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In this episode, I'm closing out The Next Step series by talking about what I believe is the biggest bottleneck for so many aspiring bookkeepers and business owners: belief. We've already talked about skills, systems, and scaling throughout this week, but today we're getting honest about the fears, perfectionism, and self-doubt that keep people stuck even when the opportunity is right in front of them. I share how fear of failure, thought spirals, and caring too much about what other people think can quietly keep you playing small. We also talk about the hidden cost of inaction, why permanent preparation is still doing nothing, and how your beliefs shape your thoughts, actions, and results. I walk you through the four self-reflection questions I believe can completely shift the way you think about your future and what's actually possible for you. If you've been feeling stuck between wanting more and being afraid to take the next step, this episode is for you. Listen to the full episode and decide what your next step will be.   EPISODE RESOURCES: If you want to take the next step, go to katieferro.com/step. Sick of imposter syndrome keeping you stuck? Join the new + improved BECOME A BOOKKEEPER now: https://www.katieferro.com/become  Learn how to take your bookkeeping skills and turn them into a business that can replace or surpass your corporate salary, give you more presence in your life, and let you support your clients without burning out inside Life by the Books (LIBBY): https://www.katieferro.com/life   CONNECT WITH KATIE: Want to get notified when I'm about to go live? Subscribe to the Profits and Prosecco YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@profitsandprosecco Website: https://www.katieferro.com/ For first dibs (and the best prices!) on new offers from me, follow me on Instagram, then subscribe to my email list:  IG: www.instagram.com/orderlyaccountingbykatie Email Opt In: www.katieferro.com/email

In this episode, I'm talking about the difference between imposter syndrome and a real skills gap, because so many people think they just need more confidence when really they need to close the skills gap. I share why confidence is built on competence, why bookkeeping is not a fake-it-til-you-make-it industry, and why fear and inaction often come from knowing there's probably something missing. The good news is that skills gaps can be closed. I also walk through the three-step process I believe actually helps you become confident in bookkeeping: learning, shadowing, and applying. We talk about the accounting basics that actually matter, the bookkeeping process, understanding tax, onboarding clients, and the systems that help you work more efficiently and accurately. I also share the story behind BABS and why I created it to follow the real-world process that helped me become a bookkeeper. If you've been wanting to start a bookkeeping business but keep feeling stuck, doubting yourself, or wondering whether you're really ready, this episode is for you. Listen to the full episode and learn how to break the skill bottleneck so you can confidently move forward.   EPISODE RESOURCES: If you want to take the next step, go to katieferro.com/step. Sick of imposter syndrome keeping you stuck? Join the new + improved BECOME A BOOKKEEPER now: https://www.katieferro.com/become  Learn how to take your bookkeeping skills and turn them into a business that can replace or surpass your corporate salary, give you more presence in your life, and let you support your clients without burning out inside Life by the Books (LIBBY): https://www.katieferro.com/life   CONNECT WITH KATIE: Want to get notified when I'm about to go live? Subscribe to the Profits and Prosecco YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@profitsandprosecco Website: https://www.katieferro.com/ For first dibs (and the best prices!) on new offers from me, follow me on Instagram, then subscribe to my email list:  IG: www.instagram.com/orderlyaccountingbykatie Email Opt In: www.katieferro.com/email

In this episode, I'm breaking down the belief bottleneck and the six secrets to building a simple, scalable bookkeeping business, because so many people know what's possible for them but still feel stuck. I walk you through what's really getting in the way and how to move forward, whether that's building a rock-solid skill set, creating a scalable offer, or getting clear on the vision for your life so your business actually supports it. We talk about why confidence is built on competence and why what feels like imposter syndrome is often just a skills gap you can close. I also share what a scalable bookkeeping business really looks like, why it's not about trading time for money, and how recurring clients, simple systems, and the right support can completely change your income and your time. We also get into client attraction, why everything works when you keep it simple, and how sales are really just conversations about alignment, not something you need to force or overcomplicate. If you've been thinking about starting or growing your bookkeeping business but keep finding yourself stuck, second-guessing, or overthinking your next move, this one's for you. Listen to the full episode and start building a business that truly supports your life.   EPISODE RESOURCES: If you want to take the next step, go to katieferro.com/step. Sick of imposter syndrome keeping you stuck? Join the new + improved BECOME A BOOKKEEPER now: https://www.katieferro.com/become  Learn how to take your bookkeeping skills and turn them into a business that can replace or surpass your corporate salary, give you more presence in your life, and let you support your clients without burning out inside Life by the Books (LIBBY): https://www.katieferro.com/life   CONNECT WITH KATIE: Want to get notified when I'm about to go live? Subscribe to the Profits and Prosecco YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@profitsandprosecco Website: https://www.katieferro.com/ For first dibs (and the best prices!) on new offers from me, follow me on Instagram, then subscribe to my email list:  IG: www.instagram.com/orderlyaccountingbykatie Email Opt In: www.katieferro.com/email

