251 ⎸ Bookkeeping is NOT a commodity when done right with Katie Ferro

I've been connected with Katie Ferro since the very beginning of my business. I literally found her on a podcast while I was on maternity leave dreaming about starting a bookkeeping business, and I probably reached out to her like a weirdo on Instagram. We reconnected recently, had a conversation that was way too good to keep to ourselves, and decided to hit record. This one is a true coffee shop conversation between two industry friends who care a whole lot about competence, integrity, and the bookkeepers in this community. We get real about why our industry keeps telling you bookkeeping is a commodity (spoiler: usually to sell you something), why better books are already a form of advisory, what AI fear is actually costing you, and what I'm seeing firsthand inside a community college accounting class right now. Grab your favorite drink and join us.In this episode you’ll hear:Why the most profitable part of my firm is actually my simplest, lowest-priced bookkeepingThe low-hanging fruit that's causing clients to leave great bookkeepersHow to add advisory-level value without blowing up your business model, adding a ton of calls to your calendar, or burning outWhy I've changed my tune on recommending college accounting classes, and what I recommend insteadResources mentioned in this episode:Bookkeeping Business Accelerator (BBA): https://www.ambitiousbookkeeper.com/bbaElevate: https://www.ambitiousbookkeeper.com/elevateXero: https://xeroamericas.partnerlinks.io/79afz10exu7dKajabi: https://app.kajabi.com/r/SLFEMUL4/t/uiptq7nuPrevious Episodes with Katie:225 ⎸ Recast: Become a Bookkeeper with Katie Ferro(https://www.buzzsprout.com/1774460/episodes/18369393)44 ⎸ Best Advice from Accounting Course Creators(https://www.buzzsprout.com/1774460/episodes/10445058)Meet Katie FerroKatie Ferro is a CPA, reformed rule follower, corporate escapee, and mama to three little ones.She built her bookkeeping business to surpass her corporate tax manager salary, working only the hours she used to spend commuting and without giving up her stay-at-home mom crown.Today, Katie runs her bookkeeping business while educating and empowering accountants and aspiring bookkeepers to build businesses that support their lives instead of keeping them from living them.Connect with Katie🌐 Instagram: https://instagram.com/orderlyaccountingbykatie🎙️ Katie’s Podcast: https://profitsprosecco.libsyn.com/website📈 Become a Bookkeeper Program: https://www.katieferro.com/a/38894/2PQNgtvvThanks for listening. If this episode inspired you in some way, take a screenshot of you listening on your device and post it to your Instagram stories and tag me @ambitiousbookkeeperFor more information about the Ambitious Bookkeeper Podcast or interest in our programs or mentoring visit our resources below:Visit our website: https://www.ambitiousbookkeeper.comFollow the Blog: https://www.ambitiousbookkeeper.com/blogConnect on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ambitiousbookkeeperConnect on Threads: https://www.threads.net/@ambitiousbookkeeperConnect on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/serenashoupcpaThank you for your support of our show. If you haven’t left a review yet it’s super simple. Please go to ambitiousbookkeeper.com/podcast and leave your review.Podcast Publishing Tools we use:Editing → Sabr Media LLC: https://www.iangilliam.com/sabr-media-llcDescript: https://get.descript.com/u7lubkx09073 (affiliate link)Buzzsprout: https://www.buzzsprout.com/?referrer_id=1753696 (affiliate link)#becomeabookkeeper #bookkeepingbusiness #firmowner #entrepreneur #ambitious #bookkeeper #accountant #accounting

What if the tool you've been waiting for, the one that finally makes Xero as efficient as QuickBooks with Right Tool, already exists, and it's being built by a former bookkeeper who accidentally fell into coding? In this episode, Serena sits down with Mark Corum, the developer behind X2Uno and Right Tool, to talk about building Chrome extensions for accounting software, the surprising parallels between bookkeeping and programming, and why the tech world's pricing model might be completely backwards. Whether you're a Xero loyalist, a QuickBooks refugee, or just curious about what happens when an accountant teaches themselves to code, then this conversation has something for you.In this episode you’ll hear about:X2Uno - What it is, how it differs from Right Tool, and why Mark felt a moral obligation to build something for Xero usersRight Tool & MonkbeeHow Chrome extensions actually workXero vs. QuickBooksThe cost of switching platformsAI and the future of accountingProgramming, bookkeeping, and musicCleanup work as a nicheX2Uno availability — How to get it now (free beta on the Chrome Web Store), the MailChimp discount path, and the Facebook community for feature requestsResources mentioned in this episode:X2Uno → sign up for beta her: https://mailchi.mp/x2uno/ambitiousMeet Mark CorumI am Mark Corum. I went to college for accounting and decided to make my own bookkeeping company in my Junior year. Realized I like accounting, but I am not an accountant and transitioned out of it and stumbled into programming in late 2019 - vowing never to touch QuickBooks again.2021 comes around and I am working on a chrome extension for QuickBooks called "MonkBe" that is discovered by Hector Garcia and remade into RightTool. Now that is used by about 50,000 people and I want the additional fun of working on Xero!Connect with MarkLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markcorum/Thanks for listening. If this episode inspired you in some way, take a screenshot of you listening on your device and post it to your Instagram stories and tag me @ambitiousbookkeeperFor more information about the Ambitious Bookkeeper Podcast or interest in our programs or mentoring visit our resources below:Visit our website: https://www.ambitiousbookkeeper.comFollow the Blog: https://www.ambitiousbookkeeper.com/blogConnect on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ambitiousbookkeeperConnect on Threads: https://www.threads.net/@ambitiousbookkeeperConnect on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/serenashoupcpaThank you for your support of our show. If you haven’t left a review yet it’s super simple. Please go to ambitiousbookkeeper.com/podcast and leave your review.Podcast Publishing Tools we use:Editing → Sabr Media LLC: https://www.iangilliam.com/sabr-media-llcDescript: https://get.descript.com/u7lubkx09073 (affiliate link)Buzzsprout: https://www.buzzsprout.com/?referrer_id=1753696 (affiliate link)

This round of Live Q&A we got into some really good stuff: how to navigate starting your firm while you're still employed, why book to tax differences are completely normal and not something to lose sleep over, and how I approach the "can I afford to hire" conversation with clients (spoiler: it's rarely just about the numbers). I also pulled back the curtain on my monthly client newsletter, walked through my PTO and benefits setup for a part-time team, and gave a real update on the new version of Elevate that's dripping out in early September.Grab a notebook and your favorite drink and let's go.In this episode you’ll hear:How to approach telling your current employer you're starting a firmMy take on where clients really come from and what to focus on first when you're trying to grow.A full walkthrough of my client newsletter strategyAnd how I do my part-time team's employee benefitsResources mentioned in this episode:Elevate https://www.ambitiousbookkeeper.com/elevateBookkeeping Business Accelerator (BBA): https://www.ambitiousbookkeeper.com/bbaTake Command (medical expense reimbursement program for the team)Xero: https://xeroamericas.partnerlinks.io/79afz10exu7dQuickBooks Online: https://www.referquickbooks.com/s/Serena4Squarespace: https://squarespace.syuh.net/AgROVNGoCardless: https://manage.gocardless.com/refer/us/serena/ygvg9o-amzGusto : https://gusto.com/partners/i/serena591Liz Wilcox's Email Marketing Membership: https://serenashoup--lizwilcox.thrivecart.com/list-building-live/Alyssa Lang / Workflow Queen's Breakthrough: https://serenashoup.krtra.com/t/IKUxtNZoz7lFKajabi: https://app.kajabi.com/r/SLFEMUL4/t/uiptq7nuMax Emery / GoPro Bookkeeping: https://www.skool.com/go-pro-bookkeeping/about?ref=216fd17bf3b64591bbd1f284f72ae8b7Thanks for listening. If this episode inspired you in some way, take a screenshot of you listening on your device and post it to your Instagram stories and tag me @ambitiousbookkeeperFor more information about the Ambitious Bookkeeper Podcast or interest in our programs or mentoring visit our resources below:Visit our website: https://www.ambitiousbookkeeper.comFollow me on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ambitiousbookkeeperConnect on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ambitiousbookkeeperConnect on Threads: https://www.threads.net/@ambitiousbookkeeperConnect on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/serenashoupcpaThank you for your support of our show. If you haven’t left a review yet it’s super simple. Please go to ambitiousbookkeeper.com/podcast and leave your review.Podcast Publishing Tools we use:Editing → Sabr Media LLC: https://www.iangilliam.com/sabr-media-llcDescript: https://get.descript.com/u7lubkx09073 (affiliate link)Buzzsprout: https://www.buzzsprout.com/?referrer_id=1753696 (affiliate link)

