The Successful Bookkeeper Podcast – Details, episodes & analysis

"The more intentional you get with your money, the more intentional you get with your time as well."
-Jennifer Hume

In our 500th episode, Jennifer Hume, owner of Coronation Bookkeeping & Tax Services, shares how she built a successful virtual bookkeeping firm and expanded into coaching for real estate professionals. She reveals what worked, what didn't, and how she uses systems, marketing, and speaking to grow her business with purpose and profitability.

In this interview, you'll learn:

• How niching and storytelling drive growth and confidence
• Why systems are essential for scaling
• How Jennifer built a $250K firm through referrals

To learn more about Jennifer, click here.

Connect with her on LinkedIn.

Time Stamp

02:03 – Jennifer's journey from family business to starting her own bookkeeping firm
05:28 – Lessons learned from her father's failed business & what she'd do differently
06:08 – The importance of systems & Profit First for building a strong foundation
07:49 – Transitioning from data entry to leadership & advisory work
08:16 – How Jennifer built a $250K firm through referrals & strong processes
10:45 – Learning to market intentionally & step outside her comfort zone
13:03 – Building referral partnerships with accountants & real estate brokerages
15:07 – Overcoming fear & learning to pick up the phone to grow the business
17:07 – How niching into real estate transformed her business
19:42 – Why specializing makes marketing easier & attracts better clients
21:07 – What marketing tactics didn't work (and what to watch out for)
22:08 – Email marketing & newsletters that actually connect
24:55 – How creating a professional speaker's reel set her apart
26:44 – The power of storytelling on stage & building confidence through speaking
30:12 – Using AI tools like ChatGPT to craft speeches & prompts quickly
33:22 – Building a coaching business for real estate professionals
34:56 – Why 90% of realtors quit within five years & how coaching helps
35:40 – How financial & time habits create happier, more balanced lives
37:32 – Where to find & connect with Jennifer online

This episode is brought to you by our amazing friends at Hub Analytics!

Imagine having all your financial data in one place, with real-time analytics and customized reports at your fingertips.

Hub Analytics is a financial platform that streamlines bookkeeping operations, so you can focus on what really matters—delivering high-quality results for your clients. With Hub's easy-to-use tools, you'll save time, reduce errors, and gain deeper insights into your clients' financials!

Ready to take your bookkeeping to the next level?

Book a demo to learn more and start your FREE trial TODAY!

"The number one driver of small to medium sized businesses not making it is cash flow problems. It's not that they're not profitable. This is the big thing with net cash that most people don't realize, is that you can run a profitable business and run out of money."
-Tommy Vincent

In this spotlight episode, Tommy Vincent, Co-Founder and Chief Revenue Officer at Hub Analytics, returns to share how bookkeepers can confidently step into advisory by focusing on just 3 key metrics. He explains how to measure, track, and present them to clients in a way that builds trust and drives business growth.

In this interview, you'll learn:

• The 3 metrics every bookkeeper should track
• Why consistency matters more than dozens of KPIs
• How net equity shows a business owner's true wealth

To learn more about Hub Analytics, click here.

Connect with Tommy on LinkedIn.

Time Stamp

00:00 – Introducing 3 Key Metrics
02:16 – Why bookkeepers are well-positioned to deliver advisory services
03:59 – Why less is more with KPIs for small business clients
04:54 – The three core metrics
06:33 – Breaking down net operating income & what it reveals
07:50 – Industry nuances & why measuring consistently matters
09:30 – Using consistent monthly tracking to spot improvement
12:20 – Net equity explained
14:27 – Why 78% of a business owner's net worth is tied to their business
16:04 – Loans, distributions & reinvestment
20:54 – Why profitable businesses still fail without cash
23:10 – Healthcare & construction industries & cashflow gaps
25:59 – Watching DSO & DPO to avoid cash crunches
27:21 – How bookkeepers can differentiate by tracking just 3 KPIs
28:29 – How to package advisory
30:55 – Why most existing clients won't pay more
33:18 – Advisory is best suited for businesses over $1M revenue
34:56 – How Hub Analytics supports bookkeepers with AI-driven reporting

"A woman came up to me and said, 'You know, you really get me.' And I thought that's really the mantra I want to kind of go with. I want people to understand that I get what they're saying. I can't be them, but I can translate the pain and the successes that they're having."
-Jennifer Kahnweiler

Introverted leaders bring unique strengths to the workplace, but they're often overlooked. In this episode, Jennifer Kahnweiler, an expert on introverted leadership, shares how introverts can thrive, influence, and lead with confidence.

