Looking to attract more bookkeeping and advisory clients through an online presence? In this episode of The CFO Project podcast, host Adam Lean picks the brain of KJ Johnson, known as the "Bookkeeping Side Hustle Kate." KJ shares her inspiring story of building a successful firm by leveraging video content on YouTube. You'll hear her practical tips on getting started with video, optimizing for visibility, increasing conversions from viewers to clients, and diversifying revenue streams. KJ provid...
Jun 11, 2024•25 min•Season 4Ep. 4
Want to learn how to effectively price your services based on value rather than hourly rates? In this episode of The CFO Project podcast, host Adam Lean picks the brain of value pricing expert Mark Wickersham. Mark shares his invaluable insights on communicating the value of services like bookkeeping to clients, determining pricing for advisory offerings, using package options strategically, and raising rates without scaring away prospects. You'll learn practical tips on anchoring your prices, i...
Jun 04, 2024•23 min•Season 4Ep. 4
Are you looking to move your accounting firm beyond compliance work and drive more value for clients? In this episode of The CFO Project podcast, host Adam Lean discusses strategies for successfully adding advisory services alongside tax and bookkeeping offerings. Adam is joined by Tim Woodward of Blend Health, who recently made the leap into providing advisory services after joining The CFO Project. Tim shares his first-hand experience on leveraging The CFO Project's systems and visual presenta...
May 28, 2024•19 min•Season 4Ep. 3
Are you spending too much time on manual data entry and repetitive tasks in your accounting firm? In this episode, our hosts discuss how leveraging the right automation tools can free up your time to focus on higher-value advisory services. They provide practical advice on evaluating which processes to automate first by identifying where you're spending the most non-review time. You'll learn tips for overcoming the "control freak" mentality around trusting automated systems, implementing checks ...
May 21, 2024•24 min•Season 4Ep. 2
Are you struggling to decide if you should niche down your accounting services or keep a broad focus? In this episode, the hosts dive into the pros and cons of niching from the perspective of experienced accountants and CFOs. They discuss how you can start out taking any clients when first building your business, then eventually niche into your ideal client type once you have more experience. The hosts provide practical advice on broadening your niche if it feels too narrow, determining if indus...
May 14, 2024•22 min•Season 4Ep. 1
Are you an accountant, CPA, or bookkeeper struggling with imposter syndrome? In this episode of Escaping the Accountant's Trap, Adam Lean is joined by Nancy McClelland CPA, aka The Dancing Accountant, to tackle this widespread issue. Nancy shares her expertise on imposter syndrome - what it really means, how to know if you have it or are simply learning something new, and practical tips for overcoming those feelings of being a fraud. You'll hear Nancy's insightful perspective on why imposter syn...
Apr 09, 2024•29 min•Season 3Ep. 2
Uncover the secrets to marketing your accounting and advisory services with expert insights from Matt Banker, owner of Benchmark Growth Marketing, in the latest episode of "Escaping the Accountant's Trap" podcast. Dive into the discussion as Adam Lean and Matt Banker address key questions on how to effectively market yourself in a crowded space and attract high-quality clients. Learn why differentiation is key and discover actionable strategies to stand out in a competitive market. Gain valuable...
Mar 26, 2024•33 min•Season 3Ep. 1
In this episode of "Escaping The Accountant's Trap," host Adam Lean welcomes Roger Knecht, CEO of Universal Accounting Center, to delve into the transformative journey from traditional accounting to becoming a strategic advisor. The discussion opens with a look back at the evolution of Universal Accounting Center, from its inception in 1979 as a local school to its current status as a leading online educational platform for accounting professionals. Knecht shares insights into the center's philo...
Feb 20, 2024•25 min•Season 2Ep. 10
In this engaging podcast episode, Adam Lean and Michelle delve into the intricacies of integrating CFO advisory services into an existing accounting firm. The discussion kicks off with insights on transitioning from traditional accounting practices to offering higher-value services. Michelle emphasizes the importance of breaking free from the "accountant's trap" of trading time for dollars and advocates for creating an irresistible offer to attract high-quality clients. The duo explores how to e...
Feb 13, 2024•25 min•Season 2Ep. 9
Do you feel trapped doing mundane accounting work and want to break free to become a high-value advisor? Learn how to make the transition from compliance to strategic CFO directly from a fellow financial expert. In this episode of Escaping the Accountant's Trap, host Adam Lean interviews Lacey Harner, an experienced CFO, about escaping the trap by moving into advisory services. Discover why most small businesses fail without financial leadership and how accountants can fill this gap by becoming ...
