Accounting High – Details, episodes & analysis

Episode 252

FACULTY: Ron Baker

CLASS: #TheGuide

Scotty’s back in the Office with our Principal, Ron Baker, and he has a copy of "The Creative Act: A Way of Being" by Rick Rubin. In this book report, they cover a wide range of topics, including creativity in art and accounting, the quest for efficiency, the role of humor in art, and the importance of paying attention to your surroundings. The conversation also touches on the challenges of being an entrepreneur and artist, the subjective nature of value, and the evolution of an artist's work. This engaging and thought-provoking discussion is a must-listen for anyone interested in creativity, art, or entrepreneurship. Tune in to hear more from Scott and Ron on "The Creative Act" and its many insights.

All the Shoutouts:

Greg Kyte, CPA, Rick Rubin, Broken Record, Jason Ackerman, CPA, CFP®, CGMA, Times up, Jasper, Conversations with Tyler, South Park, Arthur Schopenhauer, John Wooten, James Clear, Simon Sinek, Tim Williams, Nikole Mackenzie, David C. Baker, Caddyshack, Dave Chappelle, Terrell A Turner, CPA, Kenji Kuramoto, James Ashford, Michelle Weinstein, Tim Ferriss, Leonard Cohen, Bob Dylan, John Lennon, Eminem, Paul McCartney, Beatles, Elvis Presley, Sage, Thriveal, The Crux, Momentum Accounting, Inc, Mortimer J. Adler

Episode 251

FACULTY: Paul Dunn

CLASS: #TheGuide

Join Scott as he sits down with Paul Dunn, an author and a veteran in the accounting profession with over 30 years of experience. From the eye of a cyclone in Brisbane, Paul shares profound insights on finding purpose and creating a lasting impact. They delve into the importance of driving businesses beyond mere tools to creating significant outcomes, leveraging AI in transformation, and reframing business strategies to enrich the lives of both clients and team members. Paul also introduces B1G1, his initiative for making a social impact with every business transaction. Tune in for a compelling discussion that aims to inspire accountants and business owners to stand for something bigger than themselves.

📣 Shout Outs: Ron Baker, Rick Payne, James Clear, Daniel Preistly, Joseph Pine II, Substack, Steve Jobs, Mr. Rogers

📚 Books Referenced 📚

“Times UP” by Paul Dunn and Ron Baker

“Firm of the Future” by Paul Dunn and Ron Baker

“Atomic Habits” by James Clear

“The Experience Economy” by Joseph Pine II and James H. Gilmore

“The Transformation Economy” by Joseph Pine II

Chapters:

00:00 Teaser

01:29 Introduction

03:38 Purpose and Legacy

13:23 The Accountants Bootcamp

14:17 Creating History, Not Reporting It

23:35 The Power of Small Changes

25:12 The Importance of Punctuality

26:07 Reframing Proposals as Plans

28:36 Chat GPT

33:17 Transforming Lives Through Accounting

48:50 The Role of Storytelling in Business

52:33 Creating a Positive Work Environment

🔗 Connect With Us On Linkedin! 🔗

Paul Dunn

📎 https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulb1g1/

Scotty OKR Scarano

📎 https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottscarano/

Accounting High

📎 https://www.linkedin.com/company/accounting-high/

📎 https://www.accountinghigh.com/

Tags: The Guide, Accounting High, Accounting, Podcast, Guidance, Vision, Firm Owners, Advice, Purpose, Legacy, Accounting Profession

Episode 242

FACULTY: Chase Birky, CPA, Tim Petrey, CPA, and Kenji Kuramoto

CLASS: #AccountingHigh

Join Scotty and the DPS (Destroying Pyramid Schemes) panel of influential accounting leaders—Kenji Kuramoto (Acuity Accounting), Chase Berkey (Dark Horse CPAs), and Tim Petri (HD Growth Partners)—as they discuss innovative approaches to transforming the traditional accounting pyramid scheme firm structure. They explore new business models aimed at improving firm culture and client service, and share personal experiences of breaking away from legacy practices to create more dynamic and sustainable working environments. This engaging conversation delves into the nuances of leadership, firm management, and the future of the accounting profession, making it a must-watch for anyone involved in the field.