In day two of The Next Step Series, I'm breaking down the three bottlenecks that hold bookkeepers back from starting or scaling, because people can have similar opportunities and still have very different outcomes, and that is not random. In this episode, I walk through the belief bottleneck, the skill bottleneck, and the scalability bottleneck, and I help you identify which one may be standing in your way right now. We talk about why everything starts with belief, why confidence is built on competence, and why what feels like imposter syndrome may actually be a closable skill gap. I also share why efficiency plus accuracy equals profit and why so many bookkeepers plateau when they build a job instead of a business that can scale. I also share what we'll be diving into in the next steps of this free live series for bookkeepers. If you've been thinking about starting or growing your bookkeeping business but keep finding yourself stuck, second-guessing, or overthinking your next move, this one's for you.   EPISODE RESOURCES: If you want to take the next step, go to katieferro.com/step. Sick of imposter syndrome keeping you stuck? Join the new + improved BECOME A BOOKKEEPER now: https://www.katieferro.com/become  Learn how to take your bookkeeping skills and turn them into a business that can replace or surpass your corporate salary, give you more presence in your life, and let you support your clients without burning out inside Life by the Books (LIBBY): https://www.katieferro.com/life   CONNECT WITH KATIE: Want to get notified when I'm about to go live? Subscribe to the Profits and Prosecco YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@profitsandprosecco Website: https://www.katieferro.com/ For first dibs (and the best prices!) on new offers from me, follow me on Instagram, then subscribe to my email list:  IG: www.instagram.com/orderlyaccountingbykatie Email Opt In: www.katieferro.com/email

I'm going to be really honest with you in this episode. We're talking about what's possible with a bookkeeping business, but more specifically, what's possible when you build it in a scalable way. Because there's a difference between hearing that something is possible and actually seeing what it looks like in real life. I share how I went from corporate to building a virtual bookkeeping business that now brings in around $250,000 in revenue, and the moment that pushed me to make that shift. In this episode, I break down what makes this business so powerful, like time and location freedom, setting your own hours, and being able to take time off without asking permission. I also walk through the numbers in a simple way, like how 21 clients at $400 a month equals $100,000 a year, and why every client you sign is giving yourself a raise. If you've been thinking about starting or growing a bookkeeping business, this episode will show you what's actually possible and why the scalable bookkeeping business model changes everything. Make sure you listen to the full episode to hear the full breakdown.   EPISODE RESOURCES: If you want to take the next step, go to katieferro.com/step. Sick of imposter syndrome keeping you stuck? Join the new + improved BECOME A BOOKKEEPER now: https://www.katieferro.com/become  Learn how to take your bookkeeping skills and turn them into a business that can replace or surpass your corporate salary, give you more presence in your life, and let you support your clients without burning out inside Life by the Books (LIBBY): https://www.katieferro.com/life   CONNECT WITH KATIE: Want to get notified when I'm about to go live? Subscribe to the Profits and Prosecco YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@profitsandprosecco Website: https://www.katieferro.com/ For first dibs (and the best prices!) on new offers from me, follow me on Instagram, then subscribe to my email list:  IG: www.instagram.com/orderlyaccountingbykatie Email Opt In: www.katieferro.com/email

