Jason On Firms Podcast

🚀 Get smarter faster by learning with other firm owners: https://www.rlz.io/
📩 Want a simple way to keep up with accounting firms and AI? I break it down every week in my newsletter: https://www.jasononfirms.com/newsletter
📌 Check out the cool stuff our sponsors are doing here: https://accountingfirmcoach.com/sponsors/

Welcome to Accounting Firm Coach Office Hours presented by Canopy. I’m Jason Staats. Ready to get 1% better at running an accounting firm? In this episode, I break down how I’d approach a potential $540,000 client opportunity without simply discounting services, share a three-step system for eliminating reactive client status check-ins, and look at the latest AI models from Claude and ChatGPT for accounting firm work. Then I hit the 📫 Mailbag to talk three-tier pricing, niche positioning, getting an overwhelmed firm back under control, connecting Claude across multiple QuickBooks clients, AI security, and work-paper management.

// Chapters:
00:00 - Intro
01:04 - A $540K Opportunity
11:20 - A $243M Opportunity
18:58 - A System for Client Updates
27:06 - The Worst Thing A Client Can Feel
29:16 - A New AI Model in Claude
35:16 - New Models in ChatGPT
38:43 - 3-Tier Fails
41:43 - Fully-Automated Micro Bookkeeping
44:29 - What To Do When You Don’t Know What To Do
47:23 - Connecting Claude to Multiple QuickBooks Files
50:41 - Struggling To Capitalize On AI
53:16 - Workpaper Management for Small Firms
54:54 - Closing Thoughts

📞 Leave me a voicemail at +1 (516) 980-4968!
📧 Email me! [email protected]

🗣️ Continue the discussion on social!
X https://x.com/jasononfirms
LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/jstaats/
YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@jasoncpa

🚀 Get smarter faster by learning with other firm owners: https://www.rlz.io/
📩 Want a simple way to keep up with accounting firm and AI? I break it down every week in my newsletter: https://www.jasononfirms.com/newsletter

☎️ Leave me a voicemail at (1)516-980-4968!
📧 Email me! [email protected]

In this episode, I break down why the latest generation of AI models should force accounting firms to rethink how work actually gets done, from bookkeeping and tax prep to review, staffing, and firm structure. I explain why the biggest limitation is no longer the AI itself, but workflows that were never designed for AI, and how firms can rebuild production around more structured, reviewable systems. I also run through 10 recent accounting tech updates in 🤓 Nerd Corner, answer 📫 Mailbag questions about app recommendations, AR services, Juno, document management, Power Automate, and Claude plus Beancount, and share the upcoming rebrand from Jason On Firms to Accounting Firm Coach.

⚒️ Tools I mentioned in the podcast:
- Filed open sources their 1040 engine https://www.filed.com/blog/we-open-sourced-our-tax-engine
- Ramp launches accounts receivable https://ramp.com/blog/introducing-accounts-receivable
- Campfire forecast https://www.linkedin.com/posts/johnglasgow_campfire-is-the-first-erp-that-calls-the-activity-7507836212796227584-MPz-
- Accrual Arc https://accrual.com/arc
- Canopy + Juno integration https://juno.tax/integrations/canopy
- QuickBooks updates https://www.firmofthefuture.com/product-update/september-2026-mpu
- Double lower-cost AI model https://doublehq.com/
- Digits’ 11 new automated quality-control checks https://digits.com/blog/quality-checks/
- Financial Cents AI file routing https://financial-cents.canny.io/changelog/ai-file-routing
- RightTool right-click QBO navigation https://righttool.app/release-notes/

💰 Today's Sponsors
Verito: https://verito.com/jason?utm_campaign=42071442-Jason&utm_source=Podcast&utm_medium=Podcast&utm_content=show-notes
Soraban: https://hubs.ly/Q04cNLF80
MakersHub: https://makershub.com/get-started?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=partner&utm_campaign=jasonstaats
Canopy: https://www.getcanopy.com/jason complete your demo for a $75 gift card

