It's the night before I leave for a nine-night trip to Costa Rica with my three kids. During tax season. And I almost forgot it was tax season until I sat down to record this, which honestly says everything.

In this episode, I'm sharing something I've never talked about publicly: a letter I wrote to myself in February of 2014 when I was a CPA working long days in corporate tax, doing the math on what my hourly rate actually worked out to be. I titled it "Quit Your Job." And then I didn't quit.

I talk about what life looked like during those corporate tax seasons, why I kept talking myself out of the leap, and what ultimately pushed me out the door. Even the unexpected moment during my first pregnancy that made the decision for me. I also share how slowly the bookkeeping business actually grew after that, and what finally changed when I got intentional about building it.

If you're a bookkeeper or aspiring bookkeeper wondering whether leaving corporate is really possible, or whether it's too late to start, this episode is for you.

Sick of imposter syndrome keeping you stuck? Join the new + improved BECOME A BOOKKEEPER now: https://www.katieferro.com/become

Want a peek behind the curtain into LIBBY, my program all about what it really takes to have a simple and scalable (and successful) bookkeeping business? Get access to my free, on-demand four-part series, 6 Secrets to a Simple, Scalable Bookkeeping Business: www.katieferro.com/6-secrets

Learn how to take your bookkeeping skills and turn them into a business that allows you to replace (or surpass) your corporate salary, be present for your life, and profoundly impact your clients without selling your life in the process by joining Life by the Books (LIBBY).

Website: https://www.katieferro.com/

For first dibs (and the best prices!) on new offers from me, follow me on Instagram, then subscribe to my email list:

IG: www.instagram.com/orderlyaccountingbykatie

Email Opt In: www.katieferro.com/email

Want to get notified when I'm about to go live? Subscribe to the Profits and Prosecco Youtube Channel: https://youtube.com/@profitsandprosecco?si=mq_swKbEuqI5LPYt

Escaping corporate IS possible…but sometimes, you have to create your escape route while you're still in the trenches.

For Molly, she knew she wanted out. But as a mom of three girls, she couldn't just up and leave. She needed something reliable under her feet first.

So she built her bookkeeping business on the side.

That's right–she built her own business while being a mom, a wife, and a corporate accountant.

Was it easy? No, of course not–but more importantly, it was possible.

If you're feeling trapped in corporate life, you need to hear Molly's story. You don't have to wait for an escape route to appear–you can build the door yourself.

It doesn't take a miracle. It just takes hard work, careful planning, and the unfaltering belief that you can make it happen.

But don't take my word for it. Let's hear from one of the women who proved it can be done.

EPISODE RESOURCES:

Connect with Molly on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bookkeepingbymolly/?hl=en

Season 2 of Profits & Prosecco is HERE! Kick off your newest podcast addiction (or celebrate its return!) and listen to Episode 1 now: https://open.spotify.com/show/4dB0ZE8JaxqrkImm3Ifxrb

Sick of imposter syndrome keeping you stuck? Join the new + improved BECOME A BOOKKEEPER now: https://www.katieferro.com/become

Want a peek behind the curtain into LIBBY, my program all about what it really takes to have a simple and scalable (and successful) bookkeeping business? Get access to my free, on-demand four-part series, 6 Secrets to a Simple, Scalable Bookkeeping Business: www.katieferro.com/6-secrets

Learn how to take your bookkeeping skills and turn them into a business that allows you to replace (or surpass) your corporate salary, be present for your life, and profoundly impact your clients without selling your life in the process by joining Life by the Books (LIBBY).

CONNECT WITH KATIE:

Website: https://www.katieferro.com/

For first dibs (and the best prices!) on new offers from me, follow me on Instagram, then subscribe to my email list:

IG: www.instagram.com/orderlyaccountingbykatie

Email Opt In: www.katieferro.com/email

Want to get notified when I'm about to go live? Subscribe to the Profits and Prosecco Youtube Channel: https://youtube.com/@profitsandprosecco?si=mq_swKbEuqI5LPYt

There are some things I wish I'd done differently when I was just starting out…but today, I want to talk about 11 things I did absolutely right.