I got to reconnect with Emily Bowie, a partner at Thorne Advisors, and someone I actually met years ago in a tiny mastermind back when she was doing something completely different in her business.We talked about what actually makes a partnership work (and what makes it collapse), why staying in your lane protects your reputation, how bookkeepers can collaborate with tax pros instead of competing with them, and why quality standards matter so much in an industry where anybody can hang a shingle. We also went deep on personal finance, debt, and the soft skills that separate a good advisor from a great one.In this episode you’ll hear:What keeps a partnership from turning into a horror storyHow to collaborate with tax preparers and other CFO professionals the right wayWhy "just because you can, doesn't mean you should" applies to adding services to your firmWhy checking in on a client's personal finances pays dividends for the work you do on the business sideResources mentioned in this episode:Thorne Advisors: https://www.thorneadvisors.com/Elevate 2.0 → learn the skills to become an advisor https://www.ambitiousbookkeeper.com/elevate5 Cash Leaks & 5 Missed Tax Deductions - https://www.thorneadvisors.com/cashleaksMeet EmilyEmily Bowie is a Cash Flow Strategist with 15+ years of experience, including her time as an audit manager in Big Four accounting. She’s known for bringing calm, clarity, and structure to financial conversations that often feel stressful or avoided. Outside of Thorne Advisors, Emily leads her church’s financial ministry, is a mom to three young kids, and enjoys a good DIY project almost as much as a well-organized set of financials.Co-led by founder Andrea Mason and CFO Emily Bowie, both CPAs, Thorne Advisors helps women protect what they earn while building sustainable wealth that actually supports their lives. They deliver a true 360-degree view of finances, spotlighting cash leaks, tightening income strategy, and creating tax plans that align with real goals, not just compliance checklists.Connect with Emily📱 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thorneadvisors/🌐 Website: https://www.emilyvbowie.com/Thanks for listening. If this episode inspired you in some way, take a screenshot of you listening on your device and post it to your Instagram stories and tag me @ambitiousbookkeeperFor more information about the Ambitious Bookkeeper Podcast or interest in our programs or mentoring visit our resources below:Visit our website: https://www.ambitiousbookkeeper.comFollow the Blog: https://www.ambitiousbookkeeper.com/blogConnect on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ambitiousbookkeeperConnect on Threads: https://www.threads.net/@ambitiousbookkeeperConnect on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/serenashoupcpaThank you for your support of our show. If you haven’t left a review yet it’s super simple. Please go to ambitiousbookkeeper.com/podcast and leave your review.Podcast Publishing Tools we use:Editing → Sabr Media LLC: https://www.iangilliam.com/sabr-media-llcDescript: https://get.descript.com/u7lubkx09073 (affiliate link)Buzzsprout: https://www.buzzsprout.com/?referrer_id=1753696 (affiliate link)#businesspartnership #advisoryfirm #personalfinance #debt #bookkeepingbusiness #ambitious #bookkeeper #accountant #accounting

If you have ever had that passing thought of "should I add tax to my bookkeeping firm?" this is the episode you need to hear before you make a move.In this one, I'm sitting down with Nick Cobos of Saga Accounting Solutions. Nick has built a five-person firm that does both tax and bookkeeping. We get into the real pros and cons of running both under one roof, and I share why I went down this exact rabbit hole myself and decided against it. This is a practitioner-to-practitioner conversation from start to finish, and I loved every minute of it.In this episode you’ll hear:The breakdown of adding tax to a bookkeeping firmHow Nick got his first clientsWhy I decided against adding tax to my firmGrowing a firm and delegatingResources mentioned in this episode:Saga Accounting Solutions: https://sagaaccounting.com/Between 2 Firms: