The Bookkeepers' Podcast

In this episode, Zoe explores what bookkeepers must understand to strategically grow their bookkeeping practice in 2026. She encourages listeners to “break” their existing business model in order to rebuild a scalable structure that supports long-term goals. The discussion centres on revisiting your original vision, designing systems that function without you, choosing a defined niche, and develop...

Get your FREE 6 Figure Practice Planner at 6figurebookkeeper.com In this episode, Jo and Zoe break down the fast-evolving world of artificial intelligence and what it means for bookkeepers right now. They explore the opportunities, risks, and everyday use cases—from email management and strategic planning to research tools and AI agents. With their signature blend of humour and practical advice, t...

What does success look like for HMRC with Making Tax Digital – and what does it really mean for the bookkeepers doing the work on the ground? In this Leadership Takeover Session, Craig Ogilvie, HMRC’s Director for Making Tax Digital, explains the “why” behind MTD for Income Tax, how it will change the UK tax system, and why he believes bookkeepers are central to making it work for small businesses...

What does the future of bookkeeping actually look like when AI gets practical? Sabby Gill (CEO of Dext) breaks down what’s changing, what won’t, and how bookkeepers stay indispensable. You’ll hear how a SaaS CEO thinks about time-saving automation, why “customer voice” should shape your roadmap (even in a practice), and why the human relationship side of bookkeeping becomes more valuable as system...

In this Leadership Takeover Session, Jack Choppin – employee number one at GoProposal (now GoProposal by Sage) and long-time head of Client Success – explains how bookkeepers can build confident teams, challenge clients on pricing and create “shock and awe” experiences that drive loyalty and growth. For UK bookkeepers bringing in their first team member, or trying to get braver with fees, this is...

Be honest: have you set up automation… but not really adopted it? In this episode of our Leadership Series, Paul Lodder (VP of Accounting & Product Strategy at Dext) breaks down how to use Dext automation to create capacity, improve real-time reporting, and move clients from reactive to in control. Download Dext's Compliance to Advisory Guide, here: https://info.dext.com/compliance-to-advisory-gui...

In this Leadership Takeover Session, Stuart Miller, Director of Public Policy and Technology Research at Xero, shares what’s really happening behind the scenes with MTD, AI and financial literacy – and what it all means for UK bookkeepers. If you’ve ever wondered who sits in the rooms with government, regulators and tech companies speaking up for small businesses and their advisers, this episode j...

In this episode, Apron founder Bogdan Uzbekov explains how he built a 100+ person payments team, created a culture where people “do the work of their lives”, and why his 10-year vision includes building something in space. For UK bookkeepers, accountants and small business owners, this is a practical masterclass in leadership, team culture and modern business payments. The way you build your team...

How to Get Visible as a Bookkeeper: Sage’s Chris Downing on Confidence, Tech and Career Opportunities In this Leadership Takeover Session, Sage’s Chris Downing shows bookkeepers and accountants exactly how to get more visible, build a reputation that feels authentic, and turn their experience into new opportunities – without pretending to be someone they’re not. Drawing on 19 years in practice (fr...

The future of bookkeeping is not data entry — it is trusted financial partnership. In this episode of the 6FB Sofa Sessions, Max Whiteley, Product Domain Expert at Dext and multiple award-winning practice leader, explains exactly how UK bookkeepers can move from compliance into real advisory, and why confidence, curiosity and commercial thinking now matter more than technical perfection. Register...

In this Sofa Session, Kate Hayward, Managing Director of Xero UK, shares how growing up in a self-employed household shaped her views on risk, money and why bookkeepers are now more vital than ever to small businesses. For UK bookkeepers, this is a clear, honest look at where the profession is heading and how to stay at the centre of it. Kate talks about watching her parents worry over money at th...

In this Leadership Takeover session, Kate Hayward, Managing Director of Xero UK, shares how growing up in a self-employed household shaped her views on risk, money and why bookkeepers are now more vital than ever to small businesses. For UK bookkeepers, this is a clear, honest look at where the profession is heading and how to stay at the centre of it. Kate talks about watching her parents worry o...

