Building the Premier Accounting Firm

Roger Knecht
  • 5.0 (17)
  • ENTREPRENEURSHIP
  • UPDATED SEMIWEEKLY

A show dedicated to helping accounting professionals confidently and competently offer quality accounting services to get paid what they are worth. Each episode is conversational with tips and tricks to help you apply the principles of M.A.P. as they relate to starting and building a successful accounting business. Topics include Marketing, Lead Generation, Ideal Clients, Pricing, Price Strategies, Accounting Services, Value Added Services, Workflow, Practice Management, Staff Training, Client On-boarding, Client Relations & Retention, etc. This podcast will help you become an Accountrepreneur, to work ON your business with advice from the experts.

  1. 1D AGO

    This Week on BPAF : Deneen Dias

    Join us this Wednesday for a new episode where Roger discusses embracing AI and CAS with Deneen Dias

    1 min

  2. 3D AGO

    Rewind : Breaking Free From The Imposter Syndrome w/ Trokon Pope

    Join us as we revisit this conversation from 2021! Think of it, finishing college, working within the community, and then starting your accounting business. Trokon shares with Roger what it took to get the confidence and competence to start the accounting business.  He points out the 3 things that made the difference to insure his success in the first year.  It's like a franchise without the royalty fees. Trokon is quick to point out that getting clients is priority #1.  Hear the mantra he uses to stay focus and make sure it is a win/win relationship when working with a client. In the process the discuss the Imposter Syndrome and how he was able to work past it to offer his clients the quality accounting services he knows they deserve and get paid what he is worth. This is a fun and informative episode you don't want to miss.   Your Host: Roger Knecht, president of Universal Accounting Center Our Guest: Trokon Pope Trokon Pope is the owner of TRP Accounting Services LLC located in Hightstown, NJ. Trokon is a Certified Professional Tax Preparer, Profit & Growth Expert, Intuit QuickBooks Online Advanced Certified ProAdvisor, Certified Life and Business Coach, and Fathom Advisor. He is a father of three, soon-to-be four, loving boys and the husband to his life partner Deyonna Pope, who is the co-owner of C.O.D.E. 2.0 located in Burlington, NJ. He graduated from Thomas Edison State University located in Trenton, NJ in 2020 with his BSBA in Accounting Studies and opened TRP Accounting Services in September of 2020 which in its first year of operation generated over $60,000 in gross revenue. TRP Accounting Services currently offers bookkeeping, tax planning/preparation for business and individual income tax filers, monthly expert consultations, and many more accounting services. He currently is the Northern Regional Director of Partnership for Successful Living which is a not-for-profit that provides Support Coordination Services to individuals born with a developmental disability. He has been in leadership positions for over 15 years and excels at creating efficient workflows, policies, and procedures. As an accountant, Trokon enjoys working with small to medium size businesses that provides services. His goal is to assist new and current business owners with getting a better understanding of their business's financial position so they can make better business decisions.    Sponsors: Universal Accounting Center Helping accounting professionals confidently and competently offer quality accounting services to become the premier accounting firm in their area   Offers: Become a Professional Tax Preparer!  Get the training, certification and coaching to offering quality tax planning and preparation services.  Learn what you can also do to automate your market efforts to get the clients you deserve.  Attend this Marketing Webinar & Training Now for free! In addition to offering quality accounting and tax related services you need to also enlighten your clients with CFO Advisory and Coaching Services.  See what you can do improve client relations and retention increasing the revenue per clients as a Profit & Growth Expert. Get a FREE copy of this book all accounting professionals should use to work on their business and become profitable.  This is a must have addition to every accountant's library to provide to have the premier accounting business today: "in the BLACK, nine principles to make your business profitable"   For Additional FREE Resources for accounting professionals check out this collection HERE!    Remember this, Accounting Success IS Universal.   Listen to our next episode and be sure to subscribe.   For more information on how you can apply these principles in your business please visit us at www.universalaccountingschool.com or call us at 801.265.3777

