The Bookkeepers' Podcast

The future of bookkeeping is not data entry — it is trusted financial partnership. In this episode of the 6FB Sofa Sessions, Max Whiteley, Product Domain Expert at Dext and multiple award-winning practice leader, explains exactly how UK bookkeepers can move from compliance into real advisory, and why confidence, curiosity and commercial thinking now matter more than technical perfection.

Register for our upcoming webinar, Beyond the Books with Dext to learn how Bookkeepers can confidently step Into advisory with AI powered tech: https://info.dext.com/beyond-the-books-6fb-webinar-feb-2026

Max started his accounting career at just 15 years old, grew up around self-employed parents, built and scaled award-winning teams, and now helps shape the tools used by thousands of UK practices. In this conversation with Jo Wood and Zoe Whitman, he shares what actually changes lives for small business owners, why advisory is really about accountability and care, and how bookkeepers can step into a far more valuable role without needing complex forecasting models or extra qualifications.

You’ll hear how small practices can build stronger client relationships through active listening, why quarterly conversations transform both pricing and impact, how boundaries with clients protect both revenue and wellbeing, and why real-time data is the foundation of meaningful advice. Max also shares how winning multiple Xero awards came down to people-first systems, consistent processes and confidence in leading clients, not flashy tools or complicated reporting.

This episode also tackles the fear around automation and AI. Max explains why AI will not replace bookkeepers, but bookkeepers who use AI will replace those who don’t. He outlines how real-time bookkeeping, payments, credit control and better reporting are becoming the natural next step for modern practices — and how tools like Dext enable that shift by improving data accuracy and visibility.

If you are a UK bookkeeper wondering how to move into advisory, struggling with confidence, worried about AI, or unsure what your real value is beyond compliance, this episode provides clarity, reassurance and a practical roadmap forward.

This conversation is essential viewing for bookkeepers who want to become indispensable to their clients and build a more profitable, respected and future-proof practice.

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About us

We're Jo and Zoe and we help bookkeepers find clients, make more money and build profitable businesses they love. Find out about working with us in The Bookkeepers' Collective, at: 6figurebookkeeper.com/collective

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About our Sponsor

This episode of The Bookkeepers' Podcast is sponsored by Xero. Get 90% off your first 6 months by visiting: https://xero5440.partnerlinks.io/6figurebookkeeper

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Promotion

This video contains paid promotion.

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Disclaimer

The information contained in The Bookkeepers' Podcast is provided for information purposes only. The contents of The Bookkeepers' Podcast is not intended to amount to advice and you should not rely on any of the contents of the Bookkeepers' Podcast. Professional advice should be obtained before taking or refraining from taking any action as a result of the contents of the Bookkeepers' Podcast. The 6 Figure Bookkeeper Ltd disclaims all liability and responsibility arising from any reliance placed on any of the contents of the Bookkeepers' Podcast.

In this Leadership Takeover session, Kate Hayward, Managing Director of Xero UK, shares how growing up in a self-employed household shaped her views on risk, money and why bookkeepers are now more vital than ever to small businesses. For UK bookkeepers, this is a clear, honest look at where the profession is heading and how to stay at the centre of it.

Kate talks about watching her parents worry over money at the kitchen table, how that drove her into a science degree and a Big Four career, and why she eventually left the perceived safety of that world to join a fast-growing tech company while planning to start a family. She shares the leadership moment that stopped her from self-selecting out of a senior role because of motherhood, and why background should never limit whose voice is heard in business or policy.

A major theme of the conversation is financial literacy. Kate explains why the UK still lacks a joined-up, practical approach to money education and why Xero has invested in its financial literacy campaign to try to change that. She describes financial literacy as a life-cycle issue, from what children see at home to the decisions business owners face as they grow.

For bookkeepers and accountants, Kate is clear: you are the lifeline for many small businesses. With the disappearance of the traditional bank manager, clients now turn to their adviser to interpret the numbers, sense-check decisions and connect them to wider support. She also acknowledges that many advisers were never taught sales, marketing or entrepreneurship, even though clients increasingly expect that wider commercial input.