https://open.spotify.com/show/71gGjmatd829DB8IrJdI9T?si=bbb9deb996d74f56Meet NickNick graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point in 2019 and spent 5 years as an Army Officer. After graduating the US Army Ranger School Nick held assignments as an Infantry Platoon Leader and Company Executive Officer with the 11th Airborne Division and later served as an Army ROTC instructor at the University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA).After transitioning out of the Army, Nick earned his Enrolled Agent credential and jumped into the world of accounting. He now enjoys advising clients and helping them grow their businesses while saving on taxes.When he's not working, Nick enjoys hunting, fishing, playing (admittedly terrible) golf, and spending quality time with his wife, Lisa, their three children, Lucy, Nathan, and Matthew, and their dog, Molly.Connect with NickLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickcobos/Thanks for listening. If this episode inspired you in some way, take a screenshot of you listening on your device and post it to your Instagram stories and tag me @ambitiousbookkeeperFor more information about the Ambitious Bookkeeper Podcast or interest in our programs or mentoring visit our resources below:Visit our website: https://www.ambitiousbookkeeper.comFollow the Blog: https://www.ambitiousbookkeeper.com/blogConnect on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ambitiousbookkeeperConnect on Threads: https://www.threads.net/@ambitiousbookkeeperConnect on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/serenashoupcpaThank you for your support of our show. If you haven’t left a review yet it’s super simple. Please go to ambitiousbookkeeper.com/podcast and leave your review.Podcast Publishing Tools we use:Editing → Sabr Media LLC: https://www.iangilliam.com/sabr-media-llcDescript: https://get.descript.com/u7lubkx09073 (affiliate link)Buzzsprout: https://www.buzzsprout.com/?referrer_id=1753696 (affiliate link)

We're back from summer break with a live Q&A with SO much good stuff in this one. This was one of those episodes where the questions kept getting better and better, and I got to go deep on the things that trip us all up: running an advisory firm, getting your pricing right, Xero integrations, closing out clients the right way, and knowing when to make your first hire. If you've ever felt awkward quoting a higher fee or weren't sure how to structure your revenue side when a client's processor data lives inside their CRM, this one's for you. And if advisory is even a tiny blip on your radar, I've got a free audio series you're going to want to grab before it disappears.In this episode you’ll hear:Connecting Stripe and PayPal inside XeroIs $350 too much for basic bookkeeping?The right way to disengage with clientsWhen to make your first hireHow to support a team that's feeling overwhelmedResources mentioned in this episode:Elevate: https://www.ambitiousbookkeeper.com/elevateBBA: https://www.ambitiousbookkeeper.com/bbaXero: https://xeroamericas.partnerlinks.io/79afz10exu7dKajabi: https://app.kajabi.com/r/SLFEMUL4/t/uiptq7nuContent Snare: https://contentsnare.com/#_r_serena58Thanks for listening. If this episode inspired you in some way, take a screenshot of you listening on your device and post it to your Instagram stories and tag me @ambitiousbookkeeperFor more information about the Ambitious Bookkeeper Podcast or interest in our programs or mentoring visit our resources below:Visit our website: https://www.ambitiousbookkeeper.comFollow me on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ambitiousbookkeeperConnect on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ambitiousbookkeeperConnect on Threads: https://www.threads.net/@ambitiousbookkeeperConnect on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/serenashoupcpaThank you for your support of our show. If you haven’t left a review yet it’s super simple. Please go to ambitiousbookkeeper.com/podcast and leave your review.Podcast Publishing Tools we use:Editing → Sabr Media LLC: https://www.iangilliam.com/sabr-media-llcDescript: https://get.descript.com/u7lubkx09073 (affiliate link)Buzzsprout: https://www.buzzsprout.com/?referrer_id=1753696 (affiliate link)