I'm going to be honest with you in this episode. We're talking about why you shouldn't even bother starting a bookkeeping business… psych, of course. But as I've been reading through your questions about starting a bookkeeping business or scaling one, I'm seeing a pretty consistent theme. It's not a lack of information or resources. It's fear, and instead of dancing around it, I'm going straight into it. In this episode, I'm breaking down the thoughts that are keeping you stuck. I talk about the stories you're telling yourself—about not having time, not being ready, or wondering if AI is coming for your job. I explain why these thoughts aren't based on anything that's actually happening and how you're creating scenarios in your head that feel real but aren't. I also walk through the idea that you can only look at one side of the coin at a time, so you're either focused on what could go wrong or what could go right, and that choice is going to determine what you do next. If you've been thinking about starting a bookkeeping business but keep talking yourself out of it, this episode is for you.   EPISODE RESOURCES: If you want to take the next step, go to katieferro.com/step. Sick of imposter syndrome keeping you stuck? Join the new + improved BECOME A BOOKKEEPER now: https://www.katieferro.com/become  Learn how to take your bookkeeping skills and turn them into a business that can replace or surpass your corporate salary, give you more presence in your life, and let you support your clients without burning out inside Life by the Books (LIBBY): https://www.katieferro.com/life   CONNECT WITH KATIE: Want to get notified when I'm about to go live? Subscribe to the Profits and Prosecco YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@profitsandprosecco Website: https://www.katieferro.com/ For first dibs (and the best prices!) on new offers from me, follow me on Instagram, then subscribe to my email list:  IG: www.instagram.com/orderlyaccountingbykatie Email Opt In: www.katieferro.com/email

I've been wanting to share a full breakdown of my bookkeeping business, and in this episode, I'm finally walking you through what 2025 actually looked like. The revenue, the expenses, the profit, how many clients we served, how many we gained, how many we lost, and why. In this episode, I'm breaking down what it really takes to run a $245K bookkeeping business. I talk about how we managed around 50 clients and $36 million in revenue with just two people, what my team structure looks like, and how many hours I'm actually working week to week. Some weeks are really light, some are more, and I don't want to paint a false picture, so I walk you through that honestly. I also share what changed from 2024 to 2025, why profit was up big, and what we did behind the scenes to make the business more efficient and stable. If you're a bookkeeper or thinking about starting a bookkeeping business, and you've been wondering what this can actually look like in real numbers, this one's for you. EPISODE RESOURCES: If you want to take the next step, go to katieferro.com/step. Sick of imposter syndrome keeping you stuck? Join the new + improved BECOME A BOOKKEEPER now: https://www.katieferro.com/become  Learn how to take your bookkeeping skills and turn them into a business that can replace or surpass your corporate salary, give you more presence in your life, and let you support your clients without burning out inside Life by the Books (LIBBY): https://www.katieferro.com/life CONNECT WITH KATIE: Want to get notified when I'm about to go live? Subscribe to the Profits and Prosecco YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@profitsandprosecco Website: https://www.katieferro.com/ For first dibs (and the best prices!) on new offers from me, follow me on Instagram, then subscribe to my email list:  IG: www.instagram.com/orderlyaccountingbykatie Email Opt In: www.katieferro.com/email

It's a safe bet we all share one thing in common: a desire for both income and time freedom - and a bookkeeping business is calling as the vehicle to get us there. While we share that desire and vision, our starting points and circumstances are not the same. Regardless of your experience, education, family size, or current job - there IS a path to get you from where you are to where you want to be, while honoring yourself in the process. The biggest question I help answer in my inbox, DMs, applications, and programs is "what is my next step"? And now, you're invited to uncover your next best step with me live (for free) the week of Apr 13 - Apr 17. All you have to do is click the link below and sign up and you're in. Can't wait to see you there! www.katieferro.com/step

