The Successful Bookkeeper Podcast is a weekly show to help increase your confidence, work smarter and build a business you love.
Each week you'll listen to inspiring guests who will share their success secrets, so you can take your bookkeeping enterprise and life to another level.
Some of them include New York Times Best-Selling Author of E-Myth, Michael E. Gerber, Pure Bookkeeping Co-Founder, Debbie Roberts, the host of The Productive Woman podcast, Laura McClellan and the author of *I Know How She Does It*, Laura Vanderkam.
If you're a bookkeeping business owner who is looking for an uplifting, entertaining and informative podcast exclusively for YOU then you have arrived at the right place!
Get ready because your journey towards success begins — now.
Your Host
Michael Palmer is an acclaimed business coach who has helped hundreds of bookkeepers across the world push through their fears and exponentially grow their businesses and achieve the quality of life they've always wanted.
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EP528: Teresa Slack - From $18/Hour To Million-Dollar Firm: The Pricing Shift
Tuesday, April 21, 2026 • Duration 42:33
"There were times I remember having to pull money out of our retirement savings to cover payroll. We weren't sleeping, we were stressed. We didn't know where to turn, and it was so stressful. It was not a good scenario." -Teresa Slack
In this episode, Canadian bookkeeping expert and million-dollar firm builder Teresa Slack shares the hard truth about pricing and what it really costs when you get it wrong. She breaks down her journey from charging $18/hour and burning out to building a profitable, scalable firm using value pricing and better systems, along with the key mistakes to avoid and what actually drives growth.
In this episode, you'll learn:
The difference between fixed pricing & true value pricing
How to raise your prices without losing your best clients
Why identifying your ideal client changes everything
01:05 – Teresa's journey from struggling firm to success 04:00 – Early pricing mistakes & mindset challenges 07:01 – How poor pricing led to financial stress 09:42 – The turning point: systems & value pricing 17:36 – Where most bookkeepers go wrong with pricing 19:28 – How to raise prices the right way 21:42 – What happened after repricing clients 24:08 – The compounding effect of better pricing 28:10 – Finding your niche & ideal clients 36:09 – Why action builds confidence
It's a high-energy two-day virtual experience for bookkeepers ready to lead with confidence and elevate their impact.
Join inspiring leaders on November 4th–5th to gain actionable strategies, powerful tools, and the clarity to shape the work you want, not just keep up with it.
EP527: Justin Atherton - The Clarity Advantage Most Bookkeepers Ignore
Tuesday, April 14, 2026 • Duration 46:16
" When you start speaking to yourself with more precise and definitive language, it changes how you show up for yourself. Think about how your clients and the people that you work with, it impacts how they see you." –Justin Atherton
In this episode, former law enforcement detective, SWAT operator, and leadership coach, Justin Atherton breaks down a skill most bookkeepers overlook: precise communication. He explains how the words you use every day either build trust or quietly destroy it, and shares how vague language creates confusion, missed deadlines, and weak client relationships.
If you've ever felt frustrated by clients not following through, this episode will change how you speak, write, and lead.
In this episode, you'll learn:
How "stop action verbs" sabotage your results
How to replace "I'll try" with language that drives action
How to communicate deadlines clearly & avoid confusion
Buy his book, How To Get To The Damn Point at this link.
Time Stamps
01:03 – Justin's background in law enforcement & leadership 05:06 – Why communication problems exist in every industry 06:25 – The danger of vague, abstract language 14:32 – The Wave Method explained 15:27 – Stop action verbs & how they weaken your message 19:10 – Awareness & catching your language in real time 30:06 – How to write clearer emails that get results 36:18 – Using accountability to change communication habits 41:30 – Justin's book & practical tools Your expertise has more value than you think, so Own Your Authority at ! It's a high-energy two-day virtual experience for bookkeepers ready to lead with confidence and elevate their impact. Join inspiring leaders on November 4th–5th to gain actionable strategies, powerful tools, and the clarity to shape the work you want, not just keep up with it. Don't miss this incredible opportunity!
EP526: David Homan - Why Networking Feels Broken & What Actually Works - Part 2
Tuesday, April 7, 2026 • Duration 29:06
"This is how you look at success. It is only a narrative of people to people, to people. Why else wouldn't you wanna spend your time doing that more purposefully and intentionally?" -David Homan In the finale of our two-part series with community building strategist and author, David Homan, he will show you how to turn everyday interests into real connections and why the opportunities you're looking for are already closer than you think.
You'll learn how to move past hesitation, stop overthinking networking, and start building relationships that lead to real trust, referrals, and long-term opportunities.