// Chapters:
00:00 - AI Changes the Workflow
04:30 - Building From Scratch
06:40 - AI at Any Scale
06:50 - Claude + QuickBooks
10:25 - Automating Tax Prep
12:05 - The Workflow Problem
13:30 - AI-Compatible Workflows
18:35 - Rebuilding Production
20:15 - Excel 1040
21:25 - Accounting AI Agents
24:40 - Solo + AI Firms
27:15 - The First Human Hires
30:15 - Rethinking Firm Structure
35:10 - Work Worth Doing
38:35 - Building AI Skills
40:03 - 🤓 Nerd Corner
40:13 - Filed Open-Source Tax Engine
41:24 - Ramp Accounts Receivable
41:49 - Campfire Forecasting
42:19 - Accrual ARC
42:39 - Canopy + Juno
42:49 - QuickBooks Updates
45:04 - Double AI Costs
45:39 - Digits Quality Control
46:14 - Financial Cents File Sorting
46:49 - RightTool Updates
48:03 - 📫 Mailbag
48:13 - Apps by Firm Size
52:58 - Managing Client AR
56:23 - Juno for Tax Intake
58:28 - Replacing FileCabinet
01:00:48 - Microsoft Power Automate
01:02:18 - Claude + Beancount
01:03:53 - Accounting Firm Coach
01:05:03 - The Podcast Is Changing

🗣️ Continue the discussion on social!
X https://twitter.com/jasononfirms
LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/jstaats/
YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@jasoncpa

🚀 Get smarter faster by learning with other firm owners: https://www.rlz.io/
📩 Want a simple way to keep up with accounting firm and AI? I break it down every week in my newsletter: https://www.jasononfirms.com/newsletter

☎️ Leave me a voicemail at (1)516-980-4968!
📧 Email me! [email protected]

In this episode, I break down eight different types of hires accounting firm owners can make, ranking them based on how effectively they give the owner time back and reduce bottlenecks. In 🤖 You Need This Tech, I share a simple hydration tool that can help you stay focused and productive throughout the day. Then I answer 📫 Mailbag questions about securely redacting PII, the future of my live events, buying your first accounting firm, audit tech stacks, contract review work for other firms, and whether I might eventually get involved in accounting firm M&A or rollups.

💧The Autonomous Hydrate https://www.autonomous.ai/robots/hydrate

💰 Today's Sponsors
Verito: https://verito.com/jason?utm_campaign=42071442-Jason&utm_source=Podcast&utm_medium=Podcast&utm_content=show-notes
Soraban: https://hubs.ly/Q04cNLF80
MakersHub: https://makershub.com/get-started?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=partner&utm_campaign=jasonstaats
Canopy: https://www.getcanopy.com/jason complete your demo for a $75 gift card

// Chapters:
00:00 - Hiring Backwards
03:45 - Eight Hiring Paths
04:25 - Production Capacity
06:40 - The Growth Hire
08:00 - Specialist Expertise
09:50 - Operations Hire
14:50 - Client Experience
17:40 - Tech + Automation
20:35 - Your Future Successor
22:50 - Administrative Support
25:00 - Best Hiring Options
26:10 - 🤖 You Need This Tech
27:25 - Autonomous Hydrate
31:00 - Four Available Accountants
33:45 - 📫 Mailbag
34:05 - Redacting Client PII
38:15 - Future Live Events
40:25 - Buying Your First Firm
45:35 - Audit Tech Stacks
48:05 - Contract Work for Firms
50:25 - JasonOnFirms M&A?
53:00 - Building a Firm Network
54:30 - Could It Become a Rollup?
56:00 - Closing Thoughts

🗣️ Continue the discussion on social!
X https://twitter.com/jasononfirms
LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/jstaats/
YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@jasoncpa

🚀 Get smarter faster by learning with other firm owners: https://www.rlz.io/
📩 Want a simple way to keep up with accounting firm and AI? I break it down every week in my newsletter: https://www.jasononfirms.com/newsletter

☎️ Leave me a voicemail at (1)516-980-4968!
📧 Email me! [email protected]

In this episode, I break down the accounting conferences and industry events that are actually worth attending, including how to use client-facing events. 🐝 We talk in Niche of the Week on how to become more visible in a specific industry. I also share a simple lighting upgrade that can dramatically improve how you look on video, then answer 📫 Mailbag questions about industry-specific credentials, Mercury launching an accounting ledger, earning potential for accounting firm owners, AI-backed firm rollups, practice management platforms expanding into close automation, and whether joining a PE-backed platform really gives firm owners a meaningful seat at the table.

