to provide quality CFO & Advisory services as a Profit & Growth Expert today: “Red to BLACK in 30 days – A small business accountant’s guide to QUICK turnarounds” – This is a how-to guide on how to turn around a struggling business into a more sustainable model. Each chapter focuses on a crucial aspect of the turnaround process - from cash flow management to strategies for improving revenue. This book will teach you everything you need to become a turnaround expert for small businesses. “in the BLACK, nine principles to make your business profitable” – Nine Principles to Make Your Business Profitable – Discover what you need to know to run the premier accounting firm and get paid what you are worth in this book, by the same author as Red to Black – CPA Allen B. Bostrom. Bostrom teaches the three major functions of business (marketing, production and accounting) as well as strategies for maximizing profitability for your clients by creating actionable plans to implement the nine principles. “Your Strategic Accountant” - Understand the 3 Core Accounting Services you should offer as you run your business. help your clients understand which numbers they need to know to make more informed business decisions. “Your Profit & Growth Expert” - Your business is an asset. You should know its value and understand how to maximize it. Beginning with the end in mind helps you work ON your business to build a company you can leave so that it can continue to exist in your absence or build wealth as you retire and enjoy the time, freedom, and life you want and deserve. Learn what it is you can do to become an author, leveraging your expertise to market effectively your services and get the clients you deserve. This is a webinar you don’t want to miss. Learn from Mike Capuzzi what a Shook is and how you can use it to position yourself as the Premier Accounting Firm in your area. This is a must-see presentation so get ready to take some great notes. In addition to becoming an author, see what you can do to follow the Turnkey Business plan for accounting professionals. After more than 40 years we’ve identified the best practices of successful accountants and this is a presentation we are happy to share. Check it out and see what you can do to be in business for yourself but not by yourself with Universal Accounting Center. It’s here you can become a: Professional Bookkeeper, PB Professional Tax Preparer, PTP Profit & Growth Expert, PGE Lastly, get your Business Score to see what you can do to work ON your business and have the Premier Accounting Firm. Join over 70,000 business owners and get your score on the 8 Factors That Drive Your Company’s Value. For Additional FREE Resources for accounting professionals check out this collection HERE! Be sure to join us for GrowCon, the LIVE event for accounting professionals to work ON their business. This is a conference you don’t want to miss. Remember this, Accounting Success IS Universal. Listen to our next episode and be sure to subscribe. Also, let us know what you think of the podcast and please share any suggestions you may have. We look forward to your input: Podcast Feedback For more information on how you can apply these principles to start and build your accounting, bookkeeping & tax business please visit us at www.universalaccountingschool.com or call us at 8012653777