In this episode, you'll learn:
Why asking for help is less effective than offering it
How to overcome intimidation & connect with anyone
A simple habit that strengthens relationships & builds trust
Get a copy of Orchestrating Connectionat this link.
Time Stamps
01:00 – Turning everyday interests into connection 04:48 – Why gratitude calls create unexpected opportunities 07:42 – Overcoming intimidation & imposter thinking 12:09 – Shifting from "me" to "how can I help?" 17:17 – Reconnecting with people you've lost touch with 21:47 – How real opportunities are built through people 24:14 – Why small actions create bigger impact than you think
EP525: David Homan - Why Networking Feels Broken & What Actually Works - Part 1
Tuesday, March 31, 2026 • Duration 32:51
"There's all that magic that seems to happen by those who are born with relationship privilege, but we can all build it. It just starts with how you can become more purposeful and intentional with what you want out of not just your life, but the people around you that form your purposeful community." -David Homan
Community-building strategist and author of Orchestrating Connection, David Homan challenges the way you think about networking. He explains why traditional networking often feels forced and ineffective, and shows how shifting toward intentional, trust-based relationships can open doors you didn't think were possible.
David shares how vulnerability, curiosity, and generosity create stronger connections, and why building a purposeful community matters more than collecting contacts.
In this episode, you'll learn:
Why most networking fails & what to do instead
How to turn your existing network into a supportive community
A simple way to create opportunities without asking for anything
00:56 – Why traditional networking feels forced 02:08 – David's background & early exposure to relationships 09:34 – Network vs. purposeful community 11:40 – Using vulnerability to build trust 19:19 – Real connection vs. transactional conversations 23:29 – The five principles of meaningful relationships 29:16 – How to start building your community today
EP524: Gina Cotner – The Simple Accountability System That Gets Work Done
Tuesday, March 24, 2026 • Duration 46:52
"High performers liked to be with high performers. So if you start to train yourself as a manager, as a boss, as a business owner, as an entrepreneur, in holding people accountable, you will notice who doesn't mind that, who kind of thrives around that, and those kind of people attract more people like that." –Gina Cotner
In this episode, founder and CEO of Athena Executive Services, Gina Cotner shares a practical framework for holding your team accountable without creating tension or fear. She explains why delegation alone is not enough, how accountability builds stronger leaders inside your firm, and how small shifts in communication can dramatically improve follow-through and results.
In this episode, you'll learn:
What to say when deadlines are missed & how to fix the real issue
The simple question that drives ownership & initiative
Read about her company, Athena Executive Services at this link.
Time Stamps
00:57 – Gina's business growth through rapid expansion & market shifts 13:08 – Why delegation without accountability fails 21:40 – Shifting ownership: "What do you need from me?" 23:36 – The power of asking "when" in every meeting 27:42 – What to do when work is not completed on time 29:14 – The million-dollar question: "What got in the way?" 35:11 – Why caring deeply gives you room to hold people accountable 41:15 – Negotiating deadlines without lowering standards
This episode is brought to you by our great friends at !
EP523: Spotlight - Joe Woodard - How To Stay Relevant In The AI Era
Thursday, March 19, 2026 • Duration 39:15
"At some point in the future, somebody's going to be watching a movie about our era and there's going to be a human bookkeeper. And they're going to turn to their parents 20 years from now, and they're gonna say, 'Bookkeepers used to be people? That's so weird. I thought they were always artificial intelligence. I thought they were always computers.'" -Joe Woodard
In this spotlight episode, founder of Scaling New Heights, Joe Woodard shares a clear view of where the bookkeeping profession is heading as AI reshapes the industry. He breaks down how service models are evolving, why advisory must be structured differently, and what practical steps you can take today to stay relevant and valuable plus much more!
In this episode, you'll learn:
How to use AI safely while protecting client data
The difference between AI-enabled tools & native AI platforms
How to structure your services using "swim lanes" instead of pricing tiers
To learn more about Joe, visit his LinkedIn profile here.
To get your ticket for Scaling New Heights, click this link.