Find out about the benefits of becoming a Xero Partner, here: https://www.xero.com/uk/partner-programme/?UTM_Source=6fb

The episode also tackles AI and the future of the profession. Kate’s view is firm: AI will not replace bookkeepers or accountants. It will remove repetitive manual work and create space for deeper conversations, better insight and more ambitious client growth. The skills that matter most become communication, commercial thinking, pricing confidence and the ability to guide clients through uncertainty.

If you are a UK bookkeeper or accountant who cares about small business, worries about AI, or wants to play a bigger role in clients’ financial understanding and long-term success, this conversation with Kate Hayward will help you see what’s coming next — and how you can stay essential.

-----------------------------------------------

About us

We're Jo and Zoe and we help bookkeepers find clients, make more money and build profitable businesses they love. Find out about working with us in The Bookkeepers' Collective, at: 6figurebookkeeper.com/collective

-----------------------------------------------

About our Sponsor

This episode of The Bookkeepers' Podcast is sponsored by Xero. Get 90% off your first 6 months by visiting: https://xero5440.partnerlinks.io/6figurebookkeeper

-----------------------------------------------

Promotion

This video contains paid promotion.

-----------------------------------------------

Disclaimer

The information contained in The Bookkeepers' Podcast is provided for information purposes only. The contents of The Bookkeepers' Podcast is not intended to amount to advice and you should not rely on any of the contents of the Bookkeepers' Podcast. Professional advice should be obtained before taking or refraining from taking any action as a result of the contents of the Bookkeepers' Podcast. The 6 Figure Bookkeeper Ltd disclaims all liability and responsibility arising from any reliance placed on any of the contents of the Bookkeepers' Podcast.

In this Sofa Session, Kate Hayward, Managing Director of Xero UK, shares how growing up in a self-employed household shaped her views on risk, money and why bookkeepers are now more vital than ever to small businesses. For UK bookkeepers, this is a clear, honest look at where the profession is heading and how to stay at the centre of it.

Kate talks about watching her parents worry over money at the kitchen table, how that drove her into a science degree and a Big Four career, and why she eventually left the perceived safety of that world to join a fast-growing tech company while planning to start a family. She shares the leadership moment that stopped her from self-selecting out of a senior role because of motherhood, and why background should never limit whose voice is heard in business or policy.

A major theme of the conversation is financial literacy. Kate explains why the UK still lacks a joined-up, practical approach to money education and why Xero has invested in its financial literacy campaign to try to change that. She describes financial literacy as a life-cycle issue, from what children see at home to the decisions business owners face as they grow.

For bookkeepers and accountants, Kate is clear: you are the lifeline for many small businesses. With the disappearance of the traditional bank manager, clients now turn to their adviser to interpret the numbers, sense-check decisions and connect them to wider support. She also acknowledges that many advisers were never taught sales, marketing or entrepreneurship, even though clients increasingly expect that wider commercial input.

The episode also tackles AI and the future of the profession. Kate’s view is firm: AI will not replace bookkeepers or accountants. It will remove repetitive manual work and create space for deeper conversations, better insight and more ambitious client growth. The skills that matter most become communication, commercial thinking, pricing confidence and the ability to guide clients through uncertainty.

If you are a UK bookkeeper or accountant who cares about small business, worries about AI, or wants to play a bigger role in clients’ financial understanding and long-term success, this conversation with Kate Hayward will help you see what’s coming next — and how you can stay essential.

-----------------------------------------------

About us

We're Jo and Zoe and we help bookkeepers find clients, make more money and build profitable businesses they love. Find out about working with us in The Bookkeepers' Collective, at: 6figurebookkeeper.com/collective

-----------------------------------------------

About our Sponsor

This episode of The Bookkeepers' Podcast is sponsored by Xero. Get 90% off your first 6 months by visiting: https://xero5440.partnerlinks.io/6figurebookkeeper

-----------------------------------------------

Promotion

This video contains paid promotion.

