The Better Bookkeeper Show

Lynn Talbott

Starting a bookkeeping business can sometimes be… a little scary.  You might be new to working for yourself, or you might have been winging it for a while? Maybe you've got a little side hustle bookkeeping business going on... but now you're ready to get down to business. Either way, you don’t have to go through it alone! I’m Lynn Talbott, and I scaled and sold a seven-figure bookkeeping business, I’ve been where you are now. I know the problems you’re facing and I want to share what I had to learn the hard way to help you on your journey. In each episode, I share tips for growing your bookkeeping business in a thoughtful and sustainable way, dealing with client issues that may arise, and managing a team of bookkeepers...if you choose to. I fully believe that anyone has what it takes to make a living from bookkeeping, whether that means being a solo-entrepreneur or building a 7-figure firm like me. So follow along, and let’s get your bookkeeping business where you want it to be! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  1. FEB 4

    You Don’t Have to Know Everything to Succeed in Bookkeeping

    Do you feel like you’re not “ready” to run or grow your bookkeeping business? Do you ever wonder if you really know enough to call yourself a confident, independent bookkeeper or firm owner? You’re not alone and this conversation proves it. In this honest and inspiring interview, I sit down with Nancy McClelland, CPA and independent business owner, to talk about impostor syndrome in bookkeeping, fear, confidence, and what it really takes to grow a successful firm. Nancy shares her journey from becoming a CPA to going independent and why you don’t need to know everything to succeed. In this episode, we cover: Why impostor syndrome is normal for bookkeepers and firm ownersHow letting go of “knowing it all” actually helps your business growThe importance of hiring specialists instead of doing everything yourselfWhy fear doesn’t mean you’re failing, it means you’re growingThe real value bookkeepers bring to societyLearning to trust your skills, your experience, and yourself If you’re an independent bookkeeper or firm owner feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or doubting your worth, this interview will change how you see yourself and your business. About the Host: I’m Lynn Talbott, the Bookkeeper’s Coach. My podcast, The Better Bookkeeper Show, is your guide to growing your bookkeeping business thoughtfully and sustainably. I fully believe that anyone has what it takes to make a living from bookkeeping, whether that means being a solopreneur or building a 7-figure firm like mine. So follow along, and let’s get your bookkeeping business where you want it to be! Follow me on LinkedIn, Instagram, and YouTube! Join our Training Circle at www.coachingbookkeepers.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    1h 4m
  2. 12/31/2025

    When to Leave Your W-2 and Start Your Bookkeeping Business

    Ever feel like you’re too late to start your bookkeeping business, or like you need one more certification before you’re ready? In this episode, I’m joined by Laura Strobel, owner of Village & Vine Consulting. Her story is proof that there’s no perfect timeline for starting a bookkeeping practice. Laura didn’t side hustle her way into bookkeeping. She learned the skills, took the plunge, and went all in, alongside her daughters. You’ll learn: When it actually makes sense to leave your W-2 jobWhy the first 1-3 years of growing a bookkeeping practice feel hardWhat full-cycle bookkeeping services look like and why clients value themWhy having support changes everything when you’re building a businessHow to balance working with family Whether support comes from family, mentors, peers, or a community like The Bookkeeping Training Circle, you don’t have to figure this out alone. If you want guidance and accountability as you build your bookkeeping business, join me inside The Bookkeeping Training Circle: coachingbookkeepers.com/membership About the Host: I’m Lynn Talbott, the Bookkeeper’s Coach. My podcast, The Better Bookkeeper Show, is your guide to growing your bookkeeping business in a thoughtful and sustainable way. I fully believe that anyone has what it takes to make a living from bookkeeping, whether that means being a solopreneur or building a 7-figure firm like me. So follow along, and let’s get your bookkeeping business where you want it to be! Follow me on LinkedIn, Instagram, and YouTube! Join our Training Circle at www.coachingbookkeepers.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    41 min
  3. 12/17/2025

    7 Skills Every Bookkeeper Needs

    Ever catch yourself wondering, “Am I actually good enough at this to call myself a professional bookkeeper?” Spoiler: You're not alone, and it takes a lot more than just knowing debits and credits. In this episode, I'm joined by Ashley LaMar-Morris, owner of Purrrfect Bookkeeping and one of my former team members, to walk through the seven essential skills every modern bookkeeper needs to master. These are the real-world skills that transform you from someone who "does books" into a trusted financial partner clients rave about. Whether you're just starting your bookkeeping business, growing your firm, or refining your craft, this episode will help you identify which skills to strengthen next. [01:22] Skill #1: Attention to Detail - Why pattern recognition matters more than perfection [05:28] Skill #2: Knowledge of Accounting Principles - The double-entry mindset that changes everything [12:10] Skill #3: Mastering Software & Workflow - Moving beyond "just knowing QuickBooks" [27:50] Skill #4: Organization & Problem Solving - Systems that scale with your business [43:15] Skill #5: Communication - How to ask clients questions without sounding clueless [52:05] Skill #6: Ethics & Confidentiality - Building trust that keeps clients for years [58:59] Skill #7: Continuous Learning & Adaptability - Staying ahead in an always-evolving industry If this episode is helpful to you, get even more support in my Training Circle, where we dive deeper into real client scenarios, tools, and systems to help you build a confident, sustainable bookkeeping business. 👉 Join The Training Circle here: https://coachingbookkeepers.com/membership Learn more about Ashley LaMar-Morris at https://purrrfectbookkeeping.com/ About the Host: I’m Lynn Talbott, the Bookkeeper’s Coach. My podcast, The Better Bookkeeper Show, is your guide to growing your bookkeeping business thoughtfully and sustainably. I fully believe that anyone has what it takes to make a living from bookkeeping, whether that means being a solopreneur or building a 7-figure firm like mine. So follow along, and let’s get your bookkeeping business where you want it to be! Follow me on LinkedIn, Instagram, and YouTube! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    1h 9m
  4. 12/03/2025

