In this episode of Profit First: Beyond The Book, Tim Seymour is joined by Deb Halliday and Jason Withers to talk openly about what happens when accountants and bookkeepers finally apply Profit First to their own practices.

They share their personal journeys, the challenges of putting client work ahead of their own financial health, and the turning point that came from prioritising profit, tax and cash flow properly. The conversation highlights why Profit First isn’t just a client tool — it’s a non-negotiable foundation for running a sustainable, credible advisory firm.

You’ll hear how ongoing support, accountability and community play a critical role in making Profit First stick, and why continuous refinement — not a one-off implementation — is key to long-term financial control and confidence.

A must-listen for accountants and bookkeepers who want to lead by example and build practices that are profitable, resilient, and stress-free.

1. Why accountants and bookkeepers must apply Profit First to their own business first
2. How Profit First creates clarity, control and predictable cash flow
3. The dangers of neglecting your own financial health for client work
4. Why implementation requires ongoing support and accountability
5. How Profit First reduces tax stress and financial pressure over time

In this episode, Deb Halliday shares her journey from becoming a retail manager at just 19 to building a successful bookkeeping and advisory business. Drawing on her early leadership experience, Deb explains how education, empowerment, and strong systems have shaped her approach to working with clients.

Deb also reveals how discovering Profit First transformed her business model, moving her away from hourly, compliance-led bookkeeping into high-value advisory work. By focusing on financial clarity and client education, she’s helped business owners make better decisions while creating scalable training resources that benefit both clients and accountants.

This conversation is packed with practical insights for bookkeepers, accountants and business owners who want to move beyond the numbers and deliver real financial impact.

In this episode, Tim sits down with Liz Szporn, his original Profit First Guide and a key leader within Profit First Professionals Global. Liz shares real success stories from current Profit First Professionals in the US, offering a powerful look at what truly happens when businesses commit to the system.

She also gives practical, timely advice for UK business owners preparing for the changes announced in the recent UK Budget including what to start doing now to stay ahead.

This conversation goes beyond the theory of Profit First. It’s an honest look at transformation, guidance, and the impact of having the right support and structure behind your business decisions.

What you’ll learn:

• How Liz helped Tim find clarity during his early Profit First journey
• Inspiring success stories from Profit First Professionals in the US
• Actionable steps UK business owners can take today in light of the new Budget
• Why community, mentorship, and shared experience make Profit First work
• How simple financial shifts can create confidence, control and calm

Join Tim Seymour and Jason Withers as they dive into the “Diary of a PFP,” sharing insights from the Monday sessions of Profit First Professionals. In this episode, they explore how structured calls, community collaboration, and real-world client experiences help members sharpen their advisory skills and apply the Profit First methodology in practice.

From strategic client selection using the 20/60/20 framework to leveraging special purpose accounts for smarter financial planning, Tim and Jason unpack practical strategies that can transform how you manage your clients and your business. Whether you’re a current or aspiring Profit First Professional, this episode offers actionable tips, real-life examples, and a glimpse into the supportive community that drives success in financial advisory.

Key Takeaways:

• Structured Monday sessions help members deepen their Profit First knowledge.
• Sharing insights fosters stronger connections within the community.
• Special purpose accounts help plan for future expenses and seasonal events.
• The 20/60/20 client analysis framework identifies high-value clients.
• Buffers in financial planning provide stability for unexpected challenges.
• Proactive client engagement uncovers opportunities for growth and profitability.

In this episode, Tim Seymour sits down with Jason Withers to explore how an accounting graduate became one of the UK’s most recognised profitability coaches. Jason shares the real turning points that shaped his path — from navigating the challenges of a loss-making builders’ merchant to sharpening his financial skills in a design agency.

He reveals how discovering the Profit First methodology transformed both his career and the results he delivers for clients, ultimately leading to him being named the UK Profit First Professional of the Year in 2024 and Business Profitability Coach of 2025.

