The Ambitious Bookkeeper Podcast Serena Shoup, CPA

In this SYSTEMS episode, I chat with John Rea - creator and founder of Scrutinize, an automated bookkeeping file review tool designed to assist bookkeepers in three main areas: evaluating inherited books, conducting monthly reviews, and performing quality assessments.
In this episode you’ll hear:
the inspiration behind Scrutinize & a detailed look at its featuresbest practices for ensuring security when using cloud servicesvarious use cases for implementing ScrutinizeResources mentioned in this episode:
Scrutinize (Sign up for a free 14-day trial and use the promo code AMBITIOUS25 to get 25% off your first 12 months!)About John:
My name is John. I grew in a small town in north Texas and moved to Austin at 17 with plans to be a rockstar guitar player. It turns out you actually have to practice to be a rockstar, so that fell through. After spending a few years idling about, I decided to get serious and finished my BA in Finance at St. Edward's University.
I spent most of my career in various roles across the accounting and finance functions, learning as much as I could about how to use data to drive more strategic decisions that led to better outcomes for the businesses I worked with. In 2018 I started my own fractional CFO and bookkeeping firm, which is where I ran into the idea that eventually became my current focus - Scrutinize - which is a platform we built to provide bookkeeping quality assurance by automating ledger reviews.
I still live in Austin, TX with my wife, son, and dopey Staffy.

Connect with John:
Follow on Twitter @johnrea88Sign up for a free 14-day trial of Scrutinize and use the promo code AMBITIOUS25 to get 25% off your first 12 months
Thanks for listening. If this episode inspired you in some way, take a screenshot of you listening on your device and post it to your Instagram stories and tag me, @ambitiousbookkeeper
For more information about the Ambitious Bookkeeper Podcast or interest in our programs or mentoring visit our resources below:
Visit our website: ambitiousbookkeeper.com
Follow the Blog: ambitiousbookkeeper.com/blog
Connect on Instagram: instagram.com/ambitiousbookkeeper
Connect on LinkedIn: Linkedin.com/in/SerenaShoup
Connect on Facebook: Facebook.com/serenashoupcpa
Follow on Twitter: twitter.com/serenashoupcpa
Thank you for your support of our show. If you haven’t left a review yet it’s super simple. Please go to: https://www.ambitiousbookkeeper.com/podcast and leave your review.
Podcast Publishing Tools we use:
Podcast Editing: Sabr Media LLCDescript (affiliate link)Buzzsprout (affiliate link)Ready to Elevate your leadership skills? Check out ambitiousbookkeeper.com/leadershipcoaching

In this SYSTEMS episode, I chat with David Cristello, founder and CEO of Jetpack Workflow - a company that specializes in assisting bookkeeping, payroll, and tax firms in streamlining their client work and automating deadlines.
In this episode you’ll hear:
David’s inspiration behind building Jetpack Workflowhow often you should review and tweak your processeshow to migrate to new softwares/tools efficiently to avoid overwhelmthe importance of understanding industry needs to tailor services and marketing strategiesResources mentioned in this episode:
Jetpack WorkflowAbout David:
David Cristello is a game-changer, ushering new ideas into accounting, a profession that’s been around for thousands of years.
He’s an innovator, leading the development of Jetpack Workflow, an award-winning workflow software for accounting and bookkeeping firms. As a non-technical founder, David relied on customer-centric ideas and empathy to help pre-sell and then grow the company from a spare-bedroom idea to being ranked on the Inc. 5000 (#676) within the first four years of operation.
He produces and hosts a popular podcast series, “Growing Your Firm,” and is a respected writer of blogs and eBooks, and co authored the best-selling, “Double Your Accounting Firm: Lessons Learned on How Top Firms Grow Faster, Build Stronger Teams, and Increase Profit.” In a focused and impactful way, David is helping others embrace the modernization and changes that are redefining the accounting industry.
Connect with David:
Listen to his podcast: Growing Your FirmConnect on LinkedInThanks for listening. If this episode inspired you in some way, take a screenshot of you listening on your device and post it to your Instagram stories and tag me, @ambitiousbookkeeper
For more information about the Ambitious Bookkeeper Podcast or interest in our programs or mentoring visit our resources below:
Visit our website: ambitiousbookkeeper.com
Follow the Blog: ambitiousbookkeeper.com/blog
Connect on Instagram: instagram.com/ambitiousbookkeeper
Connect on LinkedIn: Linkedin.com/in/SerenaShoup
Connect on Facebook: Facebook.com/serenashoupcpa
Follow on Twitter: twitter.com/serenashoupcpa
Thank you for your support of our show. If you haven’t left a review yet it’s super simple. Please go to: https://www.ambitiousbookkeeper.com/podcast and leave your review.
Podcast Publishing Tools we use:
Podcast Editing: Sabr Media LLCDescript (affiliate link)Buzzsprout (affiliate link)Join the next free training at ambitiousbookkeeper.com/training
Ready to Elevate your leadership skills? Check out ambitiousbookkeeper.com/leadershipcoaching