If I had to tear my business down completely and start over from scratch today, there are certainly some things I wouldn't do the same way. But there are a lot more things I did right the first time that I would want to duplicate the second time…and that I would recommend you do the same way when it's your turn to build your business.

If you take these eleven things and implement them early on, your business will already have a firm foundation to grow on. And because I've been where you are and I've seen the advantages these things can give you as your business grows, I can save you the time you would've spent on trial and error by sharing how to get these things done the right way the first time.

So without further ado, here are 11 things I did and would do again if I was starting over today.

EPISODE RESOURCES:

Season 2 of Profits & Prosecco is HERE! Kick off your newest podcast addiction (or celebrate its return!) and listen to Episode 1 now: https://open.spotify.com/show/4dB0ZE8JaxqrkImm3Ifxrb

Sick of imposter syndrome keeping you stuck? Join the new + improved BECOME A BOOKKEEPER now: https://www.katieferro.com/become

Want a peek behind the curtain into LIBBY, my program all about what it really takes to have a simple and scalable (and successful) bookkeeping business? Get access to my free, on-demand four-part series, 6 Secrets to a Simple, Scalable Bookkeeping Business: www.katieferro.com/6-secrets

Learn how to take your bookkeeping skills and turn them into a business that allows you to replace (or surpass) your corporate salary, be present for your life, and profoundly impact your clients without selling your life in the process by joining Life by the Books (LIBBY).

CONNECT WITH KATIE:

Website: https://www.katieferro.com/

For first dibs (and the best prices!) on new offers from me, follow me on Instagram, then subscribe to my email list:

IG: www.instagram.com/orderlyaccountingbykatie

Email Opt In: www.katieferro.com/email

Want to get notified when I'm about to go live? Subscribe to the Profits and Prosecco YouTube Channel: https://youtube.com/@profitsandprosecco?si=mq_swKbEuqI5LPYt

This week, I'm thrilled to welcome a guest onto the podcast with me: Dorothy Grace, LIBBY and BABs alum and former corporate accountant!

Dorothy came out of her first accounting class with a C…but that didn't stop her. She loved the challenge so much she kept going…first to earn her masters, then her CPA, then on to corporate accounting…

Where she "lasted" for about one year before leaving.

Not because of the challenge. Not because of the pay. Not because of the work.

Because it simply wasn't conducive to the life she wanted. And that doesn't make her—or you—less than for wanting something different.

Just because corporate life isn't for you doesn't mean all your hard work was for nothing. Dorothy's story proves that. You have so many other paths you can walk…and yours can start right here.

EPISODE RESOURCES:

Season 2 of Profits & Prosecco is HERE! Kick off your newest podcast addiction (or celebrate its return!) and listen to Episode 1 now: https://open.spotify.com/show/4dB0ZE8JaxqrkImm3Ifxrb

Sick of imposter syndrome keeping you stuck? Join the new + improved BECOME A BOOKKEEPER now: https://www.katieferro.com/become

Want a peek behind the curtain into LIBBY, my program all about what it really takes to have a simple and scalable (and successful) bookkeeping business? Get access to my free, on-demand four-part series, 6 Secrets to a Simple, Scalable Bookkeeping Business: www.katieferro.com/6-secrets

Learn how to take your bookkeeping skills and turn them into a business that allows you to replace (or surpass) your corporate salary, be present for your life, and profoundly impact your clients without selling your life in the process by joining Life by the Books (LIBBY).

CONNECT WITH KATIE:

Website: https://www.katieferro.com/

For first dibs (and the best prices!) on new offers from me, follow me on Instagram, then subscribe to my email list:

IG: www.instagram.com/orderlyaccountingbykatie

Email Opt In: www.katieferro.com/email

"Do I have to offer CFO services in order to REALLY be successful as a bookkeeper?"

No matter what your bar for "success" is here…the answer is no.

