

Business Strategy for CPA's
Geraldine Carter
Business Strategy for CPAs: work less and make more. You know how to be an accountant – it’s running your business you need help with. With guests interviews and solo episodes, you will get business strategy every week to help you simplify your practice, get out of the compliance trap, get your time back, and command higher fees. Stop missing out on life: start working less while adding the next six figures of income. Business Strategy for CPA's is the show for you!
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jul 23, 2025 • 44min
358 Let it Be Easy: $250K & 15 Hrs/Wk with Sheila Hansen, CPA
Get your FREE 7 Pricing Essentials for CPAs and EAs here:https://geraldinecarter.com/7Wondering if it’s really possible to make good money without grinding 60 hours a week?Sheila Hansen shares how she built a values-aligned accounting firm that brings in $250K+ while working ~15 hours a week. Learn how she escaped standard accounting, overcame pricing and money mindset blocks, built a product ladder, and created offerings rooted in strategy—not compliance. A must-listen for CPAs craving more ease.…Link to full shownotes: https://www.businessstrategyforcpas.com/358…If you feel trapped by your own accounting firm, I can help you stop the chaos and end the long hours without losing revenue or hiring. Join 3000+ other CPAs who get my single-tip daily emails..Subscribe here: geraldinecarter.com/subscribe.Readers say they love it because they’re short and on point.…Want client interviews?310 From Exhausted to Having Her Life Back: Wendy Norman, CPA304 From 55 Down to 15 Hours; Same Take-Home Pay with Melissa Downs, EA293 What it Takes to Work 15 Hours per Week with Erica Goode, CPAComplete list:geraldinecarter.com/client-interview-episodes…FOUR ways I help overworked CPAs go down to 40 hours without losing revenue or hiring:THE EMAIL COURSE – Freegeraldinecarter.com/stop-working-weekendsStop Working Weekends will teach you how to reduce your hours without giving up revenue. THE BOOK – $9.99geraldinecarter.com/bookDown to 40 Hours – A Roadmap for CPAs to End Overworking Without Losing RevenuePEAK FREEDOM COMMUNITY – $197/mogeraldinecarter.com/peak-freedomFor solo and small accounting firm owners who want to rise above the insanity of hustle-cultureDOWN TO 40 HOURS ACCELERATOR – $995/mogeraldinecarter.com/40For the overworked CPA at multiple six figures of revenue who is ready to stop working weekends, wants to implement overdue changes, and doesn’t want to do it alone. You’ll make progress faster and with more confidence. …
Get your FREE 7 Pricing Essentials for CPAs and EAs here:https://geraldinecarter.com/7

Jul 16, 2025 • 32min
357 How to Stop Emailing Yourself at 3am with Meagan Rutkowski, CPA
Get your FREE 7 Pricing Essentials for CPAs and EAs here:https://geraldinecarter.com/7Feeling overwhelmed and wondering if there’s a way to finally get out from under the chaos?If your brain never shuts off and your to-do list is chaos, this episode is for you. Meagan Rutkowski, CPA shares how implementing Simple Systems, Free Time gave her mental clarity, reduced overwhelm, and uncovered hidden scope creep. Now, Meagan has calmer mornings, the space to think strategically about her business, and more time for what matters.…Link to full shownotes: https://www.businessstrategyforcpas.com/357…Connect with Meagan:mrutkowski@bullmoosefinancial.com...If you feel trapped by your own accounting firm, I can help you stop the chaos and end the long hours without losing revenue or hiring. Join 3000+ other CPAs who get my single-tip daily emails..Subscribe here: geraldinecarter.com/subscribe.Readers say they love it because they’re short and on point.…Want client interviews?310 From Exhausted to Having Her Life Back: Wendy Norman, CPA304 From 55 Down to 15 Hours; Same Take-Home Pay with Melissa Downs, EA293 What it Takes to Work 15 Hours per Week with Erica Goode, CPAComplete list:geraldinecarter.com/client-interview-episodes…FOUR ways I help overworked CPAs go down to 40 hours without losing revenue or hiring:THE EMAIL COURSE – Freegeraldinecarter.com/stop-working-weekendsStop Working Weekends will teach you how to reduce your hours without giving up revenue. THE BOOK – $9.99geraldinecarter.com/bookDown to 40 Hours – A Roadmap for CPAs to End Overworking Without Losing RevenuePEAK FREEDOM COMMUNITY – $197/mogeraldinecarter.com/peak-freedomFor solo and small accounting firm owners who want to rise above the insanity of hustle-cultureDOWN TO 40 HOURS ACCELERATOR – $995/mogeraldinecarter.com/40For the overworked CPA at multiple six figures of revenue who is ready to stop working weekends, wants to implement overdue changes, and doesn’t want to do it alone. You’ll make progress faster and with more confidence.
Get your FREE 7 Pricing Essentials for CPAs and EAs here:https://geraldinecarter.com/7

