The Ambitious Bookkeeper Podcast

Hey there! In this episode, I'm breaking down exactly what you actually need to start your bookkeeping business - no fluff, just the tactical stuff that matters. As someone who accidentally started my bookkeeping business as a side hustle to motherhood and now mentors other bookkeepers, I'm sharing the five non-negotiables that will set you up for success from day one. In this episode yo...

In this episode, I'm sharing my personal journey through toxic mold exposure and the health challenges that nearly broke me as a mom and business owner. I'm joined by my nutritionist Dariella Gonitzke, who I met at BBD Live when I was at my lowest point. We dive deep into how stress, environmental factors, and hormonal changes can completely derail your health - and what you can actually...

Is it time to move your clients to Xero? Let’s talk about some considerations, before you embark on this path In this episode you’ll hear: how to know if it’s time to leave QBO steps to take to migrate your clients resources and benefits of being a Xero Partner Resources mentioned in this episode: Sign up for the Xero Partner Program: https://xeroamericas.partnerlinks.io/79afz10exu7d (affiliate li...

Hey ambitious bookkeepers! In this week's audio-only episode, I'm getting real about a bold statement: entrepreneurship isn't hard. I know, I know - you're probably thinking I've lost it, right? But hear me out. This episode dives into how our mindset and the people we surround ourselves with can completely shift our experience as business owners. In this episode you’ll he...

Today I'm re-airing one of my favorite spotlight episodes featuring two incredible BBA students - Erin and Misa. These ladies built thriving bookkeeping businesses from absolutely nothing, and I'm sharing their real, raw stories plus giving you an update on where they are now (spoiler alert: they're both crushing it!). If you've been wondering whether you can actually make this...

Hey everyone! This month's live Q&A was packed with so many golden nuggets for your bookkeeping business. We covered everything from client management to getting started with confidence - basically all the real stuff you're dealing with day-to-day. In this episode you’ll hear: Getting Clients in Niche Markets Handling Unresponsive Clients Recording Startup Expenses Bookkeeping Practi...

Hey ambitious bookkeepers! In this episode, I'm getting real about my "accidental" start in accounting and why NOW is always the best time to start your bookkeeping business. I'm sharing my journey from elementary education major to single mom working at a health food co-op, all the way to building my own virtual bookkeeping firm while raising kids. Spoiler alert: success doesn...

In this episode, I'm sharing one of my most game-changing strategies - my Sunday evening planning ritual. If you're feeling overwhelmed juggling kids, home life, and building your business, this 15-20 minute weekly practice will help you take back control of your time and align your week with what truly matters. In this episode you’ll hear: How to implement a Sunday planning ritual The e...

In this episode, I had an incredibly insightful conversation with Robin J. Emdon, author of "GetResultsology - The Science of Getting Stuff Done" and a productivity coach who specializes in helping people overcome procrastination. In this conversation Robin dives deep into the psychology behind why we procrastinate and provides concrete strategies to break free from it. In this episode y...

In this episode, Serena sits with Grace Costa, founder of Social Mixed Media and the Social Accountant, to dive deep into what's working in social media marketing right now. Grace shares her journey from accountant to marketing agency owner and gives us the real scoop on how AI is changing the game for bookkeepers and accountants trying to land clients online. In this episode you’ll hear: - 4...

Hey everyone! This month's live Q&A was packed with so many good questions from the community. We covered everything from client communication systems to accrual accounting transitions, and I even got to address some pricing questions that I know so many of you struggle with. In this episode you’ll hear: Client request systems and processes Xero migrations and software recommendations Acc...

Join Serena and Alyssa Lang, the Workflow Queen, as they dive deep into the results of the first-ever State of Virtual Bookkeeping and Accounting Industry Report! We collected over 200 responses from bookkeepers and accounting firm owners like you, and the data is honestly eye-opening. This isn't your typical corporate survey - this is BY us, FOR us small firm owners. In this episode you’ll h...

