The Smarter Accountant Podcast

Have you ever noticed how often you catch yourself complaining throughout the day? Maybe it's about the traffic during your morning commute, the mountain of paperwork on your desk, or perhaps even the occasional issue with the weather.  Are you aware that your brain is wired to find faults, to identify potential threats, and to, in a way, complain?  It's a natural survival mechanism, but what happ...

Have you ever wondered what it takes to have a sustainable accounting career? Are there things you're currently struggling with as a CPA? Have you thought that there's got to be an easier way but not sure what that is? Reflecting on my 30+ year career in public accounting, there are three pivotal aspects that, if I had known about them earlier, could have made my journey as a CPA easier. In this e...

Have you ever felt like you're racing against the clock? Like you're trying to do a million things, but there just isn't enough time? It happens to most of us.   Think about the last time you had a loooong list of things to do. Did you ever wonder why it felt so overwhelming even before you got started? Is there more to it than just having lots of things to do?   Sometimes, we try to make everythi...

We've all been there, right? Faced with a choice, a chance, a path unknown, and then that nagging voice of doubt creeps in. It's that skeptical inner critic whispering, "What if it doesn't work out?" or "Is it really worth the risk?"   But here's the thing – some of the most remarkable achievements in life come from taking those leaps of faith, embracing the unknown, and saying, "Yes" to the possi...

Have you ever found yourself daydreaming about a happier work life while stuck in a meeting or at your desk? Have you ever felt like you're on the verge of quitting your job due to unhappiness? On a scale of 1 to 10, how satisfied are you with your current job? What would it take to move that number closer to a 10 without leaving your job? If you can relate, this episode is for you In this episode...

How often do distractions, be it emails, notifications, or constant interruptions, impact your work as an accountant?  Can you recall a recent instance where you lost valuable time due to these distractions? Imagine a workday where you accomplish more in a few focused hours than you usually do in an entire day. How would that feel?  What could you achieve with that kind of productivity? If you can...

Do you struggle with stress and overwhelm, especially during deadlines? Are you working more hours than you want to?   Do you have issues with self-confidence and imposter syndrome? Do you struggle with difficult people, professionally or personally? If you can relate to struggling as an accountant, this episode is for you! In this episode, I discuss:   The Motivational Triad - Why your brain does...

Have you ever found yourself working late into the night, sacrificing weekends for your job, or feeling the weight of burnout?   Are you struggling to strike a balance between your professional ambitions and your personal well-being?   Do you feel like work constantly spills over into your personal life through emails, notifications, and never-ending to-do lists?   In this episode, I discuss:   Gi...

Have you ever experienced moments of doubt about your abilities, even when your track record suggests otherwise?   Have you ever felt like you're just waiting for someone to realize that you don't truly belong or deserve your achievements?   If this resonates with you, just know that you're not alone.    Research has shown that many accountants and finance professionals grapple with imposter syndr...

As accountants, we're often praised for our attention to detail, our analytical skills, and our ability to navigate complex financial landscapes. We pride ourselves on our dedication and commitment to delivering accurate and precise work. Yet, beneath the surface, there can be a hidden cost to our professional success – our health. In this episode, I discuss:   Heather's story: Health issues. The...

As accountants, we are often hyper-focused on numbers, deadlines, and deliverables.  But have you ever stopped to consider how your relationships affect your ability to perform at your best? The truth is, relationships play a crucial role in our professional lives.  The state of our relationships impact our stress levels, productivity, and even our health. In this episode, I discuss:  Rob's Story:...

We all know that criticism is an unavoidable part of life, especially in professional fields like accounting.   But, whether you're on the receiving end of a formal review or providing feedback to others, the process can often be uncomfortable and awkward.  In this episode, I discuss:   Mark's Story: Struggling with criticism. The brain's response to criticism. Subjectivity and past experiences. R...

As an accountant, you most likely believe you know how to handle other people's money and finances. But let me ask you a few questions:   How do you feel about money?  What is your relationship with your money? Do you know how to money (yes as a verb)?   In this episode, I discuss:   Your relationship with money. Your brain's role in making money. The "time plus effort" perception. Making a shift...

Have you ever found yourself scrolling through social media, comparing your life to the seemingly perfect lives of others?    Or maybe you've compared your achievements, relationships, or appearance to those of your peers, feeling like you don't measure up? You're not alone.   In this episode, I discuss:   The psychology of comparison. The negative effects of social comparions. Healthy versus unhe...

Are you someone who often finds themselves struggling with productivity, despite putting in long hours and working hard?    You know how they're always saying work smarter, not harder? What does that even mean?   In this episode, I discuss:   Jeff's Story - Unraveling the Challenges of Productivity. Scheduling results, not actions. The problem with to-do lists. Becoming a Smarter Accountant. Signs...

Do you ever wonder why some accountants are good at managing their time while others struggle?    Do you find yourself delaying tasks even when they're important?     As the Get Sh*t Done Coach for Accountants, I'm proud to say that time management is one of my specialties.    In this episode, I discuss:   Time drama. Your brain's role in time management. The power of the prefrontal cortex. The ef...

Whether you're in public or private accounting, why is it that we tend to overwork?  Why are there so many memes and jokes about accountants being tied to our desks?     More importantly, is it worth it?.   After decades in public accounting, I have witnessed firsthand the culture of overworking that has become normalized in our profession and its effects.    In this episode, I discuss:   The cult...

As a CPA in public accounting for over 30 years, I know first hand about stress and stressful busy seasons. But, while stress and overwhelm have become normal in the accounting profession, it doesn't mean it's necessary.  When you understand the cause, you have the power to change the effect.  First, you need to understand your brain's role in stress and some secrets to having a stress-free busy s...

In this episode, you'll discover why understanding how your brain works is crucial for your success as an accountant, both professionally and personally.   You may be wondering, what does brain science have to do with accounting? As I explain in this episode, it has everything to do with it.  By gaining insights into how our brains function and learning effective strategies to manage them, we can...

So, what does it mean to be a Smarter Accountant? The reason I chose this as the first episode is that when you become a Smarter Accountant, you'll see through the lies you've been telling yourself about what is "normal" for accountants. You'll be able to have the accounting career, business and life you want. Once you learn what I'm going to teach you each week on this podcast, you'll gradually b...

Welcome to the introduction to The Smarter Accountant Podcast! This game-changing podcast will help you get to the root cause of the challenges that have been holding you back and empower you with innovative solutions to take your accounting career to the next level. This is the podcast where brain science meets accounting, providing you with information you won't find in any classroom, CPE semina...