Accounting High

Episode 108 | Recorded December 4, 2022 Thank you to FreshBooks for making all of this possible, we love you. In today’s episode, Scott sat down with Brian Streig, CPA for a lively conversation about his backstory and how he got into the accounting space. They talk about the super firms and navigated the peculiarities of Texas laws and discussed the differences between bookkeepers, accountants, and CPAs. They also discussed bleeding-edge tech, focusing on employees over clients, and how to "wow" clients with a great client experience. They also dove into the world of Tax Twitter and the shifting demographics of the industry. Lastly, Brian shared some valuable advice for firm owners and, to cap it all off, Scott even drops a rap so be sure not to miss this one. Brian gets into the accounting mess Brian’s Backstory Condensing the Super Firms Austin during the great recession Bleeding edge tech Texas laws and peculiarities; Bookkeeper VS Accountant VS CPA All tax, all day, everyday Firm hard numbers BDO alliance The insurance niche Structure of the firm Vision and goals Focusing on employees rather than clients Twitter Tax Twitter: The decentralized water cooler Being popular on #TaxTwitter Big egos Being gay in the industry Shifting diversity and demographics in the industry Outsourcing Tax Software FreshBooks and change FreshBooks is so fresh, so easy FreshBooks is for small businesses Complexity in business nowadays Most important aspects of running a firm It’s the people AI Tax Client experience in the firm Wow-ing the client Shoutout to the listeners and advice to firm owners FreshBooks rap All the Shoutouts: The Digital CPA conference, FreshBooks Partner Meetups, PwC, Chase, Indeed, BDO Alliance, Jody Padar, Byron Patrick, CPA.CITP I CGMA, CCH Axcess, UltraTax, Ghost Systems, Trello, Notion, Blake Oliver, CPA, Eakmark, Xero, QuickBooks, Twyla Verhelst, CPA, Sage, TurboTax

Episode 107 | Recorded May 25, 2022 Thank you to our AH Boosters! Tallyfor - Book to tax in minutes, not hours - check em out at tallyfor.com In this episode, Scott & Nikole chat with Nick Sinclair, the founder of Humanverse Group. Nick talks about his journey, where he's been, and the challenges he's faced. They delve into the nuances of outsourcing and the talent shortage in the industry, sharing their thoughts on training and retention. Nick explains how his firm focuses on making jobs and helping people. They also discuss the importance of a team culture, and how it's shaped by the types of clients and people you work with. Nick shares his insights on the hustle entrepreneurs must put in to succeed and they wrap up with a discussion on what's next for Nick's plans for the future. About Nick Where has Nick been Numbers and US/Canada vs Australia/New Zealand Knowing thousands of employees Accounting: The universal language Not replacing. Making jobs and helping people COVID Protocols Mindset shifts on outsourcing Talent shortage Less shortages in other countries Their employee stats Training and retention Looking at the economics What makes a house a home? Footy and injuries Team culture and processes Balancing two cultures Types of client businesses and people focus 4-hour, 4-day work week Books and podcasts Entrepreneurs must do the work Making the hustle work What’s next for Nick/Accounting U? Account tests Night shift and work-life balance Work from home, government laws, and the effect on the economy Hybrid and getting the in person “hit” Workers outside the Philippines Wrapping up All the Shoutouts: Hubspot, James Ashford, Ryan Holiday’s Ego is the Enemy, Gary Vaynerchuk