This bonus episode features the live recording from Wave Seattle, where I joined forces with Alyssa Lang (the Workflow Queen) and event host Erin Pohan for an authentic conversation about business, friendship, and finding your people in the accounting industry. We shared our "biz bestie" origin story, talked about navigating personal setbacks as business leaders, and answered real questi...

In this episode, I had the incredible opportunity to sit down with Adrian Lopez, a former IRS revenue agent turned CPA, who just left the IRS last month to start his own practice. Adrian pulls back the curtain on what really happens during IRS audits and shares insider secrets that every bookkeeper and business owner needs to know. In this episode you’ll hear: The real audit triggers that most peo...

In this episode, I'm tackling a listener question about document retention in our digital age. You know how we used to worry about keeping physical files for 3, 5, or 7 years? Well, now that everything's digital and stored in the cloud, does that change our retention strategy? Spoiler alert: it's way more complex than I initially thought! I'm breaking down both IRS guidelines f...

In this episode, I'm answering an audience question about whether the nonprofit sector is a viable niche for a new bookkeeping firm. I dive deep into the pros and cons of specializing in nonprofits and share actionable strategies for making this niche work. What You Can Expect to Hear How to overcome the common challenge of nonprofits expecting discounted pricing through value-based pricing s...

In this eye-opening episode, Serena sits down with Meenadchi, an ancestral healing practitioner, to explore how intergenerational trauma impacts our relationship with money. This isn't your typical business conversation - we're diving deep into the personal stuff that affects how you run your business and serve your clients … and get a little woo! In this episode you’ll hear: How trauma...

In this May Q&A episode, Serena dives deep into the practical side of building a bookkeeping business, covering everything from software partnerships and pricing strategies to finding your niche and standing out from the competition. She shares real-world advice on working with Xero and Gusto, addresses common struggles with client onboarding, and provides actionable tips for bookkeepers at ev...

It’s the 200th episode of The Ambitious Bookkeeper Podcast and Serena pulls back the curtain on her bookkeeping firm's 2024 performance, sharing both the wins and challenges. She gets real about client churn, revenue growth, personal struggles with mold toxicity, and the hard lessons learned about communicating with clients who aren't taking crucial financial advice. In this episode you’...

This episode comes from April’s Live Q&A session, where Serena answered various questions from bookkeepers about pricing strategies, software recommendations, financial statement presentation, and business growth challenges. In this episode you’ll hear: Learn how to confidently set your prices for bookkeeping setups and avoid undercharging Discover effective ways to present financial statement...

In this episode of the Ambitious Bookkeeper Podcast, Serena chats with Maggie Lord, a powerhouse entrepreneur who sold her media company to David's Bridal and now helps female founders do the same. Maggie shares her journey from starting a wedding blog in 2008 to selling her company 12 years later, and reveals insider knowledge about business valuations, exit strategies, and how bookkeepers p...

Are you dreaming of starting your own bookkeeping business but feeling overwhelmed by all the decisions you need to make? You're not alone. As someone who's built a successful bookkeeping practice from scratch, I know firsthand that figuring out what services to offer, how to price them, where to find clients, and what technology you need can feel like navigating a maze. In this episode...

In this powerful episode of The Ambitious Bookkeeper Podcast, Serena Shoup chats with Cletus Coffey, former pro athlete, single dad, and founder of Torch Training. Cletus shares his remarkable journey from professional sports to entrepreneurial failures to finding his authentic purpose through personal transformation. In this episode you’ll hear: Cletus's journey from pro athlete to strugglin...

In this mini-episode, Serena shares her research on the Fair Tax Act and what it could mean for bookkeepers. She explains how this potential legislation would eliminate income tax and the IRS, replacing them with a national sales tax. Serena offers practical advice for bookkeepers to prepare for this potential shift and future-proof their businesses. In this episode you’ll hear: A breakdown of wha...

Running a bookkeeping or accounting firm means juggling multiple clients, deadlines, and deliverables - often leading to that feeling of "I'm drowning in work!" As someone who's built a successful practice while working 20 hours or less per week, I've discovered that how you organize and manage your workflow makes all the difference between constant overwhelm and smooth op...