    33 min

  3. 6D AGO

    Build Authority: The Handwritten Note Advantage w/ David Wachs

    Roger Knecht talks with David Wachs, founder of Handwrytten, about the unexpected power of personalized, robotic handwritten notes in an increasingly digital world. Learn how this unique approach to communication can build stronger client relationships, enhance marketing efforts, and ultimately elevate your accounting firm's brand to a luxury service. In This Episode: 00:00 Introduction to Handwrytten 02:10 The Origin Story of Handwrytten 05:04 Authenticity of Robotic Handwriting 08:47 Applications for Handwritten Notes 12:00 Impact and Durability of Notes 15:09 Differentiating with Handwritten Notes 19:04 Luxury Pricing and Emotional Connection 21:50 Scaling Handwritten Communication 26:22 Accounting Lessons from Business Sale 31:57 Gratefulness and Call to Action 36:39 Conclusion and Promotional Offers Key Takeaways: Differentiate your business by leveraging handwritten notes to cut through digital noise. Cultivate stronger post-sale client relationships with personalized thank-you's, birthday cards, and holiday greetings. Improve client retention and perceived value by providing a premium, personal touch in communications. Identify the tipping point for automating handwritten notes to scale personal outreach efficiently. Understand how robust accounting practices, like switching to accrual, can directly influence business strategy and valuation. Featured Quotes: "People don't remember what you say or what you did. They remember how you made them feel." - David Wachs (11:26) "The most underutilized inbox is the one at the end of your driveway." - David Wachs (03:54) "It's often not a choice between doing it yourselves and handwritten. It's a choice between handwritten or nothing at all." - David Wachs (23:15) Behind the Story: David Wachs, founder of Handwrytten, shares his journey from mobile marketing with SellIt to creating a solution for digital communication overload. He discusses how technology allows businesses to send personalized, robotic handwritten notes, distinguishing them from competitors and strengthening client relationships. This episode highlights the importance of emotional connection in business, even in professional services like accounting, and how modern solutions can scale traditional gestures. Conclusion: Thank you for joining us for another episode of Building the Premier Accounting Firm with Roger Knecht. For more information on how you can establish your own accounting firm and take control of your time and income, call 435-344-2060 or schedule an appointment to connect with Roger's team here. Sponsors: Universal Accounting Center Helping accounting professionals confidently and competently offer quality accounting services to get paid what they are worth.   Offers: Use signup code PODCAST for $20 in automated handwritten notes https://www.handwrytten.com    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 expert for small businesses. "in the BLACK, nine principles to make your business profitable" – Nine Principles to Make Your Business Profitable – Discover what you need to know to run the premier accounting firm and get paid what you are worth in this book, by the same author as Red to Black – CPA Allen B. Bostrom. Bostrom teaches the three major functions of business (marketing, production and accounting) as well as strategies for maximizing profitability for your clients by creating actionable plans to implement the nine principles. "Your Strategic Accountant" - Understand the 3 Core Accounting Services (CAS - Client Accounting Services) you should offer as you run your business. Help your clients understand which numbers they need to know to make more informed business decisions. "Your Profit & Growth Expert" - Your business is an asset. You should know its value and understand how to maximize it. Beginning with the end in mind helps you work ON your business to build a company you can leave so that it can continue to exist in your absence or build wealth as you retire and enjoy the time, freedom, and life you want and deserve. Follow the Turnkey Business plan for accounting professionals.  This is the proven process to start and build the premier accounting firm in your area.  After more than 40 years we've identified the best practices of successful accountants and this is a presentation we are happy to share.     Also learn the best practices to automate and nurture your lead generation process allowing you to get the bookkeeping, accounting and tax clients you deserve.  GO HERE to see this presentation and learn what you can do today to identify and engage with your ideal clients.   Check it out and see what you can do to be in business for yourself but not by yourself with Universal Accounting Center.   It's here you can become a:   Professional Bookkeeper, PB Professional Tax Preparer, PTP Profit & Growth Expert, PGE   Next, join a group of like-minded professionals within the accounting community.  Register to attend GrowCon and Stay up-to-date on current topics and trends and see what you can do to also give back, participating in relevant conversations as they relate to offering quality accounting services and building your bookkeeping, accounting & tax business.   The Accounting & Bookkeeping Tips Facebook Group The Universal Accounting Fanpage Topical Newsletters: Universal Accounting Success The Universal Newsletter   Lastly, get your Business Score to see what you can do to work ON your business and have the Premier Accounting Firm. Join over 70,000 business owners and get your score on the 8 Factors That Drive Your Company's Value.   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   For more information on how you can apply these principles to start and build your accounting, bookkeeping & tax business please visit us at www.universalaccountingschool.com or call us at 8012653777

