Accounting High

Accounting High
Accounting High

Accounting High is the premier practice management podcast for tax and accounting firm owners. Join us for conversations about running a modern accounting practice in the cloud. We are the next generation of accounting professionals questioning the state of the accounting profession.

  1. 2 DAYS AGO

    234 Tax Firm Adding Value with Financial Planning and CAS (feat. Matt Kidd, CPA)

    Episode 234 FACULTY: Matt Kidd, CPA CLASS: #Shoperations In this throwback to Sons of CPAs, Scotty chats it up with Matt about his two CPA brothers, diving into how they each built successful practices, inspired by their CPA father. They talk about managing and transitioning CPA firms, incorporating wealth management, modernizing traditional practices, tax season, and client relationships. Tune in for a comprehensive view on growing a client-centric, million-dollar CPA practice, with insights on practical strategies and overcoming challenges in the accounting profession. 📣 Shout Outs: Shane Mason, Blunden, QuickBooks Online, QuickBooks Desktop, Xero, UltraTax, Karbon, Excello, Onvio, Thompson Reuters, Citrix, Buckingham Strategic Partners, Loring Ward, AICPA, AICPAENGAGE, Jon Gordon ⬇️ Video Referenced ⬇️ 051 - Numbers and Love Letters (feat. Shane Mason, CPA/PFS, CFP, CPWA) (https://youtu.be/Pkn_JPfwl0k) 📚 Books Referenced 📚 The Energy Bus: 10 Rules to Fuel Your Life, Work, and Team with Positive Energy by Jon Gordon (https://theenergybus.com/) Chapters: 00:00 Teaser 02:12 Meet Matthew Kidd: The CPA Journey 02:30 Family of CPAs: The Kidd Legacy 02:50 The Value of Wealth Management 02:58 Matthew's Path to Becoming a CPA 07:26 Acquisitions and Practice Growth 14:15 Hard Numbers 24:02 Modernizing 25:43 Navigating Tax Laws and Old Tech 27:18 The Onvio Experience 29:50 Transitioning to Cloud-Based Systems 33:24 Launching Wealth Management Services 40:57 Marketing Wealth Management to Clients 45:17 The GetTo Foundation and Its Impact 47:54 Reflections on Accounting Practices and Margins 51:39 Closing Thoughts and Future Plans 🔗 Connect With Us On LinkedIn! 🔗 Matt Kidd, CPA 📎 https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthewkiddcpa/ Blunden & Kidd Accounting & Consulting, P.C. 📎 https://www.linkedin.com/company/blunden-kidd-accounting-consulting-p-c/ 📎 https://blundenkidd.com/ Scotty OKR Scarano 📎 https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottscarano/ Accounting High 📎 https://www.linkedin.com/company/accounting-high/ 📎 https://www.accountinghigh.com/ Tags: Shoperations, Accounting High, Accounting, Podcast, Shop Class, Firm Operations, Systems And Processes, tax planning, financial advisory, CPA journey, wealth management, family business, accounting firm growth, hybrid work model, client relationships, CAS integration, professional development

