The Accounting Podcast

Building a Remote eCommerce Firm with Meryl Johnston of Bean Ninjas

07.14.2023 - By Blake Oliver & David LearyPlay

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Learn how Meryl built a 30-headcount bookkeeping firm in eight years that can operate without her. We also get Meryl's take on the PwC scandal in Australia. Earn free NASBA-approved CPE credits for listening with the Earmark app. Learn more at earmarkcpe.com. Sponsors

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Chapters

(00:04) - Preview: Why can't the US tax deadlines be as relaxed as Australia's

(00:50) - Welcome Meryl Johnston to the show and some background on Bean Ninjas

(05:49) - Tell us a little about the growth of Bean Ninjas, remote work, and taking a step back from day-to-day operations

(10:26) - How does Meryl track employees' work when they're remote?

(12:13) - Can you tell us about Bean Ninja's journey of niching?

(22:46) - How do you deal with communication challenges with remote work and different schedules

(28:31) - What is the current size of your firm, and what type of work do you now do?

(35:16) - What do you tell accountants who are afraid to niche?

(39:20) - Is the accounting talent crisis also happening in Australia?

(41:19) - Meryl gives her take on the PwC scandal in Australia

(47:38) - Are 2 new Australian tech companies coming for Xero's throne?

(55:25) - Is software plus a service the future of accounting tech?

(59:02) - Wrap up and how people can listen to Meryl's podcasts

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Show Notes Fuel Up the Bus, PwC Australia Has Named and Shamed Eight Partners Tied to the Tax Leak Scandal https://www.goingconcern.com/fuel-up-the-bus-pwc-australia-has-named-and-shamed-eight-partners-tied-to-the-tax-leak-scandal/   PwC Sold Off Its Scandal-Plagued Government Consulting Business For 67 Cents - Going Concern https://www.goingconcern.com/pwc-sold-off-its-scandal-plagued-government-consulting-business-for-67-cents/   PwC Sold a Part of Its Australian Business for $1 Because of Tax Leak Scandal - CPA Practice Advisor https://www.cpapracticeadvisor.com/2023/06/29/pwc-sold-a-part-of-its-australian-business-for-67-cents-because-of-tax-leak-scandal/81609/   A new threat to Xero? The rise of Hnry: a one-stop shop for sole traders, ft. Karan Anand https://www.raskmedia.com.au/2023/06/27/xero-risk-hnry-accounting-karan-anand/   Exclusive: PwC Australia ties Google to tax leak scandal – sources https://www.reuters.com/technology/pwc-australia-ties-google-tax-leak-scandal-sources-2023-07-05/   Thriday swings at big accounting platforms with AI expense tool https://www.smartcompany.com.au/finance/tax/thriday-business-expense-bank-ai-artificial-intelligence/ Meet Our Guest, Meryl Johnston

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/meryl-johnston-3a483728/

Website: https://beanninjas.com/ Get in Touch Thanks for listening and for the great reviews! We appreciate you! Follow and tweet @BlakeTOliver and @DavidLeary. Find us on Facebook and, if you like what you hear, please do us a favor and write a review on iTunes, or Podchaser. Interested in sponsoring the Cloud Accounting Podcast? For details, read the prospectus, and NOW, you can see our smiling faces on Instagram! You can now call us and leave a voicemail, maybe we'll play it on the show. DIAL (202) 695-1040 Need Accounting Conference Info?  Check out our new website - accountingconferences.com Limited edition shirts, stickers, and other necessities TeePublic Store: http://cloudacctpod.link/merch

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