📣 Shout Outs: Jason Ackerman, Nikole Mackenzie, Matthew May, Logan Graf, Jim Collins, Blake Oliver, David Wertzbacher, Lee Cohen, LMC, Realize, RightWorks, Ascend, EY, KPMG, BotKeeper, Acuity, Drink While You Think, HD Growth Partners, Dark Horse CPAs

⬇️ Videos Referenced ⬇️

012 Reverse Engineering your Firm (feat. Kenji Kuramoto, CEO)

(https://youtu.be/8dWDZZ5yHHo)

132 A Solution to the Public Accounting Problem (feat. Chase Birky, CPA)

(https://youtu.be/b1577gfJfSM)

223 $7.5M Small Town Big Fish Swimming with PE Sharks | Tim Petrey, CPA

(https://youtu.be/yqekz3qv7oQ)

📚 Books Referenced 📚

“10x is Easier than 2x” by Dan Sullivan and Benjamin P. Hardy

Chapters:

00:00 Teaser

00:44 Meet Kenji Kuramoto: The Veteran Guest

01:28 Meet Chase Berkey: The Space Turkey

03:02 Meet Tim Petrey: The Ohio Innovator

06:06 Creating a New Accounting Culture

07:54 Tim's Unique Approach to Firm Management

12:34 Building a Community of Accounting Mavericks

16:06 The Future of Accounting Firms

21:27 Firm as a Service: Dark Horse's Unique Approach

28:05 Rethinking CPA Licensure

31:22 Dismantling the Pyramid Scheme

36:47 The Role of Leadership in Modern Firms

41:02 The Ascend Model: Post-Ascension Changes

45:17 Concluding Thoughts and Future Discussions

🔗 Connect With Us On Linkedin! 🔗

Chase Birky, CPA | Dark Horse CPAs

📎 https://www.linkedin.com/in/chasebirky/

📎 https://www.linkedin.com/company/darkhorsecpa/

📎 https://darkhorse.cpa/

Tim Petrey, CPA | HD Growth Partners

📎 https://www.linkedin.com/in/petreycpa/

📎 https://www.linkedin.com/company/hdgrowthpartners/

📎 http://www.hdgrowthpartners.com

Kenji Kuramoto | Acuity Accounting | Drink While You Think

📎 https://www.linkedin.com/in/kenjikuramoto/

📎 https://www.linkedin.com/company/acuity.co/

📎 http://www.acuity.co

📎 https://www.youtube.com/@DrinkWhileYouThink

Scotty OKR Scarano

📎 https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottscarano/

Accounting High

📎 https://www.linkedin.com/company/accounting-high/

📎 https://www.accountinghigh.com/

Tags: Accounting High, Accounting, Podcast, Coaching, Accounting Tips, How To Run An Accounting Practice, Accounting Industry, Accounting Practice, CPA, Accounting Community, Firm Structure, Accounting Firm, Pyramid Scheme, Partnerships

Episode 152

Accounting High is supported by our Booster Club

Thank you LiveFlow! 

LiveFlow - Advanced financial reporting on autopilot.

LiveFlow turns your spreadsheet into a scalable, real-time FP&A platform, check them out:

https://www.liveflow.io/partnerships/accounting-high

Get 20% off for 3 months with promo code HIGH

FACULTY: Catherine Tindall

CLASS: #PeerReview

SPONSOR: LiveFlow

TITLE: How to Run a Practice Differently than the Traditional CPA Firm

In this episode of Accounting High, Scott and Jason Ackerman interview Catherine Tindall, CPA, who shares her insights on the importance of aligned values in a firm, and how her experiences working with her parents and husband have shaped her approach to collaboration and partnership. She also discusses her firm's focus on personality types for hiring and working with clients, and the challenges and benefits of niche-ing in compliance. Tune in to this episode for valuable advice on firm ownership and building connections through social media.

• Catherine shares her journey to becoming an accountant and the influence of her parents' accounting practice.

• The hosts and Catherine discuss the importance of personalities in hiring and working with clients.

• They also talk about the dynamics of partnerships and the benefits of having aligned values.

• Catherine shares her experience of starting her own firm and provides advice for firm owners.

• The conversation ends with a discussion on the role of social media in connecting with clients.

• Scott and Jason wrap up the podcast with Catherine’s advice to firm owner and her socials.