Recorded March 2, 2023 Nominate your TOP 5 Accounting Platforms today! text "ABC" to 33339 or go to abc.accountinghigh.com Greetings Accounting High!  Welcome to your weekly installment of AH Times, where every Friday, Scotty and Byron will be bringing you the latest news and updates from Accounting High.  First up is our coverage of the ABC March Appness event, enroll today at bracket.accountinghigh.com.  We’re going to spend some time in Attention Detention, AH AI Agenda, and AH’s Article of the Week.  And as always, sit back, relax, and open your mind, it’s time for Accounting High Times. This week's Agenda ABC March Appness Update Prizes!! Hawaii for 2 or Disney Institute Leadership Excellence Course? AH Weekly Roundup #VarsityParty Vol. 2 | Partners 102 Open Your Mind with the Cerebral CPA (feat. Chet Buchman, CPA) Sociology Major with an Accounting Minor (feat. Andrew Wall, CPA, CMA) AH Ai Agenda The Daily: The Online Search Wars Got Scary. Fast. AH Attention Detention Environment AH Accounting Article of the Week 2022 VSCPA Compensation & Benefits Survey | Virginia Society of Certified Public Accountants https://www.vscpa.com/2022-comp-survey 84 firms, 17 sole practitioners, 133 corp, 48 gov Reflects overall increases in all sectors AH Coming Soon #VarsityTips Vol. 6 | People are the Purpose Conscious Consumption (feat. Maddy Reeves) #ChatTeleGraf | Using Graf Paper in Staats Class (feat. Logan Graf, CPA) Optimum Outsourced People Performance (feat. Nick Sinclaire, CEO) #FreshBooksMeetups Vol. 3 | Friendly Neighborhood #TaxTwitter CPA (feat. Brian Streig, CPA)

Episode 106 | Recorded November 30, 2022 Thank you to our Booster Partner, FreshBooks In this episode, Scott talks to Andrew Wall, CPA, CMA who shares his journey of going off on his own to pursue his vision. They discuss Andrew's background, including his experience studying sociology and technical college and his dad's vision for an accounting app. Andrew also talks about the early days of cloud technology and why accounting has been slow to adopt new tech. They also delve into building small communities and how companies should listen to their customers to improve their services. They wrap up the podcast by talking about the importance of connective tissue and how it plays a vital role in building a community. Caught in Canadian customs The art of chaos and Andrews Andrew in High school Sociology in College Technical College Dad’s vision for an Accounting app The app hit a roadblock Going off on his own for the vision Taking over dad’s firm Was accounting in the back of your mind? Back to school New technology Early days of cloud Why is accounting late to the tech game? Sports Being who you are Where is Andrew right now? Scott away from his firm ISO Cerftification Andrew’s numbers Work ethics Andrew’s media presence Vanity numbers and engagement Walking contradiction & Ambiverts & Coonferences Growing community and FreshBooks Companies listening to customers Flooded with apps and building small communities Connective tissue Wrapping up All the Shoutouts: FreshBooks, Accountex, Kellie Parks CPB, Xero, Intuit QuickBooks, Mike McDerment, Hubdoc, Relay, Shopify, Twyla Verhelst, CPA, Sage, Sandy Johns

Episode 105 | Recorded July 11, 2022 Scott Scarano and Jason Ackerman, CPA, CFP®, CGMA spend time with Chet Buchman, CPA, CVA, CEPA, CGMA, CNC, who shares his experiences on maintaining work-life balance while running a successful accounting firm. They discuss forming client relationships, KPIs, and utilizing data for better employee performance. Chet also talks about nontraditional hiring practices, being a role model, and fixing busy season. They wrap up with book recommendations and Chet's advice for other CPA firm owners. Getting into Accounting The firm in the past The Cerebral CPA Changes in the firm for work-life balance and systems theory Forming relationships with clients Timesheets How the changes have been made Tracking data and using it to help employees Chet’s management style KPIs and how people re-utilize extra time Tracking things that aren’t time CBDs (Career Best Days) Chet and Scott’s Atomic Habits The higher and lower performers Family The best thing about the firm Working from home during COVID and hybrid Going paperless or not Data analysts, Tableau New things in the future of the firm Nontraditional hires and hiring practice Accounting in High School Being a role model Helping others and giving time and space Work-life balance, integration, etc Fixing busy season To work or not to work Golf Advice for other CPA firm owners Wrapping up Book recommendations All the Shoutouts: Ron Baker, James Clear, SafeSend, Tableau, Zapier, Patrick Lencioni, Cal Newport, Jay Shetty, Ryan Holiday, Chuck Klosterman, Darren Hardy