-----------------------------------------------

Disclaimer

The information contained in The Bookkeepers' Podcast is provided for information purposes only. The contents of The Bookkeepers' Podcast is not intended to amount to advice and you should not rely on any of the contents of the Bookkeepers' Podcast. Professional advice should be obtained before taking or refraining from taking any action as a result of the contents of the Bookkeepers' Podcast. The 6 Figure Bookkeeper Ltd disclaims all liability and responsibility arising from any reliance placed on any of the contents of the Bookkeepers' Podcast.

What does the future really look like for UK bookkeepers as regulation tightens, MTD expands and professionalism becomes more important than ever? In this episode of the 6FB Sofa Sessions, Ami Copeland, CEO of the Institute of Certified Bookkeepers (ICB), explains exactly what’s changing, what standards matter most, and how bookkeepers can protect, grow and future-proof their practices.

Ami leads one of the most influential professional bodies in UK bookkeeping and works closely with HMRC, software providers and regulatory partners to shape the modern bookkeeping profession. In this conversation with Jo Wood and Zoe Whitman, she shares what she is seeing across thousands of UK practices, how professionalism and compliance expectations are rising, and why strong ethical standards will define the next decade of bookkeeping.

You’ll hear how Making Tax Digital is reshaping the role of the bookkeeper, what regulation really means for day-to-day practice, and how bookkeepers can position themselves as trusted finance partners rather than “just” compliance providers. Ami also talks openly about confidence, competence, qualifications, and why credibility will become a key differentiator as the industry continues to grow.

This episode explores the commercial benefits of being professionally recognised, how education and CPD protect both you and your clients, and why bookkeepers who embrace change now will be the ones leading the profession in the years ahead. Ami explains the balance between accessibility and accountability in bookkeeping, and what standards clients will increasingly expect as business owners become more financially aware.

If you are a UK bookkeeper navigating MTD, thinking about regulation, wanting to raise your professional profile, or unsure how formal recognition fits into your growth plans, this episode will give you clarity, reassurance and direction.

Find out about ICB Membership at https://www.bookkeepers.org.uk/Membership/?utm_source=6fb

This is essential viewing for bookkeepers who want to build long-term credibility, charge with confidence, and be seen as true financial professionals in a rapidly evolving industry.

-----------------------------------------------

About us

We're Jo and Zoe and we help bookkeepers find clients, make more money and build profitable businesses they love. Find out about working with us in The Bookkeepers' Collective, at: 6figurebookkeeper.com/collective

-----------------------------------------------

About our Sponsor

This episode of The Bookkeepers' Podcast is sponsored by Xero. Get 90% off your first 6 months by visiting: https://xero5440.partnerlinks.io/6figurebookkeeper

-----------------------------------------------

Promotion

This video contains paid promotion.

-----------------------------------------------

Disclaimer

The information contained in The Bookkeepers' Podcast is provided for information purposes only. The contents of The Bookkeepers' Podcast is not intended to amount to advice and you should not rely on any of the contents of the Bookkeepers' Podcast. Professional advice should be obtained before taking or refraining from taking any action as a result of the contents of the Bookkeepers' Podcast. The 6 Figure Bookkeeper Ltd disclaims all liability and responsibility arising from any reliance placed on any of the contents of the Bookkeepers' Podcast.

In this episode, Jo and Zoe take a deep dive into what it really looks like to start a bookkeeping business in 2026. Rather than jumping straight into checklists and compliance, they challenge aspiring bookkeepers to step back and understand the real reason behind wanting to start a practice — freedom, financial stability, and flexibility. They explain how important it is to design the business around the lifestyle you want, not just the service you can offer.