Shoutouts:

• Dominion Enterprise Services
  

Episode 151

Accounting High is supported by our Booster Club

Thank you G-ACCON

Check em out, 14 day free trial

go to accon.services 

FACULTY: Ryan Lazanis, CPA

CLASS: #GuidePosts

TITLE: Systematize your Firm to Gain Perspective on Purpose

In this podcast episode, Scott interviews Ryan Lazanis, founder of Future Firm. Scott and Ryan offer valuable insights and strategies for accountants and entrepreneurs looking to find balance, purpose, and success in their professional lives, emphasizing the importance of prioritizing happiness, leveraging time and resources effectively, and embracing progress and innovation to thrive in the accounting industry.

• Reviewing the ABC Tournament and its impact on productivity and focus.

• The importance of taking an email detox to reduce distractions and improve mental well-being.

• Finding a healthy balance between work and home life to prioritize happiness and fulfillment.

• Identifying the point, purpose, perspective, and prize in one's professional and personal pursuits.

• Exploring the relationship between time, money, and happiness, and determining the ideal balance.

• The role of accountability in setting and achieving goals, both personally and professionally.

• Leveraging higher leverage tasks to maximize productivity and impact.

• Understanding the two states of an entrepreneur: operating as a solo practitioner or scaling the business.

• The significance of systematizing your firm to improve efficiency and streamline operations.

• Repricing strategies and the power of email marketing in attracting and retaining clients.

• Capacity planning and effectively managing workload to avoid burnout and maintain quality service.

• Developing a plan of action to transition out of the firm and step into a visionary role.

• Ryan's personal journey in finding his purpose and being driven by frustration with the accounting profession.

Shout Outs:

Jason Staats, Blake Oliver, Brandon Poe, Tim Ferris, Enrico Palmerino, Joe Woodard, BotKeeper, Future Firm, Xen Accounting, Thrival

Episode 150

Accounting High is supported by our Booster Club

Thank you G-ACCON

Check em out, 14 day free trial

go to accon.services 

FACULTY:  Michelle Weinstein “The Pitch Queen” 

CLASS: #VarsityTips

TITLE: How to Make Varsity Part 5: Coach's Game Theory

In this final part of How to Make Varsity, Scott welcomes back substitute PE Coach, Michelle Weinstein, aka the Pitch Queen aka Coach Queen, for part 5 where they discuss the importance of management of skill inventory as game theory in sales.

• They discuss the value of not giving away knowledge for free and distinguishing between providing tips to individuals versus a larger audience.

• Emphasizing the importance of offering transformation instead of merely sharing information.

• Scott freestyles a rap on transformation.

• Michelle discusses homework assignments for clients prior to consultations.

• Strategies for setting appropriate consultation prices are shared.

• Michelle's Breakthrough Sessions are explained, 

• The importance of working with clients who demonstrate due diligence

• Michelle explains why you should send invitations rather than proposals

• Scott talks about GoProposal as a valuable tool for creating invitations

• Michelle directs the audience to Abundant Bookkeeping for clients seeking transformation

• The episode concludes with a summary of the Varsity Tips series.

Shout Outs:

QuickBooks, Phil Jackson, John Wooten, James Ashford, GoProposal

Episode 149

Accounting High is supported by our Booster Club Members

Thank you ⁠AppStream⁠! Powered by the GrowthLab

⁠Music Video for Simple Tasks!⁠

FACULTY: Luke Templin, CPA

CLASS: #PeerReview

TITLE: CAS = Solving Problems

In this episode of Accounting High, Scott interviews Luke Templin, the founder of A Squared Advisors. Luke shares his journey of how he got into accounting and became a CPA, his experience in the CAS world, and what inspired him to start his own business. He also talks about his unique approach to pricing and scope, and the freedom that comes with working for yourself. Scott even surprises us with his rap, Simple Tasks. This is a great episode for anyone interested in entrepreneurship, accounting, and business growth.

Shoutouts:

• Chad Davis, Ron Baker, Gusto, QuickBooks, GrowthLab, AppStream, FinDaily, Sage Intacct, Zapier
  

Episode 148

Accounting High is supported by our Booster Club

Thank you LiveFlow! 

LiveFlow - Advanced financial reporting on autopilot.

