It’s Going to be Good: Building Your Accounting Firm

41. Taking A Break

We're taking Q4 off from recording new episodes! So, let's unpack what planning + taking this (or any) break actually looks like: * Where would one of us, Anna as a CEO and Jill as a COO, even start with planning our out-of-office time? * TIP: What do you know that no one else knows? * What does it look like to trust our team while one (or the both) of us is out on that well-deserved break?  * Can we give ourselves grace for the things that we didn't get to? (We're all only human, after all!) Taking a break gets its own episode because, at the end of the day, if you aren't able to step away -- do you own the business, or does it own you? We'll back with more episodes in a few short months so that Anna can focus on the launch of AccrewU's first course, Accounting Fundamentals, and Jill can really be present in the preciousness that is maternity leave!  In the meantime, we hope you get inspired to take a break and look at trees (or lakes, or beaches, or puppies, or whatever your jam is) instead of spreadsheets! Ready to learn more [https://www.accrew.io/accrewu] about the AccrewU course, Accounting Fundamentals? Or, are you ready to invest in yourself by taking the course? Enroll today [https://accrewu.thinkific.com/courses/Accounting-Fundamentals]!  Follow the Going to Be Good Podcast on Social Media twitter.com/goinggoodpod/ [https://twitter.com/goinggoodpod] linkedin.com/company/goinggoodpodcast/ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/goinggoodpodcast/] facebook.com/people/Goinggoodpodcast/ [https://www.facebook.com/people/Goinggoodpodcast/100087559016648/]instagram.com/goinggoodpodcast/ [https://www.instagram.com/goinggoodpodcast/] Review Leave a review on Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/its-going-to-be-good-building-your-accounting-firm] or Podchaser Subscribe Subscribe to the Going to Be Good Podcast [https://goingtobegood.com/subscribe] in your favorite podcast app!

40. Setting The Bar High

How can you create a culture where people do their work, do it well, and do it on time?  In this episode, we dive into setting high expectations! High expectations go beyond just telling people what to do; they create a culture of accountability, excellence, and purpose.  As a firm owner, you set the tone for your team; what you permit, you promote. If you’re not holding yourself to high standards, how can you expect your employees to do the same? When leaders consistently demonstrate the behaviors they want to see—like aiming for excellence, being transparent about mistakes, and holding themselves accountable—it fosters a work environment where everyone knows what’s expected and feels motivated to deliver their best. Setting high expectations is about helping your team to grow and find meaning in their work.  * When employees understand what excellence looks like and feel supported in reaching it, they are more likely to take ownership of their responsibilities, meet deadlines, and contribute to a culture of success.  * On the other hand, if standards are low or unclear, it can lead to disengagement, lack of motivation, and a feeling that the work doesn't matter.  Your commitment to setting and maintaining high expectations—starting with yourself—is key to building a motivated, dedicated team that thrives on excellence and drives your business forward. Ready to learn more [https://www.accrew.io/accrewu] about the AccrewU course, Accounting Fundamentals? Or, are you ready to invest in yourself by taking the course? Enroll today [https://accrewu.thinkific.com/courses/Accounting-Fundamentals]!  Follow the Going to Be Good Podcast on Social Media twitter.com/goinggoodpod/ [https://twitter.com/goinggoodpod] linkedin.com/company/goinggoodpodcast/ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/goinggoodpodcast/] facebook.com/people/Goinggoodpodcast/ [https://www.facebook.com/people/Goinggoodpodcast/100087559016648/]instagram.com/goinggoodpodcast/ [https://www.instagram.com/goinggoodpodcast/] Review Leave a review on Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/its-going-to-be-good-building-your-accounting-firm] or Podchaser Subscribe Subscribe to the Going to Be Good Podcast [https://goingtobegood.com/subscribe] in your favorite podcast app!

