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In this May Q&A episode, Serena dives deep into the practical side of building a bookkeeping business, covering everything from software partnerships and pricing strategies to finding your niche and standing out from the competition. She shares real-world advice on working with Xero and Gusto, addresses common struggles with client onboarding, and provides actionable tips for bookkeepers at every stage of their journey.

In this episode you’ll hear:

• How to handle software costs and partnerships with Xero and Gusto
• Strategies to differentiate yourself in a crowded bookkeeping market
• The real talk on choosing your niche and why you shouldn't let others talk you out of what you love
• Game-changing client onboarding tactics that eliminate problem clients from day one

Resources mentioned in this episode:

• Xero, Gusto, QBO, Hubdoc, Jet Convert, Dubsado, Relay Bank, Squarespace, Kajabi, Bluehost & Hover
• Bookkeeping Business Accelerator (BBA): https://www.ambitiousbookkeeper.com/bba
• BBA VIP upgrade option
• Squarespace for Bookkeepers program by Tia: https://www.riledupgoats.com/ssfb
• Bookkeeping Biz Workshops (coming August, evenings, 3 days)

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 @ambitiousbookkeeper

For more information about the Ambitious Bookkeeper Podcast or interest in our programs or mentoring visit our resources below:

• Visit our website: https://www.ambitiousbookkeeper.com
• Follow the Blog: https://www.ambitiousbookkeeper.com/blog
• Connect on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ambitiousbookkeeper
• Connect on Threads: https://www.threads.net/@ambitiousbookkeeper
• Connect on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/serenashoupcpa

Thank 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-llc
• Descript: https://get.descript.com/u7lubkx09073 (affiliate link)
• Buzzsprout: https://www.buzzsprout.com/?referrer_id=1753696 (affiliate link)

Join the next free training at ambitiousbookkeeper.com/training

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It’s the 200th episode of The Ambitious Bookkeeper Podcast and Serena pulls back the curtain on her bookkeeping firm's 2024 performance, sharing both the wins and challenges. She gets real about client churn, revenue growth, personal struggles with mold toxicity, and the hard lessons learned about communicating with clients who aren't taking crucial financial advice.

In this episode you’ll hear:

• Client management reality check - How one client's bankruptcy and fraud issues led to major communication style changes
• Personal health struggles - Living in toxic mold for 2 years and how it affected business decisions and energy levels
• 2025 strategy shifts - Moving away from high-ticket CFO services toward team-handled base packages for better work-life balance

Resources mentioned in this episode:

• Episode 175 | Threads: Is it Worth it? https://youtu.be/Ola7HlpRy2U
• Elevate: https://www.ambitiousbookkeeper.com/elevate
• Elevate Mastermind (only for program graduates)
• Dubsado Decoded (with Kendra Courtney): https://kendracourtney.com/dubsado-decoded/
• AI Unlocked Summit registration: https://ambitiousbookkeeper--gemmabonhamcarter.thrivecart.com/ai-unlocked/619bde31ff59d/
• Bookkeeping Biz Workshops (launching August 2025)
• Xero, QBO, Hubdoc, ChatGPT, Asana, Airtable, TaxJar, A2X, Dubsado
• Business by Design (James Wedmore's program): https://www.jameswedmoretraining.com/
• Xero Con, Podcasting Moms Conference, BBD Live, Wave Seattle
• Prescott Area Young Professionals

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 @ambitiousbookkeeper

For more information about the Ambitious Bookkeeper Podcast or interest in our programs or mentoring visit our resources below:

• Visit our website: https://www.ambitiousbookkeeper.com
• Follow the Blog: https://www.ambitiousbookkeeper.com/blog
• Connect on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ambitiousbookkeeper
• Connect on Threads: https://www.threads.net/@ambitiousbookkeeper
• Connect on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/serenashoupcpa

Thank 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-llc
• Descript: https://get.descript.com/u7lubkx09073 (affiliate link)
• Buzzsprout:

To fill out The State of Virtual Bookkeeping Survey, click HERE.

For each response, I'll be donating $1 to charity: water. Learn more here.

Join the next free training at ambitiousbookkeeper.com/training

Send us a text

This episode comes from April’s Live Q&A session, where Serena answered various questions from bookkeepers about pricing strategies, software recommendations, financial statement presentation, and business growth challenges.

In this episode you’ll hear:

• Learn how to confidently set your prices for bookkeeping setups and avoid undercharging
• Discover effective ways to present financial statements that truly benefit your clients
• Find out how to balance multiple professional identities on LinkedIn
• Get strategies for taking a break from your bookkeeping business without losing clients

Resources mentioned in this episode:

• Podcast episode: "177 | Crafting Deliverables That Matter" https://youtu.be/sb_9SYI82h0
• The Bookkeeping Business Accelerator: https://www.ambitiousbookkeeper.com/bba
• Elevate program: https://www.ambitiousbookkeeper.com/elevate
• Email subscription: https://www.ambitiousbookkeeper.com/subscribe
• Payment processors: Stripe, PayPal, GoCardless, Pluto
• Workflow Queen (Alyssa Lang): https://www.workflowqueen.com
• Accounting software: Xero, QuickBooks, Wave
• Payroll: Gusto
• Client management: Dubsado
• Spotify playlists for The Ambitious Bookkeeper Podcast

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 @ambitiousbookkeeper

For more information about the Ambitious Bookkeeper Podcast or interest in our programs or mentoring visit our resources below:

• Visit our website: https://www.ambitiousbookkeeper.com
• Follow the Blog: https://www.ambitiousbookkeeper.com/blog
• Connect on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ambitiousbookkeeper
• Connect on Threads: https://www.threads.net/@ambitiousbookkeeper
• Connect on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/serenashoupcpa

Thank 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-llc
• Descript: https://get.descript.com/u7lubkx09073 (affiliate link)
• Buzzsprout: https://www.buzzsprout.com/?referrer_id=1753696 (affiliate link)

To fill out The State of Virtual Bookkeeping Survey, click HERE.

For each response, I'll be donating $1 to charity: water. Learn more here.

Join the next free training at ambitiousbookkeeper.com/training