Jul 9, 2025 • 28min
356 84 Hours → 45 Hours: The Software and Systems Combo with Mark Kuca, CPA
In this discussion, Mark Kuca, CPA—who handles about 50 clients and focuses on $1 to $10 million law firms—shares how he slashed his work hours from 84 to 45 without sacrificing income. He emphasizes the transformative impact of Simple Systems, which streamlined his operations and reduced email chaos. Mark also highlights the value of prioritizing personal time, like fishing trips with his son, and how firing high-maintenance clients has improved both his well-being and business growth. His insights offer a refreshing perspective on work-life balance for CPAs.

Jul 2, 2025 • 22min
355 Simple Systems, Free Time: The Framework that Frees Your CPA Brain
Get your FREE 7 Pricing Essentials for CPAs and EAs here:https://geraldinecarter.com/7Do you ever wonder why running your firm still feels so hard?Most CPAs are reacting all day—to emails, interruptions, and mental to-do lists. But with the right systems, that all gets easier. In this episode, learn how a few missing tools can bring calm, structure, and breathing room back into your day.…Link to full shownotes: https://www.businessstrategyforcpas.com/355…If you feel trapped by your own accounting firm, I can help you stop the chaos and end the long hours without losing revenue or hiring. Join 3000+ other CPAs who get my single-tip daily emails..Subscribe here: geraldinecarter.com/subscribe.Readers say they love it because they’re short and on point.…Want client interviews?310 From Exhausted to Having Her Life Back: Wendy Norman, CPA304 From 55 Down to 15 Hours; Same Take-Home Pay with Melissa Downs, EA293 What it Takes to Work 15 Hours per Week with Erica Goode, CPAComplete list:geraldinecarter.com/client-interview-episodes…FOUR ways I help overworked CPAs go down to 40 hours without losing revenue or hiring:THE EMAIL COURSE – Freegeraldinecarter.com/stop-working-weekendsStop Working Weekends will teach you how to reduce your hours without giving up revenue. THE BOOK – $9.99geraldinecarter.com/bookDown to 40 Hours – A Roadmap for CPAs to End Overworking Without Losing RevenuePEAK FREEDOM COMMUNITY – $197/mogeraldinecarter.com/peak-freedomFor solo and small accounting firm owners who want to rise above the insanity of hustle-cultureDOWN TO 40 HOURS ACCELERATOR – $995/mogeraldinecarter.com/40For the overworked CPA at multiple six figures of revenue who is ready to stop working weekends, wants to implement overdue changes, and doesn’t want to do it alone. You’ll make progress faster and with more confidence.
Get your FREE 7 Pricing Essentials for CPAs and EAs here:https://geraldinecarter.com/7

Jun 25, 2025 • 40min
354 No Ads. No Posting. Just SEO for $194K New ARR
Get your FREE 7 Pricing Essentials for CPAs and EAs here:https://geraldinecarter.com/7Ever wondered if a new website is worth it?Catherine Ozment, CPA ditched her DIY site for a professionally built one… then let it sit. For 24 months, nothing happened. Then suddenly, it started bringing in monthly clients. In the last year, it’s brought in $194K+ of niche and niche-adjacent revenue—on autopilot.If you’re questioning the value of a niche, SEO, or a pro website, this episode has your answer.Catherine's Websites:https://www.farmandagcpa.com/https://www.clocpa.com/…Link to full shownotes: https://www.businessstrategyforcpas.com/354…If you feel trapped by your own accounting firm, I can help you stop the chaos and end the long hours without losing revenue or hiring. Join 3000+ other CPAs who get my single-tip daily emails..Subscribe here: geraldinecarter.com/subscribe.Readers say they love it because they’re short and on point.…Want client interviews?310 From Exhausted to Having Her Life Back: Wendy Norman, CPA304 From 55 Down to 15 Hours; Same Take-Home Pay with Melissa Downs, EA293 What it Takes to Work 15 Hours per Week with Erica Goode, CPAComplete list:geraldinecarter.com/client-interview-episodes…FOUR ways I help overworked CPAs go down to 40 hours without losing revenue or hiring:THE EMAIL COURSE – Freegeraldinecarter.com/stop-working-weekendsStop Working Weekends will teach you how to reduce your hours without giving up revenue. THE BOOK – $9.99geraldinecarter.com/bookDown to 40 Hours – A Roadmap for CPAs to End Overworking Without Losing RevenuePEAK FREEDOM COMMUNITY – $197/mogeraldinecarter.com/peak-freedomFor solo and small accounting firm owners who want to rise above the insanity of hustle-cultureDOWN TO 40 HOURS ACCELERATOR – $995/mogeraldinecarter.com/40For the overworked CPA at multiple six figures of revenue who is ready to stop working weekends, wants to implement overdue changes, and doesn’t want to do it alone. You’ll make progress faster and with more confidence. …
Get your FREE 7 Pricing Essentials for CPAs and EAs here:https://geraldinecarter.com/7