In this SYSTEMS episode, we have Alyssa Lang (Workflow Queen!) on with us again! We talk about ensuring clarity & efficiency in your client's onboarding journey, and we highlight the significance of creating seamless systems that allow for easier outsourcing or delegation.

In this episode you’ll hear:
the importance of separating processes in onboardingtech and tools we both use to automate onboarding as much as possiblea walk through of the onboarding process & touch points with clientsResources mentioned in this episode (some of these are affiliate links):
PROGRAMS:
Dubsado DecodedBreakthroughKickoff With AsanaSOFTWARE:
DubsadoContent SnarePlootoAsanaGoogle Drive (Workspace)ZapierKeeperClockifySlackNotionOTHER PODCAST EPISODES WITH ALYSSA:
Choosing the Right Marketing Strategy with Alyssa Lang[BONUS] How to Package + Sell Advisory Services with Alyssa + SerenaThe Honest Truth about Running a Business with Alyssa LangHow to Breakthrough to the Next Level with Alyssa LangScaling Your Bookkeeping Business with Alyssa Lang The Workflow QueenAbout our guest
Alyssa, aka the Workflow Queen, teaches bookkeepers and accountants how to utilize tech and automation to create better workflows, systems and processes. As a result they can run their practices on autopilot, stress less and save time!
Visit her website
Follow her on IG @workflowqueen
Listen to her podcast: Conquering Workflows & Systems
Thanks for listening. If this episode inspired you in some way, take a screenshot of you listening on your device and post it to your Instagram stories and tag me, @ambitiousbookkeeper
For more information about the Ambitious Bookkeeper Podcast or interest in our programs or mentoring, Visit our website >
Thank you for your support of our show. If you'd like to leave a review, click HERE.
Join the next free training at ambitiousbookkeeper.com/training
Ready to Elevate your leadership skills? Check out ambitiousbookkeeper.com/leadershipcoaching

In this interview episode, I chat with Ashley & Katie of Cabot & Main, a company that specializes in helping accountants setup systems, workflows & automations.
In this episode you’ll hear:
How Ashley & Katie created their business togetherWhat a typical TaxDome Setup looks likeWhy TaxDome is good for bookkeepers, not just Tax pro’sHow to beat overwhelm with systems & workflowsResources mentioned in this episode:
TaxDomeClickUpDubsado (affiliate link)About our Guests
Katie Toscano & Ashley Meripol are former corporate accountants, turned operations & project managers who found a love for helping the accounting business owner community. After doing their own thing as business owners for a few years in bookkeeping and operations, they decided to partner together to bring their 10+ years each of experience to helping their clients thrive. They were tired of seeing their accounting friends work ridiculous hours, sacrificing time with family, stress & overwhelm just because that’s the way it’s always been. Ashley & Katie have a serious love for all things systems, organization, technology and business, and are passionate about the "anti-hustle" life of working smarter not harder, and taking those Saturdays off.
They are excited to launch their new monthly membership, the Tax Tech Collective as a space for business owners to gain access to their signature TaxDome Accelerator course designed to deliver rapid results, equipping accounting pros with actionable steps, time-saving templates, access to a thriving community of like-minded professionals, and specialized training for their admin support team.
Connect with Cabot & Main:
Follow on IG @cabotandmainJoin their new monthly membership ➡️ The Tax Tech CollectiveThanks for listening. If this episode inspired you in some way, take a screenshot of you listening on your device and post it to your Instagram stories and tag me @ambitiousbookkeeper
For more information about the Ambitious Bookkeeper Podcast or interest in our programs or mentoring visit our resources below:
Visit our website >
Follow the Blog >
Connect on IG >
Connect on LinkedIn >
Connect on FB >
Thank you for your support of our show. If you haven’t left a review yet it’s super simple. Please go to: https://www.ambitiousbookkeeper.com/podcast and leave your review.
Podcast Publishing Tools we use:
Podcast Editing: Sabr Media LLCDescript (affiliate link)Buzzsprout (affiliate link)Join the next free training at ambitiousbookkeeper.com/training
Ready to Elevate your leadership skills? Check out ambitiousbookkeeper.com/leadershipcoaching