This episode hit close to home for me because Jaime Rodriguez and I are basically living the same double life, and I loved getting to compare notes.Jaime is the CEO of Bookkeepers.com (you probably know them as Bookkeeper Launch), and his story is wild. He went to school for accounting chasing that "safe job" American dream, hated the corporate grind so much he Googled how to start a bookkeeping business, bought the very course he now owns, and burned the boats to go all in. Fast forward through a few years of coaching, re-recording lessons, and becoming the face of the brand, and in 2025 he actually bought the company.In this episode you’ll hear:How Jaime went from burned-out corporate accountant to owning the very course that got him startedWhy SOPs are what let you run a firm on 30 minutes a monthThe real talk on running two businesses at onceThe costly mistake of taking on every client in every industry before you have processesWhy you have to learn your debits and credits before you touch automationThe one question that protects your time every time a new prospect comes knockingResources mentioned in this episode:Join the Digital Bookkeeper Association for $9/mo: https://dba.bookkeepers.app/Bookkeepers.com: https://bookkeepers.com/$1000 Off any version of Bookkeeper Launch when you use promo code AUGUSTBUS26: https://sk293.isrefer.com/go/BLFS/SS64/Meet JaimeJaime Rodriguez is the owner and CEO of Bookkeepers.com, but his journey started as a student looking for a better path. After building his own successful bookkeeping business, he went on to acquire the company that first taught him the skill. Today, he helps entrepreneurs realize they’re capable of more than they think; not just financially, but in how they live and work. He’s the author of Beyond the Numbers and You’re Not for Everyone (That’s the Point), both focused on building a business that actually fulfills you.Connect with Jaime📺 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@bookkeepersdotcom👥 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jaimethebookkeeperThanks for listening. If this episode inspired you in some way, take a screenshot of you listening on your device and post it to your Instagram stories and tag me @ambitiousbookkeeperFor more information about the Ambitious Bookkeeper Podcast or interest in our programs or mentoring visit our resources below:Visit our website: https://www.ambitiousbookkeeper.comFollow the Blog: https://www.ambitiousbookkeeper.com/blogConnect on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ambitiousbookkeeperConnect on Threads: https://www.threads.net/@ambitiousbookkeeperConnect on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/serenashoupcpaThank you for your support of our show. If you haven’t left a review yet it’s super simple. Please go to ambitiousbookkeeper.com/podcast and leave your review.Podcast Publishing Tools we use:Editing → Sabr Media LLC: https://www.iangilliam.com/sabr-media-llcDescript: https://get.descript.com/u7lubkx09073 (affiliate link)Buzzsprout: https://www.buzzsprout.com/?referrer_id=1753696 (affiliate link)

Real talk: if your summer felt slow and you were low-key stressing about it, this episode is for you. This week's a short and sweet solo update where I walk you through what's coming up on the podcast over the next month, plus a little pep talk about the summer slump so many of us hit as bookkeepers. Slow season is normal, my friend, and it doesn't mean anything is wrong with your business. I'm sharing exactly what I do to keep moving the needle when discovery calls dry up, and how to set yourself up so next summer doesn't catch you off guard.In this episode you’ll hear:Why summer is almost always slow for bookkeepersThe services and projects I lean into during the slow months to bring in a cash influxHow to plant seeds now that come to fruition in the fallA rundown of everything coming up on the show, including big interviews and a limited time audio series you don't want to missResources mentioned in this episode:https://www.ambitiousbookkeeper.com/subscribeThanks for listening. If this episode inspired you in some way, take a screenshot of you listening on your device and post it to your Instagram stories and tag me @ambitiousbookkeeperFor more information about the Ambitious Bookkeeper Podcast or interest in our programs or mentoring visit our resources below:Visit our website: https://www.ambitiousbookkeeper.comFollow me on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ambitiousbookkeeperConnect on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ambitiousbookkeeperConnect on Threads: https://www.threads.net/@ambitiousbookkeeperConnect on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/serenashoupcpaThank you for your support of our show. If you haven’t left a review yet it’s super simple. Please go to ambitiousbookkeeper.com/podcast and leave your review.Podcast Publishing Tools we use:Editing → Sabr Media LLC: https://www.iangilliam.com/sabr-media-llcDescript: https://get.descript.com/u7lubkx09073 (affiliate link)Buzzsprout: https://www.buzzsprout.com/?referrer_id=1753696 (affiliate link)

