The Bookkeepers' Podcast

Every bookkeeper has clients with a mortgage, and many of them are heading for a rate shock. In this episode, mortgage advisor Gary Das explains what a bookkeeper can do now to prepare clients before the higher payments land. Clients who locked in rates below 2% in 2021-22 could face a big jump when their deal ends. That affects their dividends, their cash flow forecasts and what they can afford to take from the business. Gary has been a mortgage advisor since 2006 and specialises in self-employed mortgages. He shares what lenders look at, and where clients get caught out. In this episode: • Why mortgage rates matter to cash flow forecasts and dividends • The one question to ask every client about their home • Why finalising accounts before speaking to an advisor can lock in a problem • How lenders read profit, and why pension payments or equipment purchases can change what clients can borrow Want to be the bookkeeper who sees problems before clients do? Share this episode with your team. Get Gary's free book, The Self-employed Mortgage Guide (just pay the postage) Find him on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/garydas/?hl=en ----------------------------------------------- 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/6fig... ----------------------------------------------- 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. Chapters: 00:00:00 - The Mortgage Rate Shock Every Bookkeeper MUST Know 00:01:56 - What Mortgage Advisors Do 00:04:22 - Why Specialisation Matters 00:07:20 - Mortgages, Interest Rates and Bookkeepers 00:10:54 - How AI Is Changing Mortgage Advice 00:15:57 - AI and the Future Mortgage Team 00:18:05 - Why Gary Rebuilt His Business 00:19:54 - Building an Audience Instead of Buying Leads 00:21:51 - Getting Comfortable Being Uncomfortable 00:26:16 - Collaborating on Self-Employed Mortgages 00:30:13 - Preparing Your Finances for a Mortgage #bookkeeper

Every bookkeeper hits the same wall sooner or later: what do I actually charge? In this episode, we look at why one bookkeeper quotes £80 a month while another quotes £280 for the exact same client. We pick apart a real post from our community of 38,000 members: a framing shop with three on payroll, around 90 transactions a month, VAT, MTD and £125,000 turnover. The quotes ranged from £80 to £280, and we explain why there's no scientific answer. In this episode: • Why everyone wants a "right price" and why there isn't one • Why a bookkeeper can't rely on hourly rates when one person covers every overhead • How to reverse engineer your fee, starting from the income you need • Why a minimum monthly fee protects your practice • Outcome pricing: tying your fee to the results you deliver This one is for any bookkeeper who has ever sent a quote and wondered if it was too low. If you're a bookkeeper who wants honest pricing conversations like this every week, join our free community, the Six Figure Bookkeepers Club, on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/groups/6figurebookkeeper ----------------------------------------------- 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. Chapters: 00:00:00 - Why Bookkeeper Pricing Feels So Difficult 00:02:43 - Start With What Your Business Needs to Earn 00:06:19 - Designing Your Service and Choosing Your Market 00:09:36 - How Brand and Customer Expectations Affect Pricing 00:12:31 - Why Hourly Rates Don’t Tell the Whole Story 00:14:22 - A Real Client Pricing Question 00:15:07 - Understand the Client Before Quoting 00:16:43 - From Fixed Fees to Outcome Pricing 00:19:02 - Set a Minimum Fee and Be Willing to Walk Away 00:19:25 - Build Confidence Without Underpricing Your Business #bookkeeper

As a bookkeeper, are you thinking about AI and technology and the future of work? In this episode, we dive deep into the world of AI with expert Tina Valland, founder of Women in Alliances. She shares her journey from a passion for technology to becoming a key player in the AI landscape. We also go through how AI is reshaping industries, enhancing workflows, and even changing the way we interact with customer service. Connect with Tina! / tina-valand-b191a42 Women in Alliance https://www.womeninalliances.org/ Black Sheep Coffee https://blacksheepcoffee.co.uk/ Desi Daru Vodka https://desidaru.com/ ----------------------------------------------- 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/6fig... ----------------------------------------------- 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. Chapters: 00:00:00 - Should a Bookkeeper Fear AI or Use It? 00:02:38 - How AI Is Changing Everyday Interactions 00:05:44 - AI’s Risks, Benefits and the Need to Upskill 00:09:40 - Adoption, Data and Everyday Uses of AI 00:16:36 - Preparing Children to Use AI Safely and Creatively 00:23:06 - AI Regulation and Business Guardrails 00:25:19 - Bookkeepers as Commercially Aware Advisers 00:26:54 - Building a Portfolio Career Around Your Passions 00:30:53 - Collaborating for Diversity and Inclusion 00:31:40 - Connecting with Tina and Building Partnerships #bookkeeper