📄 Here’s that list of over 1,000 events https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1alr-NMmUWXUK4nC-JK-Nnr7R8Kg9BIJXSsLFqEQOU1s/edit?usp=sharing
🔦 And here’s that video light https://amarancreators.com/pages/amaran-verge-max

💰 Today's Sponsors
Verito: https://verito.com/jason?utm_campaign=42071442-Jason&utm_source=Podcast&utm_medium=Podcast&utm_content=show-notes
Soraban: https://hubs.ly/Q04cNLF80
MakersHub: https://makershub.com/get-started?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=partner&utm_campaign=jasonstaats
Canopy: https://www.getcanopy.com/jason complete your demo for a $75 gift card

// Chapters:
00:00 - The Best Accounting Events
02:05 - 1,100 Upcoming Events
03:00 - Intuit Connect
03:45 - Scaling New Heights
04:45 - AICPA Conferences
05:35 - Bridging the Gap
06:25 - Reframe
07:20 - Customer Conferences
08:15 - Skip Technical Training
09:00 - State Society Events
09:35 - Client Industry Events
10:06 - 🐝 Niche of the Week
10:15 - Why In-Person Matters
11:25 - Industry User Conferences
15:05 - Certification Events
15:55 - Association Meetings
16:35 - Trade Shows
17:20 - Local Chapters
17:50 - Golf Fundraisers
18:30 - Member Alliances
20:15 - Virtual Events
20:50 - Mastermind Groups
21:00 - Events to Avoid
21:30 - Compliance Events
22:35 - Better Video Lighting
24:10 - Amaran Verge Max
27:48 - 📫 Mailbag
28:13 - Industry Credentials
30:33 - Favorite Star Trek Episode
30:48 - Mercury’s Accounting Ledger
32:00 - Replacing Traditional Ledgers
34:13 - Accounting Firm Income
35:13 - Selling Outcomes, Not Hours
36:33 - Finding Expensive Problems
38:18 - Moving Beyond Hourly Rates
41:03 - AI Accounting Rollups
43:48 - Built-In Close Automation
45:03 - Best-of-Breed vs. All-in-One
46:13 - PE Shareholder Seats
48:13 - Alternatives to PE
49:37 - Closing Thoughts

🗣️ Continue the discussion on social!
X https://twitter.com/jasononfirms
LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/jstaats/
YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@jasoncpa

🚀 Get smarter faster by learning with other firm owners: https://www.rlz.io/
📩 Want a simple way to keep up with accounting firm and AI? I break it down every week in my newsletter: https://www.jasononfirms.com/newsletter

☎️ Leave me a voicemail at (1)516-980-4968!
📧 Email me! [email protected]

In this episode, I compress a full year of accounting tech updates into one deep dive to help firms lock in their software decisions before year-end. I break down what changed across accounting ledgers, practice management, month-end close, tax workflow, tax software, proposal tools, meeting assistants, and generalist AI, including which tools moved into my leader categories and which AI features are actually worth paying attention to. I also explain why MCPs, AI agents, and computer use are becoming the biggest trends in accounting tech, while making the case that firms should still build next year’s stack around proven software instead of unreleased promises.

💰 Today's Sponsors
Verito: https://verito.com/jason?utm_campaign=42071442-Jason&utm_source=Podcast&utm_medium=Podcast&utm_content=show-notes
Soraban: https://hubs.ly/Q04cNLF80
Financial Cents: sign up at https://hubs.li/Q03mLr_x0 and use code Jason10 to receive 10% off the Team or Scale annual plan for firms with 2+ users.
Karbon: https://karbonhq.com/?utm_source=podcast&utm_campaign=jason-staats