    The Year-End Blueprint for Bookkeepers

    Holiday cheer is in the air… but so is year-end cleanup season. The good news? December gives you a golden window to get organized and set 2026 up for success. In this episode, Ashley and I walk you through the exact 5-step workflow we both use to prep our client books before the January chaos hits! Whether you’re brand new to bookkeeping or you’ve survived a few tax seasons already, this episode will help you feel calmer, more organized, and totally in control as you head into Q1. 16:08 - Step 1: Using QBO Books Review 21:19 - Step 2: Reconciling the Balance Sheet 34:52 - Step 3: Reviewing Profit & Loss 44:40 - Step 4: Tax Mapping the Chart of Accounts 46:16 - Step 5: Closing the Books Learn more about Ashley LaMar-Morris at purrrfectbookkeeping.com **If year-end cleanup still feels overwhelming or you want the confidence and systems Ashley and I use to stay proactive all year long, come join us inside The Bookkeepers Training Circle: coachingbookkeepers.com/membership  About the Host: I’m Lynn Talbott, the Bookkeeper’s Coach. My podcast, The Better Bookkeeper Show, is your guide to growing your bookkeeping business thoughtfully and sustainably. I fully believe that anyone has what it takes to make a living from bookkeeping, whether that means being a solopreneur or building a 7-figure firm like mine. So follow along, and let’s get your bookkeeping business where you want it to be! Follow me on LinkedIn, Instagram, and YouTube! Produced by SpeakEasy Productions and hosted by Lynn Talbott of The Bookkeeper’s Coach. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    54 min
  5. 11/19/2025

    Are You Running Your Business or Is It Running You?

    If you’ve ever thought, “Why did I even start this business?” or felt like you’re just logging in, doing client work, and living on a hamster wheel, this episode is for you. In this episode, I’m joined by Joe Denner, a leadership coach and trainer who helps small business owners reconnect with their purpose. We discuss what happens when you lose your why (and how to find it again), why so many entrepreneurs become accidental business owners, and how bookkeepers in particular can move from “just a bookkeeper” to purpose-driven firm leader. Key Takeaways: Two simple exercises that will help you reconnect with your purposeWhy character is more important than competenceHow leadership doesn’t start when you hire someone (it starts well before that)Why delegation is not just about offloading tasks You’ll walk away with simple, practical exercises to uncover your deeper motivation, shift your mindset from operator to owner, and start leading in a way that makes the ride of business ownership a lot more fun! Resources Mentioned: Strengths FinderWorking Geniusjoedenner.com / Connect with Joe on LinkedInJoe’s Free Resource: The Three-Step Guide to Living the Life You Always Wanted  **Tired of just logging in and doing client work on repeat? The Bookkeepers Training Circle helps you move from "just a bookkeeper" to confident business owner. Join here: coachingbookkeepers.com/membership About the Host: I’m Lynn Talbott, the Bookkeeper’s Coach. My podcast, The Better Bookkeeper Show, is your guide to growing your bookkeeping business in a thoughtful and sustainable way. I fully believe that anyone has what it takes to make a living from bookkeeping, whether that means being a solopreneur or building a 7-figure firm like me. So follow along, and let’s get your bookkeeping business where you want it to be! Follow me on LinkedIn, Instagram, and YouTube! Produced by SpeakEasy Productions and hosted by Lynn Talbott of The Bookkeeper’s Coach. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    49 min
  6. 11/05/2025

    My 4 Biggest Regrets (Skip My Mistakes and Grow Faster!)

    Think you need more certifications, one more tax season, or a “perfect” moment before you start or scale your firm? I’ve been there too, and waiting cost me YEARS of momentum, money, and peace of mind.  In this episode, I’m pulling back the curtain on the four biggest regrets from building, scaling, and selling my bookkeeping business so you don’t repeat them.  Key Takeaways: Why confidence comes after action (not before)How building with an exit in mind makes your firm easier to run todayThe hiring rule of thumb that would’ve saved me from burnoutThe mindset shift that finally helped me price for value.  If you’re ready to stop operating like an employee and start leading like a CEO, surround yourself with like-minded bookkeepers in my Training Circle. Join here: coachingbookkeepers.com/membership -- I’m Lynn Talbott, the Bookkeeper’s Coach. My podcast, The Better Bookkeeper Show, is your guide to growing your bookkeeping business in a thoughtful and sustainable way. I fully believe that anyone has what it takes to make a living from bookkeeping, whether that means being a solopreneur or building a 7-figure firm like me. So follow along, and let’s get your bookkeeping business where you want it to be! Follow me on LinkedIn, Instagram, and YouTube! Produced by SpeakEasy Productions and hosted by Lynn Talbott of The Bookkeeper’s Coach. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    39 min

Ratings & Reviews

4.8
out of 5
4 Ratings

About

Starting a bookkeeping business can sometimes be… a little scary.  You might be new to working for yourself, or you might have been winging it for a while? Maybe you've got a little side hustle bookkeeping business going on... but now you're ready to get down to business. Either way, you don’t have to go through it alone! I’m Lynn Talbott, and I scaled and sold a seven-figure bookkeeping business, I’ve been where you are now. I know the problems you’re facing and I want to share what I had to learn the hard way to help you on your journey. In each episode, I share tips for growing your bookkeeping business in a thoughtful and sustainable way, dealing with client issues that may arise, and managing a team of bookkeepers...if you choose to. I fully believe that anyone has what it takes to make a living from bookkeeping, whether that means being a solo-entrepreneur or building a 7-figure firm like me. So follow along, and let’s get your bookkeeping business where you want it to be! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.