    52 min
  2. 5 DAYS AGO

    233 Get In Where You Fit In to Shoot Your Shot at CPAcon (feat. Kendale King, CPA)

    Episode 233 FACULTY: Kendale King, CPA CLASS: #AccountingHigh Join us as Scotty interviews Kendale King, CPA from Los Angeles, who shares his inspiring journey from childhood entrepreneurship with his brother to a successful career in Hollywood accounting. Kendale discusses his transition from auditing roles at Deloitte to working in entertainment consulting with major companies like Netflix. His passion for accounting and entrepreneurial spirit led him to launch CPAcon, the first accounting olympics. Discover what Kendale is bringing to the accounting world in this episode! 📣 Shout Outs: CPACon, Deloitte, Chrysler, Morehouse College, Siegfried Seals Group, 21st Century Fox, Netflix, Earmark, Richard, Denise Freming, CalCPA, Dream Con Chapters: 00:00 Teaser 01:55 Kendale's Background and Early Life 02:41 Choosing a Career Path 03:41 First Steps in Accounting 05:24 Early Entrepreneurial Ventures 09:31 Transition to Entertainment Industry 12:10 Experience at Netflix 14:27 Post-Netflix Career Moves 19:24 Introducing CPACon: Gamifying Accounting 29:42 Final Thoughts and Advice 🔗 Connect With Us On Linkedin! 🔗 Kendale King, CPA 📎 https://www.linkedin.com/in/kendale-king-cpa-💵-90916721/ KCK CPA 📎 https://www.kck-cpa.com/services CPAcon 📎 https://www.linkedin.com/company/cpacon/ 📎 https://www.thecpacon.com/ Scotty OKR Scarano 📎 https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottscarano/ Accounting High 📎 https://www.linkedin.com/company/accounting-high/ 📎 https://www.accountinghigh.com/ Tags: Accounting High, Accounting, Podcast, Coaching, Accounting Tips, How To Run An Accounting Practice, CPACon, CP, accounting event, entrepreneurship, DreamCon, Los Angeles, networking

    31 min
  3. 3 NOV

    232 Xero in on Education in the Accounting Profession (feat. Becca Smith, MAAT)

    Episode 232 FACULTY: Becca Smith, MAAT In this episode, Scotty interviews Becca Smith, MAAT an Education Leader at Xero. Learn about the global nuances of accounting practices, Xero’s educational initiatives, and community events like Xerocon and Xero roadshows. Hear updates about Xero’s innovative payment solutions, their AI companion JAX, and the evolution of financial technologies. Join us to learn how these advancements are shaping the future of accounting! 📣 Shout Outs: Xero, Xerocon, Bill.com, Xero JAX Chapters: 00:00 Teaser 01:28 Introduction  04:08 Transition to Xero  08:52 Role at Xero and Education Focus  15:03 Community Building and Events  21:40 Personal Insights and Running  23:36 Balancing Work and Hobbies  23:49 Global Accounting Practices  24:54 Payment Methods Evolution  28:13 Tipping Culture Differences  28:53 Xero's New Initiatives  33:40 JAX AI Companion  40:39 XeroCon Rap Performance 45:25 Conclusion 🔗 Connect With Us On Linkedin! 🔗 Becca Smith, MAAT 📎 https://www.linkedin.com/in/becca-smith-maat-79080190/ Xero 📎 https://www.linkedin.com/company/xero/ 📎 http://www.xero.com Scotty OKR Scarano 📎 https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottscarano/ Accounting High 📎 https://www.linkedin.com/company/accounting-high/ 📎 https://www.accountinghigh.com/ Tags: Accounting High, Accounting, Podcast, Coaching, Accounting Tips, How To Run An Accounting Practice, Accounting Education, XeroCon, Becca Smith, Accounting AI, UK Accounting, Accounting Technology, Xero, Global Accounting

    48 min
  4. 27 OCT

    231 $2M Fully Remote Partnership High on Technology (feat. Kyle Geers, CPA)