Offering CFO packages can be lucrative, absolutely. And it can be tempting to gun for a few high-ticket clients rather than trying to sign 15+ to your roster just to hit the same amount of income.

However…there are plenty of cons you need to take into consideration before deciding to go the CFO route, too.

I'm not saying you shouldn't even think about offering CFO services. They can be great for some bookkeepers. However, I want to make sure you see the big picture and consider every factor here before you jump into something that might not be best for you and your business in the long run.

Let's go over the pros and cons together, shall we?

EPISODE RESOURCES:

Tired of 1099s giving you headaches? Avoid the pain and hassle with my 1099 Client Education System: https://www.katieferro.com/1099ed

Start your new year off right with the Intention Setting Workshop, my on-demand workshop all about preparing yourself to crush every goal you have for this upcoming year: https://www.katieferro.com/offers/mSzXz5cA/checkout

Season 2 of Profits & Prosecco is HERE! Kick off your newest podcast addiction (or celebrate its return!) and listen to Episode 1 now: https://open.spotify.com/show/4dB0ZE8JaxqrkImm3Ifxrb

Sick of imposter syndrome keeping you stuck? Join the new + improved BECOME A BOOKKEEPER now: https://www.katieferro.com/become

Want a peek behind the curtain into LIBBY, my program all about what it really takes to have a simple and scalable (and successful) bookkeeping business? Get access to my free, on-demand four-part series, 6 Secrets to a Simple, Scalable Bookkeeping Business: www.katieferro.com/6-secrets

Learn how to take your bookkeeping skills and turn them into a business that allows you to replace (or surpass) your corporate salary, be present for your life, and profoundly impact your clients without selling your life in the process by joining Life by the Books (LIBBY).

CONNECT WITH KATIE:

Website: https://www.katieferro.com/

For first dibs (and the best prices!) on new offers from me, follow me on Instagram, then subscribe to my email list:

IG: www.instagram.com/orderlyaccountingbykatie

Email Opt In: www.katieferro.com/email

It's the beginning of the year, which means—you guessed it—1099 season is back.

1099s aren't hard, necessarily–they're just annoying. And the most annoying thing about them?

In most cases, they are actually completely avoidable.

I know. It's not going to save you any headaches this year, but it's not too late for next year if you start right now.

It requires educating and communicating with your client, taking a hard look at whether they need to file 1099s at all, and streamlining the process if they do need to file…but if you begin now, it's completely doable.

Let's save you the headache next year. Here are all the ways I help my clients avoid 1099s…while still staying compliant with tax law.

EPISODE RESOURCES:

Tired of 1099s giving you headaches? Avoid the pain and hassle with my 1099 Client Education System: https://www.katieferro.com/1099ed

Start your new year off right with the Intention Setting Workshop, my on-demand workshop all about preparing yourself to crush every goal you have for this upcoming year: https://www.katieferro.com/offers/mSzXz5cA/checkout

Season 2 of Profits & Prosecco is HERE! Kick off your newest podcast addiction (or celebrate its return!) and listen to Episode 1 now: https://open.spotify.com/show/4dB0ZE8JaxqrkImm3Ifxrb

Sick of imposter syndrome keeping you stuck? Join the new + improved BECOME A BOOKKEEPER now: https://www.katieferro.com/become

Want a peek behind the curtain into LIBBY, my program all about what it really takes to have a simple and scalable (and successful) bookkeeping business? Get access to my free, on-demand four-part series, 6 Secrets to a Simple, Scalable Bookkeeping Business: www.katieferro.com/6-secrets

Learn how to take your bookkeeping skills and turn them into a business that allows you to replace (or surpass) your corporate salary, be present for your life, and profoundly impact your clients without selling your life in the process by joining Life by the Books (LIBBY).

CONNECT WITH KATIE:

Website: https://www.katieferro.com/

For first dibs (and the best prices!) on new offers from me, follow me on Instagram, then subscribe to my email list:

IG: www.instagram.com/orderlyaccountingbykatie

Email Opt In: www.katieferro.com/email

"I'm not a numbers person—can I still become a bookkeeper?"