Master 90-day planning as a bookkeeper to organise your workload and maintain consistency in your bookkeeper business all year round. Whether you are trying to navigate seasonal busy periods as a bookkeeper or just need a better way to structure your time, having a clear roadmap is essential. In this episode, we break down why we prefer specific planning cycles, like the 12-week year approach, to help you move beyond the daily grind. ----------------------------------------------- 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. Chapters: 0:00 - Hacking Your Habits as a Bookkeeper 2:14 - The Power of Micro Goals and Small Wins 5:32 - Gamifying Your Progress and Habits 8:02 - The Role of Accountability in Success 15:47 - Reflecting on Your Quarterly Progress #bookkeeper

Can you actually take a month off every year as a bookkeeper? We discuss the systems you need to build a sustainable business. In this episode, we sit down with Matt Essam to look at what it really takes to step away from your daily operations as a bookkeeper without everything falling apart. We explore why business owners often struggle to disconnect and how you can shift your perspective on the future of business to create more personal freedom. Connect with Matt! / mattessam ----------------------------------------------- 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/6fig... ----------------------------------------------- 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. Chapters: 0:00 - Uncovering the Creative Coaching Approach 1:55 - From Advertising to Life Coaching: A Journey 4:32 - Unmasking Phantom Loops in Your Business 6:18 - The Power of Awareness in Breaking Patterns 12:22 - Courage as a Strategy for Visibility 17:29 - The Art of Taking a Strategic Sabbatical

A bookkeeper doesn't always need a pitch to win a client, sometimes a single conversation is enough. In this episode, we unpack a real story where offering free value, with zero intention to sell, turned into a brand new client for a bookkeeper. We get into: - Why giving value freely can work better than any sales pitch - How a bookkeeper can position their fees once trust is already there - The mindset shift that helped one bookkeeper stop "selling" and start connecting If you're a bookkeeper wondering how to bring in clients without feeling salesy, this episode shows exactly how it can happen. ----------------------------------------------- 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. Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction 00:00:19 - Encounter at the Pub 00:00:58 - Connecting with Business Partners 00:08:10 - Commercial Awareness and Running a Business 00:14:58 - Consulting on Business Development 00:15:09 - Personal Development and Business Insights 00:16:56 - Expanding Horizons through Coaching and Reading 00:17:53 - Embracing Systems and Frameworks in Business 00:20:10 - Positive Mindset and Personal Growth 00:22:48 - Creating Value and Business Insights #bookkeeper

Most bookkeepers think using AI more is always the win. In this episode, we sit down with marketing expert Chris James to break down the exact AI habit that's quietly costing bookkeeper practices their best clients, and why more automation isn't always more leverage. We cover: The AI mistake every bookkeeper should avoid Why some bookkeepers are working harder despite using AI The "human in the middle" rule Chris uses with every bookkeeper client What bookkeeper marketing will look like by 2029 Connect with Chris ➡️ / chrisjamesonline ----------------------------------------------- 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/6fig... ----------------------------------------------- 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. Chapters: 00:00:00 - The AI Habit Costing a Bookkeeper Their Clients 00:01:33 - How Chris Helps Experts Grow 00:03:25 - Building an AI-Powered Client Tracking App 00:05:52 - Making AI Development Accessible 00:10:01 - Using Data and AI as Business Leverage 00:13:12 - Why AI Should Not Write Your Content 00:13:59 - Turning Client Conversations Into Marketing Ideas 00:17:50 - Why AI-Generated Content Feels Beige 00:21:04 - Helping a Child Write With AI 00:25:26 - Keeping Humans in the Creative Process 00:27:37 - Where AI Automation Actually Saves Time 00:29:32 - Automating Repeatable Client Workflows 00:32:15 - LinkedIn Reach and the Changing Algorithm 00:36:54 - How to Become a Favorite Creator 00:39:00 - Turning LinkedIn Engagement Into Clients 00:41:15 - Creating Content for Potential Customers 00:43:56 - Using Purpose-Built AI Without Losing the Human 00:46:13 - Why Everyone Already Has a Personal Brand 00:47:45 - Building Your Personal Brand Like a Movie 00:49:15 - Your First 90 Days on LinkedIn 00:49:43 - Start With Warm Contacts, Not Cold Outreach 00:51:35 - Using Customer Conversations to Shape Content 00:52:04 - Building an AI-Powered Business Advisory Platform 00:54:48 - Why YouTube Builds Lasting Trust #bookkeeper

