From Bookkeeper to CEO: How to Scale Your Firm with Cheryl Blazej

From Bookkeeper to CEO: How to Scale Your Firm with Cheryl Blazej

What happens when your bookkeeping business outgrows you? In this episode, Lynn Talbott welcomes Cheryl Blazej back to the show to discuss one of the biggest challenges firm owners face: letting go of daily bookkeeping work and stepping into the role of CEO. Together, they share real-world experiences about: * Delegating client work * Building trust with employees * Avoiding micromanagement * Managing growth effectively * Developing leadership skills * Creating a business instead of a job Whether you're a solo bookkeeper considering your next step or a firm owner looking to scale, this episode offers practical advice and honest insights from two professionals who have successfully navigated the journey. ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

What Services Should New Bookkeepers Avoid? (Part 2) | Bookkeeper Interview with Ashley Lamar Morris

In Part 2 of this conversation, Lynn Talbott and Ashley Lamar Morris dive deeper into the bookkeeping services and clients new bookkeepers should avoid when first starting out. They discuss: * why payroll can quickly become overwhelming, * the hidden stress behind restaurants and retail bookkeeping, * construction and job costing challenges, * difficult client red flags, * and how to protect your confidence while building your bookkeeping business. This episode also covers: * how to gradually expand your service offerings, * why service-based businesses are ideal for beginner bookkeepers, * how to build strong bookkeeping systems, * and how to grow a profitable bookkeeping business intentionally. If you’re: * starting a bookkeeping business, * learning QuickBooks Online, * building a virtual bookkeeping business, * or trying to avoid burnout as a bookkeeper, * this episode is packed with practical real-world advice. This episode is perfect for: * beginner bookkeepers, * independent bookkeepers, * virtual bookkeepers, * bookkeeping firm owners, * and bookkeeping entrepreneurs. ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

What Services Should New Bookkeepers Offer First? (Part 1) | Bookkeeper Interview with Ashley Lamar Morris

Starting a bookkeeping business can feel overwhelming — especially when you think you need to offer payroll, inventory, sales tax, CFO services, and everything else right away. In this episode, Lynn Talbot and Ashley Lamar Morris explain how new bookkeepers can keep things simple, build confidence, and attract the right clients from the beginning. You’ll learn: * the 5 core services every beginner bookkeeper should offer, * what NOT to offer when starting out, * how to avoid burnout, * how to choose better bookkeeping clients, * and why relationships matter more than ever in modern bookkeeping. This episode is especially helpful for: * independent bookkeepers, * virtual bookkeepers, * aspiring bookkeeping firm owners, * and anyone trying to grow a sustainable bookkeeping business. They also discuss: * QuickBooks Online workflows, * monthly reconciliations, * reporting packages, * client communication, * bookkeeping systems, * and building long-term confidence as a bookkeeper. If you’re trying to grow a profitable bookkeeping business without chaos, this episode is for you. ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Scaling a Bookkeeping Business: Hiring, Systems & Advisory (Part 2) | Bookkeeper Interview

This is Part 2 of our interview with Cheryl Blazej, founder of Blazej Accounting. In this episode, Cheryl shares the next stage of her journey—from managing everything herself to building a scalable bookkeeping firm supported by systems, processes, and a strong team. As her clients grew and their needs became more complex, Cheryl realized she needed to move beyond basic bookkeeping and step into a more advisory-focused role. That meant hiring strategically, improving workflows, and learning how to lead a business instead of simply doing client work. In this episode, we discuss: • Hiring and building a bookkeeping team • The importance of systems and processes • Transitioning into advisory services • Scaling beyond solo bookkeeping • Working on the business instead of in it • The mindset shifts required for long-term growth If you're trying to scale your bookkeeping business and feel stuck doing everything yourself, this episode will give you valuable insight into what growth really requires. ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Are You Building a Job or a Business? (Part 1) | Bookkeeper Interview

This is Part 1 of a three-part interview with Cheryl Blazej, founder of Blazej Accounting. What are you really building—a bookkeeping business or just another job? In this episode of The Better Bookkeeper Show, Lynn Talbott sits down with Cheryl Blazej to talk about her journey from being laid off and taking on any client she could find… to building a fully remote bookkeeping firm with over 90 clients and a team of 13. In Part 1, we focus on the early stages of growth—when you're doing everything yourself, underpricing your services, and starting to realize that your business may not be sustainable long term. Cheryl shares the mindset shifts and key decisions that helped her move from overwhelmed bookkeeper to business owner, including how she started hiring, building systems, and stepping into a leadership role. In this episode, you’ll learn: • The difference between building a bookkeeping business vs creating a job • How to transition from doing the work to leading the business • When to hire your first team members • Why most bookkeepers get stuck in the “doing everything” phase • The early steps to building a scalable bookkeeping firm If you're feeling overwhelmed, overworked, or unsure how to grow your bookkeeping business, this episode will give you clarity and direction. ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.