Episode 104 | Recorded February 14, 2023 VarsityTips is brought to you by LiveFlow https://www.liveflow.io/partnerships/accounting-high Get 20% off for 3 months with promo code HIGH Simple Tasks! AppStream powered by The GrowthLab https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ohc1CMP8G8U&feature=youtu.be&themeRefresh=1 Put your party pants on because it's time for a #VarsityParty with the Queen and Kings of party FOMO. Your favorite Accounting High trio is back and this episode is sure to give you a good laugh. So turn up the volume, fill up your cup and enjoy this #VarsityParty here at Accounting High. We’re talking about Partnerships… buckle up, this is a fun one

Recorded February 23, 2023 Nominate your TOP 5 Accounting Platforms today! text "ABC" to 33339 or go to bracket.accountinghigh.com Greetings Accounting High!  Welcome to your weekly installment of AH Times, where every Friday, Scotty and Byron will be bringing you the latest news and updates from Accounting High.  First up is our coverage of the ABC March Appness event, enroll today at bracket.accountinghigh.com.  We’re going to spend some time in Attention Detention, AH AI Agenda, and AH’s Article of the Week.  And as always, sit back, relax, and open your mind, it’s time for Accounting High Times. This week's Agenda ABC March Appness Update Approaching 300 students! AH Weekly Roundup Ideas having S3X in the principal’s office VarsityTips Vol. 5 | Profitability 102 How to RAAP Faculty Update, welcome Korey, Zachary, Dan (and Greg & Ed, they just don’t know it yet) Courses aka “Trilogies” Lorilyn & Coley - Social Studies (applying TikTok & TaxTwitter) Zachary and Kyte - The Angel & Devil on your Shoulders (Ethics) Ackerman & Luthi - Shop Class (CAS & Tax Experts) Liz & Blake - The Gazette, application of history and current events Kenji & Niks - VarsityParty (having fun running a firm in weird ways) Ed Kless & Ron Baker - The AH Guides (book reports and philosophy) Korey & Byron - Tech Labs (product demos and tutorials) Twyla & Keats - ?? TBD AH Ai Agenda Mira Murati, Creator of ChatGPT, Thinks AI Should Be Regulated | Time https://time.com/6252404/mira-murati-chatgpt-openai-interview/ I made my first digital image AH Attention Detention Emotions AH Accounting Article of the Week IRS: Taxpayers Can Now Upload Documents for These 9 Notices - CPA Practice Advisor https://www.cpapracticeadvisor.com/2023/02/21/irs-taxpayers-can-now-upload-documents-for-these-9-notices/76959/ 2023 Best Accounting Firms to Work For applications being accepted | Accounting Today https://www.accountingtoday.com/news/2023-best-accounting-firms-to-work-for-applications-being-accepted AH Coming Soon Varsity Party Vol. 2 | Partners 102 FBPM Toronto feat. Andrew Wall Interview with Nick Sinclaire (feat. Niks, from May 2022) Simple Tasks! Music video on AHTV

Episode 103 | Recorded December 30, 2022 Thank you to our Booster Partners! AppStream powered by the GrowthLab Automate your firm. Save time. Add value. https://www.growthlabfinancial.com/automations-for-accountants Greetings Accounting High!  Scotty’s in the principal’s office, and while he was in there he had an epic 3-hour conversation with Mr. Ron Baker.  This conversation was broken up into two episodes for your listening enjoyment.  In the 2nd part of our Principal's Office series, After a delightful performance from our rapping custodian to break up the conversation, we go deeper into the mind of Principal Baker. Scott and Ron take us on a journey through a range of topics that challenge the traditional view of education in accounting. They both reflect on how podcasting has transformed their lives and inspire you to find your own voice. They also discuss how rule-breakers are changing the future of the industry.  Throughout the episode, they share their insights and lessons learned to help you become better accounting professionals.  And as always, sit back, relax, and open your mind, because we’re in the principal's office with Ron Baker. Previously in the Principal’s Office Simple Tasks Giving up firms Licensing and Certifications Rule breakers Accounting High concept and Scott’s pivot High school never ends Podcasting transforms the host Types of podcasting Podcast length Podcast updates Book reports Muppets in Moscow Villians heroes and art Authors, Rappers, and Lil Dicky Earmark and AH Faculty Helping others and Influence of Illegal Enterprises Helping the whole faculty with Earmark Getting others on the show CPE issues and alternatives Ron’s podcast Disney Pixar, “I was wrong”, Changing your mind It’s not all about Money Walking and getting inspiration Publishing Dr. House and music Philosopher by other names and positioning All the Shoutouts: Ron Baker’s Times Up, Russ Roberts, Earmark, David Barrett, FreshBooks, Twyla Verhelst, CPA, Brené Brown, Intuit, The Soul of Enterprise, Mike Michalowicz