Feb 06, 2024•22 min•Season 2Ep. 8
Do you dread having to sell and convince clients to say yes to your accounting services? Learn how to get clients to agree to your proposals without sleazy selling tactics. In this episode, host Adam Lean talks with Will Hamilton of SmartPath.co about shifting your mindset from "selling" to guiding clients. Discover how understanding your client's pain points and aligning your services to solve them leads to quick yes's. Will provides examples of accounting firms that doubled revenue in 18 month...
Jan 30, 2024•21 min•Season 2Ep. 7
Are you an accountant, CPA, or bookkeeper feeling trapped working long hours for demanding clients while being underpaid? Learn how to escape the trap and grow your accounting practice by optimizing your sales and getting paid your true value. In this episode, host Adam Lean interviews Michelle Weinstein, the Pitch Queen for Accountants, on strategies to improve your sales and revenue. Michelle shares insights on overcoming the fear of selling, charging what you're worth, having confidence in yo...
Jan 23, 2024•26 min•Season 2Ep. 6
In this episode of the "Escaping the Accountant's Trap" podcast, host Adam Lean welcomes Chris Farrell, the CEO of Liscio, to discuss the pivotal role of creating five-star client experiences in breaking free from the accountant's trap. Chris, who evolved from an accountant to a CFO and now leads a software company catering to accountants, shares his journey and insights into the accounting profession's changing landscape. The conversation delves into the importance of proactively meeting client...
Jan 16, 2024•24 min•Season 2Ep. 5
Welcome to another episode of Escaping the Accountant's Trap podcast, where Jeff Prager, Co-founder of The CFO Project, shares transformative insights. In this session, we explore the shift from accountant to CFO business advisor, uncovering the challenges professionals face in the accountant's trap. Jeff discusses the disconnect between what businesses need and what accountants offer, emphasizing the shift towards advisory services to guide businesses to a better future. The episode highlights ...
Jan 09, 2024•21 min•Season 2Ep. 4
Welcome to the Escaping the Accountants Trap podcast, where we unravel the complexities of breaking free from the accountant's trap that shackles many professionals in the field. In this episode, joined by Jeff Prager, co-founder of the CFO Project, we tackle the critical topic of scaling your accounting or bookkeeping practice. Through a comprehensive discussion, we explore the four fundamental stages of growth: the solo phase, the growing phase, scaling up, and finally, the growth stage. Jeff ...
Jan 02, 2024•22 min•Season 2Ep. 3
Welcome to the "Escaping the Accountant's Trap" podcast! In this series, we unravel the challenges faced by accountants, CPAs, and bookkeepers as they strive to break free from the accountant's trap. Join us on a journey of growth, exploring strategies, insights, and success stories that empower financial professionals to shift from compliance work to advisory services. Whether you're aiming to scale your firm, work more efficiently, or provide higher value to clients, this podcast equips you wi...
Dec 26, 2023•21 min•Season 2Ep. 2
Welcome to the "Escaping the Accountant's Trap" podcast, a dedicated space for accountants, CPAs, and bookkeepers seeking liberation from the common struggles of undervaluation and excessive work hours. In this episode, we're joined by Ryan Kimler, a prominent member and lead trainer at the CFO Project. As a seasoned expert guiding others in launching and expanding their CFO or advisory services, Ryan provides a unique perspective on escaping the accountant's trap. In the realm of advisory servi...
Dec 19, 2023•25 min•Season 2Ep. 1
Welcome to the "Escaping the Accountant's Trap" podcast, a valuable resource designed to liberate accountants, CPAs, and bookkeepers from the challenges of undervaluation and long working hours. In this episode, we delve into the crucial strategy of becoming a more effective consultant, featuring insights from the seasoned expert Ed Kless from Sage. Ed introduces the concept of meta-consulting, shedding light on the discipline of consulting and distinguishing it from surrogate management. The ep...
Dec 12, 2023•22 min•Season 1Ep. 32
Welcome to Escaping the Accountant's Trap, the podcast designed to liberate accountants, CPAs, and bookkeepers from the mundane. Hosted by Adam Lean, this episode features Eric Edelstein, co-founder of DOKKA, shedding light on the pivotal role of technology, especially AI, in reshaping the accounting landscape. Eric explains how machine learning simplifies intricate processes, making way for accountants to evolve into strategic business advisors. In this insightful episode, Eric delves into the ...
Dec 05, 2023•20 min•Season 1Ep. 31
Welcome to the Escaping the Accountants Trap podcast, a resource designed to liberate accountants, CPAs, and bookkeepers from the notorious 'accountant's trap.' This frustrating predicament often sees professionals toil endlessly with demanding clients for meager compensation. But fear not, as this podcast unveils the escape route. In this episode, we explore the critical strategy of thoroughly assessing prospective team members through testing before hiring, ensuring you welcome the right indiv...