    Episode 231 FACULTY: Kyle Geers, CPA CLASS: #Shoperations In this episode, join Scotty and Kyle Geers as they talk about his unique path from college water skiing enthusiast to managing a fully remote firm with $2 million in revenue. Hear how the founders of Zeroed In leveraged their skills to create profitable accounting practices, navigated communication and collaboration challenges, and utilized tools like Power BI and ClickUp. Discover insights on capacity planning, client service management, and fostering team growth through clear career paths. 📣 Shout Outs: Bridging the Gap, Grant Thornton, Xero, Zeroed In, QBO, NetSuite, Sage, Microsoft Dynamics, Power BI, Power Query, Power Automate, Microsoft Copilot, ChatGPT, Microsoft 365, ClickUp. Zapier, Microsoft SharePoint, Microsoft Teams, Roman Villard, Digital CPA Chapters: 00:00 Teaser  02:27 Kyle's Journey into Accounting  04:46 Experiences at Grant Thornton  09:46 Transition to Technical Accounting Advisory  16:54 Building and Growing Zeroed In  20:52 Using ChatGPT vs. Copilot  21:37 Integrating Accounting Systems  23:31 Client Onboarding and Ideal Profiles  25:48 Roles and Responsibilities in the Firm  29:37 Internal Communication and Team Meetings  33:03 Final Tips for Students  34:07 Partnership Dynamics and Challenges  36:16 Networking and Professional Communities 🔗 Connect With Us On LinkedIn! 🔗 Kyle Geers, CPA 📎 https://www.linkedin.com/in/kylegeers/ Zeroed-In Consulting 📎 https://www.linkedin.com/company/zeroed-in-consulting/ Scotty OKR Scarano 📎 https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottscarano/ Accounting High 📎 https://www.linkedin.com/company/accounting-high/ 📎 https://www.accountinghigh.com/ Tags: Shoperations, Accounting High, Accounting, Podcast, Shop Class, Firm Operations, Systems And Processes, partnerships, remote work, technical accounting, entrepreneurship, business growth, advisory services, Microsoft tools, client management

    38 min
  5. 20 OCT

    230 AI Guide to Be Your Best Accounting Self (feat. Ashley Francis, CPA)

    Episode 230 FACULTY: Ashley Francis, CPA CLASS: #TheGuide In this episode, Scotty and Ashley Francis, CPA explore personal development strategies, including habit formation, overcoming people-pleasing, managing self-doubt and anxiety, especially in high-pressure situations like public speaking and even how ChatGPT could be your goto therapist. 📣 Shout Outs: Mike Sylvester, ChatGPT, Xero ⬇️Episodes Referenced ⬇️ 187 AI Horror Stories: Shining a Light on the Dark Side of AI (https://open.spotify.com/episode/2wAVjhBGQvgiydiOp2sPOj?si=y9Fn92lESam5N8QaftjFyQ) Chapters: 00:00 Teaser 02:29 The Human Element in Automation 03:59 Embracing New Roles and Teaching 04:54 Personal Growth and Healthy Habits 11:33 The Power of ChatGPT 15:03 Overcoming Perfectionism and Self-Doubt 24:04 Public Speaking and Personal Reflections 26:33 Conclusion and Final Thoughts 30:12 The Power of Saying No 🔗 Connect With Us On LinkedIn! 🔗 Ashley Francis, CPA 📎 https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashley-francis-seattle/ The Francis Group, PLLC 📎 https://francisgroupsea.com/ Scotty OKR Scarano 📎 https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottscarano/ Accounting High 📎 https://www.linkedin.com/company/accounting-high/ 📎 https://www.accountinghigh.com/ Tags: The Guide, Accounting High, Accounting, Podcast, Guidance, Vision, Firm Owners, Advice, AI in accounting, ChatGPT, mental health, professional growth, healthy habits, meditation, automation tools, firm management, perfectionism, stress management, public speaking, personal development, accounting tips, professional advice, healthy lifestyle, self-improvement, habit formation, career evolution, tax profession, CPA insights

