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“The good thing is that you don’t have to be the one to replicate the knowledge, you can hire those that do. Know your strengths but know when somebody else is stronger, and lean to each person’s strength.” -Rachel Fisch Finding your niche is a great way to work with focus on the things that matter most to you and to find your ideal client. In this episode, Rachel Fisch, owner of RealityTax.ca and FischBooks Inc and now General Manager of Dext, speaks to what your ideal client profile could look like, the power of organic networking, and how getting excited about the success of others, can drive our own. If you have found your niche, but are stuck with the wrong clients, aren’t sure which direction to invest your energy, or want to learn more about effective networking, this is the episode for you.  During this interview, you'll learn... The value of getting excited about shared success How to build an ideal client profile The importance of organic networking  To find out more about Rachel, check out her LinkedIn profile. To learn about RealtyTax.ca, go here. To explore Dext, click this link. Time Stamps 01:28 - Rachel discusses her career journey  03:03  - The story of RealtyTax.ca  08:44  - Managing a new acquisition   13:31  - The key factors of a good merge  18:40  - Finding your ideal niche  25:39  - The value of a strong network  30:36  - Getting excited about shared success This episode is brought to you by our great friends at Dext! They have a FREE webinar called AI: The Accounting Trend That’s Here to Stay that’s on February 22nd at 12pm ET. During the session, you’ll learn how to leverage AI to positively impact your bookkeeping business plus so much more! REGISTER NOW You’ll be glad you did! 🙂

“Our clients, they’re consumers at some level, and they’re comparing the experience they have with you. They are going to compare it to the great experiences they have. Their favourite businesses are the ones that take care of them the most. The best service experience they have ever had, that is their benchmark.”  -Shep Hyken All of us are customers. And yet despite having a wealth of experience, we hardly ever apply it to our own bookkeeping business. Getting started on the journey of quality customer service and experience can begin with some simple questions: Why do people work with us, and why don’t they? And what do I love about my favourite businesses, and what don’t I like? That is not to say you have to do what everyone else is doing. But if you can identify the criteria in yourself and others that really gets you excited about your work. You will have better footing to make more informed decisions about the future of your business.  Customer service and customer experience expert, Shep Hyken, is this episode’s featured guest. He has spent his career helping the world’s best brands build a customer-centred culture. In this episode, Shep digs into what it means to set the tone in your business, the importance of great customer service, and how to measure it successfully.  If you are tired of people deciding what you do, and how you do it, this is the episode to get you clear about who you are, what your business can offer, and how best to present that to the rest of the world.  During this interview, you'll learn... The value of a great introduction How to find & retain clients that fit your business The importance of great client services To find out more about Shep, click here. Connect with him on LinkedIn. Time Stamps   01:41 - Shep discusses his career journey  05:44 - Labelling ourselves before others can 08:11 - Creating the best client services   15:27 - The fine balance of quality customer service  21:23 - The Right Fit Client  25:50 - Why are your clients picking you? 33:33 - How much better do you need to be? This episode is brought to you by The Accelerator Method Masterclass Series! If you're a bookkeeper tired of working in overwhelm on compliance detail, learn how to reposition to high-value advisor correctly with this virtual opportunity that's hosted by Lisa Campbell.   It begins on March 4th at 4pm ET. REGISTER TODAY!  