In this interview, you'll learn:

• How the Four Ps help introverts succeed in leadership
• Practical ways introverts can influence without being loud
• How listening can become a powerful sales advantage

To learn more about Jennifer, click here.

Connect with her on LinkedIn.

Time Stamp

00:00 - Introduction to Introverted Leadership
01:57 - The Journey to Understanding Introversion
05:31 - The Evolution of Introverted Leadership
11:21 - Creating Introvert-Friendly Workplaces
14:48 - The Impact of COVID on Introverts
19:42 - Navigating the Changing Workplace
21:01 - Empowering Introverts in the Workplace
22:54 - Embracing Introversion in Leadership
24:27 - The Evolution of the Introverted Leader
26:20 - The Four P's of Introverted Leadership
32:24 - Listening as a Key Skill for Introverts
38:08 - Recognizing & Valuing Personal Accomplishments

This episode is brought to you by our great friends at Sage!

Drowning in paperwork?

AutoEntry lets you snap, scan, and sync receipts, invoices, and statements—so you can ditch manual entry, reduce errors, and get back to what really matters: growing your practice and delighting your clients.

Learn more about AutoEntry or get started for free at Sage.com.

"When a business owner is supported and when they have extra funds available, those funds usually funnel back into their local community."
-Julie Walters

Welcome to our 400th EPISODE!! 

Thank you for your support!

Now let's get to the episode... :)

Best practice isn't what everyone else is doing, it is learning from everyone else and building practices that work best for you. When we consistently deliver on our processes, we automatically create the space for growth as things begin to run themselves. 

There is never a right time to make a start or take the next step in your bookkeeping business. If we don't make the change today, 12 months from now we'll find ourselves stuck in the same position, wishing we had acted sooner. 

Julie Walters, owner of Pathfinder Bookkeeping and Tax, is this episode's featured guest. She has spent her career helping businesses grow and prosper. She speaks powerfully about the safety and security our businesses provide us, while explaining just how far-reaching the impact of what we do can be felt by others. 

If you are struggling to build effective systems and processes into your business, aren't sure how to communicate your skills or worth to your clients, or just want to modernize your business without leaving your clients behind, this is the episode to set your business in motion.

During this interview, you'll learn...

• The value of Pure Bookkeeping as a tool for your success
• How to find the courage to take a leap
• The importance of bringing our clients with us on our journey

To find out more about Julie, click here.

Connect with her on LinkedIn.

To learn more about Pure Bookkeeping, visit this link.

Time Stamps
 
01:27 - Julie discusses her career journey
03:39 - Navigating the highs & lows 
06:01 - Taking the leap 
10:41 - Bringing our clients with us
12:48 - How Pure Bookkeeping can help you
14:53 - Building your dream team
17:14 - Never a right time 
20:00 - Growing with your business 
27:06 - Measuring the impact ripple
33:44 - Looking to the future

"It's such a great time to actually look at how we all are in this ecosystem. And if we support each other and work with each other, it trickles up."
-Karolina Francis

Welcome to a special episode celebrating Canadian Bookkeeping Week!

During this conversation, Michael talks all things bookkeeping with a special panel of guests. Karolina Francis of KNF Consulting, Jonathan Carter of Kata Accounting and Melissa Lenos of King Business Solutions lend their unique perspectives to an insightful discussion about what it means to be a bookkeeper.

The hardest part of any business is working with people, but it is also the best part. Our people are our success. Without them we have nothing, so the more effort we put into our relationships, the greater the impact and return.

As bookkeepers, we want to see success for our clients. If they win, we win. And yet it can be hard to find the right people for us. What makes us a great bookkeeper might not make us a great leader, marketer, or coach. The panel talks about the value of finding people to work with whose personalities are congruent with our own.

If you are struggling to keep pace with changes to the industry and technology, not sure how to know who you want to work with, or just want some incredible tips from industry experts, let the stories in this episode guide the way.