    42 min

  4. FEB 9

    This Week on BPAF : David Wachs

    Join us this Wednesday for a new episode where Roger discusses the power of handwritten notes with David Wachs.

    27 sec

  5. FEB 7

    Rewind : Begin With The End In Mind w/ Tyler Otto

    Join us as we revisit this conversation from 2021! This is an episode you don't want to miss.  Tyler has a fascinating story to share.  From the stable corporate job to joining the wife in her accounting business. Roger and Tyler have so much to cover as they discuss: Developing a virtual accounting business, never meeting the client and many of the staff in person but working with them remotely Prequalifying potential clients for consideration.  Although he runs a virtual business he still understands is needs to be personable and based on relationship building We all know this, finding quality staff is a challenge but then we also need to train, manage them while bringing them into the company culture.  Listen as Tyler shares his onboarding process with new employees using a system that is recorded and set for every employee experience. Now let's talk tech stack, what are the tools to consider in the business to work efficiently and be productive. But what does a successful virtual accounting business look like: Of course we need to offer quality accounting services along that include CFO advisory for the clients to be a full-service accounting firm. You need to consider niching the services offered, picking an industry and then you'll realize the benefits it brings to the firm and the clients.  Hear the 3 things Tyler feels it helps you achieve! When it comes to marketing he makes a great point, ask yourself how does marketing compare to fishing, knowing the catch and using the right bait? Tyler's advice, beginning with the end in mind.  What are you really trying to accomplish? Define your scope of services and be willing to say no! In this episode they also does how accounting is changing but not going away, this is still and always will be relationship based.  Just remember to adjust your mindset from a large corporate world to running a small business. You'll want to hear this amazing discussion with a successful accountant. Your Host: Roger Knecht, president of Universal Accounting Center Guest Name: Tyler Otto Tyler D. Otto along with his wife Karen are the owners of Specialty Bookkeeping, LLC, where he has developed a winning formula for an innovative, virtually based accounting and tax firm. His company leverages technology to simplify client's financial processes, creating greater visibility into their financials and driving profit. He has extensive experience in the finance side of the hotel and tourism industry where he has also served as the Corporate Director of Finance with Imprint Hospitality in 2020. His primary focuses include database architecture, Visual Basic scripting, Forecasting, Budgeting, and Data Mining. His recent activities include doing large financial system migrations for several companies spanning the hospitality to the construction industry. Tyler has a passion for team development and promoting fun and collaborative cultures. He believes that a dedication to continuous improvement and learning is the backbone of any successful venture. He loves helping clients make more money. His career has been focused on serving as a financial analyst and business partner, helping business managers make strategic decisions that will grow their business for years to come. Tyler is a fanatic about making new relationships and collaborating with others on large projects. He lives in Salt Lake City, Utah with his wife Karen and two children. When he's not geeking out in Visual Basic, he's found in the woodshop doing any number of woodworking projects, or on his road bike. Sponsors: Universal Accounting Center Helping accounting professionals confidently and competently offer quality accounting services to get paid what they are worth.   Offers: Whether you are starting or ready to build your accounting business, this is the Turnkey Business Plan course designed to help you plan and work ON your business addressing some key areas that need your attention such as marketing, selling, pricing to offering quality accounting services.  Go here to take this course for FREE! Also, when it comes to technology and automation, we need to consider how each can be leveraged to help find and nurture your potential clients.  This is a must-see webinar to help you understand what you can do to get new clients and be paid what you are worth.  Grow your business today applying these important lessons within your company.  Register NOW for this webinar and get the accounting, bookkeeping and tax clients you desire applying prove processes and systems that are effective and inexpensive.   For Additional FREE Resources for accounting professionals check out this collection HERE!   Remember this, Accounting Success IS Universal. Listen to our next episode and be sure to subscribe.   For more information on how you can apply these principles in your business please visit us at www.universalaccountingschool.com or call us at 801.265.3777

