The Better Bookkeeper Show

In this episode, we’re talking about pricing, hiring contractors, and building a team that actually supports your growth.If you’ve ever struggled with underpricing your services, hesitated to pay more for quality help, or felt unsure about how to coach your team effectively, this conversation is for you.Growing a bookkeeping firm requires more than technical skills. It requires confident pricing, smart hiring, and strong leadership.Lynn shares practical insights on when to invest in better talent, how to think about contractor pay, and why building the right team is essential for long-term profitability.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

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 yourselfIf 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

Do you secretly worry that you’re “not ready” to grow your bookkeeping business?You’re not alone and you’re not underqualified.In this episode, Lynn Talbott breaks down why confidence is the real missing piece for most bookkeepers.If imposter syndrome is stopping you from raising your prices, taking on better clients, or trusting your own expertise, this episode is for you.We cover: ✔ Why comparison kills your momentum ✔ What to say when a client asks something you don’t know ✔ Why confidence is a skill, not a personality trait ✔ How clients actually see your value ✔ Simple mental shifts to build confidence starting todayThis isn’t about being perfect , it’s about showing up anyway.💪 Want ongoing support, scripts, and confidence-building tools?Join the Bookkeepers Training Circle: 👉 coachingbookkeepers.com

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 industryIf 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/membershipLearn 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!

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 Review21:19 - Step 2: Reconciling the Balance Sheet34:52 - Step 3: Reviewing Profit & Loss44:40 - Step 4: Tax Mapping the Chart of Accounts46:16 - Step 5: Closing the BooksLearn 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.

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 tasksYou’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/membershipAbout 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.

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.

Most bookkeepers wait too long to think about selling. I know because I did the same thing. In this episode, I’ll show you how to avoid my mistakes and strengthen your firm now with two more value drivers.In the last episode, we covered financial performance and growth potential. If you haven’t listened to part 1 yet, go back and do that first! These aren’t abstract theories. They’re the same steps I wish I had known years earlier, because they not only make your business more sellable, they make it easier and less stressful to run right now too.Timestamps:[00:38] Learn from my mistakes: Why you should start planning now[04:28] Value Driver #3 - Cash is king: Tighten up AR, shorten billing cycles, auto-charge clients, and track AR turnover to boost cash flow.[21:00] Value Driver #4 - Be the purple cow: Use niching and branding to prove your firm is premium, not generic.[30:09] Action steps and homework: Check if your firm’s cash cycle and positioning make you stand out.If this episode is helpful to you, get the full workbook with all 8 value drivers, exercises, checklists, and templates inside my Bookkeeping Training Circle. The first 30 days are free. 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 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.