The Modern CPA Success Show

Michael Clarke, an expert in transitioning professional services into sustainable business models, shares his insights on building collaborative practices and avoiding common pitfalls in the industry. He emphasizes the power of teamwork and clear communication in enhancing client relationships. Clarke discusses the concept of 'trust compression' and the need for professionals to identify their ideal clients for growth. He also highlights the importance of networking and continuous learning as essential strategies for advancing both personal and firm success.

In this engaging discussion, Adam Koós, a financial planning expert and founder of Libertas Wealth Management Group, emphasizes the urgency of proactive financial strategies for business owners. He shares insights on navigating complexities in real estate investment and the tax implications of selling a business. Adam delves into the importance of tailored financial planning and strategic transitions, highlighting a structured approach for enhancing company value and preparing for successful exits. His unique journey from pre-med to finance adds an inspiring twist!

Blagoja Hamamdjiev, founder of Modeliks, specializes in financial planning solutions for startups and small businesses. He shares his journey from creating complex Excel models to developing user-friendly software that streamlines financial reporting. Discussion highlights include driver-based financial planning's impact on business outcomes and the cost-effectiveness of Modeliks' templates. The software's integration with pitch decks and its AI features are emphasized, all designed to save time and enhance decision-making for entrepreneurs.

Tyson Ray, an expert in client-centered financial advisory, shares insights into revolutionizing client relationships in finance. He emphasizes the importance of understanding short-term goals to enhance advisory effectiveness. Tyson discusses fostering meaningful connections with clients beyond numbers, particularly in succession planning. He highlights the necessity of proactive life planning and collaboration among financial professionals to ensure comprehensive support. Lastly, he explores adaptive communication strategies for better client engagement during significant life events.

Episode Notes:“Our mission is to educate, inspire, and support accountants, financial advisors, and CFOs who are representing a client with a need for any type of entity filings, entity setup, entity expansion, or payroll tax registration services.” – Nellie AkalpThe finer details of this episode:Services offered by CorpNet and their benefits for accountants and clientsChallenges faced by accountants in providing comprehensive services to their clientsImportance of accountants offering entity filings, setup, expansion, and payroll tax registration servicesCorpNet’s partner program and its benefits for accountantsManaging compliance requirements for clients' business entitiesBenefits of outsourcing business filings and compliance tasks for accountants Episode resources:Summit Virtual CFO by Anders website: https://www.summitcpa.net/If you have questions or would like to be a guest on the show, email us at mcpasuccessshow@anderscpa.comCheck out the Virtual CFO Playbook Course: https://vcfoplaybook.summitcpa.net/Connect with Nellie here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nellieakalp/Check out CorpNet here: https://www.corpnet.com/ Timestamps:Introduction to podcast (00:00:00)Introduction to the podcast, mission statement, and topics covered. Overview of CorpNet.com services (00:00:58)Introduction to CorpNet.com and its services for accountants and their clients. Nellie Akalp's entrepreneurial journey (00:01:18)Nellie Akalp shares her entrepreneurial journey and the vision behind CorpNet.com. Challenges faced by accountants (00:05:06)Discussion on the challenges accountants face in offering comprehensive services to their clients. Benefits of CorpNet.com partner program (00:11:09)Explanation of the benefits of CorpNet.com's partner program for accountants. Core services offered by CorpNet.com (00:17:14)Description of the core services provided by CorpNet.com, including business filings, compliance, and payroll tax registration. Impact of COVID-19 on CorpNet.com (00:19:22)Discussion on the increased demand for services during COVID-19, particularly regarding payroll registration in multiple states. Differences in starting a company in the past and present (00:22:26)Comparison of the entrepreneurial experience in the past and present, including the challenges and differences in market entry. Client consultation and advice (00:24:29)Discussion on typical new client scenarios and advice provided when starting a new company. Educational services for new business owners (00:24:44)Nellie Akalp discusses the educational aspect of CorpNet.com's services for new business owners, including guides, webinars, and podcasts. Support for accountants starting their own firm (00:25:19)Nellie Akalp explains how CorpNet.com assists accountants in starting their own firm by providing guidance, resources, and educational materials. Benefits of partnering with CorpNet.com (00:26:41)Nellie Akalp outlines the advantages for accountants in partnering with CorpNet.com, including early client engagement, business growth, and a complete advisory service. Enhancing firm capabilities through partnerships (00:28:02)The discussion centers around the benefits of partnering with CorpNet.com for small firms to offer comprehensive services and appear as a larger, ful