    40 min

  6. FEB 4

    Your Budget is Wrong: Why Most Forecasts Fail w/ Matt Putra

    In this episode of Building the Premier Accounting Firm, Roger Knecht and guest Matt Putra discuss the critical differences between budgeting and forecasting in accounting, emphasizing data-driven decision-making for e-commerce businesses. They explore how financial management, including KPIs and cash flow strategies, helps fast-growing consumer brands optimize profitability and scale effectively, with a focus on AI's transformative impact. In This Episode: 00:00 Introduction to Matt Putra and 8x 01:03 Matt's Journey to 8x and Data-Driven Decisions 02:52 Budget vs. Forecast: Key Differences 05:57 The Importance of Budgeting and Planning 08:24 Budgeting for External Stakeholders and Accountability 11:18 Lessons Learned from Ambitious Budgeting 15:00 Financial Management for Scaling Businesses 17:49 Scorecards vs. KPIs and Dashboards 21:55 Go-To Metrics and the Island Analogy 24:51 The Impact and Application of AI in Business 31:11 Advising Founders: Selling Peace of Mind 34:16 Gratitude and Divergent Thinking 37:51 Closing Thoughts and Resources Key Takeaways: Differentiate between budgets as fixed annual plans and forecasts as malleable, frequently updated financial outlooks for data-driven decisions. Implement scorecards with 5-15 critical metrics and clear targets to simplify problem-solving and boost team accountability. Prioritize cash flow management, customer lifetime value (LTV), and customer acquisition costs (CAC) for sustainable business growth and profitability. Integrate AI into business operations to enhance efficiency, reduce costs, and gain a competitive edge in the accounting profession. Understand that financial management services sell "peace of mind and confidence" rather than just data or models, addressing emotional components for founders. Featured Quotes: "If we're not in the, call it the top 10% of AI adopters, we're going to be left behind fairly quickly." — Matt Putra "We don't sell financial models. We do not sell cash flow forecasts. We do not sell scorecards. We sell peace of mind and confidence." — Matt Putra "If the business owner can hit within, say, 5%, 10%, their budget for the next year, it means they know well that business model." — Roger Knecht Behind the Story: Matt Putra recounts his transition from a CFO role with a grueling commute to founding eightx, a financial operations company. His desire for work-life balance during COVID-19 propelled him to create a business that simplifies finance for e-commerce brands. He stresses the emotional aspect of financial consulting, focusing on delivering confidence rather than just numbers. Matt Putra also shares a personal anecdote about his wife's support, which allowed him to take significant risks in building his company. Conclusion: Thank you for joining us for another episode of Building the Premier Accounting Firm with Roger Knecht. For more information on how you can establish your own accounting firm and take control of your time and income, call 435-344-2060 or schedule an appointment to connect with Roger's team here. Sponsors: Universal Accounting Center Helping accounting professionals confidently and competently offer quality accounting services to get paid what they are worth.   Offers: I'll have a call with someone to help them go from 0-1 on their first AI agent Be more efficient and improve your profit margin with AI Connect with Matt on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattputra/  matt@eightx.co    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 expert for small businesses. "in the BLACK, nine principles to make your business profitable" – Nine Principles to Make Your Business Profitable – Discover what you need to know to run the premier accounting firm and get paid what you are worth in this book, by the same author as Red to Black – CPA Allen B. Bostrom. Bostrom teaches the three major functions of business (marketing, production and accounting) as well as strategies for maximizing profitability for your clients by creating actionable plans to implement the nine principles. "Your Strategic Accountant" - Understand the 3 Core Accounting Services (CAS - Client Accounting Services) you should offer as you run your business. Help your clients understand which numbers they need to know to make more informed business decisions. "Your Profit & Growth Expert" - Your business is an asset. You should know its value and understand how to maximize it. Beginning with the end in mind helps you work ON your business to build a company you can leave so that it can continue to exist in your absence or build wealth as you retire and enjoy the time, freedom, and life you want and deserve. Follow the Turnkey Business plan for accounting professionals.  This is the proven process to start and build the premier accounting firm in your area.  After more than 40 years we've identified the best practices of successful accountants and this is a presentation we are happy to share.     Also learn the best practices to automate and nurture your lead generation process allowing you to get the bookkeeping, accounting and tax clients you deserve.  GO HERE to see this presentation and learn what you can do today to identify and engage with your ideal clients.   Check it out and see what you can do to be in business for yourself but not by yourself with Universal Accounting Center.   It's here you can become a:   Professional Bookkeeper, PB Professional Tax Preparer, PTP Profit & Growth Expert, PGE   Next, join a group of like-minded professionals within the accounting community.  Register to attend GrowCon and Stay up-to-date on current topics and trends and see what you can do to also give back, participating in relevant conversations as they relate to offering quality accounting services and building your bookkeeping, accounting & tax business.   The Accounting & Bookkeeping Tips Facebook Group The Universal Accounting Fanpage Topical Newsletters: Universal Accounting Success The Universal Newsletter   Lastly, get your Business Score to see what you can do to work ON your business and have the Premier Accounting Firm. Join over 70,000 business owners and get your score on the 8 Factors That Drive Your Company's Value.   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   For more information on how you can apply these principles to start and build your accounting, bookkeeping & tax business please visit us at www.universalaccountingschool.com or call us at 8012653777