// Chapters:
00:00 - The 2026 Tech Update
01:20 - Cutting Through AI Hype
02:05 - The App Categories
03:10 - Accounting Ledgers
04:00 - New Ledger Leaders
04:55 - QuickBooks Online Updates
06:05 - Intuit Accountant Suite
07:20 - Books Close
08:10 - Digits Updates
09:35 - Kik and MCP
11:45 - Practice Management
12:15 - The Four PM Leaders
13:00 - Canopy Updates
16:45 - Canopy Tax Workflow
17:15 - TaxDome Updates
19:20 - Financial Cents Updates
20:30 - Karbon Updates
23:50 - Month-End Close Automation
24:10 - Double Updates
26:20 - Ramp Stack
28:50 - Tax Workflow
29:00 - New Tax Workflow Leaders
29:10 - TallyFor
32:20 - Filed
33:20 - Filed Pro Work
35:05 - Stanford Tax
35:35 - Soraban
36:30 - Truss
37:45 - Tax Software
38:45 - ProConnect Updates
39:15 - Drake Smart Extract
40:15 - UltraTax Updates
41:55 - Proposal Tools
42:35 - Anchor Updates
43:40 - Ignition Updates
44:20 - Meeting Assistants
44:50 - Ping
45:45 - Abacore and Vinyl
46:15 - Better Client Meetings
49:40 - Generalist AI Assistants
50:45 - Claude Updates
52:00 - ChatGPT’s Comeback
52:35 - Computer Use AI
54:30 - AI Using Your Apps
55:05 - Grokbot
57:00 - What Actually Changed
57:35 - Lock In Your Tech Stack
58:50 - Closing Thoughts

🗣️ Continue the discussion on social!
X https://twitter.com/jasononfirms
LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/jstaats/
YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@jasoncpa

🚀 Get smarter faster by learning with other firm owners: https://www.rlz.io/
📩 Want a simple way to keep up with accounting firm and AI? I break it down every week in my newsletter: https://www.jasononfirms.com/newsletter

☎️ Leave me a voicemail at (1)516-980-4968!
📧 Email me! [email protected]

In this episode, I break down what the current market for accounting firms is telling us about valuation, including which firms are commanding higher multiples, why size alone does not appear to drive value, and what makes virtual and niche firms more attractive to buyers. I also highlight a bizarre new office gadget, discuss how accounting firms should evaluate their IT support for the AI era, and answer 📫 Mailbag questions about AI readiness, acquisitions, three-tier proposals for simple services, and whether firms should grow organically or through acquisition.

💰 Today's Sponsors
Verito: https://verito.com/jason?utm_campaign=42071442-Jason&utm_source=Podcast&utm_medium=Podcast&utm_content=show-notes
Soraban: https://hubs.ly/Q04cNLF80
MakersHub: https://makershub.com/get-started?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=partner&utm_campaign=jasonstaats
Canopy: Go to https://www.getcanopy.com/jason and schedule a demo to see for yourself, and Canopy will send you a $75 gift card after your demo
Financial Cents: sign up at https://hubs.li/Q03mLr_x0 and use code Jason10 to receive 10% off the Team or Scale annual plan for firms with 2+ users.
Karbon: https://karbonhq.com/?utm_source=podcast&utm_campaign=jason-staats

📄 Grab the firm listing data set here https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1HHxl5KGG-3zApXRbpok8Hkacvn4vE6D_/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=101670352005046800441&rtpof=true&sd=true
🪑 Butt cushion https://www.xpolar-tech.com/pages/xpolar-c1
🎙️ The podcast episode with video advice https://youtu.be/xBitNWRIQeg?si=iDxnhxIlVWrMFHi9

