Gentle Frog’s Bookkeeping Lily Pad

In Episode 42 of the Bookkeeping Lily Pad Podcast, Rachel shares important information about a growing security concern: unauthorized access to Intuit accounts, including QuickBooks Online. She discusses how these breaches happen, why commonly used login credentials put users at risk, and what steps you can take to better secure your account. Topics include user ID best practices, the limitations...

Ever look at a discovery call intake form and think, “There’s no way I can help this person”? You’re not alone. In this episode, Rachel Barnett shares a real story about nearly turning down a call that turned out to be one of the most rewarding of the week. She talks about why jargon-filled forms can be misleading, how to approach calls with curiosity (not fear), and the unexpected value in simply...

Struggling to name your business—or thinking about a rebrand? In this episode, Rachel Barnett shares what she’s learned from naming two of her own businesses, including what worked, what didn’t, and what she’d do differently. She covers common pitfalls to avoid, tips for choosing a name that can grow with you, and why spelling and domain availability really matter. Whether you're brainstorming you...

Are you thinking about starting your own bookkeeping business—or any kind of business? In this honest and personal episode, Rachel Barnett shares her own unexpected journey into business ownership and the lessons she’s learned over 13 years. From setting realistic expectations to the importance of naming and defining what you actually want, Rachel explores what it really means to build a business...

Hiring the right bookkeeper can be a challenge—how do you know if someone truly has the skills they claim? In this episode, Rachel Barnett shares her experience pre-screening bookkeepers for a business, reviewing hundreds of resumes, conducting technical interviews, and refining the hiring process. She explains what worked, what she’d do differently, and how business owners can improve their own h...

Do you need a mentor, a coach, or a mastermind group? In this episode, Rachel Barnett shares her experiences with different types of mentorship and coaching, from one-on-one mentors to group coaching programs and mastermind groups. She explains how to identify what kind of support you need, where to find it, and how to set expectations for the relationship. Whether you're looking for guidance on b...

What exactly is retained earnings, and how does QuickBooks Online handle it? In this short bookkeeping basics lesson, Rachel Barnett breaks down how retained earnings work, where to find it on your balance sheet, and why you don’t need to manually update it in QuickBooks. She also explains what a positive or negative retained earnings balance means for your business. Whether you're a bookkeeper or...

Clear communication sets the foundation for a great client relationship. In this episode, Rachel Barnett walks through her "How We Work" guide—a resource she shares with clients to outline expectations, processes, and policies. Learn why having a welcome document helps clients feel at ease, how to set boundaries around communication and scope, and what details you should consider including in your...

January can be a stressful month for bookkeepers, but there are ways to make it easier! In this episode, Rachel Barnett reflects on what went well, what could improve, and how to simplify 1099 processing. She shares practical strategies, including W-9 collection tips, pricing structures, and the importance of setting boundaries for a smoother year-end. Plus, hear how blocking off time in December...

Gentle Frog’s Bookkeeping Lily Pad podcast is back! This short teaser gives you a glimpse of what’s coming in Season 2—new episodes on accounting basics, bookkeeping business insights, and bite-sized lessons on accounting concepts. Whether you're a bookkeeper, small business owner, or just curious about bookkeeping, there’s something for you. Tune in for a fresh start and let us know what you’d li...

In this episode join Rachel Barnett and the Bookkeeping Handmaid, Elizabeth Sims, in a discussion on the ins and outs of operating a small bookkeeping business. Tune in as they tackle common questions, and shed light on crucial aspects of running a successful bookkeeping venture. From addressing misconceptions about contractor status to unraveling the complexities of W-9s and 1099s. Whether you're...

In this episode, Rachel dismantles the myth of the "super admin" and explores the various tasks that can be efficiently outsourced. From social media management to client communication oversight. Learn how strategic delegation can alleviate bottlenecks, empower your team, and propel your business forward. Whether you're a seasoned entrepreneur or just beginning to explore administrative support, t...