From choosing the right business structure to understanding insurance, personal finance boundaries, AML responsibilities, tech stacks, workflows, and pricing, the hosts walk through the updated fundamentals for 2026. They emphasise that building a practice that supports your wellbeing starts with clarity, boundaries, and intentional choices — not rushing into software subscriptions or under-charging. This episode acts as both a strategic reset and a practical roadmap for anyone wanting to launch confidently in the new year.

-----------------------------------------------

About us

We're Jo and Zoe and we help bookkeepers find clients, make more money and build profitable businesses they love. Find out about working with us in The Bookkeepers' Collective, at: 6figurebookkeeper.com/collective

-----------------------------------------------

About our Sponsor

This episode of The Bookkeepers' Podcast is sponsored by Xero. Get 90% off your first 6 months by visiting: https://xero5440.partnerlinks.io/6figurebookkeeper

-----------------------------------------------

Promotion

This video contains paid promotion.

-----------------------------------------------

Disclaimer

The information contained in The Bookkeepers' Podcast is provided for information purposes only. The contents of The Bookkeepers' Podcast is not intended to amount to advice and you should not rely on any of the contents of the Bookkeepers' Podcast. Professional advice should be obtained before taking or refraining from taking any action as a result of the contents of the Bookkeepers' Podcast. The 6 Figure Bookkeeper Ltd disclaims all liability and responsibility arising from any reliance placed on any of the contents of the Bookkeepers' Podcast.

The Dext Effect: How Modern Bookkeepers Save UK SMBs: https://subscribepage.io/qn0D3U

We talk about the Dext report here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=02y_ZDbROus

In this solo episode, Zoe dives into why so many bookkeeping practices are falling behind — not because of skill, but because the industry has evolved faster than the services most bookkeepers are offering. Drawing on new data from Dext's survey of 500 SMEs, Zoe reveals a widening gap between what small businesses urgently need (support, clarity, forecasting, guidance) and what the bookkeeping profession is traditionally providing.

She speaks candidly about the crisis mindset many business owners are in — some even saying conditions now feel worse than Covid — and explains the pivotal opportunity for bookkeepers to reposition themselves as finance business partners. Through insights from their Summer 2025 Bookkeeper Survey, Zoe breaks down the time bottlenecks, confidence challenges, and outdated processes keeping practices stuck. She then shares a practical roadmap for modernising your practice through 1% improvements, automation, advisory conversations, and building a gold-standard service that scales with ease.

-----------------------------------------------

About us

We're Jo and Zoe and we help bookkeepers find clients, make more money and build profitable businesses they love. Find out about working with us in The Bookkeepers' Collective, at: 6figurebookkeeper.com/collective

-----------------------------------------------

About our Sponsor

This episode of The Bookkeepers' Podcast is sponsored by Xero. Get 90% off your first 6 months by visiting: https://xero5440.partnerlinks.io/6figurebookkeeper

-----------------------------------------------

Promotion

This video contains paid promotion.

-----------------------------------------------

Disclaimer

The information contained in The Bookkeepers' Podcast is provided for information purposes only. The contents of The Bookkeepers' Podcast is not intended to amount to advice and you should not rely on any of the contents of the Bookkeepers' Podcast. Professional advice should be obtained before taking or refraining from taking any action as a result of the contents of the Bookkeepers' Podcast. The 6 Figure Bookkeeper Ltd disclaims all liability and responsibility arising from any reliance placed on any of the contents of the Bookkeepers' Podcast.

In this third and final part of the client-finding series, Jo and Zoe move beyond foundations and personal branding into advanced, “pro-level” strategies for winning bookkeeping clients through referrals. They break down how to turn happy clients into loyal advocates who consistently recommend you, so your pipeline fills without you constantly hustling for every new lead.

They explore what it really takes to deliver a repeatable, gold-standard service – from onboarding and communication to spotting opportunities and supporting business growth – so clients feel safe, seen, and excited to talk about you. Jo and Zoe also discuss building a simple referral “programme” (without it feeling awkward or salesy), using testimonials and case studies effectively, and how to talk about capacity so clients know you’re open for new work without worrying you’re too busy for them. The episode wraps up by pulling together all three levels of the series: foundations, personal brand, and referrals.