// Chapters:
00:00 - Accounting Firm Valuations
01:40 - 449 Firms for Sale
02:30 - Typical Firm Size
03:25 - Fractional Acquisitions
03:50 - Size vs. Multiple
04:45 - CPA Credentials
05:35 - Premium Firm Characteristics
06:40 - Where Firms Are Listed
07:15 - Private Firm Sales
08:35 - Reasons for Sale
09:05 - Time on Market
11:55 - Valuation Outliers
13:25 - Premium Firm Examples
15:00 - Highly Profitable Firms
15:55 - The Coolest Office Gadget
16:05 - X Polar C1
17:05 - 8 Sleep Comparison
18:00 - Remote Workforce Monitoring
21:34 - 📫 Mailbag
21:59 - Choosing an AI-Savvy IT Provider
22:29 - ChatGPT and Claude
23:19 - AI Due Diligence
27:00 - Getting Started With Video
27:19 - Make 100 Videos
28:14 - Reduce Production Friction
28:39 - Invest in Lighting
29:04 - AI Video Editing
29:29 - Video as a Competitive Advantage
30:14 - Organic Growth vs. Acquisition
30:49 - Acquisition Efficiencies
31:24 - Firm Size and Valuation
31:44 - Industry vs. Geography
32:14 - Avoiding Capacity Problems
32:49 - AI and Diversification
33:49 - Work Yourself Out of the Firm
34:09 - Three-Tier 1040 Proposals
34:19 - Pricing Simple Services
35:29 - Premium Delivery Tiers
36:29 - Better Than Doing More
37:04 - Scoping Availability
37:44 - Bronze Client Economics
38:04 - Opinionated Proposal Design
40:34 - Firm360 and Intake
41:19 - Choosing the Right Workflow
43:04 - Practice Management Options
43:39 - Acquiring a Small Client Book
44:09 - Building a Side Hustle Firm
44:49 - Seller-Financed Acquisitions
45:14 - Finding A Clients
45:54 - Acquisition as a Launchpad
46:19 - Evolving Your Client List
47:24 - Closing Thoughts

🗣️ Continue the discussion on social!
X https://twitter.com/jasononfirms
LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/jstaats/
YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@jasoncpa

🚀 Get smarter faster by learning with other firm owners: https://www.rlz.io/
📩 Want a simple way to keep up with accounting firm and AI? I break it down every week in my newsletter: https://www.jasononfirms.com/newsletter

☎️ Leave me a voicemail at (1)516-980-4968!
📧 Email me! [email protected]

In this episode, I break down how accounting firms can make their sales and discovery process less painful by moving repetitive information upstream, introducing pricing earlier, setting better expectations, and using AI meeting transcripts to continuously improve the process. I also launch a new segment, 🫖 Hot Tea, covering Xero drama, Drake’s new extraction tool, the Puzzle acquisition, practice management consolidation, and the growing tension between all-in-one platforms and open ecosystems. Then I answer 📫 Mailbag questions about remote staff accessing U.S. bank accounts, file management, accountant perfectionism, practice management for larger firms, K-1 and 1099 extraction, and building a tax planning and advisory practice.

💰 Today's Sponsors
Verito: https://verito.com/jason?utm_campaign=42071442-Jason&utm_source=Podcast&utm_medium=Podcast&utm_content=show-notes
Soraban: https://hubs.ly/Q04cNLF80
MakersHub: https://makershub.com/get-started?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=partner&utm_campaign=jasonstaats
Canopy: Go to https://www.getcanopy.com/jason and schedule a demo to see for yourself, and Canopy will send you a $75 gift card after your demo
Financial Cents: sign up at https://hubs.li/Q03mLr_x0 and use code Jason10 to receive 10% off the Team or Scale annual plan for firms with 2+ users.
Karbon: https://karbonhq.com/?utm_source=podcast&utm_campaign=jason-staats

// Chapters:
00:00 - Fixing Your Sales Process
01:50 - The Sales Process Problem
02:47 - Stop Calling Everyone Tire Kickers
07:57 - Move Information Upstream
13:06 - Talk Price Earlier
14:00 - Better Discovery Meetings
17:30 - The Monthly Sales Review
21:10 - 🫖 Hot Tea
21:42 - Xero Backlash
24:45 - Drake Smart Extract
24:45 - Puzzle and Accrual
26:50 - Carbon Updates
28:28 - The App Ecosystem War
32:42 - All-in-One vs. Best of Breed
35:15 - Double Updates
36:07 - Testing Instead
38:37 - 📫 Mailbag
39:00 - Remote Bank Access
43:07 - Accounting File Management
48:07 - Accountant Perfectionism
53:16 - Practice Management for Big Firms
55:37 - K-1 and 1099 Extraction
57:29 - Building a Tax Advisory Practice
01:03:16 - Closing Thoughts

🗣️ Continue the discussion on social!
X https://twitter.com/jasononfirms
LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/jstaats/
YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@jasoncpa

🚀 Get smarter faster by learning with other firm owners: https://www.rlz.io/
📩 Want a simple way to keep up with accounting firm and AI? I break it down every week in my newsletter: https://www.jasononfirms.com/newsletter

☎️ Leave me a voicemail at (1)516-980-4968!
📧 Email me! [email protected]

In this episode, I break down the biggest AI developments of the last two weeks and what they could mean for accounting firms, especially the shift toward AI that can actually operate a computer instead of simply chatting with you. I explain why computer-use AI could be especially powerful in accounting, where firms are constantly stitching together disconnected software, and why security and due diligence become even more important as AI agents gain more autonomy. I also go through 🔥 Roast My Tech Stack and answer to some of your questions in 📞 Accountant Support.