As your business expands, you might find yourself at a crossroads, needing to bring on additional support. The first step? Figuring out which role to fill. It's important to identify exactly what you need and what will benefit you the most (not what’s trendy or popular). When Rachel embarked on her Gentle Frog journey, she didn't seek another bookkeeper. Instead, her initial hire was her former CR...

In this episode, Rachel delves into setting clear expectations for working with your team and explores various strategies to support your team members effectively. She shares insights on creating a collaborative environment where both you and your team can thrive, achieving mutual satisfaction in the working relationship. Rachel highlights practical tools like Slack for communication and the impor...

In this episode of Gentle Frog's Bookkeeping Lily Pad, Rachel Barnett dives into the silver linings of underbidding projects. Despite the initial feelings of disappointment, she highlights the benefits like cash flow, building relationships, gaining experience, and improving efficiency with software. Rachel also stresses the importance of learning from each project, whether it's mastering a new so...

In this episode of Gentle Frog's Bookkeeping Lily Pad, Rachel Barnett talks about a bookkeeping dilemma: handling a client who messes up their financial records during the course of a cleanup, making it harder for the bookkeeper to finish the project because they’ve just created a bunch of extra work. Rachel gives an example where this happened (to someone else) and discusses possible ways to addr...

Hey there, it's Rachel from Gentle Frog! I'm super excited to share a little something I've been pondering – a group coaching program designed specifically for new bookkeepers. Imagine a space where we tackle those first-client jitters together, with live support and a treasure trove of resources. Curious? Click here to learn more let me know if you’re interested. https://gentlefrog.com/group-coac...

In this episode of Gentle Frog's Bookkeeping Lily Pad, Rachel Barnett and Jody Snow dive into the challenges entrepreneurs face, regardless of their business's size. They share insights on creative, budget-friendly marketing strategies that work for people who want to attend in person events as well as for folks who are more inclined to market virtually. 1,000,000 cups: https://www.1millioncups.co...

Join Rachel Barnett as she delves into the challenges and revelations of reevaluating her pricing model. This episode offers a candid look at the trial and error behind optimizing course offerings, the power of listening to one's audience, and the importance of being flexible in business strategy. A journey of discovery for bookkeepers and entrepreneurs alike. “Before You Stop Posting On Instagram...

In this episode, Rachel Barnett explores the concept of niches in the context of owning and operating a small bookkeeping business. She discusses the flexibility of niches, how they can be based on factors like geography or software preference, and the importance of working with clients you enjoy.   Why Kate Josephine Johnson niched in Freshbooks: https://www.freshbooks.com/blog/kate-josephine-joh...

In this episode Rachel talks about managing your expectations as a person who goes to work as a subcontractor for someone else. Specifically, thinking about what you’re hoping to get out of the experience of subcontracting. In her experience most subcontracting gigs are just to pass off overflow work and not to provide mentorship to others but those opportunities do exist. She talks about feedback...

In today's episode of Gentle Frog's Bookkeeping Lilypad, Rachel Barnett dives into the parallels between learning Pilates and learning to be a bookkeeper for small businesses. She shares her personal experience of doubting her Pilates technique based on seeing others perform an exercise differently and applies this to the experience of seeing answers in online forums and how just because someone i...

In this episode, Anne Little and Rachel Barnett chat about how to handle price increases with clients. They talk about timing, minimums and the challenges of raising the price when you’re a new bookkeeper.  The podcast is a bit of Anne interviewing Rachel but more it’s two friends talking about the challenges of raising the price and the legacy clients who get special treatment as a way of saying...

In this episode of "Gentle Frog's Bookkeeping Lily Pad," Rachel Barnett delves into the subject of time tracking for bookkeepers. She opens up about her personal choice of not tracking time and explores the motivations behind bookkeepers opting to track their time, such as identifying wasted time, improving quote accuracy, and reevaluating pricing strategies. Rachel also discusses a range of time...

In the podcast episode, Rachel Barnett provides a balanced view of the advantages and disadvantages of working for oneself versus working for someone else. She highlights that while working for someone else provides stability and a fixed income, working for oneself offers the freedom to choose working hours. However, being self-employed also requires putting in extra hours and dealing with the cha...