Episode 102 | Recorded February 7, 2023 VarsityTips is brought to you by https://www.liveflow.io/ https://www.liveflow.io/partnerships/accounting-high Get 20% off for 3 months with promo code HIGH And another special thank you to our Booster Partner https://www.growthlabfinancial.com/nocode-CPA In this episode, https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottscarano/ and https://www.linkedin.com/in/nikolemackenzie/ explore the concept of profitability in their respective firms, drawing on their own experiences and anecdotes. They delve into various topics, such as outsourcing, hourly billing, and employee percentages, and discuss ways to improve your profitability, such as upselling, fixed pricing, and consulting. Along the way, they share fun stories, including encounters with a shady shirt vendor. They also share practical tips for increasing profitability, including investing in marketing, automation, and niching, as well as the importance of building relationships with other companies and providing excellent customer service. This podcast is a must-listen for anyone looking to improve their firm's bottom line. • What to expect from this episode • Your firm is your firm • Simple Tasks! interrupts • Start of the review • Scott has learned nothing • Working at home and outsourcing • Stats on what people are doing in the office • Revisiting hourly billing • Scott’s outsourcing update • When you aren’t being profitable • The Ps • Niks Profits • Jedi Mindset Shift to abundance • Goals • Makeup of client profitability • The cost of profitability • Percentages for employees • Sharing the owner’s salary • Raising prices and clients • What’s the key to profitability? • Working hard or hardly working? • Ways to increase profitability • Pricing • Rushing into new clients • Making cuts and Price increases • Jasper’s answer to profitability • Upselling • Caring about the customer and fixed pricing • Making big changes for the clients by consulting • Scott’s epiphany to help accountants • Getting and giving referrals • Investing in marketing? • Automation • Offer competitive pricing • Niching • Take on contracting work • Bracket Challenge • Expand relationships with other companies for leads • Animals and Mascots All the Shoutouts: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashleykcarroll/, https://www.linkedin.com/in/rezahooda/, https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-abundant-accountant/, https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelleweinstein/, https://www.linkedin.com/in/dcb/, https://www.linkedin.com/company/karbonhq/, https://www.linkedin.com/company/heyjasperai/, https://www.linkedin.com/in/ronbaker1/

Accounting High Times Vol. 4 | February 17, 2023 Nominate your TOP 5 Accounting Platforms today! text "ABC" to 33339 or go to bracket.accountinghigh.com Greetings Accounting High!  Welcome to your weekly installment of AH Times, Every Friday, Scotty and Byron will be bringing you the latest news and updates from accounting high, as well as a few highlights from our blog The AH Guide. First up is our coverage of the ABC March Appness event, enroll today at bracket.accountinghigh.com. We've also got the latest scoop on the AH weekly roundup, as well as a lesson from Accounting High’s AP AI Class. And as always, sit back, relax, and open your mind, it’s time for Accounting High Times. This week's Agenda ABC March Appness Update 200 different accounting things nominated! AH Weekly Roundup Firm Hard Numbers Guiding Transformations from the Principals Office VarsityTips Vol 4 AH Ai Agenda Importance of clear communication Can scan code for errors, improved efficiency & security vulenrabilities Bing integration is nice AH Attention Detention Energy and Sleep AH Accounting Article of the Week How Can We Make Accounting Cool? - WSJ https://www.wsj.com/articles/how-can-we-make-accounting-cool-11675973909?st=tilzyzg90gk6k9m AH Coming Soon How to RAAP VT5 Profitability 102 Ideas having S3X FBPM PDX Tori McKee & Sarah Prevost Chet Buchman