In Episode 42 of the Bookkeeping Lily Pad Podcast, Rachel shares important information about a growing security concern: unauthorized access to Intuit accounts, including QuickBooks Online. She discusses how these breaches happen, why commonly used login credentials put users at risk, and what steps you can take to better secure your account. Topics include user ID best practices, the limitations of multi-factor authentication, setting up passkeys, and the need for a 24/7 Intuit response option ...
Jun 12, 2025•5 min•Season 2Ep. 42
Ever look at a discovery call intake form and think, “There’s no way I can help this person”? You’re not alone. In this episode, Rachel Barnett shares a real story about nearly turning down a call that turned out to be one of the most rewarding of the week. She talks about why jargon-filled forms can be misleading, how to approach calls with curiosity (not fear), and the unexpected value in simply showing up. Whether you’re a new or seasoned bookkeeper, this episode is your reminder that you pro...
May 29, 2025•7 min•Season 2Ep. 41
Struggling to name your business—or thinking about a rebrand? In this episode, Rachel Barnett shares what she’s learned from naming two of her own businesses, including what worked, what didn’t, and what she’d do differently. She covers common pitfalls to avoid, tips for choosing a name that can grow with you, and why spelling and domain availability really matter. Whether you're brainstorming your first business name or considering a fresh start, this episode is packed with helpful insights (an...
May 15, 2025•10 min•Season 2Ep. 40
Are you thinking about starting your own bookkeeping business—or any kind of business? In this honest and personal episode, Rachel Barnett shares her own unexpected journey into business ownership and the lessons she’s learned over 13 years. From setting realistic expectations to the importance of naming and defining what you actually want, Rachel explores what it really means to build a business from scratch. If you’ve ever thought, “Should I do this?”—this episode is for you. Pour a cup of tea...
May 01, 2025•9 min•Season 2Ep. 39
Hiring the right bookkeeper can be a challenge—how do you know if someone truly has the skills they claim? In this episode, Rachel Barnett shares her experience pre-screening bookkeepers for a business, reviewing hundreds of resumes, conducting technical interviews, and refining the hiring process. She explains what worked, what she’d do differently, and how business owners can improve their own hiring process. If you're looking to hire a bookkeeper—or wondering how to stand out as a candidate—t...
Apr 17, 2025•16 min•Season 2Ep. 38
Do you need a mentor, a coach, or a mastermind group? In this episode, Rachel Barnett shares her experiences with different types of mentorship and coaching, from one-on-one mentors to group coaching programs and mastermind groups. She explains how to identify what kind of support you need, where to find it, and how to set expectations for the relationship. Whether you're looking for guidance on bookkeeping, business growth, or leadership, this episode will help you navigate your options and fin...
Apr 03, 2025•10 min•Season 2Ep. 37
What exactly is retained earnings, and how does QuickBooks Online handle it? In this short bookkeeping basics lesson, Rachel Barnett breaks down how retained earnings work, where to find it on your balance sheet, and why you don’t need to manually update it in QuickBooks. She also explains what a positive or negative retained earnings balance means for your business. Whether you're a bookkeeper or a small business owner, this quick explanation will help you understand this important accounting c...
Mar 20, 2025•2 min•Season 2Ep. 36
Clear communication sets the foundation for a great client relationship. In this episode, Rachel Barnett walks through her "How We Work" guide—a resource she shares with clients to outline expectations, processes, and policies. Learn why having a welcome document helps clients feel at ease, how to set boundaries around communication and scope, and what details you should consider including in your own version. Plus, Rachel shares insights on pricing, workflow transparency, and managing client re...
Mar 06, 2025•10 min•Season 2Ep. 35
January can be a stressful month for bookkeepers, but there are ways to make it easier! In this episode, Rachel Barnett reflects on what went well, what could improve, and how to simplify 1099 processing. She shares practical strategies, including W-9 collection tips, pricing structures, and the importance of setting boundaries for a smoother year-end. Plus, hear how blocking off time in December can set you up for success in January. Tune in and learn how to make next tax season better than bef...
Feb 20, 2025•5 min•Season 2Ep. 34
Gentle Frog’s Bookkeeping Lily Pad podcast is back! This short teaser gives you a glimpse of what’s coming in Season 2—new episodes on accounting basics, bookkeeping business insights, and bite-sized lessons on accounting concepts. Whether you're a bookkeeper, small business owner, or just curious about bookkeeping, there’s something for you. Tune in for a fresh start and let us know what you’d like to hear next!