Time Stamps
00:53 – Introduction to Joe Woodard & what's new since his last visit 02:15 – Why advisory is becoming the core value in bookkeeping 04:20 – Moving from pricing tiers to service "swim lanes" 06:04 – Breaking down transactional, controllership, FP&A & outsourcing 08:26 – How subscription models change pricing & scope conversations 10:16 – Why managing scope is harder than managing profitability 12:11 – How to handle scope creep using swim lane language 15:23 – Pricing differences for small versus larger clients 16:22 – The impact of AI on bookkeeping & accounting 18:03 – Book recommendations to understand the future of work 20:14 – The "Hidden Figures" lesson every bookkeeper should understand 22:18 – Two paths to adopt AI in your firm 25:41 – Native AI tools versus AI layered on existing platforms 28:34 – How to protect client data when using AI 32:21 – Practical advice for using tools like ChatGPT safely 35:36 – Scaling New Heights conference & what to expect
EP522: Linda Hunt - How To Price & Package Your Services Without Burning Out
Tuesday, March 17, 2026 • Duration 37:34
"Oftentimes we get into burnout because we are saying yes to everything. We're getting scope creep, and we aren't billing for those extras." –Linda Hunt
In this episode, the author of The Money Conversation: Speak the Truth. Set the Standard. Get Paid Without Apology, Linda Hunt explains why burnout often starts with unclear boundaries and underpriced services. She shares practical strategies to help you calculate your true capacity, package your services properly, manage scope creep, and position yourself as a strategic partner without overextending yourself or your team.
In this episode, you'll learn:
How to calculate your Minimum Aligned Price & set a sustainable pricing floor
How to recognize scope creep & confidently charge for extra work
How AI can free up time for deeper analysis & advisory conversations
To learn more about Linda and her company, SumSolutions, click here.
Buy her book, The Money Conversation at this link.
Time Stamps
01:06 – Linda's journey from corporate to building a remote accounting firm 04:25 – Why lack of structure leads to burnout 09:49 – Calculating your Minimum Aligned Price 15:07 – Assigning clients to specific days to improve focus 18:49 – Structuring annual packages & dividing by 12 20:22 – What scope creep looks like in real life 23:54 – Turning extra requests into paid projects 29:45 – Using AI to elevate your advisory role 35:37 – Linda's pricing reset session & upcoming book,
EP521: Julee Gracey - How Bookkeepers Can Raise Prices & Win Better Clients
Tuesday, March 10, 2026 • Duration 44:26
"We always say 'Motivation is like a shower. You should visit it daily.' You have to keep yourself motivated every day. How do I get myself motivated and sold back on myself so that I can be the best version of how I want to show up for my clients?" –Julee Gracey
In this episode, sales and marketing coach, speaker, and author of Highly Confident, Julee Gracey explains why confidence is the foundation of pricing, pitching, and growing a bookkeeping business. She shares practical strategies to help you strengthen your internal dialogue, communicate your value clearly, and attract higher-quality clients who are willing to pay for your expertise.
In this episode, you'll learn:
How to stop underpricing & stand firm behind your fees
Why you must get sold on yourself before you try to sell your services
How to identify your ideal clients & speak directly to their needs
00:55 – Introduction to Julee & her background in sales 06:17 – Why confidence is required before you can sell 10:41 – Rewiring negative self-talk & managing imposter syndrome 14:01 – The difference between selling & closing 16:05 – Why you should stop handing out business cards 20:11 – Understanding the three types of clients 27:01 – How to overcome fear of networking events 33:21 – Shifting from price focus to return on investment 36:26 – A real example of raising prices & holding firm 40:29 – Overview of Julee's book
EP520: Amy Jacobson - Emotional Intelligence For Bookkeepers
Tuesday, March 3, 2026 • Duration 35:01
" In order to create that trust, you have to be honest enough to know that you're not the right person for everybody. But those people that you do connect with, when you find that connection, that is when you can start to go through that process." –Amy Jacobson
In this episode, Australian emotional intelligence expert, speaker, and author of The Emotional Intelligence Advantage: Mastering Change and Difficult Conversations, Amy Jacobson explains why technical skill alone will not build a strong, sustainable bookkeeping firm. She shares how emotional intelligence drives trust, strengthens client relationships, and improves leadership inside growing firms, along with a practical five-step framework you can apply immediately.
In this episode, you'll learn:
How emotional intelligence builds client trust & retention
How to adapt your communication style to different clients
Why leadership requires a different skill set than bookkeeping
Buy her book, The Emotional Intelligence Advantage: Mastering Change and Difficult Conversations, at this link.