Listeners will hear practical insights on resilience, building advisory confidence, and using Profit First to create genuine financial clarity for business owners. This conversation is a powerful reminder that the journey to becoming a trusted advisor isn’t linear — but every experience can move you closer to doing your best work.

In this episode, we explore the real story behind the creation of Profit First. After selling his second multi–million-pound business, Mike Michalowicz appeared to be the picture of entrepreneurial success — until a single conversation with his accountant revealed he was completely broke. Years of impulsive spending, poor financial habits and mounting shame sent him into a spiral that many business owners quietly relate to.

But hitting rock bottom became the turning point. Mike rebuilt his life by rethinking the traditional formula of business finance and creating what we now know as Profit First — a simple yet transformative system that ensures entrepreneurs prioritise profit instead of treating it as whatever’s “left over”.

In this episode, you’ll hear how Mike’s hardest chapter became the foundation for a framework that has helped thousands of business owners escape financial chaos and build sustainable, profitable businesses.

Key Takeaways

• Mike’s collapse from wealth to crisis shows how quickly success can crumble without financial discipline.
• Profit First was born from the realisation that profit must be protected first, not hoped for later.
• Emotions drive far more financial decisions than spreadsheets — and that’s why structure matters.
• Shifting profit from an afterthought to a habit is the cornerstone of long-term stability.
• Rock bottom can be the catalyst for life-changing innovation.
• Implementing Profit First helps business owners avoid the traps that led to Mike’s downfall.

In this episode, Tim Seymour shares why the first step to delivering powerful advisory work is implementing Profit First in your own business. He opens up about his early struggles as an accountant and how adopting a structured, profit-focused system transformed not only his business, but the results he helped clients achieve.

Tim explains how truly living the methodology builds credibility, confidence, and the ability to offer high-impact guidance that business owners genuinely value. He also breaks down why the Profit Assessment and Rollout Plan matter, and how understanding your own financial habits equips you to create tailored, meaningful solutions for clients.

Whether you're an accountant, bookkeeper or coach, this conversation is a reminder that mastering Profit First yourself is the foundation for delivering standout advisory services.

Key Takeaways:

• Apply Profit First in your own business before advising others
• Use the Profit Assessment and Rollout Plan to drive real improvements
• First-hand experience builds credibility and high-impact advisory skills
• Great advisory starts with understanding each client’s unique challenges and goals
• Consistent implementation helps you and your clients achieve stronger financial outcomes

In this episode, Tim Seymour sits down with Jason Withers and Deb Halliday to unpack the Profit First system — a simple yet powerful way to take control of your business finances. Together, they explore how flipping the traditional accounting formula on its head can transform profitability, sustainability and peace of mind.

You’ll learn how allocating income into separate accounts for profit, owners pay, tax and operating expenses creates clarity, discipline and long-term financial health.

Jason and Deb also share the real behavioural shifts needed to make Profit First work — and how partnering with a certified Profit First Professional can make implementation smoother and more effective.

Key Takeaways:

• Profit First helps business owners prioritise profit from day one.
• Separating money into dedicated accounts brings clarity and control.
• Regular review and adjustment are essential to keep the system working.
• Implementing Profit First encourages smarter, less stressful financial decisions.

Tim Seymour sits down with Jason Withers and Deb Halliday to talk about how joining Profit First Professionals UK & Ireland transformed their businesses — and their sense of connection. They share how collaboration, personal guidance, and a proactive community have helped members grow in confidence and success.

In this episode, Tim Seymour chats with Steph Jones, Certified Profit First Professional and bookkeeper, about how Profit First completely changed the way she runs her business and her life.

Steph opens up about the early mistakes she made around cash flow and pricing, and how discovering Profit First helped her finally make her business truly profitable. Together, Tim and Steph explore:

• Why starting small with Profit First creates lasting results
• The mindset shifts that come when you finally take control of your money
• How using multiple bank accounts can simplify cash flow and build confidence
• The difference between chasing revenue and creating real profit

If you’ve ever felt like your business is running you - not the other way around - this conversation will show you how Profit First can help you take back control and build a business that truly serves you.