Struggling to market yourself because you’re an Introvert? Listen to this Minisode to hear how I market as an introvert!
In this episode you’ll hear:
5 places to market yourselfThanks for listening. If this episode inspired you in some way, take a screenshot of you listening on your device and post it to your Instagram stories and tag me, @ambitiousbookkeeper
For more information about the Ambitious Bookkeeper Podcast or interest in our programs or mentoring visit our resources below:
Visit our website: ambitiousbookkeeper.com
Follow the Blog: ambitiousbookkeeper.com/blog
Connect on Instagram: instagram.com/ambitiousbookkeeper
Connect on LinkedIn: Linkedin.com/in/SerenaShoup
Connect on Facebook: Facebook.com/serenashoupcpa
Follow on Twitter: twitter.com/serenashoupcpa
Thank you for your support of our show. If you haven’t left a review yet it’s super simple. Please go to: https://www.ambitiousbookkeeper.com/podcast and leave your review.
Podcast Publishing Tools we use:
Podcast Editing: Sabr Media LLCDescript (affiliate link)Buzzsprout (affiliate link)

In this NICHE series episode, I talk with Meryl Johnston, the co-founder of Bean Ninjas. She shares her journey into e-commerce accounting and the valuable lessons she's learned along the way. From managing a team of contractors to choosing profitable clients, she provides valuable tips for success.
In this episode you’ll hear:
The number one thing to think about when starting or growing a firmHow to analyze your client base for niching down (step by step!)The most important quality to look for in hiring senior employeesResources mentioned in this episode:
The Lifestyle Accountant PodcastThe Bookkeeping Business Accelerator®️The Bookkeeping Client Closer (mini-course)About our guest:
Meryl is a Chartered Accountant and investor. She founded Bean Ninjas in July 2015 with $1,000 following the 7 Day Startup methodology. Now 8 years later the company operates in Australia, the US and UK and has a distributed team of 30 people. She is now focused on her podcast, the Lifestyle Accountant Show, and investing in businesses in the accounting industry.
Connect with Meryl
LinkedInThanks for listening. If this episode inspired you in some way, take a screenshot of you listening on your device and post it to your Instagram stories and tag me, @ambitiousbookkeeper
For more information about the Ambitious Bookkeeper Podcast or interest in our programs or mentoring visit our resources below:
Visit our website: ambitiousbookkeeper.com
Follow the Blog: ambitiousbookkeeper.com/blog
Connect on Instagram: instagram.com/ambitiousbookkeeper
Connect on LinkedIn: Linkedin.com/in/SerenaShoup
Connect on Facebook: Facebook.com/serenashoupcpa
Follow on Twitter: twitter.com/serenashoupcpa
Thank you for your support of our show. If you haven’t left a review yet it’s super simple. Please go to: https://www.ambitiousbookkeeper.com/podcast and leave your review.
Podcast Publishing Tools we use:
Podcast Editing: Sabr Media LLCDescript (affiliate link)Buzzsprout (affiliate link)Join the next free training at ambitiousbookkeeper.com/training
Ready to Elevate your leadership skills? Check out ambitiousbookkeeper.com/leadershipcoaching