Accounting High

Episode 192

FACULTY: Nancy McClelland, CPA

CLASS: #TheGuide

TITLE: Teaching Bookkeepers and Tax Preparers to Communicate Better 

In this podcast episode, Scott interviews Nancy McClelland, CPA, Owner of Nancy McClelland LLC, also known as The Dancing Accountant. The conversation covers the origin story of The Dancing Accountant, all the way to tax season in Mexico. They discuss the rivalry between bookkeepers and tax preparers, biases in the accounting profession, and dispelling perceptions versus the reality of being a professional.

Shout Outs:

Blake Oliver, Gaynor, Nayo Carter-Gray, John Garrett, Randy Crabtree, Twyla Verhelst, FreshPAC, DigitalCPA, Quickbooks Connect, SleeterCon, Bridging the Gap, NATP

[00:02:09] Origin of the DancingAccountant

[00:08:04] How Nancy became an Accountant

[00:14:47] The Bookkeeper and Tax Preparer Rivalry

[00:17:05] Challenges of Becoming a CPA

[00:21:25] Biases in the Profession

[00:25:32] Banding Together to Help Small Businesses

[00:27:30] Perception vs Reality: Not Being a Unicorn

[00:43:56] Compassion

[00:56:26] Tax Season in Mexico

Episode 191

FACULTY: Bilal Mehanna, CPA

CLASS: #SocialStudies

TITLE: Position Your Firm with Confidence and Patience

In this podcast episode, Scotty interviews Bilal Mehanna CPA, President of Mehanna Advisors, and Co-Host of the podcast "From Zero to Millions." The interview consists of insights into finding a niche, pricing, scalability considerations, challenges encountered during growth phases, strategies for talent acquisition overseas, and much more.

Shout Outs: Kelly Rohrs, Brandon Hall, Xero

[00:02:09] Introducing Bilal

[00:06:24] Becoming an Accountant

[00:10:13] Finding a Niche

[00:17:07] Pricing

[00:18:30] Scalability

[00:20:49] Ignition is a Decentralized Organization

[00:24:37] Growing Pains

[00:26:33] The Firm

[00:30:49] Finding Talent Overseas

[00:33:11] Benefits of Being an Accountant

[00:37:12] Patience

[00:39:21] Screening Clients

[00:41:09] BOI Reporting

[00:47:23] Accounting Podcasts

[00:53:24] Final Thoughts

Episode 190

FACULTY: Ed Mendlowitz

CLASS: #Shoperations

TITLE: From CEO to Chairman of the Board

In this episode, we flip the script and Ed Mendlowitz interviews Scotty "OKR,". Explore Scotty's journey, from initial inspirations to firm growth, unveiling key strategies for client connections, niche development, and innovative billing approaches. Gain valuable insights into client engagement, consultancy services, and OKR’s.

Episode 189

FACULTY: Seth Fineberg

CLASS: #TechTime

TITLE: Earning Trust with Accountants in America

Scotty engages in a podcast discussion with Seth Fineberg, the Founder of Accountants Forward, where they discuss his journey into journalism in the accounting space, the withdrawal of Accounting Web, AI, and how Tech Companies should sell to accountants.

Shout Outs:

Matthew May, Kenji Kuramoto, Shirrell Williams, Nayo Carter-Gray, Clayton Oates, Randy Johnston, Randy Crabtree, Acuity, Xero, Bridging the Gap, Jirav, Botkeeper

Episode 188

FACULTY: JJ Littrell

CLASS: #SocialStudies

TITLE: Creating Accounting Client Avatars

In this podcast episode, Scott interviews JJ Littrell, CFO at Tuatara. The conversation spans JJ's unconventional entry into accounting through the FBI, experiences with Elliot Davis and Starmount, insights into balancing parenting and business growth, the genesis of Tuatara, managing multiple agencies under one practice, establishing an institute, similarities between accountants and dentists, considerations about partnerships, and the importance of identifying client avatars.

Shout Outs:

Thinkific, Ryan Reynolds

Episode 187

FACULTY: Ashley Francis, Byron Patrick, Korey Cournoyer, Keila Hill-Trawick

CLASS: #TechTime

TITLE: AI Horror Stories: Shining a Light on the Dark Side of AI

In this podcast episode, Scotty hosts a panel featuring Ashley Francis, Byron Patrick, Korey Cournoyer, and Keila Hill-Trawick. They discuss the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in the accounting industry. The conversation touches on various facets of AI implementation, its impact on different firms, practical applications, concerns regarding security, as well as the question of whether AI will replace human accountants.

Shout Outs:

Jason Staats, Randy Crabtree, Bridging the Gap Conference, Microsoft Copilot, Appstream, The Growth Lab, Otter AI, Firefly AI, ChatGPT, MailChimp, Zapier, Make

Episode 186

FACULTY: Greg & Jessica Daley

CLASS: The Guide

TITLE: A Parable about Winning and Learning

Join us for a conversation with Greg and Jess Daley, the founders of Parable. The discussion delves into their unique journey as a couple in business, the origins of their firm, swing dancing, the integration of work and personal life, and the guiding principles shaping their company's future.

Shout Outs:

Traction by Gino Wickman, Profit First by Mike Michalowicz, Simple Numbers by Randy Crabtree, Expensify

Episode 185

FACULTY: Roman Villard

CLASS: #Shoperations

TITLE: Go Full Send and Build Epic Sh!t

In this podcast episode, Scott interviews Roman Villard, the founder of Full Send Finance. Roman shares his entrepreneurial journey, discussing the backstory behind his firm, its community-building aspect, and the values that drive its growth. The conversation delves into Roman's departure from his previous job, the origins of the Full Send brand, and his vision for the future of the company.

Shout Outs:

Matthew, Kenji, Acuity, Drink While You Think, Warren Buffet, Karbon, Financial Sense, Xero, Quickbooks, Gusto

Episode 184

FACULTY: Enrico Palmerino, Elizabeth Manso, Michael Hso, and Marianne Fischer

CLASS: #TheGuide

TITLE: How to Say No 

In this podcast episode, Scott interviews a diverse group of accounting professionals: Enrico Palmerino, Elizabeth Manso, Michael Hso, and Marianne Fischer. The discussion revolves around their individual visions, experiences, and insights as business leaders. They share their journeys, the importance of helping others, and most importantly, how to say no.

Shout Outs:

Josh Jeffries, Vivid Vision by Cameron Herrold

Episode 183

FACULTY: Paul Hamann

CLASS: #TechTime

TITLE: What is Reasonable Compensation?

In this podcast episode, Scott interviews Paul Hamann of RCR Reports. The episode dives into the complex topic of reasonable compensation and the challenges surrounding it, presents his innovative solution, and highlights the multiple use cases for RC Reports.