Jun 18, 2025 • 29min
353 Lean Learning with Pat Flynn
Get your FREE 7 Pricing Essentials for CPAs and EAs here:https://geraldinecarter.com/7Is progress slower than you want it to be?It might be because you're stuck trying to learn everything first, waiting for the perfect answer, or avoiding the messy part—testing new ways of doing. In this episode, Pat Flynn shares why action beats over-prep, and how CPAs can move faster by running small, low-risk experiments with less overthinking and overplanning.…Link to full shownotes: https://www.businessstrategyforcpas.com/353…If you feel trapped by your own accounting firm, I can help you stop the chaos and end the long hours without losing revenue or hiring. Join 3000+ other CPAs who get my single-tip daily emails..Subscribe here: geraldinecarter.com/subscribe.Readers say they love it because they’re short and on point.…Want client interviews?310 From Exhausted to Having Her Life Back: Wendy Norman, CPA304 From 55 Down to 15 Hours; Same Take-Home Pay with Melissa Downs, EA293 What it Takes to Work 15 Hours per Week with Erica Goode, CPAComplete list:geraldinecarter.com/client-interview-episodes…FOUR ways I help overworked CPAs go down to 40 hours without losing revenue or hiring:THE EMAIL COURSE – Freegeraldinecarter.com/stop-working-weekendsStop Working Weekends will teach you how to reduce your hours without giving up revenue. THE BOOK – $9.99geraldinecarter.com/bookDown to 40 Hours – A Roadmap for CPAs to End Overworking Without Losing RevenuePEAK FREEDOM COMMUNITY – $197/mogeraldinecarter.com/peak-freedomFor solo and small accounting firm owners who want to rise above the insanity of hustle-cultureDOWN TO 40 HOURS ACCELERATOR – $995/mogeraldinecarter.com/40For the overworked CPA at multiple six figures of revenue who is ready to stop working weekends, wants to implement overdue changes, and doesn’t want to do it alone. You’ll make progress faster and with more confidence. …
Get your FREE 7 Pricing Essentials for CPAs and EAs here:https://geraldinecarter.com/7

8 snips
Jun 11, 2025 • 13min
352 Outcome-Driven Package Design. Labor Not Allowed
Imagine designing packages that deliver results without any labor! This thought-provoking discussion challenges traditional package design, emphasizing client needs and satisfaction over workload. Listeners are encouraged to create streamlined, labor-free financial services that simplify complex concepts and boost efficiency. It's all about rethinking how value is delivered, leading to scalable, impactful solutions for accounting firms. Discover how to increase profitability while reducing overwork!

Jun 4, 2025 • 16min
351 Vague Packages = Messy Pricing
Get your FREE 7 Pricing Essentials for CPAs and EAs here:https://geraldinecarter.com/7Have you ever packaged and priced to get off hourly, only to get killed on scope?This episode walks you through a practical, spreadsheet-based process for building Bronze, Silver, and Gold service packages that protect your time and reflect your value. If you’re tired of pricing guesswork, scope creep, or endless custom proposals, this gives you the clarity and structure you’ve been missing.…Link to full shownotes: https://www.businessstrategyforcpas.com/351…If you feel trapped by your own accounting firm, I can help you stop the chaos and end the long hours without losing revenue or hiring. Join 3000+ other CPAs who get my single-tip daily emails..Subscribe here: geraldinecarter.com/subscribe.Readers say they love it because they’re short and on point.…Want client interviews?310 From Exhausted to Having Her Life Back: Wendy Norman, CPA304 From 55 Down to 15 Hours; Same Take-Home Pay with Melissa Downs, EA293 What it Takes to Work 15 Hours per Week with Erica Goode, CPAComplete list:geraldinecarter.com/client-interview-episodes…FOUR ways I help overworked CPAs go down to 40 hours without losing revenue or hiring:THE EMAIL COURSE – Freegeraldinecarter.com/stop-working-weekendsStop Working Weekends will teach you how to reduce your hours without giving up revenue. THE BOOK – $9.99geraldinecarter.com/bookDown to 40 Hours – A Roadmap for CPAs to End Overworking Without Losing RevenuePEAK FREEDOM COMMUNITY – $197/mogeraldinecarter.com/peak-freedomFor solo and small accounting firm owners who want to rise above the insanity of hustle-cultureDOWN TO 40 HOURS ACCELERATOR – $995/mogeraldinecarter.com/40For the overworked CPA at multiple six figures of revenue who is ready to stop working weekends, wants to implement overdue changes, and doesn’t want to do it alone. You’ll make progress faster and with more confidence. …
Get your FREE 7 Pricing Essentials for CPAs and EAs here:https://geraldinecarter.com/7