39. Sales & Repricing So Clients Keep Saying Yes! (Part 2)

"Either we're both thrilled to work together or we shouldn't." We believe that sales is designed to establish long-term partnerships rather than just making the sale. It's about partnership over promises.  Let’s be real - overpromising only leads to trouble down the line. It’s crucial to be clear about what you can deliver and, just as importantly, what you can’t. Clients will respect honesty, and that will set the stage for a long-term, trust-based partnership. First impressions also matter, especially in our field. So, the initial onboarding experience is where you set the tone for everything that follows. Communication is the name of the game here. It’s likely the reason they came to you in the first place, so be clear, be concise, and don’t shy away from setting realistic expectations right from the start. And repricing is one of the trickiest parts of client management. From fumbling through overly apologetic explanations to streamlining our process, there isn't one right way to do this... but there are a few wrong ones. Now, we keep it simple. We’re upfront about where our time goes, and we offer clients options that align with their values. Some clients want that deeper connection and are willing to invest more, while others prioritize affordability. It’s all about meeting clients where they are, without overcomplicating things. Sales is tough, no doubt about it. But it doesn’t have to be miserable. By focusing on partnership from the outset, you set the stage for a relationship where clients are excited to say "yes"—and happy to keep saying it, even when you have to reprice their services. Remember, how you start is how you intend to continue! Listen in to part 2 of the conversation with Anna and Jill as they discuss making sales and repricing effective and easy to tackle... because it's pretty essential to your business. Join the waitlist [https://bit.ly/accrewu] and get updates on the Accounting Fundamentals Course from Accrew U! Follow the Going to Be Good Podcast on Social Media twitter.com/goinggoodpod/ [https://twitter.com/goinggoodpod] linkedin.com/company/goinggoodpodcast/ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/goinggoodpodcast/] facebook.com/people/Goinggoodpodcast/ [https://www.facebook.com/people/Goinggoodpodcast/100087559016648/]instagram.com/goinggoodpodcast/ [https://www.instagram.com/goinggoodpodcast/] Review Leave a review on Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/its-going-to-be-good-building-your-accounting-firm] or Podchaser Subscribe Subscribe to the Going to Be Good Podcast [https://goingtobegood.com/subscribe] in your favorite podcast app!

38. Sales & Repricing So Clients Keep Saying Yes!

The goal of sales is not simply to get to the "yes." The goal of sales is to get to the right "yes." Finding and keeping the right fit clients is a game-changer for any company. It means that you get to streamline your processes, because you're only working within your specialty, your clients are well-served, and your team gets to work in their sweet spot - win, win, win! Getting wise about how you bring in clients, how you track progress throughout the sales pipeline, and how things actually worked out with them in the end - did they sign? were they a great fit? - it all makes up your sales process. And it can mean the difference between an easy, repeatable process and something you dread, because you feel like you're constantly reinventing the wheel. Good fit clients will stay and keep saying "Yes!" to working with you. The issues with clients who aren't a good fit will come up eventually. So how can you make this process as easy as possible, so it's not the kind of work you hate doing? We got you! Listen in as Jill and Anna talk about how to set your future self up for success, so that one of the most important things you can do for your firm, bring in new clients, isn't the kind of work you dread. Join the waitlist [https://bit.ly/accrewu] and get updates on the Accounting Fundamentals Course from Accrew U! Follow the Going to Be Good Podcast on Social Media twitter.com/goinggoodpod/ [https://twitter.com/goinggoodpod] linkedin.com/company/goinggoodpodcast/ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/goinggoodpodcast/] facebook.com/people/Goinggoodpodcast/ [https://www.facebook.com/people/Goinggoodpodcast/100087559016648/]instagram.com/goinggoodpodcast/ [https://www.instagram.com/goinggoodpodcast/] Review Leave a review on Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/its-going-to-be-good-building-your-accounting-firm] or Podchaser Subscribe Subscribe to the Going to Be Good Podcast [https://goingtobegood.com/subscribe] in your favorite podcast app!

37. What Got You Here Won’t Get You There

Listen to the last 15 minutes of this episode to hear about an exciting project we've been working on! Learn more HERE [https://bit.ly/accrewu] The tools that helped you build your company at the beginning aren't the skills you'll continue needing as you grow and scale. There is a learning curve when you move away from startup mode into a more sophisticated form of leadership. As the leader of an organization, the skills you gained to build your firm, like being the technical expert or the best salesperson, aren't the things that will continue being essential to you as you, your team, and your company grow. Moving from knowing the right answer into equipping others to know the right answer is a key example of this. Mentorship and development is a the key to empowering others to be successful, so the success of your company is no longer entirely on your shoulders. This episode outlines a lot of the ways that we tend to think and act and how those behaviors can cease to serve us. It takes a lot of self-reflection and reimagining what purpose you serve is the right starting point for becoming the leader you want to be. Join us as Anna and Jill discuss how their skills have had to adapt and change across time as Accrew has grown. Sign up [https://bit.ly/accrewu] for updates on the Accounting Fundamentals Course from Accrew U Links mentioned in this episode Link to What Got You Here Won't Get You [https://marshallgoldsmith.com/book-page-what-got-you-here/] There by Marshall Goldsmith Follow the Going to Be Good Podcast on Social Media twitter.com/goinggoodpod/ [https://twitter.com/goinggoodpod] linkedin.com/company/goinggoodpodcast/ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/goinggoodpodcast/] facebook.com/people/Goinggoodpodcast/ [https://www.facebook.com/people/Goinggoodpodcast/100087559016648/]instagram.com/goinggoodpodcast/ [https://www.instagram.com/goinggoodpodcast/] Review Leave a review on Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/its-going-to-be-good-building-your-accounting-firm] or Podchaser Subscribe Subscribe to the Going to Be Good Podcast [https://goingtobegood.com/subscribe] in your favorite podcast app!