Sharpen your pencils, grab a fresh notebook—it's back-to-school season for your business! Just like the excitement of new school supplies and a fresh start, this time of year gives us the perfect opportunity to reset and set yourself up for a strong finish to the year.

In this episode of Business by the Books, Danielle Hayden, reformed corporate CFO and owner of Kickstart Accounting, Inc., shares her simple but powerful framework for getting back on track after summer and closing out the year in a way you'll feel proud of. Think of it as your "second January," a fresh chance to refocus, reenergize, and reset your goals for Q3 and Q4.

Key Takeaways:

• Reset Your CEO Mindset: Learn how to pause, reflect, and set yourself up for success by focusing on what's working (and letting go of what's not).

• Schedule CEO Time: Carve out dedicated time each week to think strategically about your business instead of getting lost in day-to-day fires.

• Get Clarity on Your Numbers: Update your books, review your income statement and balance sheet, and uncover where your money is really going.

• Prep for Q4 with Intention: Map out expenses, holiday schedules, and one clear financial goal so you can finish the year with focus, not overwhelm.

• Some Goals Can Wait: Trying to do everything right now often leads to getting nothing done. Choose one thing you can accomplish before year-end and save the rest for another quarter.

• Ask for Help!: You don't have to do this alone—lean on your financial team, coaches, and accountability partners to support your growth.

Topics Discussed:

(00:00 – 02:10) Why Back-to-School Season Is a Fresh Start and a Reset from Summer

(02:11 – 04:38) Shifting Into a CEO Mindset and Creating Weekly CEO Time

(04:39 – 06:59) Reviewing Financial Statements to Uncover Insights and Cash Flow Surprises

(06:59 – 09:31) Planning Q4 with Intention: Expenses, Taxes, and Big Goals

(09:32 – 11:25) The Power of a "Wait Until Next Quarter" List and Asking for Help

Book a Call with Kickstart Accounting, Inc.:

https://kickstartaccountinginc.com/book-a-call/

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