“In the American workplace, 80% of workers feel stress on the job, and nearly half say they need help in learning how to manage stress. If your people are stressed and they're not talking to you about it, that's a clue that you need to change something in your organization.” – Joey KinneyThe finer details of this episode:●Stress management in the workplace and at home●Challenges of setting boundaries and prioritizing tasks in work-life balance●Impact of stress on personal lives and managing competing interests●Role of leaders in addressing recurring structural problems contributing to stress Episode resources:Summit Virtual CFO by Anders website: https://www.summitcpa.net/If you have questions or would like to be a guest on the show, email us at mcpasuccessshow@anderscpa.comCheck out the Virtual CFO Playbook Course: https://vcfoplaybook.summitcpa.net/For more on David Allen’s Getting Things Done® approach mentioned in the episode, check out the Modern CPA Success Show’s episode with Tom and David Allen: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/getting-things-done-with-david-allen/id1485035727?i=1000595997191 Timestamps:The podcast introduction (00:00:00)Introduction to the podcast and its purpose.Discussing the intention of merging podcasts (00:00:33)Exploring the idea of merging podcasts to create intentional opportunities for audiences to interact.The impact of stress in the workplace (00:01:04)Exploring the impact of stress on individuals in the workplace and the need for stress management.Challenges in managing work-life balance (00:03:07)Challenges in compartmentalizing work and home life, and the evolving understanding of work-life balance.Statistics on workplace stress (00:04:52)Statistics on workplace stress, including the percentage of workers feeling stress and the need for stress management.Personal experience with stress and its impact on health (00:06:00)Personal experience with stress-related health issues and the impact on blood pressure.Impact of stress on decision-making and anxiety (00:09:20)The impact of stress on decision-making, anxiety triggers, and external locus of control.Managing conflicting priorities and setting boundaries (00:14:31)Strategies for managing conflicting priorities, setting boundaries, and learning to say no.Practical tips for stress management (00:16:02)Practical tips for stress management, including exercise, meditation, and acknowledging anxiety.Defining Boundaries (00:18:01)Discusses setting clear limits and commitments to avoid stress and exploding on others.Making Decisions to Reduce Stress (00:18:41)Explores the concept of making one decision now to avoid making multiple decisions later.Saying No and Prioritizing (00:19:38)Discusses the importance of saying no to tasks and commitments and prioritizing responsibilities.Recognizing Personal Limits (00:20:23)Shares experiences of struggling with certain tasks and the importance of acknowledging personal limitations.Getting Things Done Approach (00:22:55)Discusses the approach by David Allen for organizational models and stress management.Acknowledging Stress and Anxiety (00:25:21)Emphasizes the importance of acknowledging stress and anxiety instead of denying or internalizing it.Creating a Safe Space for Stress Discussions (00:26:13)Encourages leaders to create an environment where employees feel safe discussing stress and challenges.

“Your Spidey sense has to be high during onboarding. If you start to sense frustration from the client, there might be something else that you need to dig into. I might send them a quick note and say, ‘hey, do you mind if we talk tonight?’ and I offer up my cell phone number. I've never had a client abuse it. In fact, as you start to build those relationships, they'll text you just like your friends; they don't talk business. It's really important that you establish that relationship and that connection.” – Adam HaleThe finer details of this episode:Importance of formalized onboarding processesBuilding strong client relationshipsLeveraging support resources for successful onboardingSignificance of discovery in the onboarding processBuilding relationships with clients and internal team membersLeadership and collaboration in ancillary rolesLeveraging resources and coaching relationships for career progressionEffective communication and collaboration within the team and with clientsTailoring services to meet specific client needsUtilizing available resources for ongoing success Episode resources:Summit Virtual CFO by Anders website: https://www.summitcpa.net/If you have questions or would like to be a guest on the show, email us at mcpasuccessshow@anderscpa.comCheck out the Virtual CFO Playbook Course: https://vcfoplaybook.summitcpa.net/Connect with us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/vcfobyanders/, https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamhalecpa/, https://www.linkedin.com/in/joey-kinney-cpa-60658188/                Timestamps:Welcome to the Modern CPA Success Show (00:00:00)Introduction to the podcast and its mission to provide insights on accounting innovations. Background of Onboarding (00:00:58)Discussion on the formalization of the onboarding process and its importance for client success. Discovery Process in Onboarding (00:04:28)Importance of the discovery process in understanding client's financial status and needs. Elevate Your Firm with a Virtual CFO Playbook (00:05:08)Promotion of a comprehensive online series for providing scalable CFO services. CFO's Perspective on Discovery (00:06:19)Insight into the CFO's perspective on client discovery and understanding their business goals. Building Relationships in Onboarding (00:09:26)Tips for building relationships with clients and internal team members during the onboarding process. Client Relationship and Engagement (00:13:45)Importance of establishing trust and personal connections with clients during the onboarding process. Support Resources in Onboarding (00:17:33)Discussion on the role of support resources, including project managers and financial support, in the onboarding process. Architecting and Leading Engagement (00:18:32)Discussion on the role of CFOs in leading engagements and leveraging resources effectively. Coaching Expectations (00:19:39)Exploration of the coaching structure and the expectations for individuals seeking coaching. Utilizing Resources and Collaboration (00:20:57)Importance of utilizing resources, seeking help, and collaborating for successful outcomes. Expectations and Collaboration (00:22:29)Emphasizing the importance of understanding

