Accounting High

Episode 192 FACULTY: Nancy McClelland, CPA CLASS: #TheGuide TITLE: Teaching Bookkeepers and Tax Preparers to Communicate Better  In this podcast episode, Scott interviews Nancy McClelland, CPA, Owner of Nancy McClelland LLC, also known as The Dancing Accountant. The conversation covers the origin story of The Dancing Accountant, all the way to tax season in Mexico. They discuss the rivalry between bookkeepers and tax preparers, biases in the accounting profession, and dispelling perceptions versus the reality of being a professional. Origin of the DancingAccountant How Nancy became an Accountant The Bookkeeper and Tax Preparer Rivalry Challenges of Becoming a CPA Biases in the Profession Banding Together to Help Small Businesses Perception vs Reality: Not Being a Unicorn Compassion Tax Season in Mexico Shout Outs: Blake Oliver, Gaynor, Nayo Carter-Gray, John Garrett, Randy Crabtree, Twyla Verhelst, FreshPAC, DigitalCPA, Quickbooks Connect, SleeterCon, Bridging the Gap, NATP [00:02:09] Origin of the DancingAccountant [00:08:04] How Nancy became an Accountant [00:14:47] The Bookkeeper and Tax Preparer Rivalry [00:17:05] Challenges of Becoming a CPA [00:21:25] Biases in the Profession [00:25:32] Banding Together to Help Small Businesses [00:27:30] Perception vs Reality: Not Being a Unicorn [00:43:56] Compassion [00:56:26] Tax Season in Mexico

Episode 191 FACULTY: Bilal Mehanna, CPA CLASS: #SocialStudies TITLE: Position Your Firm with Confidence and Patience In this podcast episode, Scotty interviews Bilal Mehanna CPA, President of Mehanna Advisors, and Co-Host of the podcast "From Zero to Millions." The interview consists of insights into finding a niche, pricing, scalability considerations, challenges encountered during growth phases, strategies for talent acquisition overseas, and much more. Introducing Bilal Becoming an Accountant Finding a Niche Pricing Scalability Ignition is a Decentralized Organization Growing Pains The Firm Finding Talent Overseas Benefits of Being an Accountant Patience Screening Clients BOI Reporting Accounting Podcasts Final Thoughts Shout Outs: Kelly Rohrs, Brandon Hall, Xero [00:02:09] Introducing Bilal [00:06:24] Becoming an Accountant [00:10:13] Finding a Niche [00:17:07] Pricing [00:18:30] Scalability [00:20:49] Ignition is a Decentralized Organization [00:24:37] Growing Pains [00:26:33] The Firm [00:30:49] Finding Talent Overseas [00:33:11] Benefits of Being an Accountant [00:37:12] Patience [00:39:21] Screening Clients [00:41:09] BOI Reporting [00:47:23] Accounting Podcasts [00:53:24] Final Thoughts

Episode 190 FACULTY: Ed Mendlowitz CLASS: #Shoperations TITLE: From CEO to Chairman of the Board In this episode, we flip the script and Ed Mendlowitz interviews Scotty "OKR,". Explore Scotty's journey, from initial inspirations to firm growth, unveiling key strategies for client connections, niche development, and innovative billing approaches. Gain valuable insights into client engagement, consultancy services, and OKR’s. Reminiscing Scott's Firm What got Teddy into all of this? How is Scott Organized?   Keeping in touch with clients Growth of the Firm and the Podcast Passing Along Knowledge Developing a Niche from a General Practice  Being a Xero Homer Engage What's in the future? Consult  What to Do with Time Sheets instead of Billing Ron Baker's OKR's Key Takeaways

Episode 189 FACULTY: Seth Fineberg CLASS: #TechTime TITLE: Earning Trust with Accountants in America Scotty engages in a podcast discussion with Seth Fineberg, the Founder of Accountants Forward, where they discuss his journey into journalism in the accounting space, the withdrawal of Accounting Web, AI, and how Tech Companies should sell to accountants. Introducing Seth How Seth got into Accounting Getting into Accounting Web Taking on Accounting Web  The Realities of the Automated Practice Advisory and CAS The Fall of Accounting Web Seth's Next Move AI is not Replacing People Seth's Takeaways Client Advisory Services  Shout Outs: Matthew May, Kenji Kuramoto, Shirrell Williams, Nayo Carter-Gray, Clayton Oates, Randy Johnston, Randy Crabtree, Acuity, Xero, Bridging the Gap, Jirav, Botkeeper

