The Woodard Report Podcast: Featuring Heather Satterley and Joe Woodard

On this episode Joe Woodard is interviewed by Matt Tate, CEO of Decimal, about how accounting and bookkeeping firm owners can scale past the "messy middle" and into million-dollar practices. Joe emphasizes defining an ideal client, building outcome-driven service offerings, and pricing based on value rather than effort. He breaks down the path to $1M as achievable with just 32 right-fit clients, a...

On this episode Heather speaks with Jennifer Wilson, Partner and Co-Founder of ConvergenceCoaching®, LLC, about the sweeping influence of private equity (PE) in the accounting profession and what it means for firm culture, leadership, and client relationships. Jennifer explains how PE's drive for rapid growth and profit could clash with accounting's traditional values, which prioritize people and...

On this episode Joe and Heather speak about conquering the email inbox using the "Zero Inbox" lifestyle and how it transforms both productivity and peace of mind. Joe walks listeners through a practical, judgment-free system based on David Allen's productivity method using the four D's—Delete, Delegate, Do, and Defer—while Heather shares real-world encouragement for anyone overwhelmed by digital c...

On this episode, Heather speaks with Damon Pike from BDO about how businesses, especially accounting professionals, can advise clients on managing the complexities of current tariffs. Damon highlights the critical need for companies to meticulously track customs duties. He also stresses the importance of keeping accurate documentation and understanding the timeline for filing refund claims in the...

On this episode Joe speaks with Heather about identifying and removing toxic clients who undermine accounting and advisory practices. Joe shares a vivid metaphor—likening bad clients to termites in a home—and outlines a checklist to help firms define their ideal client profile based on profitability, behavior, scalability, and alignment with firm systems. TV and Movie Quote: Heather quoted Thelma...

On this episode Joe speaks with Geni Whitehouse about overcoming internal obstacles like perfectionism and imposter syndrome to create meaningful change in both life and career. Geni shares her journey from being a high-achieving CPA to finding fulfillment as a keynote speaker, urging listeners to pause, reflect, and ask themselves what they truly want. Her keynote at Scaling New Heights 2025 will...

On this episode, Joe speaks with Chaunté about how her journey as a four-time Olympian and breast cancer survivor has reshaped her understanding of resilience, faith, and purpose. She shares how her athletic discipline, mindset, and spiritual grounding prepared her to train for the Olympics even during chemotherapy—motivated not by medals, but by her mission to raise breast cancer awareness. From...

On this episode Joe speaks with Liz Scott about the ongoing AI revolution in the accounting profession and how it's transforming the way firms handle data, reduce burnout, and deliver client insights. Liz breaks AI down into three key "buckets": bookkeeping, data review, and client deliverables—explaining how each is being reshaped by AI-powered tools. They also discuss how AI enables accountants...

On this episode Joe speaks with Heather about how to maximize your return on investment from conferences by attending with intention, identifying clear learning goals, and planning connections in advance. They dive into the "three threes" approach—three skills to learn, three tools to explore, and three people to meet—and emphasize the importance of self-awareness, authenticity, and pacing to make...

On this episode Heather speaks with Eric Green, Founder of the Tax Rep Network, about leveraging expert tax representation to empower business advisors in streamlining client services. They delve into how Eric's extensive experience as a tax attorney and founder of the tax rep network aids in enhancing efficiency and effectiveness in client engagements. Additionally, the conversation explores inno...

On this episode Joe speaks with Dan Hood, editor-in-chief of Accounting Today, about the latest trends from Accounting Today's research on the Top 100 firms, the explosive growth of Client Accounting Services (CAS), and how firms are adapting to staffing shortages and technological innovation. They dive into why CAS is the future growth engine for accounting firms, how leadership and process chang...

On this episode Joe and Heather talk about their recent experience taking a business leadership course on artificial intelligence at Brown University, where they explored the different types of AI—narrow, agentic, and general—and how each impacts the future of accounting. They emphasize that AI is no longer optional for firms; it's a competitive necessity, especially when paired with strategic dat...

On this episode Joe Woodard speaks with Deb Defer, Director of CAS Consulting at Woodard, about how firms can turn client onboarding from a loss leader into a profitable, strategic phase of their CAS engagements. They explore pricing structures like evergreen retainers, volume-discounted cleanups, and onboarding fees to ensure firms aren't losing money or undervaluing their services. The episode i...