In this episode you’ll hear:A very short update about the audio series I just released & why you need to listen before it goes away!Resources mentioned in this episode:Listen to The Advisor Activation Audio Series → https://www.ambitiousbookkeeper.com/activateThanks for listening. If this episode inspired you in some way, take a screenshot of you listening on your device and post it to your Instagram stories and tag me @ambitiousbookkeeperFor more information about the Ambitious Bookkeeper Podcast or interest in our programs or mentoring visit our resources below:Visit our website: https://www.ambitiousbookkeeper.comFollow me on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ambitiousbookkeeperConnect on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ambitiousbookkeeperConnect on Threads: https://www.threads.net/@ambitiousbookkeeperConnect on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/serenashoupcpaThank you for your support of our show. If you haven’t left a review yet it’s super simple. Please go to ambitiousbookkeeper.com/podcast and leave your review.Podcast Publishing Tools we use:Editing → Sabr Media LLC: https://www.iangilliam.com/sabr-media-llcDescript: https://get.descript.com/u7lubkx09073 (affiliate link)Buzzsprout: https://www.buzzsprout.com/?referrer_id=1753696 (affiliate link)

Alyssa and I are back, and this time we actually hit record (lesson learned from last year, ha). We just closed year two of the State of the Virtual Bookkeeping and Accounting Industry survey, and we sat down to dig into the data together in real time. This isn't a polished, buttoned-up report read. This is the two of us cross-referencing the numbers live, reacting to what surprised us, and pulling out the patterns that actually matter for your firm. We get into the real differences between solo operators and firms with six-plus team members, where the money actually lands, how much owners are really working, and the truth about AI that nobody wants to say out loud. Real talk, some of these numbers gave me pause, and a few of them are going to challenge what you think is possible in your own business. Grab the free PDF report and follow along.In this episode you’ll hear:The revenue ceiling for solo firm ownersThe honest truth about AI in our industryWhy so many of you are still pricing way too lowWhat your minimum fee should actually look likeThe surprising connection between being the household breadwinner and how hard you push your firmWhat the data says about working hours and profit margins at every revenue levelResources mentioned in this episode:State of the Virtual Bookkeeping and Accounting Industry Survey (free PDF report) at: https://www.ambitiousbookkeeper.com/survey or https://www.workflowqueen.com/surveyElevate: https://www.ambitiousbookkeeper.com/elevateAdvisory Edge: https://www.ambitiousbookkeeper.com/offers/j9hM5s4e/checkoutBreakthrough: https://serenashoup.krtra.com/t/IKUxtNZoz7lFXero: https://xeroamericas.partnerlinks.io/79afz10exu7dConnect with Alyssa🌐 Website: https://www.workflowqueen.com📱 IG: https://www.instagram.com/workflowqueen🎙️ Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/conquering-workflows-systems-for-bookkeepers-accountants/id1576274369?i=1000529139554Thanks for listening. If this episode inspired you in some way, take a screenshot of you listening on your device and post it to your Instagram stories and tag me @ambitiousbookkeeperFor more information about the Ambitious Bookkeeper Podcast or interest in our programs or mentoring visit our resources below:Visit our website: https://www.ambitiousbookkeeper.comFollow the Blog: https://www.ambitiousbookkeeper.com/blogConnect on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ambitiousbookkeeperConnect on Threads: https://www.threads.net/@ambitiousbookkeeperConnect on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/serenashoupcpaThank you for your support of our show. If you haven’t left a review yet it’s super simple. Please go to ambitiousbookkeeper.com/podcast and leave your review.Podcast Publishing Tools we use:Editing → Sabr Media LLC: https://www.iangilliam.com/sabr-media-llcDescript: https://get.descript.com/u7lubkx09073 (affiliate link)Buzzsprout: https://www.buzzsprout.com/?referrer_id=1753696 (affiliate link)