Feb 19, 2025•2 min
In this episode join Rachel Barnett and the Bookkeeping Handmaid, Elizabeth Sims, in a discussion on the ins and outs of operating a small bookkeeping business. Tune in as they tackle common questions, and shed light on crucial aspects of running a successful bookkeeping venture. From addressing misconceptions about contractor status to unraveling the complexities of W-9s and 1099s. Whether you're a seasoned professional or just starting out, this candid conversation is sure to provide valuable ...
May 10, 2024•15 min•Ep. 33
In this episode, Rachel dismantles the myth of the "super admin" and explores the various tasks that can be efficiently outsourced. From social media management to client communication oversight. Learn how strategic delegation can alleviate bottlenecks, empower your team, and propel your business forward. Whether you're a seasoned entrepreneur or just beginning to explore administrative support, tune in to uncover the secrets of maximizing efficiency with admin help. Grow My Accounting Practice ...
May 03, 2024•11 min•Ep. 32
As your business expands, you might find yourself at a crossroads, needing to bring on additional support. The first step? Figuring out which role to fill. It's important to identify exactly what you need and what will benefit you the most (not what’s trendy or popular). When Rachel embarked on her Gentle Frog journey, she didn't seek another bookkeeper. Instead, her initial hire was her former CRM manager (Nena) who was responsible for tracking incoming leads and nudging—sometimes pushing—her t...
Apr 19, 2024•13 min•Ep. 31
In this episode, Rachel delves into setting clear expectations for working with your team and explores various strategies to support your team members effectively. She shares insights on creating a collaborative environment where both you and your team can thrive, achieving mutual satisfaction in the working relationship. Rachel highlights practical tools like Slack for communication and the importance of a thoughtful onboarding process. Otter for transcriptions - https://otter.ai/home Slack - h...
Apr 12, 2024•21 min•Ep. 30
In this episode of Gentle Frog's Bookkeeping Lily Pad, Rachel Barnett dives into the silver linings of underbidding projects. Despite the initial feelings of disappointment, she highlights the benefits like cash flow, building relationships, gaining experience, and improving efficiency with software. Rachel also stresses the importance of learning from each project, whether it's mastering a new software or getting better at identifying things to look for when preparing your next proposal. Someti...
Apr 05, 2024•7 min•Ep. 29
In this episode of Gentle Frog's Bookkeeping Lily Pad, Rachel Barnett talks about a bookkeeping dilemma: handling a client who messes up their financial records during the course of a cleanup, making it harder for the bookkeeper to finish the project because they’ve just created a bunch of extra work. Rachel gives an example where this happened (to someone else) and discusses possible ways to address this and other scope creep issues. Gentle Frog’s diagnostic review and clean up course: https://...
Mar 29, 2024•14 min•Ep. 27
Hey there, it's Rachel from Gentle Frog! I'm super excited to share a little something I've been pondering – a group coaching program designed specifically for new bookkeepers. Imagine a space where we tackle those first-client jitters together, with live support and a treasure trove of resources. Curious? Click here to learn more let me know if you’re interested. https://gentlefrog.com/group-coaching...
Mar 27, 2024•8 min•Ep. 28
In this episode of Gentle Frog's Bookkeeping Lily Pad, Rachel Barnett and Jody Snow dive into the challenges entrepreneurs face, regardless of their business's size. They share insights on creative, budget-friendly marketing strategies that work for people who want to attend in person events as well as for folks who are more inclined to market virtually. 1,000,000 cups: https://www.1millioncups.com/s/ Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses: https://10ksbapply.com/ SCORE workshops: https://www.sco...
Mar 22, 2024•16 min•Ep. 26
Join Rachel Barnett as she delves into the challenges and revelations of reevaluating her pricing model. This episode offers a candid look at the trial and error behind optimizing course offerings, the power of listening to one's audience, and the importance of being flexible in business strategy. A journey of discovery for bookkeepers and entrepreneurs alike. “Before You Stop Posting On Instagram or Youtube... You NEED to Watch This.” by Vanessa Lau https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QyLTuw8d12I 1...
Mar 15, 2024•16 min•Ep. 25
In this episode, Rachel Barnett explores the concept of niches in the context of owning and operating a small bookkeeping business. She discusses the flexibility of niches, how they can be based on factors like geography or software preference, and the importance of working with clients you enjoy. Why Kate Josephine Johnson niched in Freshbooks: https://www.freshbooks.com/blog/kate-josephine-johnson Kate’s bookkeeping website: https://heritagebusinessservices.com/ Accounting Coach: https://www.a...