    31 min
  6. 13 OCT

    229 Carving out a Niche for Trust Taxes (feat. Ashley Francis, CPA)

    Episode 229 FACULTY: Ashley Francis, CPA CLASS: #Shoperations In this episode, Scotty and Ashley Francis, CPA discuss her journey in becoming a CPA, building her niche practice focused on high-net-worth individuals, and exploring educational opportunities. Ashley shares her passion for accounting, spurred by early childhood experiences, and her growth from working in large accounting firms to running her own practice. She talks about her unique experience with trust and estate taxes, homeschooling her son, and the challenges and rewards of balancing a practice with educational endeavors. Ashley and Scott do NOT discuss: AI, Jason Staats, or Automation! 📣 Shout Outs: Alicyn McLeod, Nicole Davis, Byron Patrick, Neil Stevenson, Ali Abdaal, Cal Newport, Deep Work, Misty Schachtell, Theatre of Public Speaking, Seattle Estate Planning Society, Matthew G Norton, Deloitte, Oura Ring, Twitter, AICPA Engage, Atlanta Tax, Jason Staats Chapters: 00:00 Teaser 02:17 Introduction 05:01 The Role of Accountants in Society 13:47 Starting a Practice and Homeschooling 17:25 Building a Niche in Trust Taxes 21:05 The Power of Networking and Social Media 22:56 Balancing Practice and New Opportunities 28:10 Exploring White Labeling and Future Plans 🔗 Connect With Us On LinkedIn! 🔗 Ashley Francis, CPA 📎 https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashley-francis-seattle/ The Francis Group, PLLC 📎 https://francisgroupsea.com/ Scotty OKR Scarano 📎 https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottscarano/ Accounting High 📎 https://www.linkedin.com/company/accounting-high/ 📎 https://www.accountinghigh.com/ Tags: Shoperations, Accounting High, Accounting, Podcast, Shop Class, Firm Operations, Systems And Processes, Taxation Podcast, CPA Interview, Trust Taxes, Financial Planning, Accounting Career, Estate Planning, Homeschooling, Wealth Management, High Net Worth, Accounting High Podcast, Professional Guidance, Financial Advisory, CPA Firm, Course Creation, Business Strategy, Tax Professionals, Seattle Tax, Family Office, Social Media Networking, Tax Automation

    32 min
  7. 6 OCT

    228 $10M Model Cloud Accounting Firm, Beyond the Summit (feat. Adam Hale, CPA)

    Episode 228 FACULTY: Adam Hale, CPA CLASS: #Shoperations TITLE: $10M Model Cloud Accounting Firm, Beyond the Summit In this episode of Accounting High, join the host and guest Adam Hale from Summit CPAs as they dive into the transformation from traditional accounting to advisory services. Adam discusses the journey of creating a successful model cloud accounting firm, emphasizing the shift from answering questions to asking them, the importance of building a niche, and the challenges of merging with a larger firm like Anders. He shares valuable insights on developing advisory services, maintaining culture in a distributed team, and growing a business by learning from failures. Whether you're starting out in the accounting field or looking to innovate within your firm, this episode offers practical advice and inspiration. 📣 Shout Outs: Summit CPAs, Anders CPAs + Advisors, Jody Grunden, Kenji Kuramoto, Matthew May, Acuity, Mike Meilinger, Virtual CFO, Navigate the Journey ⬇️Videos Referenced⬇️ Episode 47 - The Model Cloud Accounting Firm (feat. Jody Grunden, CPA) (https://youtu.be/Q4r3CX3G1qk) Episode 173 - Growing a Profitable Remote CFO Accounting Firm (feat. Jody Grunden, CPA) (https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/accountinghigh/episodes/173-Growing-a-Profitable-Remote-CFO-Accounting-Firm-feat--Jody-Grunden--CPA-e294kjl)  Episode 227 - $3.5M Firm with a Budget for Being Uncomfortable (feat. Mike Meilinger, CPA) (https://youtu.be/7T6zsd0lxAI) Chapters: 00:00 Teaser  01:22 Introduction  02:30 The Journey to Becoming a CPA  04:19 Meeting Jody and Early Career  08:14 Building the Firm Together  12:00 Challenges and Growth  15:34 Partnership Dynamics  23:34 Advisory Services and Evolution  26:06 The Turning Point: Realizing the Value of Advisory Services  27:21 Building Confidence in Advisory Work  28:51 Transitioning to a Value-Based Pricing Model  30:25 Challenges in Training Advisors  35:11 Creating a Systematic Approach to Client Meetings  38:36 Accidentally Finding a Niche Market  40:55 Embracing a Distributed Work Model  42:40 Navigating the Competitive Landscape  52:47 Advice for Aspiring Advisors 🔗 Connect With Us On LinkedIn! 🔗 Adam Hale, CPA 📎 https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamhalecpa/ Anders CPAs + Advisors 📎 https://www.linkedin.com/company/anders-cpas-advisors/about/ 📎 http://www.anderscpa.com Scotty OKR Scarano 📎 https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottscarano/ Accounting High 📎 https://www.linkedin.com/company/accounting-high/ 📎 https://www.accountinghigh.com/ Tags: Shoperations, Accounting High, Accounting, Podcast, Shop Class, Firm Operations, Systems And Processes, Cloud accounting, CPA firm, virtual CFO, advisory services, accounting podcast, business growth, financial advice, distributed work model, merger, partnership dynamics, entrepreneurial journey, remote work, private equity, firm culture, value-based pricing, business advisory, professional services