The answer is…it depends.

When you say you're not a numbers person, is it just a way for you to say you're bad at math? And when you think of math, what are you picturing?

Trigonometry and calculus? Those aren't showing up in bookkeeping. I'll tell you that for free.

In fact…90% of bookkeeping is just addition and subtraction. Maybe a little multiplication and division when things get complicated.

However, you do need to be able to apply these concepts in the right way. You need to be able to plug numbers into formulas. You need to understand basic accounting. In that way, you do need to be a "numbers person."

But being a numbers person is more teachable than you might think…and I'm just the person to teach you. Let me tell you about the program I created for exactly this purpose.

EPISODE RESOURCES:

Start your new year off right with the Intention Setting Workshop, my on-demand workshop all about preparing yourself to crush every goal you have for this upcoming year: https://www.katieferro.com/offers/mSzXz5cA/checkout

Season 2 of Profits & Prosecco is HERE! Kick off your newest podcast addiction (or celebrate its return!) and listen to Episode 1 now: https://open.spotify.com/show/4dB0ZE8JaxqrkImm3Ifxrb

Sick of imposter syndrome keeping you stuck? Join the new + improved BECOME A BOOKKEEPER now: https://www.katieferro.com/become

Want a peek behind the curtain into LIBBY, my program all about what it really takes to have a simple and scalable (and successful) bookkeeping business? Get access to my free, on-demand four-part series, 6 Secrets to a Simple, Scalable Bookkeeping Business: www.katieferro.com/6-secrets

Learn how to take your bookkeeping skills and turn them into a business that allows you to replace (or surpass) your corporate salary, be present for your life, and profoundly impact your clients without selling your life in the process by joining Life by the Books (LIBBY).

CONNECT WITH KATIE:

Website: https://www.katieferro.com/

For first dibs (and the best prices!) on new offers from me, follow me on Instagram, then subscribe to my email list:

IG: www.instagram.com/orderlyaccountingbykatie

Email Opt In: www.katieferro.com/email

It is no secret how much I love ChatGPT.

There are so many ways to use ChatGPT effectively in your bookkeeping business—ways that help free up even more of your time, energy, and mental capacity for the things that truly matter in your life.

However, if not used carefully, ChatGPT can also cause some serious harm.

When I started coming to ChatGPT to vent my frustrations and share my anxieties, it seemed harmless at first. But slowly, I realized ChatGPT wasn't helping me put those fears to rest…it was feeding them. Fueling them. Giving me more worries to add to the pile.

There's a right way and a wrong way to use AI in your life and business…and I'm just glad I caught myself using it the wrong way before I got in too deep.

What happened, exactly? Sit down and get comfy, friends. Let me tell you how I had to set some boundaries with ChatGPT this year…and why I still believe it's one of the best tools at your disposal when it comes to running your bookkeeping biz.

EPISODE RESOURCES:

Start your new year off right with the Intention Setting Workshop, my on-demand workshop all about preparing yourself to crush every goal you have for this upcoming year: https://www.katieferro.com/offers/mSzXz5cA/checkout

Season 2 of Profits & Prosecco is HERE! Kick off your newest podcast addiction (or celebrate its return!) and listen to Episode 1 now: https://open.spotify.com/show/4dB0ZE8JaxqrkImm3Ifxrb

Sick of imposter syndrome keeping you stuck? Join the new + improved BECOME A BOOKKEEPER now: https://www.katieferro.com/become

Want a peek behind the curtain into LIBBY, my program all about what it really takes to have a simple and scalable (and successful) bookkeeping business? Get access to my free, on-demand four-part series, 6 Secrets to a Simple, Scalable Bookkeeping Business: www.katieferro.com/6-secrets

Learn how to take your bookkeeping skills and turn them into a business that allows you to replace (or surpass) your corporate salary, be present for your life, and profoundly impact your clients without selling your life in the process by joining Life by the Books (LIBBY).