As a Bookkeeper, are you up to date with what it takes to exit your business? It's a topic a bookkeeper could do with maximum clarity on. In this episode of the Bookkeeper's Podcast, we sit down with Dr Vivienne Heyhoe, founder of WellSpring and an expert in business exits. She shares her journey, and her insights on preparing your business for a successful exit. Connect with Vivienne on LinkedIn ➡️ https://www.linkedin.com/in/drviv/ Is your Business Sellable? ➡️ https://wellspringindex.co.uk/ ----------------------------------------------- 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. Chapters: 00:00:00 - What a Bookkeeper Gets WRONG About Selling Their Business 00:00:47 - Vivian’s Career and Business Exit Story 00:04:21 - The PROFIT Framework for an Exit-Ready Business 00:09:02 - Exit Options for Sole-Practitioner Bookkeepers 00:11:55 - How Bookkeepers Can Guide Clients Toward an Exit 00:13:52 - Selling a Bookkeeping Practice Earlier Than Planned 00:16:48 - Understanding Angel, Venture Capital, and Private Equity Investment 00:22:32 - Bookkeepers as Trusted Business Advisors 00:24:58 - Exit-Ready KPIs, Clean Books, and Valuation Multiples 00:28:03 - How Business Risk Reduces the Sale Price 00:30:15 - Outcome-Based Pricing and the Value of Bookkeeping 00:32:22 - Choosing to Become a Growth-Focused Bookkeeper 00:33:11 - Vivian’s Next Ventures and Exit-Readiness Scorecard 00:34:19 - How to Connect and Assess Your Exit Readiness

Summer's over, and it's time for a Bookkeeper catch-up! In this episode, we dive into our experiences over the hot months, from unexpected reunions to the challenges of keeping cool. We discuss everything from gardening as a new hobby to the stress of life changes, including divorce and moving houses It's been a whirlwind, and we share our thoughts on how to manage anxiety and find control amidst chaos. ----------------------------------------------- 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. Chapters: 00:00:00 - This Bookkeeper Cut Her Bill by 89% 00:02:45 - Gardening, Work-Life Balance, and Preparing for the Future 00:05:58 - Solar Power, Sustainability, and Lessons from COVID 00:09:55 - Divorce, Moving House, and a Difficult Summer 00:13:27 - Coping by Focusing on What You Can Control 00:15:10 - Managing News, Politics, and What You Can Control 00:16:56 - Wildfires, Emergency Alerts, and Fire Safety 00:19:05 - Wearable Health Trackers and Stress Management 00:23:34 - Health Scans as a Model for Financial Advisory #bookkeeper

Making Tax Digital is here, but what happens next could matter even more for every bookkeeper. In this episode, Zoe looks at what happened during the first MTD for Income Tax quarterly submissions, what bookkeeper practices experienced, and why preparation made the process much easier than many expected. But there’s a bigger challenge ahead. From April 2027, missed quarterly deadlines will begin attracting penalty points, with a £200 fine once four points have accumulated. More businesses will also be brought into MTD as the threshold changes. For every bookkeeper, now is the time to prepare clients, improve processes and make sure MTD can be handled efficiently every quarter. Whether you’re a bookkeeper who sailed through the first submission or a bookkeeper who found it overwhelming, this episode explores what you can learn from the first deadline and how to prepare your practice for what comes next. Read more about MTD here: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/making-tax-digital-for-income-tax-business-population-statistics ----------------------------------------------- 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. Chapters: 00:00:00 - The Looming Threat a Bookkeeper CAN'T AFFORD to Ignore 00:02:20 - HMRC’s Filing Numbers and the Work Ahead 00:04:57 - What Bookkeepers Actually Experienced 00:07:36 - Why Preparation Made Filing Easier 00:09:31 - Redesigning Practice Processes for Every Quarter 00:10:53 - Mapping Workflows for Scale and Automation 00:14:13 - Build a Repeatable Business for the Future #bookkeeper