What does the future really look like for UK bookkeepers as regulation tightens, MTD expands and professionalism becomes more important than ever? In this episode of the 6FB Sofa Sessions, Ami Copeland, CEO of the Institute of Certified Bookkeepers (ICB), explains exactly what’s changing, what standards matter most, and how bookkeepers can protect, grow and future-proof their practices. Ami leads...

In this episode, Jo and Zoe take a deep dive into what it really looks like to start a bookkeeping business in 2026. Rather than jumping straight into checklists and compliance, they challenge aspiring bookkeepers to step back and understand the real reason behind wanting to start a practice — freedom, financial stability, and flexibility. They explain how important it is to design the business ar...

The Dext Effect: How Modern Bookkeepers Save UK SMBs: https://subscribepage.io/qn0D3U We talk about the Dext report here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=02y_ZDbROus In this solo episode, Zoe dives into why so many bookkeeping practices are falling behind — not because of skill, but because the industry has evolved faster than the services most bookkeepers are offering. Drawing on new data from De...

In this third and final part of the client-finding series, Jo and Zoe move beyond foundations and personal branding into advanced, “pro-level” strategies for winning bookkeeping clients through referrals. They break down how to turn happy clients into loyal advocates who consistently recommend you, so your pipeline fills without you constantly hustling for every new lead. They explore what it real...

In this second instalment of the three-part “How to Find Bookkeeping Clients” series, Jo and Zoe dive deep into why personal branding is essential for bookkeepers who want to grow their practices. Building on video one’s “business foundations”, this episode explores how trust-building, visibility, reputation, and consistency help bookkeepers stand out in a crowded industry—especially in an online...

In this first video of a three-part series on finding bookkeeping clients, Jo and Zoe break down the beginner foundations you need in place to win your first few clients with confidence. They talk honestly about the fear, vulnerability and “baggage” that new bookkeepers bring when they leave employment, and why that very first client matters so much for your belief, validation and momentum. Throug...

In this episode, Jo and Zoe condense two decades of bookkeeping wisdom into just 29 minutes. They reflect on their biggest lessons, from pricing and mindset to boundaries and burnout, revealing the truths that transformed their businesses from £0 to six figures. They discuss why qualification is only the beginning, how to think like a business owner instead of a freelancer, and why value-based pri...

6 Figure Bookkeeper Key links: https://linktr.ee/6fb Links to all the stuff we mention 🧾 Xero State of the Industry Report (2025): https://www.xero.com/uk/campaign/partner/industry-report/ 💰 BisVal Express Business Valuation: https://bizvalglobal.com/ 📊 Dext Report – UK SME Insights: https://info.dext.com/dext-built-for-bigger-things-exclusive-report 🧮 6 Figure Bookkeepers Minimum Hourly Rate...

find our links here: https://linktr.ee/6fb In this refreshingly practical episode, Jo and Zoe share how bookkeepers can find clients without relying on social media. While both love online marketing (and even built their own social media tool, Journal), they recognise that not every bookkeeper feels confident online. This conversation breaks down a simple three-level approach for finding clients o...

In this final instalment of their three-part series, Jo and Zoe unpack what it means to offer advanced bookkeeping services — the level beyond bank reconciliations and cash flow forecasts. They challenge bookkeepers to step into a more strategic role by holding clients accountable, interpreting data, and driving decisions that impact long-term success. They explore how bookkeepers can transition f...

In this second instalment of their three-part series, Jo and Zoe dive into what it means to transition from offering basic bookkeeping to providing intermediate-level services. They explore how bookkeepers can move beyond reconciliations and historical data to become invaluable financial partners for their clients. The discussion covers cashflow forecasting, corporation tax provisions, KPI dashboa...

This episode kicks off a three-part mini-series defining the core service levels for bookkeepers: beginner, intermediate, and advanced. Jo and Zoe focus here on the bare-minimum, beginner bookkeeping service—what you must deliver to confidently charge for your work and meet client expectations. They cover the bookkeeper–accountant boundary, where compliance starts and stops, and the practical step...

Jo and Zoe unpack real-world customer service moments (good, bad, and “oh no!”) from hotels and travel, then translate them into practical ways bookkeepers can delight clients without overpromising or underpricing. From clear communication paths and response expectations to building systems that “put out the fire once,” they show how your service standard should drive your pricing, capacity, and t...