Building the Premier Accounting Firm Roger Knecht

Welcome to another enlightening episode of Building the Premier Accounting Firm with Roger Knecht. Today, Roger welcomes Dr. Sabrina Starling, a renowned business psychologist and author. Dr. Starling and Roger delve into critical topics affecting accounting businesses, such as marketing, pricing, and staffing. Plus, Dr. Starling discusses her advocacy for finding a balanced work-life dynamic.
Key Discussion Points:
Marketing, Pricing, and Staffing in Accounting:
Dr. Starling shares insights on crucial aspects such as marketing strategies, appropriate pricing models, and effective staffing techniques tailored for accounting businesses.
Advocacy for Work-Life Balance:
Roger and Dr. Starling emphasize the importance of taking vacations and prioritizing life over work.
Dr. Starling lays out her ambitious goal to help 10,000 entrepreneurs take 4-week vacations within the next decade.
Effective Hiring Practices:
Insights from Dr. Starling’s research and interviews with successful small business owners.
Overview of her book series focused on attracting and retaining top talent.
Networking and Positive Work Environments:
Roger highlights the significance of building strong professional relationships and fostering a supportive work culture.
Dr. Starling and Roger discuss the benefits and limitations of policies such as unlimited vacation and sick time, and offering salaried positions to enhance employee satisfaction and balance.
Sustaining Well-Being:
The hosts present strategies for planning time off to prevent post-vacation blues.
Dr. Starling recommendations to schedule future plans within an 8 to 12-week timeframe to maintain a positive outlook.
Challenges of Disconnecting from Work:
Acknowledgement of the difficulties business owners face in detaching from work responsibilities.
Techniques to focus on high-value tasks and delegate effectively to achieve a balanced lifestyle.
Building Self-Sufficient Businesses:
Discussion on creating systems and processes that allow businesses to operate independently.
Importance of self-care and utilizing available resources for business growth and personal well-being.
Setting Boundaries and Prioritizing Self-Care:
Practical advice on establishing boundaries to protect personal time.
Encouragement to seek support and maintain a healthy balance between business and personal life.
Join us as Dr. Sabrina Starling provides valuable insights and actionable strategies to help accounting professionals and business owners achieve a sustainable work-life balance, ensuring long-term success and personal fulfillment.
 
Sponsors:
Universal Accounting Center
Helping accounting professionals confidently and competently offer quality accounting services to get paid what they are worth.
 
Offers:
As the host of Profit by Design Podcast and our guest on the show today Dr. Sabrina is offering our listeners two important resources, the first is the $10k assessment sheet and the opportunity to pledge to work towards and take Your 4-week Vacation.
For more information regarding each and Dr. Sabrina, check out her website: www.tapthepotential.com
Roger also shares receiving your PreScore.  This is a must-have when considering stepping back or away from the daily operations of the business.  Take a moment and see how ready you are for this next change in your career as you empower your team to work more autonomously 
 
Get a FREE copy of these books all accounting professionals should use to work on their business and become profitable.  These are a must-have addition to every accountant’s library to provide quality CFO & Advisory services as a Profit & Growth Expert today:
“Red to BLACK in 30 days – A small business accountant’s guide to QUICK turnarounds” – This is a how-to guide on how to turn around a struggling business into a more sustainable model. Each chapter focuses on a crucia

Join us this Wednesday for a new episode where Roger discusses 25 hour work weeks and 4 week vacations with Dr. Sabrina Starling
 

