Unbalanced

Why your cash flow problem probably isn't what you think it is with David Safeer

In this episode, David joins Sam and Candy to talk about what really drives small business financial trouble, why the root cause is almost never what the owner suspects, and what it takes for accountants and bookkeepers to make the shift into genuine advisory work. They also get into the realities of building a first-year conference, why most accounting-adjacent advice stays frustratingly surface-level, and what it means to charge for work while you're still learning to do it. David is also hosting PIVOT, an intentionally small cash flow conference limited to 20 attendees, taking place May 24 through 29, 2026 at the Secrets Riviera Cancun in Mexico. Spots are still available. Mention The Unbalanced Podcast for a discount. Learn more at pivot2026.com [http://pivot2026.com]. Unbalanced is brought to you by Anchor. We help accounting and professional services firms send agreements, collect payments, and manage billing in one simple system. Join the thousands of accounting firms who have made the switch. [https://go.sayanchor.com/website-book-a-demo/?utm_channel=customer_marketing&utm_source=apple&utm_medium=soft_cta&utm_campaign=37683-unbalanced&utm_term=53]

What bad bookkeeping actually costs your clients with Melissa Guinn

Melissa Guinn once found $180,000 of loan proceeds misclassified as income. Her client had paid taxes on money that was never earnings. A corrected return later, the client received $40,000 back. That kind of discovery is not luck. It is what happens when a bookkeeper asks enough questions, runs a real onboarding process, and knows what to look for. Melissa is the owner of Lookout Bookkeeping in Chattanooga, Tennessee, a virtual firm serving service-based businesses and real estate investors. In this conversation, she talks through the real cost of underpriced services, how she made the shift from hourly to monthly recurring revenue, why she attends tax webinars even though her firm does not do taxes, and what it actually takes to build systems that protect both clients and your own time. If you have ever undercharged, skipped an onboarding fee, or answered a client call during blocked work hours, this one is worth your time. Listen and follow the show so you never miss an episode. Unbalanced is brought to you by Anchor. We help accounting and professional services firms send agreements, collect payments, and manage billing in one simple system. Join the thousands of accounting firms who have made the switch. [https://go.sayanchor.com/website-book-a-demo/?utm_channel=customer_marketing&utm_source=apple&utm_medium=soft_cta&utm_campaign=37683-unbalanced&utm_term=52]

What you don’t see coming as a firm owner with Erin Pohan

Erin Pohan, founder of Upkeeping and creator of WAVE Seattle, joins Sam and Candy for a conversation about the parts of firm ownership no one really prepares you for. From building real community in the accounting profession to navigating a $100,000 IRS notice and a years-long fight to protect her business, Erin shares what it looks like to keep going when the unexpected hits. Along the way, they talk about conferences, connection, and why finding your people matters more than anything when work and life get complicated. This episode is honest, funny at times, and grounded in the reality of what it takes to build something and keep it standing. Unbalanced is brought to you by Anchor. We help accounting and professional services firms send agreements, collect payments, and manage billing in one simple system. Join the thousands of accounting firms who have made the switch. [https://go.sayanchor.com/website-book-a-demo/?utm_channel=customer_marketing&utm_source=apple&utm_medium=soft_cta&utm_campaign=37683-unbalanced&utm_term=51]

From doing the work to leading the work with Rachel Dauchy

What changes when you go from doing the work to leading a team doing it for you? In this episode, Rachel Dauchy shares what growth actually looks like behind the scenes, from navigating client expectations that don’t evolve with your business, to hiring, letting go, and learning how to trust your team. She talks about building a firm rooted in systems, automation, and specialization, while still holding onto the parts of the work she genuinely loves. This conversation also challenges the way we think about accounting itself. Not as rigid or purely technical, but as something far more creative, interpretive, and human. We help accounting and professional services firms send agreements, collect payments, and manage billing in one simple system. Join the thousands of accounting firms who have made the switch. [https://go.sayanchor.com/website-book-a-demo/?utm_channel=customer_marketing&utm_source=apple&utm_medium=soft_cta&utm_campaign=37683-unbalanced]

Why most accountants are asking the wrong questions with Debra Kilsheimer

Most accountants were taught to focus on the work. The transactions, the categorization, the details. But that’s not what clients actually need. In this episode of Unbalanced, Debra Kilsheimer challenges the way the profession has always operated. She shares why accounting should be about asking better questions, not just producing reports, and how AI is forcing a shift away from data entry toward real decision-making. From her unfiltered take on software and the future of the industry to her perspective on confidence, pricing, and doing things your own way, this conversation is equal parts practical and personal. It’s about thinking bigger, speaking up, and defining success on your own terms. Unbalanced is brought to you by Anchor. We help accounting and professional services firms send agreements, collect payments, and manage billing in one simple system. Join the thousands of accounting firms who have made the switch. [https://go.sayanchor.com/website-book-a-demo/?utm_channel=customer_marketing&utm_source=apple&utm_medium=soft_cta&utm_campaign=unbalanced&utm_term=episode_49]