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The accounting profession starts with gender parity… but ends with a massive leadership gap – and the discrepancy has nothing to do with either talent or capability. This episode examines the structural issues that cause firms to lose women mid-career, from unconscious bias in performance reviews to assumptions about working mothers. Nancy and Questian break down the research on interruption patterns, pay disparities, and the "motherhood penalty," then offer concrete ways leaders can create more equitable pathways to partnership.
Sponsors
Forwardly - https://www.forwardly.com/shecounts
Justine Lackey's The Incubator - https://justinelackey.com/register
Keeper - https://keeper.app/shecounts/
SPONSORS: Forwardly, Justine Lackey's The Incubator, Keeper,
Join Our LinkedIn Page!
https://www.linkedin.com/company/she-counts-podcast
Subscribe on YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/@SheCountsPodcast
Follow She Counts on IG
https://www.instagram.com/shecounts.show/
Connect with Nancy
https://www.thedancingaccountant.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/nancy-mcclelland-cpa
Connect with Questian
https://www.reqoncilefinancials.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/questian-telka-ea-78383666
Earn CPE for Listening to This Podcast
https://www.earmark.app/
This podcast is a production of Earmark Media
Dawn Brolin, CPA, CFE and author of "The Elevation of Empathy," shares her raw story of surviving a toxic partnership where she endured cruel comments about her weight and appearance, and how that shaped her perspective on leading with empathy. Through personal examples including her own leadership failures at work and lessons from her time as a softball coach, Dawn reveals how empathy can be cultivated, practiced, and wielded as a strategic advantage. The conversation tackles the unique challenges women face when leading with empathy, the emotional labor often expected of female managers, and why caring for others doesn't make you weak – but does make you dangerous to systems built on indifference.
Sponsors
Forwardly - https://www.forwardly.com/shecounts
Justine Lackey's The Incubator - https://justinelackey.com/register
Keeper - https://keeper.app/shecounts/
Join Our LinkedIn Page!
https://www.linkedin.com/company/she-counts-podcast
Subscribe on YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/@SheCountsPodcast
Follow She Counts on IG
https://www.instagram.com/shecounts.show/
Connect with Nancy
https://www.thedancingaccountant.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/nancy-mcclelland-cpa
Connect with Questian
https://www.reqoncilefinancials.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/questian-telka-ea-78383666
Earn CPE for Listening to This Podcast
https://www.earmark.app/
This podcast is a production of Earmark Media
Nicole Davis, Forbes Top 200 CPA and CEO of Conscious Accounting, shares her journey from being called "darling" in client meetings to becoming a force who dominates every room she enters. She candidly offers advice on how to feel like you own a room… that wasn’t “built” with you in mind. She reveals how true power isn't about titles or corner offices, it's about owning your story and making others accept who you are on your terms. Nicole discusses why women are uniquely positioned to lead the AI revolution in accounting, the critical difference between mentorship and sponsorship, and how showing up as your authentic self gives others permission to do the same.
Sponsors
Forwardly - https://www.forwardly.com/shecounts
Justine Lackey's The Incubator - https://justinelackey.com/register
Keeper - https://keeper.app/shecounts/
Fabulous Nicole Davis quotes:
"I used to do things to prove others wrong, but now I do things to prove myself right."
"Authenticity is your permission slip."
“Flying your freak flag is like broadcasting your wifi – others will get your signal!”
"Mentors guide but sponsors vouch."
Join Our LinkedIn Page!
https://www.linkedin.com/company/she-counts-podcast
Subscribe on YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/@SheCountsPodcast
Follow She Counts on IG
https://www.instagram.com/shecounts.show/
Connect with Nancy
https://www.thedancingaccountant.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/nancy-mcclelland-cpa
Connect with Questian
https://www.reqoncilefinancials.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/questian-telka-ea-78383666
Earn CPE for Listening to This Podcast
https://www.earmark.app/
This podcast is a production of Earmark Media
Recorded live at Scaling New Heights, Nayo Carter-Gray shares her hard-won wisdom on setting client boundaries, and her frustration in receiving a scathing one-star review that turned into a teaching moment. From effective communication skills, to tools such as using answering services and shared email inboxes, to crafting the perfect out-of-office message and managing client expectations through education… she reveals how clear strategies and proactive systems create better client relationships, not damaged ones. You'll learn why "no" is a complete sentence and discover practical tools to protect your time without the guilt.
Sponsors
Forwardly - https://www.forwardly.com/shecounts
Ignition - https://www.ignitionapp.com
Keeper - https://keeper.app/shecounts/
Join Our LinkedIn Page!
https://www.linkedin.com/company/she-counts-podcast
Subscribe on YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/@SheCountsPodcast
Follow She Counts on IG
https://www.instagram.com/shecounts.show/
Connect with Nancy
https://www.thedancingaccountant.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/nancy-mcclelland-cpa
Connect with Questian
https://www.reqoncilefinancials.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/questian-telka-ea-78383666
Earn CPE for Listening to This Podcast
https://www.earmark.app/
This podcast is a production of Earmark Media
Nancy and Questian dive deep into the difference between fearlessness and courage, sharing vulnerable stories: about becoming a dancer at age 40, speaking to a room of hundreds of people, and starting their own businesses. They explore why saying "don't be afraid" misses the point—true courage isn't the absence of fear, but choosing to act despite it. From imposter syndrome to asking for money, they discuss the specific fears women in accounting face and offer practical tools, such as: affirmations; breaking down scary tasks; remembering your “why”; and borrowing confidence from mentors.