During this interview, you'll learn...

• Tips for a more successful bookkeeping business
• How to forge lasting connections for lasting success
• What it means to thrive in change 

Connect with Karolina, Jonathan and Melissa on LinkedIn.

Time Stamps    

02:03 - Introducing the panel  
06:13 - Getting into business  
10:02 - The challenging parts of growth 
17:41 - Finding the joy in the work
27:28 - The impacts of technologies
33:40 - Navigating a changing industry
41:01 - Tips for business success 

Thank you to our great friends at CPB Canada for helping us put this episode together! 

If you're not a member yet, go here to learn more!

"You'll know it's time to hire…when you're not able to do the things you love and excel at."

-Lesley Pyle

Placing our trust in other people is scary. Struggling along by ourselves can oftentimes feel safer than taking a risk on a new hire. But it comes at a cost. The more time we spend working on the day-to-day details of our bookkeeping businesses, the less we love them. 

When searching for the right people for our business, it is important to remember that trust is built over time, through practice and adversity. You'll never find someone you immediately trust with your business, but you can, through well thought out ads, invite people with complementary skills and experiences to build that trust with you. 

Lesley Pyle, owner and founder of HireMyMom.com, is this episode's featured guest. Born from a strong desire to help moms find legitimate work from home, Lesley has spent her career helping women find the perfect home-based job for them.

She speaks powerfully to the nature of trust, finding the right people for your team and how to know when the time is right to expand your business. 

If you are worried about trusting new people or don't know who will be the best fit, this episode is your ultimate guide to hiring! 

During this interview, you'll learn...

• The value of growing with our changing world
• How to get onboarding right
• The importance of hiring people that fit your needs

To find out more about Lesley, click here.

You can also find her on LinkedIn.

Time Stamps    

01:24 - Lesley discusses her career journey 
04:25 - Facing the big challenges 
07:15 - Growing with a changing world 
09:12 - Getting people connected 
12:31 - Hiring the right people for you
16:24 - Putting our best foot forward 
20:10 - Making the right choice for you
21:22 - How to get onboarding right 
28:42 - Trends for the future  

"It is just part of the journey, you are not doing anything wrong, you just need to take a breath and say, 'what do I need to do next?'"

-Sharon Darmody

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

2024 is here and our first episode of the year is one you won't want to miss! 

Despite our best efforts there are always going to be challenges in the workplace. What matters is our intention, our planning and when problems do arise, how well we embrace them as part of our journey. 

Our workplaces are hubs of connectivity, in a world where we are losing spaces for connection. The happier and healthy our people are in those spaces, the more engaged and productive they will be. It really pays to invest in employee well-being. 

Organizational consultant and author, Sharon Darmody, is this episode's featured guest. She has spent her career helping organizations build workplaces in which their people can truly thrive. 

As we start this new year, if you are struggling to build a connected workplace, aren't sure when or how to implement intervention strategies, or want to improve well-being in your bookkeeping business, this is the episode to help you shake those January blues!

During this interview, you'll learn...

• How to apply the MAGIC philosophy 

• The power of workplace rehabilitation 

• The importance of bringing people together with purpose 

To find out more about Sharon, click here.

You can also find her on LinkedIn. 

To buy her book, Work Your Magic: Create a Better Business Community That Works for Everyone, visit this link. 

Time Stamps

01:31 - Sharon discusses her career journey

02:29 - Workplace rehabilitation 

05:10 - The challenges of growing your own business 

07:26 - Creating a better business community for everyone

09:25 - Keeping up with an ever changing world 

11:32 - The MAGIC philosophy 

15:27 - Finding the new magic 

20:42 - The new work order 

27:20 - Bringing people together with purpose

It's almost the end of 2023 and wow, do we have a fun episode for you!

In our Year-In-Review show, Michael talks to a panel of amazing guests about the ups and downs of the bookkeeping industry this past year. Our returning Year in Review panelists are Debbie Roberts, co-founder of Pure Bookkeeping, Jessica Fox, owner of Florida Virtual Bookkeeper, Teresa Slack, co-founder of Financly, and Katrina Aarsman, CEO of Pure Bookkeeping Australia.