Join us as we revisit this conversation from 2023!
Welcome to "Building the Premier Accounting Firm" with your host Roger Knecht. In this episode, Roger sits down with Troy Ballard, a highly experienced and certified professional bookkeeper and Accountapreneur with over three decades of experience in the field of bookkeeping.
Tune in as they delve into a wide range of topics, uncovering Troy's journey from starting out as an accountant to eventually launching her own company. Discover the fascinating concept of heart-led businesses, why Troy chooses to specialize in these unique ventures, and how she helps her clients overcome the shame of charging for their invaluable services.
As an expert in targeting heart-led businesses, Troy shares her effective strategies for marketing her services and building genuine relationships with clients in this niche. Gain insights into the industries she collaborates with and learn why cultivating deep connections is vital in her line of work.
But it doesn't stop there. Join the conversation as Troy opens up about her personal methods for decompressing from stress and work, drawing inspiration from her experience as a dog trainer and pet owner. Discover the unexpected ways she integrates her passion for animals into her client interactions.
Looking ahead, Troy provides valuable insights into the future of the accounting industry and how it is evolving to accommodate the rise of Millennials and Gen-Z-ers as future business owners. Uncover what accountants need to know about these generations to stay ahead of the curve.
With so many intriguing topics covered in this episode, you won't want to miss out. Join Roger Knecht and his guest, Troy Ballard, as they explore the fascinating world of accounting, heart-led businesses, relationship building, and the future of the industry. Get ready for an insightful and engaging conversation that will leave you inspired to build your own premier accounting firm.
Tune in to "Building the Premier Accounting Firm" with Roger Knecht, available now on your favorite podcast platform.
Your Host: Roger Knecht, president of Universal Accounting Center
Guest Name: Troy Ballard
Troy Ballard is a highly experienced and certified professional bookkeeper with over three decades of experience in the field of bookkeeping. She started her own business in 2015  providing top-notch bookkeeping services to help businesses achieve profit and growth. In addition to her expertise in finance, Troy is also a talented musician who plays the guitar and writes songs and poems in her free time. She is also an avid dog lover and trains her pet for competition events. With her diverse interests and extensive experience, Troy is a well-rounded and valuable asset for any organization.
Sponsors:
Universal Accounting Center
Helping accounting professionals confidently and competently offer quality accounting services to get paid what they are worth.
 
Offers:
Become a certified Profit & Growth Expert.
 
As you transition into advisory services it’s important you understand how best to market your services, sell, price and fulfill you client engagements with confidence and competence.  Learn how best to work with your clients as their strategic accounting, or as we like to say, “their Profit & Growth Expert”.
 
Learn more HERE and see what you can do to add these valuable services to your offerings to become the premier accounting firm in your area.
 
For Additional FREE Resources for accounting professionals check out this collection HERE!
 
Be sure to join us for GrowCon, the LIVE event for accounting professionals to work ON their business. This is a conference you don’t want to miss.
 
Remember this, Accounting Success IS Universal.
Listen to our next episode and be sure to subscribe.
 
Also, let us know what you think of the podcast and please share any suggestions you may have.  We look forward to your input: Podcast Feedback
 

In this episode, Universal Accounting Center President Roger Knecht dives deep into the world of accounting and bookkeeping with Matthew Pollard, a renowned expert in rapid business growth. Pollard shares his wisdom on how to transform an accounting firm into a premier establishment by leveraging motivation, goal-setting, and strategic differentiation.
Main Themes:
Motivation and Goal Achievement:
Insights on maintaining motivation and setting effective, achievable goals.
Strategies to stay focused and driven in the competitive accounting landscape.
Differentiation and Niche Marketing:
Importance of carving out a niche within the accounting and bookkeeping sectors.
Tips on confidently articulating your unique value proposition to command higher prices.
Strengths of Introverts:
Utilizing introverted strengths such as planning, preparation, empathy, and active listening.
Effective networking and client positioning strategies tailored for introverts.
Unique Client Service Approaches:
Case studies illustrating success through deeper cultural insights and personalized service.
Emphasis on understanding cultural nuances and building rapport for long-term client relationships.
Rebranding and Specialized Programs:
How to rebrand services for targeted marketing and create specialized programs.
Focus on clear messaging and highlighting client benefits to stand out in the market.
Storytelling in Business:
The power of storytelling to engage clients emotionally and understand their needs.
Crafting authentic stories that showcase successful outcomes to drive business growth.
Value Proposition and Advisory Roles:
Communicating value through personalized packages and transitioning into advisory roles.
Justifying higher service prices by emphasizing expertise and tailored client support.
Key Takeaways:
Building a premier accounting firm requires more than just technical skills; it demands strategic differentiation and deep client understanding.
Introverted professionals have unique strengths that can be leveraged for effective client interactions and networking.
Storytelling and cultural insights are powerful tools in creating lasting client relationships and ensuring business growth.
Clear, targeted marketing and specialized programs can help firms stand out and command premium prices.
Transitioning to advisory roles and emphasizing personalized value can justify higher service rates and improve client retention.
Join us as Matthew Pollard shares actionable strategies and insights that can help elevate your accounting firm to new heights.
 
Sponsors:
Universal Accounting Center
Helping accounting professionals confidently and competently offer quality accounting services to get paid what they are worth.
 