Episode 188 FACULTY: JJ Littrell CLASS: #SocialStudies TITLE: Creating Accounting Client Avatars In this podcast episode, Scott interviews JJ Littrell, CFO at Tuatara. The conversation spans JJ's unconventional entry into accounting through the FBI, experiences with Elliot Davis and Starmount, insights into balancing parenting and business growth, the genesis of Tuatara, managing multiple agencies under one practice, establishing an institute, similarities between accountants and dentists, considerations about partnerships, and the importance of identifying client avatars. JJ Got into Accounting through the FBI Elliot Davis and Starmount Parenting versus Growing a Business The Origins of Tuatara Two Agencies, One Practice Building an Institute Creating A Community Platform with Value Similarities between Accountants and Dentists Partnerships Dealing with Conflict in Partnerships Advice for Generalist Dentists Finding your Client Avatar Shout Outs: Thinkific, Ryan Reynolds

Episode 187 FACULTY: Ashley Francis, Byron Patrick, Korey Cournoyer, Keila Hill-Trawick CLASS: #TechTime TITLE: AI Horror Stories: Shining a Light on the Dark Side of AI In this podcast episode, Scotty hosts a panel featuring Ashley Francis, Byron Patrick, Korey Cournoyer, and Keila Hill-Trawick. They discuss the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in the accounting industry. The conversation touches on various facets of AI implementation, its impact on different firms, practical applications, concerns regarding security, as well as the question of whether AI will replace human accountants. Introduction What is Accounting High AI the Monster - At Keila's Firm AI at Korey's Firm How Byron Uses AI How Ashley Uses AI at Her Firm and Microsoft Copilot Is AI Going to Replace Us? Practical Uses of AI  Security Concerns and AI Hygiene Training the Model ChatGPT Plugins Unique CPA Rap  Shout Outs: Jason Staats, Randy Crabtree, Bridging the Gap Conference, Microsoft Copilot, Appstream, The Growth Lab, Otter AI, Firefly AI, ChatGPT, MailChimp, Zapier, Make

Episode 186 FACULTY: Greg & Jessica Daley CLASS: The Guide TITLE: A Parable about Winning and Learning Join us for a conversation with Greg and Jess Daley, the founders of Parable. The discussion delves into their unique journey as a couple in business, the origins of their firm, swing dancing, the integration of work and personal life, and the guiding principles shaping their company's future. Introduction Couple Business Pairs  How Swing Dancing Brought Them Together Roles in the Firm Parable Early North Star  Roles and Coaches in the Early Days Work Life Integration EOS and Dance Rock Step Training an Integrator Times of Chaos and Peace, The Frying Pan and Crockpot Hard Numbers The Future and Giving Running a firm without Ego Italy Expensify Conclusion Shout Outs: Traction by Gino Wickman, Profit First by Mike Michalowicz, Simple Numbers by Randy Crabtree, Expensify

Episode 185 FACULTY: Roman Villard CLASS: #Shoperations TITLE: Go Full Send and Build Epic Sh!t In this podcast episode, Scott interviews Roman Villard, the founder of Full Send Finance. Roman shares his entrepreneurial journey, discussing the backstory behind his firm, its community-building aspect, and the values that drive its growth. The conversation delves into Roman's departure from his previous job, the origins of the Full Send brand, and his vision for the future of the company. Introduction The Backstory The Firm Why Public Accounting? Long Hair Building a Community Origin of Full Send Brand How Roman Left His Old Job The First Client Hard Numbers Partnership and Community Impact vs Greed Growth Numbers Tech Stack The Future of Full Send Shout Outs: Matthew, Kenji, Acuity, Drink While You Think, Warren Buffet, Karbon, Financial Sense, Xero, Quickbooks, Gusto

Episode 184 FACULTY: Enrico Palmerino, Elizabeth Manso, Michael Hso, and Marianne Fischer CLASS: #TheGuide TITLE: How to Say No  In this podcast episode, Scott interviews a diverse group of accounting professionals: Enrico Palmerino, Elizabeth Manso, Michael Hso, and Marianne Fischer. The discussion revolves around their individual visions, experiences, and insights as business leaders. They share their journeys, the importance of helping others, and most importantly, how to say no. Introducing, Elizabeth, Enrico, Michael Vision Enrique's Vision Michael's North Star Introducing Marianne the Speaker Regretting saying Yes Enrico on Regret Michael's Road to 9 Figures Selfishly Help Others Finding a Partner  How To Say No Shout Outs: Josh Jeffries, Vivid Vision by Cameron Herrold

Episode 183 FACULTY: Paul Hamann CLASS: #TechTime TITLE: What is Reasonable Compensation? In this podcast episode, Scott interviews Paul Hamann of RCR Reports. The episode dives into the complex topic of reasonable compensation and the challenges surrounding it, presents his innovative solution, and highlights the multiple use cases for RC Reports. What is Reasonable Compensation? Is 2/3 Reasonable? The Compensation Issue Paul's Solution Reasons to use RC Reports More Use Cases for RC Reports Why It May Be Better to not be a CEO More Use Cases