The Woodard Report Podcast: Featuring Heather Satterley and Joe Woodard

Episode 148 - Building a Boutique Firm That Actually Feels Boutique - The Woodard Report Podcast

On this episode of the Woodard Report podcast, Joe speaks with Keila Hill-Trawick about how boutique accounting firms can thrive by prioritizing deep relationships, proactive communication, and intentional growth. Keila shares how Little Fish Accounting creates a high-touch client experience through streamlined processes, boundaries that protect team capacity, and a focus on year-round partnership rather than transactions. She and Joe also discuss why saying "no" to misaligned clients is essential to delivering consistently excellent service. About Keila Hill-TrawickKeila leads the strategy and vision at Little Fish Accounting, ensuring every client experience is personal, strategic, and rooted in real-world expertise. As a seasoned entrepreneur herself, she understands the unique challenges that come with building and scaling a business with a small, intentional team. * Learn more about Keila at BuildToEnough.com [https://www.buildtoenough.com/] Thank you to our show sponsor, Canopy! Unclunk your firm with Canopy, the fully integrated practice management that helps accountants build the firm they always wanted. The suite includes client and document management, workflow, time and billing, engagements and proposals, and more. Check out getcanopy.com [https://www.getcanopy.com/]. Learn more about the show and our sponsors at Woodard.com/podcast [https://www.woodard.com/podcast]

Episode 147 - Finding Connection in an Isolated Profession: Building Community Through Vulnerability - The Woodard Report Podcast

On this episode of the Woodard Report podcast, Heather speaks with Shirley Koss about the importance of human connection and vulnerability in the accounting profession. Shirley shares insights from her travels to industry events, where she's noticed how many professionals feel isolated in remote work environments. Together, she and Heather discuss ways to combat loneliness—through authentic communication, intentional outreach, and community engagement—reminding listeners that showing vulnerability and reaching out can strengthen both personal well-being and professional relationships. About Shirley Koss At Woodard, we believe that strong communities drive professional growth. Whether you're a CPA, tax preparer, bookkeeper or another accounting professional, the power of peer connection, continuous education and a strong support network can transform your practice. Shirley's mission is to help you maximize these opportunities, and she's eager to connect with all of you—both current and future members—to share ideas and grow the community. Shirley brings years of experience in building successful communities and ensuring member engagement, and her dedication to the success of professionals is clear. She understands the unique challenges accounting professionals face and is ready to help you navigate those challenges while taking your practice to the next level. * Connect with Shirley Koss on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/shirleykoss/] Thank you to our show sponsor, Canopy! Unclunk your firm with Canopy, the fully integrated practice management that helps accountants build the firm they always wanted. The suite includes client and document management, workflow, time and billing, engagements and proposals, and more. Check out getcanopy.com [https://www.getcanopy.com/]. Learn more about the show and our sponsors at Woodard.com/podcast [https://www.woodard.com/podcast]

Episode 146 - Innovation, Influence, and the "Let Them" Mindset: Navigating Change in Accounting and Beyond - The Woodard Report Podcast

On this episode of the Woodard Report podcast, Joe and Heather talk about the evolving accounting landscape including Anderson Group's bold IPO and Carbon's acquisition of AIDER AI. What do these moves signal about automation, workflow convergence, and private equity's growing influence? Current events — * Tax firm Andersen to file publicly for IPO as soon as this week [https://www.accountingtoday.com/articles/tax-firm-andersen-to-file-publicly-for-ipo-as-soon-as-this-week] * Karbon acquires Aider to deliver the future of AI-powered accounting and bookkeeping [https://karbonhq.com/resources/karbon-acquires-aider/] TV/Movie quote of the week — * Heather mentioned the movie "The Greatest Showman" * Joe mentioned both "Dune Prophecy" and "Lost in Space" Excellent things we learned — * Magical AI: the text expander [https://www.getmagical.com/] Member spotlight — * Beth Whitworth presented by Kim Petro, Practice Advancement Coach at Woodard The Woodard Report article of the week — * Confronting Self-Doubt: Accountants' Edge in an AI World [https://report.woodard.com/articles/confronting-self-doubt-the-human-edge-accountants-bring-in-an-ai-world-opdwr] Thank you to our show sponsor, Zoho! Zoho is a unique and powerful software suite to transform the way you work, designed for businesses of all sizes, built by a company that values your privacy. Learn more about the show and our sponsors at Woodard.com/podcast [https://www.woodard.com/podcast]

Episode 145 - Hooking Big Fish: Strategic Growth that Lasts - The Woodard Report Podcast

On this episode of the Woodard Report podcast, Joe speaks with Gail Crosley about how accounting firms can achieve sustainable, profitable growth through strategy rather than chance. Gail breaks down the difference between opportunistic and strategic growth, using her "fishing" analogy to show how narrowing focus, identifying ideal client profiles, and evaluating market conditions lead to lasting success. She also explains how firms can adapt when industries shift and reveals her three key elements of growth. Service, channel, and target can help firms thrive organically rather than through mergers. About Gale Crosley Gale Crosley, CPA, CGMA, is a well-known strategic revenue growth consultant, who has helped almost 500 CPA firms over the past 20+ years. She has worked with their managing partners and other leaders to transform their firms to high growth environments, achieving exceptional organic growth. Nine of the top 20 fastest organically growing firms in the past year are, or have been, her clients. For 18 consecutive years she's been recognized as one of the Top 100 Most Influential People in Accounting by Accounting Today, and for 16 years selected one of the Top 10 Most Recommended Consultants in Inside Public Accounting's Best of the Best. * Connect with Gale Crosley on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/galecrosley/] Thank you to our show sponsor, Woodard!!! The Woodard membership program [https://www.woodard.com/membership-overview] will help you build your ideal practice with our coaching, education, community and resources. We'll get you there with strategic direction from experienced pros, access to skill building and resources and a community to continually inspire your practice's transformation. Learn more about the show and our sponsors at Woodard.com/podcast [https://www.woodard.com/podcast]

Episode 144 - Finding Joy in Accounting: Redefining Success and Work-Life Balance - The Woodard Report Podcast

On this episode of the Woodard Report podcast, Heather speaks with Kristen Keats about how to bring joy back into accounting. Kristen is a CPA and industry leader, with over twenty years experience serving small businesses and self-employed clients. With Heather, she shares her mission to create more meaningful, balanced, and fulfilling work for accountants by focusing on client relationships, fair pricing, and team connection. Together, they discuss shifting from burnout and billable hours toward a mindset of empowerment, communication, and purpose where both clients and accountants thrive. About Kristen KeatsKristen launched her career at a national accounting firm and owned her own practice for more than eight years. Before founding Breakaway, Kristen served as a partner at a local Portland firm and a senior tax manager at a large regional firm. Kristen is an avid and early adopter of new accounting technologies and an expert on cloud accounting. She is passionate about listening to her clients and gaining a well-rounded understanding of their needs and long-term goals, always striving to make their lives easier. Kristen received her degree from the renowned W.P. Carey School of Business at Arizona State University. When Kristen is not advising her clients and leading her team, she enjoys reading, camping, and, most of all, spending time with her two lively teenagers. * Connect with Kristen Keats on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristenkeats/] Thank you to our show sponsor, Canopy!Unclunk your firm with Canopy, the fully integrated practice management that helps accountants build the firm they always wanted. The suite includes client and document management, workflow, time and billing, engagements and proposals, and more. Check out getcanopy.com [https://www.getcanopy.com/]. Learn more about the show and our sponsors at Woodard.com/podcast [https://www.woodard.com/podcast]