“Spending time onboarding can be tough for firms because it's not billable, but it is probably more important for the value proposition.” – Chris PapinThe finer details of this episode:Scoping, setting boundaries, and having next step conversations with clientsSubscription-based model and building slack into engagementsManaging scope creep in advisory workImpact of economic changes on client needsAligning client and firm expectationsImplementing change orders for additional servicesOnboarding and spending time on non-billable activitiesEpisode resources:Summit Virtual CFO by Anders website: https://www.summitcpa.net/If you have questions or would like to be a guest on the show, email us at mcpasuccessshow@anderscpa.comCheck out the Virtual CFO Playbook Course: https://vcfoplaybook.summitcpa.net/https://www.papincpa.com/https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrispapin/ Timestamps:The Introduction (00:00:00)Introducing the podcast and its mission to provide insights on accounting strategies and services. Chris Papin's Background (00:00:56)Chris Papin shares his journey and the motivation behind his multi-disciplinary approach to accounting, law, and insurance. Ethical Trust Advisor (00:04:24)Chris discusses the importance of ethical trust advisor pillars and the difference between scope and boundaries in client relationships. Scope and Boundaries (00:06:45)The discussion delves into the approach to defining tasks and boundaries in accounting services, emphasizing the need for flexibility and communication. Strategic Advisor and Boundaries (00:13:18)Chris explains the role of a strategic advisor and the ongoing conversation needed to establish and maintain boundaries with clients. Client Communication and Education (00:17:02)The conversation revolves around the challenges of communicating technical accounting concepts to clients and the importance of client education and trust-building. The slippery slope of advisory work (00:20:32)Discussion on the challenges of defining boundaries and managing scope creep in advisory work. Talking about talking about it (00:21:48)Emphasizing the need for action and the impact of missed deadlines on client behavior. Value and hard conversations (00:25:00)Exploring the importance of adding value, having opinions, and asking tough questions in client meetings. Client expectations and firm alignment (00:33:06)Aligning client and firm expectations early in the process to determine next steps and potential change orders. Empowerment and change order process (00:38:55)Discussion on team empowerment to handle conversations and initiate change orders, with consideration for unique client situations. The client's expectations (00:40:05)Managing client expectations and limitations when dealing with out-of-state matters. Client engagement model (00:40:56)Discussing the importance of clarity in scoping, fees, and trust in client relationships. Value proposition and onboarding (00:42:47)Emphasizing the significance of understanding client needs and effective onboarding for a successful value proposition. Reflecting on client boundaries (00:43:11)Recognizing the need to assess and address potential client relationship boundaries and discomfort in addressing i