-----------------------------------------------

About us

We're Jo and Zoe and we help bookkeepers find clients, make more money and build profitable businesses they love. Find out about working with us in The Bookkeepers' Collective, at: 6figurebookkeeper.com/collective

-----------------------------------------------

About our Sponsor

This episode of The Bookkeepers' Podcast is sponsored by Xero. Get 90% off your first 6 months by visiting: https://xero5440.partnerlinks.io/6figurebookkeeper

-----------------------------------------------

Promotion

This video contains paid promotion.

-----------------------------------------------

Disclaimer

The information contained in The Bookkeepers' Podcast is provided for information purposes only. The contents of The Bookkeepers' Podcast is not intended to amount to advice and you should not rely on any of the contents of the Bookkeepers' Podcast. Professional advice should be obtained before taking or refraining from taking any action as a result of the contents of the Bookkeepers' Podcast. The 6 Figure Bookkeeper Ltd disclaims all liability and responsibility arising from any reliance placed on any of the contents of the Bookkeepers' Podcast.

In this second instalment of the three-part “How to Find Bookkeeping Clients” series, Jo and Zoe dive deep into why personal branding is essential for bookkeepers who want to grow their practices. Building on video one’s “business foundations”, this episode explores how trust-building, visibility, reputation, and consistency help bookkeepers stand out in a crowded industry—especially in an online world filled with mistrust, catfishing, and AI-generated content.

Through honest conversation, they unpack the mindset challenges bookkeepers face (especially introverted ones), discuss the shift away from hustle culture, and demonstrate how sharing values, lived experiences, and real-life content helps build genuine trust. They explain why your personal brand is what people say about you when you're not in the room—and how to intentionally shape that narrative. Jo and Zoe share practical strategies including content habits, storytelling, responding to audience engagement, writing blogs, and even publishing a book to elevate authority.

In This Episode:

Why personal branding matters for bookkeepers

How to become “prolific” without working 24/7

What personal brand actually means (and what it doesn’t)

Overcoming fear of visibility, especially for introverts

What content to share to build trust

What NOT to post—staying aligned to your own values

How to capture everyday moments as content

Using blogging, articles, and books to elevate authority

How Jo and Zoe built multiple brands through consistency

How to start conversations that lead naturally to client work

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About us

We're Jo and Zoe and we help bookkeepers find clients, make more money and build profitable businesses they love. Find out about working with us in The Bookkeepers' Collective, at: 6figurebookkeeper.com/collective

-----------------------------------------------

About our Sponsor

This episode of The Bookkeepers' Podcast is sponsored by Xero. Get 90% off your first 6 months by visiting: https://xero5440.partnerlinks.io/6figurebookkeeper

-----------------------------------------------

Promotion

This video contains paid promotion.

-----------------------------------------------

Disclaimer

The information contained in The Bookkeepers' Podcast is provided for information purposes only. The contents of The Bookkeepers' Podcast is not intended to amount to advice and you should not rely on any of the contents of the Bookkeepers' Podcast. Professional advice should be obtained before taking or refraining from taking any action as a result of the contents of the Bookkeepers' Podcast. The 6 Figure Bookkeeper Ltd disclaims all liability and responsibility arising from any reliance placed on any of the contents of the Bookkeepers' Podcast.

In this first video of a three-part series on finding bookkeeping clients, Jo and Zoe break down the beginner foundations you need in place to win your first few clients with confidence. They talk honestly about the fear, vulnerability and “baggage” that new bookkeepers bring when they leave employment, and why that very first client matters so much for your belief, validation and momentum.

