Building the Premier Accounting Firm

Join us as we revisit this conversation from 2023!

Welcome to "Building the Premier Accounting Firm" with your host, Roger Knecht. In this captivating episode, Roger sits down with Alicia Katz Pollock, a distinguished QuickBooks Online expert, coach, speaker, author, and entrepreneur.

Alicia's journey into the world of accounting began with her fascination for QuickBooks. She shares the story of what sparked her interest and how it led her to establish her thriving online learning business, Royalwise.

Alicia also talks about how Social Media was key in attracting some of her biggest clients in the early days of QuickBooks Online. She discusses why business owners often choose to outsource bookkeepers instead of learning QuickBooks themselves, and why it is important to train employees on this powerful accounting tool. She also sheds light on her unique approach to training, catering to different learning styles to ensure maximum comprehension and proficiency.

Curious about the differences between QuickBooks desktop and online? Alicia breaks it down for you, sharing why some users still prefer the older desktop version and the advantages of transitioning to QuickBooks Online. Stay ahead of the game as Alicia provides a sneak peek into the exciting updates coming to QuickBooks Online.

As the conversation unfolds, Roger and Alicia touch on intriguing topics such as the relationship between QuickBooks and bookkeepers, dispelling any concerns of professional insecurity. They explore the potential impact of AI on the accounting profession, offering valuable insights into how this technology might shape the future.

Unlock a treasure trove of QuickBooks tips and tricks that will elevate your accounting skills. Alicia generously shares her knowledge, ensuring that you're well-equipped to streamline your processes and achieve greater efficiency. Discover the least utilized features in QuickBooks and understand why exploring and experimenting with them can lead to enhanced productivity.

Accounting conferences play a vital role in professional growth, and Alicia highlights their value. Gain invaluable advice on how accountants can make the most of these events and leverage vendor relationships to their advantage.

Closing the episode, Alicia imparts her wisdom and guidance to business owners, offering valuable advice that will help them navigate the complex world of accounting.

Tune in to "Building the Premier Accounting Firm" as Roger Knecht and Alicia Katz Pollock dive deep into these fascinating topics and more. Expand your knowledge, gain practical insights, and unlock the potential to take your accounting firm or business to new heights.

Your Host: Roger Knecht, president of Universal Accounting Center

Guest Name: Alicia Katz Pollock

Alicia Katz Pollock is the QBO Rock Star at Learn.Royalwise.com. As a Top 10 ProAdvisor and a member of the Intuit Trainer/Writer Network, Alicia has five QuickBooks books on Amazon, leads weekly training webinars, and runs a QBO Coaching program. She is a top-rated speaker at QuickBooks Connect, and Scaling New Heights, and will be joining us at GrowCon 2023. With a Masters of Arts in Teaching, 30+ years of tech industry experience, and a mile-long list of professional certifications, Alicia expertly blends deep subject matter expertise and patient guidance to provide an easy and fun online learning environment.

Sponsors:

Universal Accounting Center

● Helping accounting professionals confidently and competently offer quality accounting services to get paid what they are worth.

Offers:

Get the QuickBooks Online training you need to work confidently and competently. Enroll in the QBO Bootcamp (UAC) that Alicia created to help you become a capable QuickBooks user.

• “GROWCON23” - use this coupon for 23% off any courses we offer, or off 1st month of membership

For more information related to the training that Alicia offers, check out www.Learn.Royalwise.com

Also consider becoming a certified QuickBooks Specialist with Universal Accounting.

For Additional FREE Resources for accounting professionals check out this collection HERE!

Be sure to join us for GrowCon, the LIVE event for accounting professionals to work ON their business. This is a conference you don’t want to miss.

Remember this, Accounting Success IS Universal...

Welcome to another enlightening episode of Building the Premier Accounting Firm with Roger Knecht. This episode dives deep into the essential strategies for building and scaling successful bookkeeping, accounting, and tax firms with Eric Green. Roger and Eric cover a wide range of topics from marketing to technology, client onboarding, staff training, mental health, and the evolution of IRS systems.

Key Highlights:

1. Marketing and Client Onboarding:
   • Roger and Eric discuss effective marketing strategies for attracting and retaining clients.
   • They suggest best practices for seamless client onboarding processes to ensure long-term retention.
2. Technology and Staff Training:
   • Roger gives tips for leveraging modern technology to streamline operations.
   • Eric emphasizes the importance of ongoing staff training to stay updated with industry changes and client needs.
3. Mental Health:
   • They discuss how to address mental health concerns within the profession and the significance of maintaining a healthy work-life balance.
4. Guest Insight: Eric Green’s Journey:
   • Eric Green revisits his unconventional path in the accounting field.
   • He explains his journey to overcome biases against night law school graduates.
   • Experiences and lessons from his tenure at KPMG.
5. Proactive Tax Planning and Strategy:
   • The hosts advocate for proactive tax planning to provide significant client savings.
   • They explore how to restructure business models to maximize value beyond traditional tax deduction methods.
6. Specialized Knowledge and IRS Systems:
   • The importance of understanding IRS systems to effectively resolve client issues.
   • How specialized knowledge can lead to increased income with fewer clients.
7. Training Programs and Market Adaptation:
   • Development of a comprehensive training program transitioning from in-person to online formats.
   • Licensing deal with CCH and the growth of the Tax Rep Network.
8. Tax Resolution Services:
   • Rising demand for tax resolution services as an additional revenue stream.
   • Managing clients with smaller vs. larger debts and helping non-filers organize their finances.
9. Client Accounting Services (CAS):
   • Transitioning into CAS and recognizing new opportunities within the profession.
   • Building a community through membership services.
10. Future of the IRS and Automation:
    • Discussion on the future of IRS operations with increased automation.
    • Emphasis on the continued need for professional assistance for complex tasks despite automation.