I built my bookkeeping business around one software, one service, and one type of client because I had babies at home and almost no extra time. I didn't have the capacity to say yes to everything, so I simplified everything from the very beginning. In this episode I'm breaking down exactly what "one type of client" means and why I built my business that way. I talk about what I learned from working in a CPA firm, where the complexity in bookkeeping actually comes from, and why I intentionally avoided it from the start. I also walk through my real client list so you can see just how much room there is inside a simple niche. If you're a bookkeeper or thinking about starting a bookkeeping business, and you've been wondering who you should actually work with, this one's for you. EPISODE RESOURCES: Sick of imposter syndrome keeping you stuck? Join the new + improved BECOME A BOOKKEEPER now: https://www.katieferro.com/become  Learn how to take your bookkeeping skills and turn them into a business that allows you to replace (or surpass) your corporate salary, be present for your life, and profoundly impact your clients without selling your life in the process by joining Life by the Books (LIBBY).    CONNECT WITH KATIE: Website: https://www.katieferro.com/ For first dibs (and the best prices!) on new offers from me, follow me on Instagram, then subscribe to my email list:  IG: www.instagram.com/orderlyaccountingbykatie Email Opt In: www.katieferro.com/email Want to get notified when I'm about to go live? Subscribe to the Profits and Prosecco YouTube Channel: https://youtube.com/@profitsandprosecco?si=mq_swKbEuqI5LPYt

It's the night before I leave for a nine-night trip to Costa Rica with my three kids. During tax season. And I almost forgot it was tax season until I sat down to record this, which honestly says everything. In this episode, I'm sharing something I've never talked about publicly: a letter I wrote to myself in February of 2014 when I was a CPA working long days in corporate tax, doing the math on what my hourly rate actually worked out to be. I titled it "Quit Your Job." And then I didn't quit. I talk about what life looked like during those corporate tax seasons, why I kept talking myself out of the leap, and what ultimately pushed me out the door. Even the unexpected moment during my first pregnancy that made the decision for me. I also share how slowly the bookkeeping business actually grew after that, and what finally changed when I got intentional about building it. If you're a bookkeeper or aspiring bookkeeper wondering whether leaving corporate is really possible, or whether it's too late to start, this episode is for you.   EPISODE RESOURCES: Sick of imposter syndrome keeping you stuck? Join the new + improved BECOME A BOOKKEEPER now: https://www.katieferro.com/become  Want a peek behind the curtain into LIBBY, my program all about what it really takes to have a simple and scalable (and successful) bookkeeping business? Get access to my free, on-demand four-part series, 6 Secrets to a Simple, Scalable Bookkeeping Business: www.katieferro.com/6-secrets Learn how to take your bookkeeping skills and turn them into a business that allows you to replace (or surpass) your corporate salary, be present for your life, and profoundly impact your clients without selling your life in the process by joining Life by the Books (LIBBY).     CONNECT WITH KATIE: Website: https://www.katieferro.com/ For first dibs (and the best prices!) on new offers from me, follow me on Instagram, then subscribe to my email list:  IG: www.instagram.com/orderlyaccountingbykatie Email Opt In: www.katieferro.com/email Want to get notified when I'm about to go live? Subscribe to the Profits and Prosecco Youtube Channel: https://youtube.com/@profitsandprosecco?si=mq_swKbEuqI5LPYt

Escaping corporate IS possible…but sometimes, you have to create your escape route while you're still in the trenches. For Molly, she knew she wanted out. But as a mom of three girls, she couldn't just up and leave. She needed something reliable under her feet first. So she built her bookkeeping business on the side. That's right–she built her own business while being a mom, a wife, and a corporate accountant.  Was it easy? No, of course not–but more importantly, it was possible. If you're feeling trapped in corporate life, you need to hear Molly's story. You don't have to wait for an escape route to appear–you can build the door yourself. It doesn't take a miracle. It just takes hard work, careful planning, and the unfaltering belief that you can make it happen. But don't take my word for it. Let's hear from one of the women who proved it can be done.   EPISODE RESOURCES: Connect with Molly on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bookkeepingbymolly/?hl=en  Season 2 of Profits & Prosecco is HERE! Kick off your newest podcast addiction (or celebrate its return!) and listen to Episode 1 now: https://open.spotify.com/show/4dB0ZE8JaxqrkImm3Ifxrb  Sick of imposter syndrome keeping you stuck? Join the new + improved BECOME A BOOKKEEPER now: https://www.katieferro.com/become  Want a peek behind the curtain into LIBBY, my program all about what it really takes to have a simple and scalable (and successful) bookkeeping business? Get access to my free, on-demand four-part series, 6 Secrets to a Simple, Scalable Bookkeeping Business: www.katieferro.com/6-secrets Learn how to take your bookkeeping skills and turn them into a business that allows you to replace (or surpass) your corporate salary, be present for your life, and profoundly impact your clients without selling your life in the process by joining Life by the Books (LIBBY).   CONNECT WITH KATIE: Website: https://www.katieferro.com/ For first dibs (and the best prices!) on new offers from me, follow me on Instagram, then subscribe to my email list:  IG: www.instagram.com/orderlyaccountingbykatie Email Opt In: www.katieferro.com/email Want to get notified when I'm about to go live? Subscribe to the Profits and Prosecco Youtube Channel: https://youtube.com/@profitsandprosecco?si=mq_swKbEuqI5LPYt