May 28, 2025 • 36min
350 What It Feels Like When 300 Clients Don’t Come Back with Kathy Hayden, EA
Get your FREE 7 Pricing Essentials for CPAs and EAs here:https://geraldinecarter.com/7Worried you’ll lose too many clients if you raise prices?Kathy Hayden shares the raw, emotional truth behind raising prices on 800+ legacy clients—what worked, what didn’t, and what it really feels like to lose hundreds of clients and still come out okay. If you’re afraid of making changes, this is the episode that tells the real story.…Link to full shownotes: https://www.businessstrategyforcpas.com/350…If you feel trapped by your own accounting firm, I can help you stop the chaos and end the long hours without losing revenue or hiring. Join 3000+ other CPAs who get my single-tip daily emails..Subscribe here: geraldinecarter.com/subscribe.Readers say they love it because they’re short and on point.…Want client interviews?310 From Exhausted to Having Her Life Back: Wendy Norman, CPA304 From 55 Down to 15 Hours; Same Take-Home Pay with Melissa Downs, EA293 What it Takes to Work 15 Hours per Week with Erica Goode, CPAComplete list:geraldinecarter.com/client-interview-episodes…FOUR ways I help overworked CPAs go down to 40 hours without losing revenue or hiring:THE EMAIL COURSE – Freegeraldinecarter.com/stop-working-weekendsStop Working Weekends will teach you how to reduce your hours without giving up revenue. THE BOOK – $9.99geraldinecarter.com/bookDown to 40 Hours – A Roadmap for CPAs to End Overworking Without Losing RevenuePEAK FREEDOM COMMUNITY – $197/mogeraldinecarter.com/peak-freedomFor solo and small accounting firm owners who want to rise above the insanity of hustle-cultureDOWN TO 40 HOURS ACCELERATOR – $995/mogeraldinecarter.com/40For the overworked CPA at multiple six figures of revenue who is ready to stop working weekends, wants to implement overdue changes, and doesn’t want to do it alone. You’ll make progress faster and with more confidence. …
Get your FREE 7 Pricing Essentials for CPAs and EAs here:https://geraldinecarter.com/7

May 21, 2025 • 37min
349 Turns Out, You Don’t Need 1,000 Clients with Melissa Downs, EA
Get your FREE 7 Pricing Essentials for CPAs and EAs here:https://geraldinecarter.com/7Feeling buried in clients, working too many hours, and wondering if change is even possible? In this episode, Melissa Downs, EA is back after her second year of working on her firm inside the GC ecosystem. She shares how she cut 800 clients, dropped 10 hours a week, and now takes home more money – with waaaaay less stress. Her journey proves: you don’t need volume to have the firm you want.…Link to full shownotes: https://www.businessstrategyforcpas.com/349…If you feel trapped by your own accounting firm, I can help you stop the chaos and end the long hours without losing revenue or hiring. Join 3000+ other CPAs who get my single-tip daily emails..Subscribe here: geraldinecarter.com/subscribe.Readers say they love it because they’re short and on point.…Want more client interviews?310 From Exhausted to Having Her Life Back: Wendy Norman, CPA304 From 55 Down to 15 Hours; Same Take-Home Pay with Melissa Downs, EA293 What it Takes to Work 15 Hours per Week with Erica Goode, CPAPrevious interviews with Melissa:#272#258Complete list:geraldinecarter.com/client-interview-episodes…FOUR ways I help overworked CPAs go down to 40 hours without losing revenue or hiring:THE EMAIL COURSE – Freegeraldinecarter.com/stop-working-weekendsStop Working Weekends will teach you how to reduce your hours without giving up revenue. THE BOOK – $9.99geraldinecarter.com/bookDown to 40 Hours – A Roadmap for CPAs to End Overworking Without Losing RevenuePEAK FREEDOM COMMUNITY – $197/mogeraldinecarter.com/peak-freedomFor solo and small accounting firm owners who want to rise above the insanity of hustle-cultureDOWN TO 40 HOURS ACCELERATOR – $995/mogeraldinecarter.com/40For the overworked CPA at multiple six figures of revenue who is ready to stop working weekends, wants to implement overdue changes, and doesn’t want to do it alone. You’ll make progress faster and with more confidence. …
Get your FREE 7 Pricing Essentials for CPAs and EAs here:https://geraldinecarter.com/7