Nov 28, 2023•24 min•Season 1Ep. 30
Welcome to the "Escaping the Accountant's Trap" podcast, a show dedicated to helping accountants, CPAs, and bookkeepers break free from the constraints that prevent them from realizing their true worth. In this episode, we're addressing a crucial topic: "Solving Talent Challenges Through Remote Accountants." The latest episode delves into a powerful solution – hiring US-based remote accountants, with Jeff Phillips, co-founder of AccountingFly, providing expert insights. This episode reveals the ...
Nov 14, 2023•23 min•Season 1Ep. 29
Welcome to the dynamic "Escaping the Accountant's Trap" podcast, your go-to resource for accountants, CPAs, and bookkeepers seeking liberation from the "accountant's trap" where their expertise goes undervalued, and their hard work yields meager returns. Today, we've got an exciting episode in store where we unravel the key to breaking free from this predicament - transitioning your practice into a thriving business. Our special guest, Martin Bissett, an esteemed advisor to accountants, will be ...
Nov 07, 2023•25 min•Season 1Ep. 28
Welcome to 'Escaping the Accountant's Trap' podcast, a valuable resource for accountants, CPAs, and bookkeepers seeking to break free from the constraints of what we term the accountant's trap. In today's episode, we explore a game-changing solution – the buying and selling of accounting firms. Join us as we sit down with Jason Blumer, CEO of Thriveal, an organization dedicated to empowering entrepreneurial accountants and bookkeeping firm owners to embrace innovative and creative approaches wit...
Oct 31, 2023•21 min•Season 1Ep. 27
Welcome to the Escaping the Accountants Trap podcast. If you're an accountant, CPA, or bookkeeper looking to break free from the "accountant's trap" and unlock your true potential, you're in the right place. In today's episode, we delve into the key to your escape: streamlining your operations for a VIP client experience and reclaiming your valuable time. Join our guests, Jessica Smith and Jamie Gruol, founders of Workflows for Tax Pros, as they share their expertise on automating workflows to b...
Oct 24, 2023•25 min•Season 1Ep. 26
Welcome to the "Escaping the Accountant's Trap" podcast, where we help accountants, CPAs, and bookkeepers break free from the relentless cycle of overwork and undercompensation. In today's episode, we are thrilled to have Leslie Leondas, an expert in liberating accountants from the grind. Leslie specializes in helping accounting professionals break free from the conventional model that often chains them to long hours and low pay. She's here to share her insights on how to escape this common dile...
Oct 17, 2023•19 min•Season 1Ep. 25
Welcome to the Escaping the Accountant's Trap podcast! This show is your compass for breaking free from the accountant's trap, a place where accountants, CPAs, and bookkeepers often find themselves working tirelessly for demanding clients without reaping the rewards. In today's episode, we dive into a crucial aspect of escaping this trap - being intentional about your marketing strategy with our guest, Jean Caragher, the President of Capstone Marketing and the author of the 90-Day Marketing Plan...
Oct 10, 2023•25 min•Season 1Ep. 24
Welcome to the Escaping the Accountant's Trap podcast, a show dedicated to helping accountants, CPAs, and bookkeepers break free from what we call the accountant's trap. This is where accountants often find themselves working long hours for demanding clients with little pay. Today's episode focuses on a powerful way to escape this trap: getting clients at scale through packaging, pricing, and niching down. Our guest, Lee Reams, the founder and CEO of Counting Works, joins me to explore this cruc...
Oct 03, 2023•25 min•Season 1Ep. 23
Welcome to another insightful episode of "Escaping the Accountant's Trap" podcast! In this episode, host Adam Lean invites Dawn Goldberg, a certified professional coach for accountants and author of "The Smarter Accountant," to uncover the secrets to eliminating stress, overcoming imposter syndrome, and maximizing productivity. Dawn shares her journey from a stressed-out accountant to a master of mind and time management, revealing how a shift in mindset can revolutionize your professional life....
Sep 26, 2023•24 min•Season 1Ep. 22
Welcome to a brand-new episode of the "Escaping the Accountant's Trap" podcast! In this enlightening conversation, hosts Adam Lean and Shane Westra delve into the realm of AI and its transformative impact on the accounting profession. Join the discussion as they explore how leveraging AI can liberate accountants, CPAs, and bookkeepers from the tedious, time-consuming tasks that often hold them back. Shane, the Chief Product Officer at Canopy Tax, shares valuable insights on how AI can revolution...
Sep 19, 2023•19 min•Season 1Ep. 21
Join us on the latest episode of the Escaping the Accountant's Trap podcast, where we dive deep into the world of advising clients on tax planning strategies. In this enlightening conversation with Paul Hamann, the founder and president of RC Reports, we uncover the powerful concept of reasonable compensation (RC). Discover how RC serves as a crucial compliance figure for small businesses, shedding light on what business owners should be paying themselves and how it affects tax planning. Paul pr...
Sep 12, 2023•18 min•Season 1Ep. 20