Through their own stories of landing first clients (via a husband’s creative contacts and a neighbour over the garden fence), they show how powerful your existing network can be when you give people a clear, repeatable message about what you do. The episode covers pricing your first jobs, why working for free often backfires, how branding and pricing are linked, and the practical basics you need: a simple online presence (LinkedIn + maybe a one-page website), a clear call to action to book a call, and local networking – approached as relationship-building, not “selling to everyone”. This sets the foundation for the next videos in the series on advanced and referral strategies.

One of the biggest questions we see in the 6 Figure Bookkeepers community is:

“How do I actually find bookkeeping clients?”

In this first video of our three-part series, Jo and Zoe walk you through the beginner stage of finding clients – the foundations that make everything else easier:

Getting clear on what you do and who you help in simple, repeatable language

Using your nearest and dearest as your first “sales team”

Setting up a basic online presence to validate you (even if you don’t have a website yet)

Why pricing, branding and confidence are all linked

How to use networking without feeling salesy or desperate

You’ll also hear Jo and Zoe’s real stories of finding their first clients – from a freelancer friend needing reassurance on her tax return to a neighbour’s VAT returns that stayed at £50/month for far too long!

This episode lays the groundwork so that advanced and referral strategies (coming in Videos 2 and 3) actually work.

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About us

We're Jo and Zoe and we help bookkeepers find clients, make more money and build profitable businesses they love. Find out about working with us in The Bookkeepers' Collective, at: 6figurebookkeeper.com/collective

-----------------------------------------------

About our Sponsor

This episode of The Bookkeepers' Podcast is sponsored by Xero. Get 90% off your first 6 months by visiting: https://xero5440.partnerlinks.io/6figurebookkeeper

-----------------------------------------------

Promotion

This video contains paid promotion.

-----------------------------------------------

Disclaimer

The information contained in The Bookkeepers' Podcast is provided for information purposes only. The contents of The Bookkeepers' Podcast is not intended to amount to advice and you should not rely on any of the contents of the Bookkeepers' Podcast. Professional advice should be obtained before taking or refraining from taking any action as a result of the contents of the Bookkeepers' Podcast. The 6 Figure Bookkeeper Ltd disclaims all liability and responsibility arising from any reliance placed on any of the contents of the Bookkeepers' Podcast.

In this episode, Jo and Zoe condense two decades of bookkeeping wisdom into just 29 minutes. They reflect on their biggest lessons, from pricing and mindset to boundaries and burnout, revealing the truths that transformed their businesses from £0 to six figures.

They discuss why qualification is only the beginning, how to think like a business owner instead of a freelancer, and why value-based pricing is essential to scale sustainably. You’ll also hear their honest take on overcoming imposter syndrome, setting meaningful goals, and learning to take care of yourself while running a successful bookkeeping practice.

2. Show Notes

In this episode, you’ll learn:

How to avoid common mistakes when starting your bookkeeping practice.

The truth about pricing — and why it should reflect value, not hours.

How to shift from “doing the work” to owning a business.

The power of goal setting and mapping your perfect profit & loss.

Why self-care is part of your business strategy.

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About us

We're Jo and Zoe and we help bookkeepers find clients, make more money and build profitable businesses they love. Find out about working with us in The Bookkeepers' Collective, at: 6figurebookkeeper.com/collective

-----------------------------------------------

About our Sponsor

This episode of The Bookkeepers' Podcast is sponsored by Xero. Get 90% off your first 6 months by visiting: https://xero5440.partnerlinks.io/6figurebookkeeper

-----------------------------------------------

Promotion

This video contains paid promotion.

-----------------------------------------------

Disclaimer

The information contained in The Bookkeepers' Podcast is provided for information purposes only. The contents of The Bookkeepers' Podcast is not intended to amount to advice and you should not rely on any of the contents of the Bookkeepers' Podcast. Professional advice should be obtained before taking or refraining from taking any action as a result of the contents of the Bookkeepers' Podcast. The 6 Figure Bookkeeper Ltd disclaims all liability and responsibility arising from any reliance placed on any of the contents of the Bookkeepers' Podcast.