💰 Today's Sponsors
Verito: https://verito.com/jason?utm_campaign=42071442-Jason&utm_source=Podcast&utm_medium=Podcast&utm_content=show-notes
Soraban: https://hubs.ly/Q04cNLF80
MakersHub: https://makershub.com/get-started?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=partner&utm_campaign=jasonstaats
Canopy: Go to https://www.getcanopy.com/jason and schedule a demo to see for yourself, and Canopy will send you a $75 gift card after your demo
Financial Cents: sign up at https://hubs.li/Q03mLr_x0 and use code Jason10 to receive 10% off the Team or Scale annual plan for firms with 2+ users.
Karbon: https://karbonhq.com/?utm_source=podcast&utm_campaign=jason-staats

// Chapters:
00:00 - The AGI Era
01:20 - Artificial General Intelligence
02:30 - Fable 5.1
04:45 - AI Benchmarks
06:10 - GPT6 Astra
07:55 - AI That Uses Your Computer
09:25 - Automating Accounting Work
10:40 - AI Inside Your Apps
12:15 - What Do I Do With My Hands?
13:05 - ChatGPT vs. Claude
13:49 - AI Security Risks
15:59 - Trusting AI Agents
18:00 - Sandboxing AI
19:45 - The Four-Monitor Accountant
21:15 - Talking to Your Computer
22:25 - Learning AI
23:25 - AI Due Diligence
25:35 - 🔥 Roast My Tech Stack
26:25 - The 3.5-Person Firm
27:54 - Practice Management
28:44 - Month-End Close Automation
32:24 - Drake Tax Hosting
34:09 - Filed vs. GruntWorx
34:49 - GoHighLevel
35:24 - Document Management
36:09 - Digits or Zero?
36:29 - Upfront Pricing
38:03 - Stop Building Software
38:38 - AI and the Tech Stack
40:44 - Submit Your Tech Stack
40:59 - 📞 Accountant Support
41:19 - Acquisition Fatigue
43:14 - When to Acquire Firms
43:59 - Starting With Small Acquisitions
44:04 - Leaving Intuit
45:19 - The Case for AI
46:04 - Moving Beyond QuickBooks
48:59 - Raising Your Prices
49:44 - Migrating Existing Clients
51:19 - Outsourcing Bookkeeping
52:59 - Offshore Bookkeeping
53:58 - AI Bookkeeping
54:43 - Business Valuation Credentials
55:38 - Building a Valuation Practice
56:38 - Is an Accounting Degree Still Worth It?
57:28 - Accounting Beyond Bookkeeping
58:18 - AI Watermarks
59:08 - Talking to Clients About AI
01:00:14 - Closing Thoughts

🗣️ Continue the discussion on social!
X https://twitter.com/jasononfirms
LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/jstaats/
YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@jasoncpa

🚀 Get smarter faster by learning with other firm owners: https://www.rlz.io/
📩 Want a simple way to keep up with accounting firm and AI? I break it down every week in my newsletter: https://www.jasononfirms.com/newsletter

☎️ Leave me a voicemail at (1)516-980-4968!
📧 Email me! [email protected]

In this episode, I dig into data from 5,000 accounting firm listings to see what firms are actually selling for, what drives higher multiples, and which common M&A assumptions don’t hold up. I also break down medical spas as a potential accounting niche in 🐝 Niche of the Week and map out how I would enter that market. Then I answer to your questions in 📞 Accountant Support.