Sponsors
Forwardly - https://www.forwardly.com/shecounts
Ignition - https://www.ignitionapp.com
Keeper - https://keeper.app/shecounts/
Join Our LinkedIn Page!
https://www.linkedin.com/company/she-counts-podcast
Subscribe on YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/@SheCountsPodcast
Follow She Counts on IG
https://www.instagram.com/shecounts.show/
Connect with Nancy
https://www.thedancingaccountant.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/nancy-mcclelland-cpa
Connect with Questian
https://www.reqoncilefinancials.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/questian-telka-ea-78383666
Earn CPE for Listening to This Podcast
https://www.earmark.app/
This podcast is a production of Earmark Media
Burnout coach and CPA Lynnette Oss Connell joins us and shares her personal journey from running a successful accounting practice while juggling five kids, to recognizing and addressing signs of complete burnout. She explains how women experience burnout differently than men due to biological and social factors, and why 99% of accountants struggle with chronic stress. Lynnette introduces the concept of time versus energy management audits, as well as different strategies for burnout prevention versus recovery. Lastly, we discuss the critical importance of building authentic community before crisis hits.
Sponsors
Forwardly - https://www.forwardly.com/shecounts
Ignition - https://www.ignitionapp.com
Keeper - https://keeper.app/shecounts/
Links:
Join Our LinkedIn Page!
https://www.linkedin.com/company/she-counts-podcast
Subscribe on YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/@SheCountsPodcast
Follow She Counts on IG
https://www.instagram.com/shecounts.show/
Connect with Nancy
https://www.thedancingaccountant.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/nancy-mcclelland-cpa
Connect with Questian
https://www.reqoncilefinancials.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/questian-telka-ea-78383666
Thank you to our sponsors!
https://www.forwardly.com/shecounts
https://womeninaccounting.ignitionapp.com/
https://keeper.app/shecounts/
Earn CPE for Listening to This Podcast
https://www.earmark.app/
This podcast is a production of Earmark Media
What do you do when your world falls apart—but the deadlines don’t stop?
In this deeply personal episode, we’re getting real about the moments that nearly broke us. Nancy shares what it was like to run a firm while surviving months without being able to sit or lie down due to seizures. Questian opens up about her son’s sudden hospitalization and the toll it took on her body, business, and spirit.
We talk about the pressure women in accounting feel to keep it together, to "suck it up," even in the middle of a crisis—and why perfectionism is a lie that keeps us isolated. We explore how transparency and community support can be lifelines when life feels impossible, and talk through actionable recommendations for how we can help each other manage personal emergencies while duty calls.
Sponsors
Forwardly - https://www.forwardly.com/shecounts
Ignition - https://www.ignitionapp.com
Keeper - https://keeper.app/shecounts/
Links
Join Our LinkedIn Page!
https://www.linkedin.com/company/she-counts-podcast
Follow She Counts on IG
https://www.instagram.com/shecounts.show/
Connect with Nancy
https://www.thedancingaccountant.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/nancy-mcclelland-cpa
Connect with Questian
https://www.reqoncilefinancials.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/questian-telka-ea-78383666
Subscribe on YouTube
Earn CPE for Listening to This Podcast
https://www.earmark.app/
This podcast is a production of the Earmark Media
Nancy McClelland and Questian Telka introduce their new podcast dedicated to women in accounting, sharing their unconventional paths into the profession and the friendship that sparked this project. They discuss their mission to create an authentic community where women can share challenges and triumphs without filtering, preview over 50 future topics they've accumulated over two years, and explain how their "conversational chemistry" transformed casual chats into a platform for collective wisdom. Through personal stories about struggles with confidence, education, and finding community, they establish that this isn't about preaching solutions, but creating a space where everyone's voice counts.
Sponsors
Forwardly - https://www.forwardly.com/shecounts
Ignition - https://www.ignitionapp.com
Keeper - https://keeper.app/shecounts/
Join Our LinkedIn Page!
https://www.linkedin.com/company/she-counts-podcast
Connect with Nancy
https://www.thedancingaccountant.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/nancy-mcclelland-cpa
Follow She Counts on IG
https://www.instagram.com/shecounts.show/
Connect with Questian
https://www.reqoncilefinancials.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/questian-telka-ea-78383666
Subscribe on YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/@SheCountsPodcast
Earn CPE for Listening to This Podcast
https://www.earmark.app/
This podcast is a production of the Earmark Media
Mentorship can transform careers, yet women in accounting often struggle to find female leaders to guide them - despite equal numbers entering the profession, only 19% of partners are women. Questian and Nancy explore how seeing someone who looks like you succeed makes your own success feel possible, sharing personal stories of mentors who believed in them before they believed in themselves. The hosts discuss both the psychology behind effective mentorship and practical ways to find mentors who align with your values, regardless of their age or position.
Sponsors
Forwardly - https://www.forwardly.com/shecounts
Ignition - https://www.ignitionapp.com
Keeper - https://keeper.app/shecounts/
Join Our LinkedIn Page!
https://www.linkedin.com/company/she-counts-podcast
Follow She Counts on IG
https://www.instagram.com/shecounts.show/
Connect with Nancy
https://www.thedancingaccountant.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/nancy-mcclelland-cpa
Connect with Questian
https://www.reqoncilefinancials.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/questian-telka-ea-78383666
Subscribe on YouTube
Earn CPE for Listening to This Podcast
https://www.earmark.app/
This podcast is a production of the Earmark Media
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