Our guests reflect on their biggest surprises of 2023, share their biggest wins and what they look forward to in 2024 plus more!

There are some great chunks of wisdom in this episode, so sit back, relax and enjoy!

We are grateful to all of our wonderful listeners who have joined us this year. YOU make this show possible. Thank you and HAPPY NEW YEAR!

To find out more about our guests, click below.

Debbie Roberts

Katrina Aarsman

Jessica Fox 

Teresa Slack

This episode is brought to you by our great friends at Gusto!

Gusto's payroll and HR services can make your life a little easier. 

Automatically calculating paychecks, filing payroll taxes and much more!

Gusto does it all. 

The best part? Because you're a listener, you get THREE MONTHS TOTALLY FREE!

Just go to gusto.com/thesuccessfulbookkeeper to sign up TODAY!

"Things like that, I get to show up and be excited about things again because I know everything else is taken care of."
-Ashley Chamberlain

In the pursuit of success, there comes a transformative moment when we ask ourselves, "What am I spending my time doing that someone else could excel at?" This realization is often weighed down by our belief that we can only be successful if we are doing it all by ourselves.

But, when we embrace the power of delegation, it becomes a powerful catalyst for change, a journey towards freeing up precious time and rediscovering joy in both professional and personal lives. 

In the second of a two-part series, Ashley Chamberlain, owner of Chamberlain and Good Company, examines the ways outsourcing has changed her life. Ashley and Michael dive into how to delegate to experts, hire the right people for you and reignite passion for the things that truly matter. 

If you feel like you are spending too much time working in your business, and not enough time working on your business, then this is the episode to help you reclaim your time and find your true passions in life!

During this interview, you'll learn...

• The value of planting seeds now for future success
• How to let go of the need to be all things to all people
• The importance of hiring the right people

To find out more about Ashley, click here.

Connect with her on LinkedIn.

Time Stamps    

01:27 - Learning to delegate 
10:01 - Attracting the right people 
15:30 - Living our life's passion 
18:12 - Getting our time back 
20:32 - Showing up for ourselves 
25:05 - Learning more about Ashley  
26:54 - 3000 hours of service

This episode is brought to you by our great friends at Gusto!

Gusto's payroll and HR services can make your life a little easier. 

Automatically calculating paychecks, filing payroll taxes and much more!

Gusto does it all. 

The best part? Because you're a listener, you get THREE MONTHS TOTALLY FREE!

Just go to gusto.com/thesuccessfulbookkeeper to sign up TODAY!

"We want to identify those moments that matter, that help us center around connection… going back to the employees and saying, 'what does this look like to you?'"
-Jennifer Johnston

There are so many different points of view when it comes to remote, office and hybrid working, that it can be hard to know what is best for us, our employees, and businesses. Remote workers increase the pool of skilled talent you might hire, but in-house employees create culture and connection with no extra effort. 

What would happen if you identified those crucial workplace moments that truly matter for your team, and structured your approach around the answers of the people working for you?

Jennifer Johnston, Vice President of Human Resources at Payworks, is here to help you answer that very question. In this episode, Jennifer and Louie Prosperi navigate the complexities of the different working environments and what you can achieve when you identify the moments that matter and offer valuable insights into the strategies you can employ to thrive anywhere. 

If you are struggling with all the talk around where and how you should be working, then this is the episode to cut the noise and get you thinking about what will work for you, your employees, and your clients!

During this interview, you'll learn...

• The value of managing stress & well-being
• How to identify what matters to you
• The importance of connecting with purpose  

To find out more about Jennifer, click here.

Connect with her on LinkedIn.

Time Stamps

01:27 - Jennifer discusses her career journey 
03:41 - Adapting to challenging environments 
07:41 - Employee engagement & experience 
09:58 - How to use a net promoter score 
13:48 - Managing stress & wellbeing 
18:33 - Creating a proactive space 
21:42 - The hybrid environment 
26:33 - Getting intentional about connection
33:44 - The benefits of remote work
37:06 - Learning more about Payworks

This episode is brought to you by our great friends at Payworks!

If you're looking for a reliable and affordable payroll platform for your business, look no further!

To learn more, visit Payworks.ca TODAY!