Offers:
Get the first chapter of the Introvert's Edge free: https://matthewpollard.com/theintrovertsedge/book
 
Or get the first chapter of the Introvert's Edge to Networking free: http://theintrovertsedge.com/networkin
 
But don’t forget to get your copy of The 3 Steps to Rapid Growth: https://matthewpollard.com/three-steps-rapid-growth/ 
 
You also need to read, “Your Strategic Accountant”: https://universalbusinessbuilders.com/your-strategic-accounting-landing-page-accountants 
 
Get a FREE copy of these books all accounting professionals should use to work on their business and become profitable.  These are a must-have addition to every accountant’s library to provide quality CFO & Advisory services as a Profit & Growth Expert today:
“Red to BLACK in 30 days – A small business accountant’s guide to QUICK turnarounds” – This is a how-to guide on how to turn around a struggling business into a more sustainable model. Each chapter focuses on a crucial aspect of the turnaround process - from cash flow management to strategies for improving revenue. This book will teach you everything you need to become a turnaround e

Join us this Wednesday for a new episode where Roger discusses sales systems for introverts with Matthew Pollard
 

Join us as we revisit this conversation from 2023!
Welcome to another episode of "Building the Premier Accounting Firm" with your host, Roger Knecht. In this insightful episode, Roger sits down with Elizabeth Szporn, a seasoned guide at Profit First Professionals. As an expert in transforming accounting, bookkeeping, and coaching firms, Elizabeth brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the conversation.
The episode kicks off with Elizabeth sharing her inspiring journey into the accounting industry. From humble beginnings to becoming a trusted advisor, she reveals the pivotal moments that shaped her career and passion for helping entrepreneurs succeed.
One of the key concepts they delve into is the profit-first philosophy. Elizabeth explains how this transformative approach can revolutionize the way entrepreneurs manage their finances. By prioritizing profit and applying strategic allocation methods, she unveils how businesses can thrive in any economic climate.
Ever heard of Parkinson's law? Elizabeth and Roger shed light on this powerful principle and explore its practical application in the world of accounting. Discover how Accountapreneurs can leverage Parkinson's law and the profit-first philosophy to optimize their business operations, increase productivity, and achieve sustainable growth.
But what holds entrepreneurs back from embracing the profit-first philosophy? Elizabeth addresses this common challenge head-on, highlighting the fears and misconceptions that often hinder adoption. Through real-life examples and success stories, she demonstrates the profound impact that embracing a profit-first mindset can have on businesses of all sizes.
They also talk about the struggles accountants face when transitioning into the advisory space. Elizabeth shares valuable insights on how to overcome these obstacles and find the perfect balance between pricing and client fulfillment. Discover the Goldilocks method, a practical approach to tailoring your services to meet client needs while ensuring profitability and value.
Tune in to this captivating episode of "Building the Premier Accounting Firm" to gain a deeper understanding of the profit-first philosophy, Parkinson's law, and how they can transform your business. Elizabeth Szporn's expertise and anecdotes will inspire and empower you to take proactive steps towards building a thriving accounting firm that stands out in the industry.
Don't miss out on this engaging discussion that touches upon various topics, including entrepreneurship, financial management, client relationships, and more. Join Roger Knecht and Elizabeth Szporn as they share their valuable insights on the path to success in the accounting world.
 
Your Host: Roger Knecht, president of Universal Accounting Center
Guest Name: Liz Szporn
Liz Szporn is a Guide at Profit First Professionals where she supports the transformation of accounting, bookkeeping and coaching firms. She particularly loves working on content and strategy to increase client engagement starting at the beginning of the sales cycle. Liz has 20+ years of experience as an executive and entrepreneur with a track record of financial success and strong leadership skills. In addition to being a Guide, Liz is a co-host on the Grow My Accounting Practice podcast, with Mike Michalowicz and Ron Saharyan. She also co-founded Leaderally, a professional development organization dedicated to educators, where she produces content and curriculum for online and in-person courses and workshops.  Liz lives in New Jersey with her husband, three children, and two dogs.

Sponsors:
Universal Accounting Center
Helping accounting professionals confidently and competently offer quality accounting services to get paid what they are worth.
 
Offers:
Connect with Roger and Liz on Linkedin
Get a FREE copy of these books all accounting professionals should use to work on their business and become profitable.  These are a must-have addition to