    55 min
  8. 29 SEPT

    227 $3.5M Firm with a Budget for Being Uncomfortable (feat. Mike Meilinger, CPA)

    Episode 227 FACULTY: Mike Meilinger, CPA CLASS: #Shoperations In this episode, join us as we dive into an inspiring conversation with Mike Meilinger, a seasoned CPA and business coach who has transformed not only his accounting firm but also his health. Mike shares his incredible physical transformation and adopting extreme fitness regimes like 75 Hard. Gain valuable insights on balancing business success with personal health, the importance of emotional well-being, and why investing in discomfort can lead to growth in all aspects of life. 📣 Shout Outs: Gary Breka Health Routine, Bridging the Gap, Deloitte, Insignia, Strategic Coach, Buy Back Your Time, Dan Martell, Dan Sullivan, Geno Wickman, Quickbooks, Thomson Reuters, Certified Tax Coach, Dominique Molina, Rick Solomon, Monday, ClickUp, Citrix, UltraTax, Rightworks, Xero, Bill.com, Rootworks, Jason Staats, Summit CPA, Gusto, Jody Grunden, Eddie Priscilla’s Live Hard Program, Pinnacle Coaching, Gordon Caudle, Enlightened Business Advisors, Peter Attia, Brant Hansen 📚 Books Referenced 📚 Buy Back Your Time by Dan Martell Unoffendable by Brant Hansen Outlived by Peter Attia Chapters: 00:00 Teaser  02:52 Mike's Journey to Accounting  04:49 Starting and Growing the Firm  06:10 Strategic Coach and Business Principles  13:51 Technology and Outsourcing  24:00 Learning from the Best: Coaches and Systems  24:34 Pricing and Engagement Lessons  26:28 Sales and Hiring Strategies  27:54 Journey to Health and Fitness  31:10 The Importance of Self-Investment  44:23 Emotional Health and Forgiveness  46:54 Final Thoughts 🔗 Connect With Us On LinkedIn! 🔗 Mike Meilinger 📎 https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikemeilinger/ 📎 https://www.meilinger.us/ Scotty OKR Scarano 📎 https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottscarano/ Accounting High 📎 https://www.linkedin.com/company/accounting-high/ 📎 https://www.accountinghigh.com/ Tags: Shoperations, Accounting High, Accounting, Podcast, Shop Class, Firm Operations, Systems And Processes, firm growth, CPA success, business coaching, strategic coach, healthy lifestyle, bodybuilding, accounting firm, discomfort budget, tax planning, outsourcing, client relationships, Pinnacle coaching, fitness journey, health principles, entrepreneur tips, delegation strategies, emotional health, personal trainer, business systems, professional development

    48 min

About

Accounting High is the premier practice management podcast for tax and accounting firm owners. Join us for conversations about running a modern accounting practice in the cloud. We are the next generation of accounting professionals questioning the state of the accounting profession.

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