There are some things I wish I'd done differently when I was just starting out…but today, I want to talk about 11 things I did absolutely right. If I had to tear my business down completely and start over from scratch today, there are certainly some things I wouldn't do the same way. But there are a lot more things I did right the first time that I would want to duplicate the second time…and that I would recommend you do the same way when it's your turn to build your business. If you take these eleven things and implement them early on, your business will already have a firm foundation to grow on. And because I've been where you are and I've seen the advantages these things can give you as your business grows, I can save you the time you would've spent on trial and error by sharing how to get these things done the right way the first time. So without further ado, here are 11 things I did and would do again if I was starting over today.   EPISODE RESOURCES: Season 2 of Profits & Prosecco is HERE! Kick off your newest podcast addiction (or celebrate its return!) and listen to Episode 1 now: https://open.spotify.com/show/4dB0ZE8JaxqrkImm3Ifxrb  Sick of imposter syndrome keeping you stuck? Join the new + improved BECOME A BOOKKEEPER now: https://www.katieferro.com/become  Want a peek behind the curtain into LIBBY, my program all about what it really takes to have a simple and scalable (and successful) bookkeeping business? Get access to my free, on-demand four-part series, 6 Secrets to a Simple, Scalable Bookkeeping Business: www.katieferro.com/6-secrets Learn how to take your bookkeeping skills and turn them into a business that allows you to replace (or surpass) your corporate salary, be present for your life, and profoundly impact your clients without selling your life in the process by joining Life by the Books (LIBBY).    CONNECT WITH KATIE: Website: https://www.katieferro.com/ For first dibs (and the best prices!) on new offers from me, follow me on Instagram, then subscribe to my email list:  IG: www.instagram.com/orderlyaccountingbykatie Email Opt In: www.katieferro.com/email Want to get notified when I'm about to go live? Subscribe to the Profits and Prosecco YouTube Channel: https://youtube.com/@profitsandprosecco?si=mq_swKbEuqI5LPYt

This week, I'm thrilled to welcome a guest onto the podcast with me: Dorothy Grace, LIBBY and BABs alum and former corporate accountant! Dorothy came out of her first accounting class with a C…but that didn't stop her. She loved the challenge so much she kept going…first to earn her masters, then her CPA, then on to corporate accounting… Where she "lasted" for about one year before leaving. Not because of the challenge. Not because of the pay. Not because of the work. Because it simply wasn't conducive to the life she wanted. And that doesn't make her—or you—less than for wanting something different. Just because corporate life isn't for you doesn't mean all your hard work was for nothing. Dorothy's story proves that. You have so many other paths you can walk…and yours can start right here.   EPISODE RESOURCES: Season 2 of Profits & Prosecco is HERE! Kick off your newest podcast addiction (or celebrate its return!) and listen to Episode 1 now: https://open.spotify.com/show/4dB0ZE8JaxqrkImm3Ifxrb  Sick of imposter syndrome keeping you stuck? Join the new + improved BECOME A BOOKKEEPER now: https://www.katieferro.com/become  Want a peek behind the curtain into LIBBY, my program all about what it really takes to have a simple and scalable (and successful) bookkeeping business? Get access to my free, on-demand four-part series, 6 Secrets to a Simple, Scalable Bookkeeping Business: www.katieferro.com/6-secrets Learn how to take your bookkeeping skills and turn them into a business that allows you to replace (or surpass) your corporate salary, be present for your life, and profoundly impact your clients without selling your life in the process by joining Life by the Books (LIBBY).    CONNECT WITH KATIE: Website: https://www.katieferro.com/ For first dibs (and the best prices!) on new offers from me, follow me on Instagram, then subscribe to my email list:  IG: www.instagram.com/orderlyaccountingbykatie Email Opt In: www.katieferro.com/email