Time Stamps
01:11 – Amy's background & her path into emotional intelligence 04:14 – A clear definition of emotional intelligence for business owners 06:08 – Where bookkeepers commonly struggle with EQ 09:51 – How trust is built through real connection 12:24 – The five-step emotional intelligence framework 15:11 – A real example of client loss due to poor communication 18:10 – Shifting from technical language to client-centered language 21:10 – Becoming part of the client's business instead of an outside vendor 23:44 – Why leadership is not the same as technical skill 27:13 – How reactive leadership drains time & energy 30:00 – A simple daily question to improve emotional intelligence 31:41 – Where to access Amy's books and free tools
EP519: Teresa Slack - The Road To A Million-Dollar Bookkeeping Business - Part 4
Tuesday, February 24, 2026 • Duration 34:50
"The biggest one and the most impactful one is not making the time every week to work on the business. They get themselves into the rat race. They spend the money on these programs, and then they don't make the time to implement them. That's the biggest mistake that I see. Do the hard things 'cause we can all do hard things and it's okay if we screw up." –Teresa Slack
In the final episode of this four-part series, co-founder of Financly Bookkeeping Solutions, Teresa Slack shares how her bookkeeping firm shifted from survival to stability by building the systems, pricing, and team structure needed to scale. She breaks down the decisions that increased profitability, supported growth, and turned the firm into a sellable asset, along with the real challenges of restructuring roles, working through setbacks, and preparing for a successful exit.
In this episode, you'll learn:
What made the firm scalable & no longer dependent on the owners
Why systems, profitability & cloud operations increased business value
What buyers actually looked for when acquiring the firm
Join VIP list for free training from Mark Wickersham here. Get your free copy of (the tool she used to turn her business around). Click to join the VPA on Skool platform free training and support.
It's a high-energy two-day virtual experience for bookkeepers ready to lead with confidence and elevate their impact.
Join inspiring leaders on November 4th–5th to gain actionable strategies, powerful tools, and the clarity to shape the work you want, not just keep up with it.
It's a high-energy two-day virtual experience for bookkeepers ready to lead with confidence and elevate their impact.
Join inspiring leaders on November 4th–5th to gain actionable strategies, powerful tools, and the clarity to shape the work you want, not just keep up with it.
They're hosting Bookkeeper Appreciation Week from March 30th to April 3rd—dedicated to recognizing the real work you do and giving you tools you can actually use to free up time for more strategic work.
Get ready for 5 days of practical resources delivered straight to your inbox, plus live, CPE-eligible webinars!
It's a high-energy two-day virtual experience for bookkeepers ready to lead with confidence and elevate their impact.
Join inspiring leaders on November 4th–5th to gain actionable strategies, powerful tools, and the clarity to shape the work you want, not just keep up with it.
This episode is brought to you by our great friends at BILL!
They're hosting Bookkeeper Appreciation Week from March 30th to April 3rd—dedicated to recognizing the real work you do and giving you tools you can actually use to free up time for more strategic work.
Get ready for 5 days of practical resources delivered straight to your inbox, plus live, CPE-eligible webinars!
This episode is brought to you by our great friends at BILL!
They're hosting Bookkeeper Appreciation Week from March 30th to April 3rd—dedicated to recognizing the real work you do and giving you tools you can actually use to free up time for more strategic work.
Get ready for 5 days of practical resources delivered straight to your inbox, plus live, CPE-eligible webinars!
This episode is brought to you by our great friends at BILL!
They're hosting Bookkeeper Appreciation Week from March 30th to April 3rd—dedicated to recognizing the real work you do and giving you tools you can actually use to free up time for more strategic work.
Get ready for 5 days of practical resources delivered straight to your inbox, plus live, CPE-eligible webinars!
01:43 – Realizing the business was no longer fragile 02:04 – Setting new goals for growth & team support 03:26 – Building benefits & a sustainable work environment 04:22 – Turning revenue goals into clear action plans 05:46 – Growth setbacks & unexpected challenges 07:15 – Restructuring roles into bookkeepers & client managers 09:33 – Why the transition was harder than expected 12:01 – Systems that finally made the new structure work 13:36 – How role clarity improved efficiency & client service 14:59 – Using outsourced bookkeeping to support scale 16:41 – When selling the business became a real option 18:16 – Choosing buyers who aligned with the firm's values 20:09 – What increased the firm's valuation 22:55 – Preparing financially before selling 25:19 – Why systems & owner independence matter to buyers 27:22 – Lessons learned after selling the firm 28:37 – The biggest mistakes Teresa sees firm owners make 30:02 – What's next for Teresa & how she supports other bookkeepers
It's a high-energy two-day virtual experience for bookkeepers ready to lead with confidence and elevate their impact.
Join inspiring leaders on November 4th–5th to gain actionable strategies, powerful tools, and the clarity to shape the work you want, not just keep up with it.
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