LiveFlow turns your spreadsheet into a scalable, real-time FP&A platform, check them out:

https://www.liveflow.io/partnerships/accounting-high

Get 20% off for 3 months with promo code HIGH

FACULTY: Ron Baker

CLASS: #GuidePosts

TITLE: Age Marks Milestones: A Book Report on “Strength to Strength” by Arthur C. Brooks in the Principal’s Office with Principal Ron Baker | #GuidePosts

In this episode, Scott finds himself in Principal Baker’s office again to review the book "Strength to Strength: Finding Success, Happiness, and Deep Purpose in the Second Half of Life" by Arthur C. Brooks. They deep dive into the key themes and ideas presented in the book, offering insights and perspectives on finding success, happiness, and purpose in the second half of life.

• Scott and Ron share their initial reactions and thoughts after reading the book.

• The concept of the striver's curse and the inevitable mental decline that comes with age is explored.

• They discuss how different fields and innovations experience declines at different rates.

• The idea of using knowledge to pivot and pursue new paths for personal growth is examined.

• Scott reads Jasper’s A.I. book review

• They challenge the notion that having goals is always beneficial for humans.

• Strategies and approaches to counter the striver's curse are discussed.

• They delve into the importance of acquiring crystalized knowledge and its application in different fields, including accounting.

• Ron shares his perspective on writing books later in life compared to when he started.

• The Sisyphean Curse and the dangers of growth for the sake of growth are discussed.

• The awareness of death and finding purpose while engaging in business activities is examined.

• They talk about applying ancient wisdom to everyday life and finding meaning in what we do.

• Age is seen as mile markers in life and opportunities for growth and reflection.

• The role of ancient wisdom and spiritual guides in navigating the second half of life is explored.

• The significance of playing to one's strengths is highlighted.

• The concept of Liminal Thinking is briefly discussed.

• They conclude the episode with a discussion and debut of Scott’s newest rap

Shout Outs:

Rick Rubin, Arthur C. Brooks, Elon Musk, Billy Joel, Raymond Cattell, Jason Ackerman, Malcom Forbes, Paul Dunn, Paul Johnson, Terrell Turner, Heather Smith, Edward Abbey, Edwin Land, Dave Barrett, Don Brolin, Xero, Ribbi Daniel Lapin, LiveFlow, QuickBooks Connects, Anita from LiveFlow

Episode 147

Accounting High is supported by our Booster Club

Thank you LiveFlow! 

LiveFlow - Advanced financial reporting on autopilot.

LiveFlow turns your spreadsheet into a scalable, real-time FP&A platform, check them out:

https://www.liveflow.io/partnerships/accounting-high

Get 20% off for 3 months with promo code HIGH

CLASS: #CoolKids

FACULTY: Charles J Kelly, CPA

The CPA Crypto Craze: Bitcoin is Better Than Gold?

In this episode of Accounting High, host Scott interviews Charles J Kelly, CPA, the expert in cryptocurrency. They discuss various topics related to crypto including decentralization, legitimacy, and climate change. Charles shares his insights on why he believes in Bitcoin and how it can contribute to a purpose-driven lifestyle. They also touch on how he runs his business and salsa dancing. The conversation is full of interesting insights for anyone interested in the world of cryptocurrency and the opportunities it presents.

Shoutouts:

• The Starfish and The Spider

Episode 146

CLASS: #VarsityTips

FACULTY: Michelle Weinstein “The Pitch Queen”

TITLE: How to Make Varsity Part 4: Assessing Your Game 

In this episode, Scott welcomes back substitute PE Coach, Michelle Weinstein, aka the Pitch Queen aka Coach Queen, for part 4 of their discussion. They delve into the topic of collecting information for sales and how it can be used strategically to understand clients' needs and provide value. Here's a summary of the episode:

• Michelle introduces the concept of collecting information as a crucial aspect of sales.

• Scott shares some of his unique and unconventional ideas for gathering information.

• They discuss the importance of asking strategic questions

• They engage in a roleplay to demonstrate good questions

• They discuss the value of asking deeper questions to uncover the clients' underlying motivations and needs

• The focus shifts from selling to solving problems for clients, showcasing the value of the services and expertise

• They emphasize the importance of practice and continuous improvement in mastering the art of information collection for sales.

• The episode concludes with a teaser hinting at the upcoming fifth varsity tip episode

Shout Outs:

UnCat, Quickbooks