Mar 01, 2024•13 min•Ep. 24
In this episode Rachel talks about managing your expectations as a person who goes to work as a subcontractor for someone else. Specifically, thinking about what you’re hoping to get out of the experience of subcontracting. In her experience most subcontracting gigs are just to pass off overflow work and not to provide mentorship to others but those opportunities do exist. She talks about feedback she’s been given when she mentors others, this is shared so that the listener can perhaps use it to...
Feb 13, 2024•16 min•Ep. 23
In today's episode of Gentle Frog's Bookkeeping Lilypad, Rachel Barnett dives into the parallels between learning Pilates and learning to be a bookkeeper for small businesses. She shares her personal experience of doubting her Pilates technique based on seeing others perform an exercise differently and applies this to the experience of seeing answers in online forums and how just because someone is confident, doesn’t make them right. Rachel encourages listeners to seek advice from those who've t...
Feb 09, 2024•13 min•Ep. 22
In this episode, Anne Little and Rachel Barnett chat about how to handle price increases with clients. They talk about timing, minimums and the challenges of raising the price when you’re a new bookkeeper. The podcast is a bit of Anne interviewing Rachel but more it’s two friends talking about the challenges of raising the price and the legacy clients who get special treatment as a way of saying “thank you”. Little Details Bookkeeping: https://littledetailsbookkeeping.com/ Facebook group: https:...
Feb 06, 2024•19 min•Ep. 21
In this episode of "Gentle Frog's Bookkeeping Lily Pad," Rachel Barnett delves into the subject of time tracking for bookkeepers. She opens up about her personal choice of not tracking time and explores the motivations behind bookkeepers opting to track their time, such as identifying wasted time, improving quote accuracy, and reevaluating pricing strategies. Rachel also discusses a range of time tracking tools available, including traditional options like Excel and more modern apps like Clockif...
Feb 02, 2024•9 min•Ep. 20
In the podcast episode, Rachel Barnett provides a balanced view of the advantages and disadvantages of working for oneself versus working for someone else. She highlights that while working for someone else provides stability and a fixed income, working for oneself offers the freedom to choose working hours. However, being self-employed also requires putting in extra hours and dealing with the challenges of client acquisition. Ultimately, the episode encourages listeners to consider various fact...
Jan 30, 2024•19 min•Ep. 19
In this episode, Rachel Barnett discusses the significance of having a sounding board, such as mentors, coaches and self employed friends. She reflects on her personal journey, illustrating how engaging with others has been instrumental in the success of her bookkeeping business. Rachel strongly advocates for listeners to seek out their own sounding boards for guidance and growth in their professional endeavors. https://www.score.org/find-mentor https://www.wendysloneker.com/ https://www.psychol...
Jan 26, 2024•16 min•Ep. 18
In this episode of Gentle Frog's Bookkeeping Lily Pad, Rachel Barnett chats with Nicole Lux-Ritchie, a technology coach. Nicole shares her slogan "don't let your technology bully you," focusing on helping the tech-shy manage their digital tools. They discuss the importance of foundational tech like email and data storage, and navigating the tech world without feeling overwhelmed. The episode is a blend of practical tech advice and encouraging support for small business owners. https://luxcentric...
Jan 23, 2024•22 min•Ep. 17
In this episode of " Gentle Frog's Bookkeeping Lilypad", a host Rachel Barnett talks about various things to include in the client engagement letter. The scope of work should describe what the bookkeeper is offering and what the client can expect. This episode was inspired by a post on the Facebook community group and includes Rachel's top five list is well as Suzette Flemming's top five list. http://www.flemmingbusinessservices.com/ https://www.receptionhq.com/business-referral/ <-- if you l...
Jan 19, 2024•14 min•Ep. 16
In this podcast episode, Rachel guides listeners through a few tips for hiring and things to think about when narrowing down which candidate to invite to join the team. She shares insights on where to find potential candidates and offers strategies for assessing their expertise, especially in areas outside your own expertise. The discussion then shifts to compatibility between employer and candidate, touching on aspects like the candidate's capacity, your desired check-in frequency, and aligning...
Jan 16, 2024•15 min•Ep. 15
In this episode of the Gentle Frogs Bookkeeping Lily Pad podcast, Rachel Barnett explores her experiences with SCORE, an organization she's been involved with for over six years. The discussion covers a range of topics, from attending various workshops on marketing and financial concepts to teaching QuickBooks Online. Rachel reflects on how her involvement with SCORE has shaped her teaching style, emphasizing the importance of simplifying content for better audience understanding. She also delve...
Jan 12, 2024•19 min•Ep. 14