📄 Grab the Accounting Firm Acquisitions spreadsheet I talked about: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1HHxl5KGG-3zApXRbpok8Hkacvn4vE6D_/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=100194317059241398669&rtpof=true&sd=true

💰 Today's Sponsors
Verito: https://verito.com/jason?utm_campaign=42071442-Jason&utm_source=Podcast&utm_medium=Podcast&utm_content=show-notes
Soraban: https://hubs.ly/Q04cNLF80
MakersHub: https://makershub.com/get-started?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=partner&utm_campaign=jasonstaats
Canopy: Go to https://www.getcanopy.com/jason and schedule a demo to see for yourself, and Canopy will send you a $75 gift card after your demo
Financial Cents: sign up at https://hubs.li/Q03mLr_x0 and use code Jason10 to receive 10% off the Team or Scale annual plan for firms with 2+ users.
Karbon: https://karbonhq.com/?utm_source=podcast&utm_campaign=jason-staats

// Chapters:
00:00 - 5,000 Accounting Firm Sales
01:15 - Accounting Firm M&A Data
02:35 - Multiples Are Rising
03:30 - Does Firm Size Matter?
05:45 - Virtual Firm Premium
06:25 - Why Owners Sell
07:15 - Geography and Firm Value
07:45 - Most Firms Sold Are Small
08:55 - Financing Firm Acquisitions
09:20 - Buyer Demand Is Rising
09:40 - Which Services Sell Best?
10:35 - The 1.5x Multiple Myth
14:55 - More M&A Surprises
16:50 - What Firms Actually Sell For
17:40 - 🐝 Niche of the Week
18:00 - Medical Spas
19:05 - Are Solo Med Spas Too Small?
20:20 - The Better Med Spa Client
21:25 - Targeting More Mature Med Spas
23:05 - Finding Med Spa Clients
28:30 - Med Spa Referral Channels
30:10 - The Swear Jar
32:30 - Accounting Cornerstone Foundation
32:35 - 📞 Accountant Support
32:55 - Puzzle Acquired by Accrual
35:00 - How Fast Should Your Firm Grow?
41:55 - Claude Skills Security
44:35 - Claude Pro and Client Data
46:40 - Automating QBO Deposits
48:55 - Can Instead Replace UltraTax?
51:55 - App Recommendations
52:00 - Accounting Firm Sales Data

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In this episode, I break down 23 accounting firm models that go beyond traditional bookkeeping and tax, including specialized compliance, niche audit, and advisory opportunities that small firms can compete for. Then I take the idea of specialization to its logical extreme and build a space accounting firm from scratch, using government awards, cost reimbursement contracts, conferences, and accelerators to find potential clients. In 📫 Mailbag, I dig into whether AI will eliminate junior accounting roles, how firms can use AI to attract better clients, connecting Claude directly to QuickBooks Online, private versus cloud AI models, what I’m spending on AI subscriptions, and the environmental tradeoffs of AI.

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// Chapters:
00:00 - 23 Accounting Firm Niches
03:30 - Trust & Estate Firms
04:50 - Nonprofit Tax Firms
05:40 - Tax Representation Firms
06:10 - Sales & Use Tax Firms
07:20 - Foreign-Owned Business Firms
08:10 - Expat Tax Firms
08:40 - Crypto Compliance Firms
09:00 - Cannabis Compliance Firms
09:34 - 401(k) Plan Audit Firms
10:40 - Government Grant Audit Firms
14:04 - Nonprofit Audit Firms
14:39 - HOA Audit Firms
15:29 - Construction & Surety Firms
16:14 - Affordable Housing Firms
16:59 - Franchisor Audit Firms
17:24 - Captive Insurance Audit Firms
17:49 - Credit Union & Community Bank Firms
18:24 - Business Valuation Firms
19:09 - Divorce Forensics Firms
19:44 - Forensic & Fraud Firms
20:09 - Royalty & Contract Compliance Firms
21:09 - Healthcare Reimbursement Firms
21:53 - Government Contractor Firms
26:13 - Building a Space Accounting Firm
27:43 - Finding Space Companies
30:02 - Cost Reimbursement Contracts
31:33 - Space Industry Gateways
32:33 - Finding Niche Opportunities
33:08 - Let’s Make a Hire
35:48 - 📫 Mailbag
36:22 - Will AI Replace Juniors?
41:47 - Using AI to Grow
44:17 - Claude + QuickBooks
45:32 - Private AI Models
50:26 - Jason’s AI Spend
52:36 - AI’s Environmental Cost
54:36 - Closing Thoughts

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