“These aren't just numbers; numbers represent things that people care about, and when you start thinking about it that way, that's when you get clients who stay with you for life.” –Jeff BartschThe finer details of this episode:Importance of storytelling and communication skills in the accounting industryStrategic use of storytelling, empathy, and understanding deeper motivations of clients in the context of financial numbers and business strategyThe role of communication skills in human connection, client retention, team management, and business growthThe core outcome of storytelling as human connection and building trust Episode resources:Summit Virtual CFO by Anders website: https://www.summitcpa.net/If you have questions or would like to be a guest on the show, email us at mcpasuccessshow@anderscpa.comCheck out the Virtual CFO Playbook Course: https://vcfoplaybook.summitcpa.net/Jeff Bartsch is the founding communication strategist at Story Greenlight, which empowers accounting advisors to attract and keep their ideal advisory clients.  With over 20 years of experience in the entertainment industry and client coaching, Jeff has helped shape content for clients including ABC, NBC, Disney, Apple, Netflix, and many others. Jeff has been recognized as a Top 30 thought leader in the accounting advisory world, and his commentary has been featured in publications including Accounting Today, the Associated Press, Time Magazine, and USA Today. He believes that the power of story is within reach of everyone, and that human connection is everything.Connect with Jeff at https://www.storygreenlight.com/moderncpa/Timestamps:Introduction (00:00:00)Welcoming listeners to the podcast and discussing the upcoming conversation with Jeff Bartsch. Demystifying Storytelling (00:00:22)The importance of storytelling in becoming a better communicator and advisor in the accounting industry. Jeff Bartsch's Background (00:02:00)Jeff Bartsch introduces himself, highlighting his background in communication strategy and thought leadership coaching, including his experience in Hollywood. The Power of Storytelling (00:03:49)Jeff Bartsch shares a personal experience about the transformative power of storytelling and its impact on human connection. Transition to Accounting Industry (00:05:51)Jeff Bartsch explains his transition from Hollywood to working with the accounting industry, emphasizing the importance of human connection and trust-building in the accounting profession. Strategic Communication and Storytelling (00:10:15)Discussion on the strategic level of storytelling, including the definition of a story and its impact on communication with clients. Virtual CFO Playbook Advertisement (00:13:08)An advertisement for a virtual CFO playbook, offering essential tools for creating and delivering scalable CFO services. Strategic Communication and Tough Questions (00:15:20)Exploring the role of strategic communication in asking tough questions and guiding clients through challenging financial situations. Empathy in Strategic Storytelling (00:16:55)Jeff Bartsch discusses the importance of empathy in strategic storytelling and understanding the deeper motivations of clients beyond just the numbers. The importance of strategic storytelling (00:20:28)Strategic storytelling as a crucial element in client advisory services, influencing clients' perc

“Telling the story behind the figures is not about compliance; it's about triggering an action in the heads of business owners.” –Soufyan HamidThe finer details of this episode:Importance of storytelling in financePractical tips for effective financial communicationTransforming financial data into compelling narratives Episode resources:Summit Virtual CFO by Anders website: https://www.summitcpa.net/If you have questions or would like to be a guest on the show, email us at mcpasuccessshow@anderscpa.comCheck out the Virtual CFO Playbook Course: https://vcfoplaybook.summitcpa.net/https://soufbp.com/ Timestamps:Introduction to Financial Storytelling (00:00:00)Discussion on the importance of storytelling in finance and challenges faced by finance professionals. Practical Tips for Effective Financial Communication (00:01:46)Introducing the guest, Soufyan Hamid, and his background in financial storytelling and finance. Challenges Faced in Financial Storytelling (00:02:55)Soufyan shares his personal experience and challenges faced in financial storytelling. Reverse the Narrative Concept (00:07:29)Explaining the concept of "reverse the narrative" in financial storytelling and its impact on communicating financial information effectively. Adopting Financial Storytelling (00:12:35)Challenges in adopting financial storytelling, including the struggle to leave out details and focus on the main message. Practicing Effective Presentation and Public Speaking (00:15:19)Tips for effective presentation and public speaking in financial storytelling, including the importance of practice and engaging the audience. Adapting Financial Communication to Small Group Discussions (00:21:14)Discussion on adapting financial communication to small group discussions and the importance of anticipating questions and reactions. Visual Aids in Financial Communication (00:23:31)Discussion on the use of visual aids like dashboards and graphs in financial communication and their role in supporting the narrative. Adapting Visuals for Effective Storytelling (00:24:37)The importance of visually adapting graphs and charts to focus on specific points and guide the audience's attention in financial storytelling. Preparation and Structuring for Effective Financial Communication (00:27:12)The significance of preparation, structuring the message, and using visuals to guide the audience's attention in financial presentations. The Four Steps of Financial Storytelling (00:33:07)The four essential steps in financial storytelling: preparing a message, structuring the story, creating presentation slides, and practicing delivery. Time Management for Preparation (00:38:17)Discussion on the time required for preparation, practice, and the overall impact of effective storytelling in financial communication. Course Content and Expected Results (00:40:41)Details about the financial storytelling course, its duration, interactive elements, and the expected outcomes for participants.