Resources and Opportunities:

• Encouragement to explore past podcast episodes for additional insights and resources.
• Invitation to attend GrowCon, an annual conference for accounting professionals, for further learning and networking opportunities.

Join us in this insightful episode to gain a comprehensive understanding of the strategies needed to build and grow a successful bookkeeping, accounting, and tax firm in today’s evolving landscape. Thank you to Eric Green for joining the show!

Sponsors:

Universal Accounting Center

• Helping accounting professionals confidently and competently offer quality accounting services to get paid what they are worth.

Offers:

Build a Successful Tax Business offering quality tax preparation services and more.

Become a certified Professional Tax Preparer (PTP) & an Enrolled Agent (EA)

Then move further into the tax space offering Tax Representation Services using the Tax Rep Launch program: https://taxrepllc.com/launch/

Get a FREE copy of these books all accounting professionals should use to work on their business and become profitable. These are a must-have addition to every accountant’s library to provide quality CFO & Advisory services as a Profit & Growth Expert today:

• “Red to BLACK in 30 days – A small business accountant’s guide to QUICK turnarounds” – This is a how-to guide on how to turn around a struggling business into a more sustaina...

Join us this Wednesday for a new episode where Roger sits down with Craig Primo.

In this episode of “Building the Premier Accounting Firm,” host Roger Knech interviews Sarah Webb, founder of Web CFO, about transitioning from corporate finance to launching a successful virtual CFO and accounting business. Sarah shares insights on marketing strategies, fractional CFO services, and building a client-centric firm. Learn how her diverse experience and marketing savvy propelled her accounting business.

• Embrace relationship building over aggressive sales tactics for sustainable growth.
• Define fractional CFO services as a blend of accurate accounting and forward-looking financial insights.
• Focus on KPIs such as accounts receivable, cash flow, and gross profit to drive client success.
• Encourage business owners to delegate effectively and take time off to build self-sustaining businesses.
• Implement fraud prevention measures, including receipt verification and accounting email management.

• Sarah Webb: “I don’t want to say I’m always selling, I’m always relationship building. And just because you tell me no now doesn’t mean it’s no forever.”
• Roger Knech: “Accounting is the language of business and the company is communicating via these numbers to the business owner what is going well, what needs attention, what needs to be fixed.”
• Sarah Webb: “I am grateful for the flexibility of this profession that allows me to kind of do all different things.”

Thank you for joining us for this episode of Building the Premier Accounting Firm. Learn more about how you can add CFO services to your firm’s offerings by calling our team at 435-344-2060.

Sponsors:

Universal Accounting Center

• Helping accounting professionals confidently and competently offer quality accounting services to get paid what they are worth.

Offers:

Enroll for free in this course for Personal & Family Financials

Then get your free copies of “Your Strategic Accountant” and “Your Profit & Growth Expert”.

Get a FREE copy of these books all accounting professionals should use to work on their business and become profitable. These are a must-have addition to every accountant’s library to provide quality CFO & Advisory services as a Profit & Growth Expert today:

• “Red to BLACK in 30 days – A small business accountant’s guide to QUICK turnarounds” – This is a how-to guide on how to turn around a struggling business into a more sustainable model. Each chapter focuses on a crucial aspect of the turnaround process - from cash flow management to strategies for improving revenue. This book will teach you everything you need to become a turnaround expert for small businesses.
• “in the BLACK, nine principles to make your business profitable” – Nine Principles to Make Your Business Profitable – Discover what you need to know to run the premier accounting firm and get paid what you are worth in this book, by the same author as Red to Black – CPA Allen B. Bostrom. Bostrom teaches the three major functions of business (marketing, production and accounting) as well as strategies for maximizing profitability for your clients by creating actionable plans to implement the nine principles.
• “Your Strategic Accountant” - Understand the 3 Core Accounting Services (CAS - Client Accounting Services) you should offer as you run your business. Help your clients understand which numbers they need to know to make more informed business decisions.
• “ Your Profit & Growth Expert” - Your business is an asset. You should know its value and understand how to maximize it. Beginning with the end in mind helps you work ON your business to build a company you can leave so that it can continue to exist in your absence or build wealth as you retire and enjoy the time, freedom, and life you want and deserve.

Follow the Turnkey Business plan for accounting professionals. This is the proven process to start and build the premier accounting firm in yo...