On this episode, Heather Satterley chats with Dave Olsen and Shane Rowley from Nimbl about a big question many accounting pros wrestle with: Should you keep your firm small and flexible or scale it up? Dave shares his personal journey of growing Nimbl from a solo practice into a thriving business with over 100 team members, while Shane talks openly about how he drove Nimbl's growth to $6 million i...

On this episode, Heather speaks with Todd Robinson, Director of Practice Engagement at Woodard, about the evolution of the accounting industry over the past two decades, from the early days of QuickBooks Online to today's AI-driven landscape. They explore the rise of Client Advisory Services (CAS), the growing interest of private equity in accounting firms, and the critical importance of adopting...

On this episode Joe speaks with Heather about why operations should be the next big focus in your practice. Heather emphasizes the importance of documenting and reflecting on current processes to identify areas for improvement. The discussion also covers aligning operational improvements with firm culture, broadening technology views with automation and AI, and practical steps to stay ahead in the...

On this episode, Joe speaks with Heather about the complexities of trust—how it's broken, why it happens, and most importantly, how to restore it in business and personal relationships. They outline a five-step approach to rebuilding trust, emphasizing self-awareness, assessing intent, and fostering meaningful resolutions. TV and Movie Quote: Heather quoted Eat, Pray, Love Joe quoted Rocky III Boo...

On this episode, Heather and Joe talk about seven essential productivity hacks to help accountants and bookkeepers stay sane during the busy season. They cover strategies like the two-minute rule, email automation, mindset shifts, and the importance of setting boundaries to maintain efficiency and well-being. Joe also revisits The Execution Factor by Kim Perrell (from episode 41 of the Woodard Rep...

On this episode, Heather and Joe talk about the essentials of building a thriving company culture, breaking it down into three key categories: directional, interactive, and operational. They also discuss the importance of defining a company's vision, mission, and purpose, fostering trust and servant leadership within teams. Books discussed in the first segment of the show: 5 Dysfunctions of a Team...

On this episode Joe speaks with Gene Marks about how the DOGE initiative is shaking up government spending and prompting a reexamination of fiscal policies that impact the accounting profession and small businesses. Gene breaks down the effects of IRS layoffs and ERC uncertainties offering strategic insights for navigating these turbulent economic shifts. About Gene Marks A past columnist for both...

On this episode, Heather speaks with Randy about the latest technology trends from the Consumer Electronics Show (CES). They discuss standout innovations, including AI-powered laptops, wireless monitors, and new productivity tools like foldable screens and ergonomic keyboards. Randy also highlights concerns over the lack of new products from major brands like Nikon and Canon, as well as the evolvi...

On this episode, Joe speaks with Penny Breslin and Damien Greathead about their innovative BOSS (Back Office Support) model, designed to help Client Accounting Services (CAS) practices streamline operations and scale effectively. They discuss key insights from their book, including defining a clear business focus, building the right team, selecting ideal clients, leveraging technology, and refinin...

On this episode, Joe speaks with Matt Tait, CEO of Decimal, about the integration of AI in the accounting industry, highlighting Decimal's transition to the AI-native ledger platform, Puzzle. Matt shares his thoughts on how Puzzle can automate up to 90% of routine tasks, improve client experiences, and enhance workflow scalability. His perspective on the implied partnership between tech and accoun...

On this episode, Joe and Heather dive into the major trends and challenges shaping 2025 for accounting professionals. They discuss the growing impact of artificial intelligence, policy shifts under the new U.S. presidency, and evolving business models in the industry.  Recommended Reading: The Future of the Professions - Daniel Susskin 5 Best Books About Artificial Intelligence - The New York Time...

On this episode, Joe and Heather explore key insights from the 2024 AICPA CAS Benchmark Survey, highlighting the evolution of CPA and non-credentialed practices post-COVID, including growth trends, advisory services, and the increasing role of technology. Download the 2024 CAS Benchmark Survey Read " Surveying a Shifting Landscape " from The CPA Journal TV and Movie Quote: Heather quoted Deadpool...