“If we could get what’s in your head, about how you do bookkeeping, out of your head and onto paper, into a system or process that someone else could follow, do you think then you could trust somebody else with your clients?”  -Peter Cook   The world of bookkeeping is ever-evolving.   More and more frequently we are being relied on not only for our number crunching but in an advisory capacity. There is a wealth of knowledge we each possess from years of working within our niches. The problem is, all that great information is trapped inside our heads.   Building effective systems and processes is about more than just having a computer run the numbers. Our systems should reflect the very best of ourselves. They should contain our knowledge and experience, so others can easily use that information to help clients.   Peter Cook, co-author of the E-Myth Bookkeeper and co-founder of Pure Bookkeeping, is this episode’s featured guest. He has spent his career mentoring business owners to find out what they really want from their businesses and their lives and how to get it.    If you are struggling to move from working IN your business to working ON your business, are looking to scale your business, but everything is stuck in your head, or just want to test your systems against the advice of a master in the field, then this is the episode to get you started!   During this interview, you'll learn... The power of the entrepreneurial mindset How to build your ultimate systems manual The importance of getting out of your own head To find out more about Peter, click here.   Connect with him on LinkedIn.   Get your copy of The E-Myth Bookkeeper.    Time Stamps   03:12 - Peter talks about his journey  06:34 - Evolving with the times 09:40 - The story of E-Myth  14:02 - What is a business system? 17:18 - Measuring successful outcomes   20:01 - Building your ultimate systems manual  24:01 - The impact of great systems    This episode is brought to you by The Accelerator Method Masterclass Series!   If you're a bookkeeper tired of working in overwhelm on compliance detail, learn how to reposition to high-value advisor correctly with this virtual opportunity that's hosted by Lisa Campbell.   It begins on March 4th at 4pm ET. REGISTER TODAY!

“It was going to be another thing, like the internet itself, that completely changes the landscape of everything.” -Seth David Embracing the future of technology in our bookkeeping businesses can be a daunting task. Taking the leap into AI and innovation requires trust and a willingness to adapt. There are so many innovative apps on the market, constantly changing and evolving their offerings, that it can be really hard to know which direction to turn.  If we make our systems the starting point, we better position ourselves, such that we may not understand how the technology works, but we do understand how to leverage it for the best outcomes for our business. We can’t know the right tool until we understand the problem we have to fix.  Seth David, Chief Nerd at Nerd Enterprises, is this episode’s featured guest. He has spent his career helping people to understand not only the tools and resources available to them, but how to apply them for maximum results in their businesses.  If your work management isn’t flowing, you don’t know which tool is the best fit for your business or are unsure about the future, this is the episode to get you future-focused.  During this interview, you'll learn... How to work in partnership with AI How to choose the right tool for your business The importance of workflow management  To find out more about Seth, click here. Connect with him on LinkedIn. Time Stamps 01:42 - Seth discusses his career journey  09:38 - Getting to grips with AI 21:25 - Looking to the future  30:08 - Finding the right apps for you 37:45 - Understanding work management flow    49:34 - Seth’s app recommendations  56:41 - 2024 & beyond 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!

“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!

“I had to think, what am I going to do if I stay in this position forever? Is this going to be fulfilling?” -Ashley Chamberlain Leaps of faith are never easy, we can often be left feeling like it is better to remain in a situation that makes us miserable, than take a risk on something new and different. It comes down to what we want from life. Do we want to be working our lives away to build someone else’s dreams, or do we want to put that effort into growing something of our own? In the first of a two-part series, Ashley Chamberlain, Owner of Chamberlain and Good Company, reflects on the challenges of stepping into an entrepreneurial journey, outgrowing past experiences, and how the personal approach can make all the difference. Her journey is a testament to the power of taking that leap of faith and pursuing what truly fulfils us. She has spent her career seeking out challenges and overcoming them one by one, and now she shares her success secrets with others.  If you are struggling with self-doubt, aren’t sure how to put yourself out there, or want to take a leap of faith into something new, this is the episode to get you started cultivating your own seeds of success! During this interview, you'll learn... The value of a more personal approach How to network for success The importance of consistent efforts toward growth To find out more about Ashley, click here. Connect with her on LinkedIn. Time Stamps 01:41 - Ashely discusses her career journey  05:15 - Making a leap of faith 10:16 - Networking for success  13:47 - Taking a more personal approach  17:32 - Meeting clients where they are  24:20 - Shifting your mindset 28:53 - Finding the joy in what you do  This episode is brought to you by our great friends at Dext! Do you chase after your clients’ receipts, enter data manually and lose information? Dext Prepare is a bookkeeping automation software that removes unnecessary tasks from your workflow. Giving you and your clients more time to focus on what matters. To learn more, visit Dext.com today!