"Do I have to offer CFO services in order to REALLY be successful as a bookkeeper?" No matter what your bar for "success" is here…the answer is no. Offering CFO packages can be lucrative, absolutely. And it can be tempting to gun for a few high-ticket clients rather than trying to sign 15+ to your roster just to hit the same amount of income. However…there are plenty of cons you need to take into consideration before deciding to go the CFO route, too. I'm not saying you shouldn't even think about offering CFO services. They can be great for some bookkeepers. However, I want to make sure you see the big picture and consider every factor here before you jump into something that might not be best for you and your business in the long run. Let's go over the pros and cons together, shall we?   EPISODE RESOURCES: Tired of 1099s giving you headaches? Avoid the pain and hassle with my 1099 Client Education System: https://www.katieferro.com/1099ed  Start your new year off right with the Intention Setting Workshop, my on-demand workshop all about preparing yourself to crush every goal you have for this upcoming year: https://www.katieferro.com/offers/mSzXz5cA/checkout  Season 2 of Profits & Prosecco is HERE! Kick off your newest podcast addiction (or celebrate its return!) and listen to Episode 1 now: https://open.spotify.com/show/4dB0ZE8JaxqrkImm3Ifxrb  Sick of imposter syndrome keeping you stuck? Join the new + improved BECOME A BOOKKEEPER now: https://www.katieferro.com/become  Want a peek behind the curtain into LIBBY, my program all about what it really takes to have a simple and scalable (and successful) bookkeeping business? Get access to my free, on-demand four-part series, 6 Secrets to a Simple, Scalable Bookkeeping Business: www.katieferro.com/6-secrets Learn how to take your bookkeeping skills and turn them into a business that allows you to replace (or surpass) your corporate salary, be present for your life, and profoundly impact your clients without selling your life in the process by joining Life by the Books (LIBBY).     CONNECT WITH KATIE: Website: https://www.katieferro.com/ For first dibs (and the best prices!) on new offers from me, follow me on Instagram, then subscribe to my email list:  IG: www.instagram.com/orderlyaccountingbykatie Email Opt In: www.katieferro.com/email

It's the beginning of the year, which means—you guessed it—1099 season is back. 1099s aren't hard, necessarily–they're just annoying. And the most annoying thing about them? In most cases, they are actually completely avoidable. I know. It's not going to save you any headaches this year, but it's not too late for next year if you start right now. It requires educating and communicating with your client, taking a hard look at whether they need to file 1099s at all, and streamlining the process if they do need to file…but if you begin now, it's completely doable. Let's save you the headache next year. Here are all the ways I help my clients avoid 1099s…while still staying compliant with tax law.   EPISODE RESOURCES: Tired of 1099s giving you headaches? Avoid the pain and hassle with my 1099 Client Education System: https://www.katieferro.com/1099ed  Start your new year off right with the Intention Setting Workshop, my on-demand workshop all about preparing yourself to crush every goal you have for this upcoming year: https://www.katieferro.com/offers/mSzXz5cA/checkout  Season 2 of Profits & Prosecco is HERE! Kick off your newest podcast addiction (or celebrate its return!) and listen to Episode 1 now: https://open.spotify.com/show/4dB0ZE8JaxqrkImm3Ifxrb  Sick of imposter syndrome keeping you stuck? Join the new + improved BECOME A BOOKKEEPER now: https://www.katieferro.com/become  Want a peek behind the curtain into LIBBY, my program all about what it really takes to have a simple and scalable (and successful) bookkeeping business? Get access to my free, on-demand four-part series, 6 Secrets to a Simple, Scalable Bookkeeping Business: www.katieferro.com/6-secrets Learn how to take your bookkeeping skills and turn them into a business that allows you to replace (or surpass) your corporate salary, be present for your life, and profoundly impact your clients without selling your life in the process by joining Life by the Books (LIBBY).     CONNECT WITH KATIE: Website: https://www.katieferro.com/ For first dibs (and the best prices!) on new offers from me, follow me on Instagram, then subscribe to my email list:  IG: www.instagram.com/orderlyaccountingbykatie Email Opt In: www.katieferro.com/email