    45 min

  7. FEB 2

    This Week on BPAF : Matt Putra

    Join us this Wednesday for a new episode where Roger discusses budgeting and why most forecasts fail with Matt Putra.

    1 min

  8. JAN 31

    Rewind : Quantifying the Client Experience, the 5 Star Rating w/ Tyler Small

    Join us as we revisit this conversation from 2021! Beyond the work we do and the accounting reports we create we need to find out and understand how useful the information is to our clients.  Think about it.  What are they really paying us for?  In fact, what are we doing to generate for them a 5 Star Experience? Roger and Tyler have an interesting discussion that we each should consider as we remember what our relationships are and should be with our clients Listen and learn the 3-step process to improve client appreciation and retention.  You'll want to be ready to take some good notes. Your Host: Roger Knecht, president of Universal Accounting Center Our Guest: Tyler Small Tyler has created learning experiences for over 100,000 people, published 2 books, hosted over 50 podcast episodes, and has coached hundreds of leaders. He specializes in coaching "numbers people" to build better business relationships. He is the founder and CEO of "The 5-Star Approach". The mission of "The 5-Star Approach" is to catalyze one million 5-Star Relationships. Sponsors: Universal Accounting Center Helping accounting professionals confidently and competently offer quality accounting services to get paid what they are worth.   Offers: Reach out to work on your personal and professional relationships, Tyler is offering a complimentary 15-minute consultation that you don't want to miss. You can sign up by visiting www.5StarApproach.com today!   Leverage your marketing efforts using technology to get the clients you deserve. This is a webinar you don't want to miss. From marketing to sales there is a turnkey process you can use to improve your tax, bookkeeping and accounting client acquisition to get you the work you need and get paid what you are worth. Register and Attend NOW!   For Additional FREE Resources for accounting professionals check out this collection HERE!   Remember this, Accounting Success IS Universal. Listen to our next episode and be sure to subscribe.   For more information on how you can apply these principles in your business please visit us at www.universalaccountingschool.com or call us at 801.265.3777

    34 min
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A show dedicated to helping accounting professionals confidently and competently offer quality accounting services to get paid what they are worth. Each episode is conversational with tips and tricks to help you apply the principles of M.A.P. as they relate to starting and building a successful accounting business. Topics include Marketing, Lead Generation, Ideal Clients, Pricing, Price Strategies, Accounting Services, Value Added Services, Workflow, Practice Management, Staff Training, Client On-boarding, Client Relations & Retention, etc. This podcast will help you become an Accountrepreneur, to work ON your business with advice from the experts.

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