CONNECT WITH KATIE:

Website: https://www.katieferro.com/

For first dibs (and the best prices!) on new offers from me, follow me on Instagram, then subscribe to my email list:

IG: www.instagram.com/orderlyaccountingbykatie

Email Opt In: www.katieferro.com/email

It's that time again…

Time to say goodbye to this year and step into the new one.

Time to look back on all we did…and all we didn't do.

Time to decide what we loved about our lives in 2025…and what needs to change in 2026.

Don't worry—I'm not going to sit you down and preach to you about why you need to make a hundred New Year's Resolutions in order to have a productive 2026. In fact, I fully understand why so many people don't resonate with the idea of resolutions…

So I'm here to suggest an alternative.

Welcome to a new way to enter the New Year. Get ready to try some New Year's REFLECTIONS.

EPISODE RESOURCES:

Start your new year off right with the Intention Setting Workshop, my on-demand workshop all about preparing yourself to crush every goal you have for this upcoming year: https://www.katieferro.com/offers/mSzXz5cA/checkout

Season 2 of Profits & Prosecco is HERE! Kick off your newest podcast addiction (or celebrate its return!) and listen to Episode 1 now: https://open.spotify.com/show/4dB0ZE8JaxqrkImm3Ifxrb

Sick of imposter syndrome keeping you stuck? Join the new + improved BECOME A BOOKKEEPER now: https://www.katieferro.com/become

Want a peek behind the curtain into LIBBY, my program all about what it really takes to have a simple and scalable (and successful) bookkeeping business? Get access to my free, on-demand four-part series, 6 Secrets to a Simple, Scalable Bookkeeping Business: www.katieferro.com/6-secrets

Learn how to take your bookkeeping skills and turn them into a business that allows you to replace (or surpass) your corporate salary, be present for your life, and profoundly impact your clients without selling your life in the process by joining Life by the Books (LIBBY).

CONNECT WITH KATIE:

Website: https://www.katieferro.com/

For first dibs (and the best prices!) on new offers from me, follow me on Instagram, then subscribe to my email list:

IG: www.instagram.com/orderlyaccountingbykatie

Email Opt In: www.katieferro.com/email

When a bookkeeper decides to start their own bookkeeping business, their minds go to one place: getting clients.

A lot of these bookkeepers naturally gravitate toward sorting out their CRM first. They want something concrete to work with so they know they're ready when a client finally signs with them…

But it's putting the cart before the horse.

Having your CRMs sorted out is important. But it's not the first thing you need to focus on. You need to get people warmed up to you and your offer first, and the easiest way to do that is setting up a self-sustaining marketing system.

Not as easy as it sounds, right? Marketing can feel like this big, nebulous thing without a clear place to start, especially for left-brained logistical people like us. But don't fret! I'm here today to demystify marketing for you…and tell you exactly what you should be focusing on as a new bookkeeper.

EPISODE RESOURCES:

Season 2 of Profits & Prosecco is HERE! Kick off your newest podcast addiction (or celebrate its return!) and listen to Episode 1 now: https://open.spotify.com/show/4dB0ZE8JaxqrkImm3Ifxrb

Sick of imposter syndrome keeping you stuck? Join the new + improved BECOME A BOOKKEEPER now: https://www.katieferro.com/become

Want a peek behind the curtain into LIBBY, my program all about what it really takes to have a simple and scalable (and successful) bookkeeping business? Get access to my free, on-demand four-part series, 6 Secrets to a Simple, Scalable Bookkeeping Business: www.katieferro.com/6-secrets

Learn how to take your bookkeeping skills and turn them into a business that allows you to replace (or surpass) your corporate salary, be present for your life, and profoundly impact your clients without selling your life in the process by joining Life by the Books (LIBBY).

CONNECT WITH KATIE:

Website: https://www.katieferro.com/

For first dibs (and the best prices!) on new offers from me, follow me on Instagram, then subscribe to my email list:

IG: www.instagram.com/orderlyaccountingbykatie

Email Opt In: www.katieferro.com/email