Starting a bookkeeping business can sometimes be… a little scary.
You might be new to working for yourself, or you might have been winging it for a while? Maybe you've got a little side hustle bookkeeping business going on... but now you're ready to get down to business.
Either way, you don’t have to go through it alone! I’m Lynn Talbott, and I scaled and sold a seven-figure bookkeeping business, I’ve been where you are now. I know the problems you’re facing and I want to share what I had to learn the hard way to help you on your journey.
In each episode, I share tips for growing your bookkeeping business in a thoughtful and sustainable way, dealing with client issues that may arise, and managing a team of bookkeepers...if you choose to.
I fully believe that anyone has what it takes to make a living from bookkeeping, whether that means being a solo-entrepreneur or building a 7-figure firm like me. So follow along, and let’s get your bookkeeping business where you want it to be!
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Starting a bookkeeping business can sometimes be… a little scary.
You might be new to working for yourself, or you might have been winging it for a while? Maybe you've got a little side hustle bookkeeping business going on... but now you're ready to get down to business.
Either way, you don’t have to go through it alone! I’m Lynn Talbott, and I scaled and sold a seven-figure bookkeeping business, I’ve been where you are now. I know the problems you’re facing and I want to share what I had to learn the hard way to help you on your journey.
In each episode, I share tips for growing your bookkeeping business in a thoughtful and sustainable way, dealing with client issues that may arise, and managing a team of bookkeepers...if you choose to.
I fully believe that anyone has what it takes to make a living from bookkeeping, whether that means being a solo-entrepreneur or building a 7-figure firm like me. So follow along, and let’s get your bookkeeping business where you want it to be!
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Most bookkeepers wait too long to think about selling. I know because I did the same thing. In this episode, I’ll show you how to avoid my mistakes and strengthen your firm now with two more value drivers.
In the last episode, we covered financial performance and growth potential. If you haven’t listened to part 1 yet, go back and do that first!
These aren’t abstract theories. They’re the same steps I wish I had known years earlier, because they not only make your business more sellable, they make it easier and less stressful to run right now too.
Timestamps:
[00:38] Learn from my mistakes: Why you should start planning now
[04:28] Value Driver #3 - Cash is king: Tighten up AR, shorten billing cycles, auto-charge clients, and track AR turnover to boost cash flow.
[21:00] Value Driver #4 - Be the purple cow: Use niching and branding to prove your firm is premium, not generic.
[30:09] Action steps and homework: Check if your firm’s cash cycle and positioning make you stand out.
If this episode is helpful to you, get the full workbook with all 8 value drivers, exercises, checklists, and templates inside my Bookkeeping Training Circle. The first 30 days are free. Join here: coachingbookkeepers.com/membership.
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I’m Lynn Talbott, the Bookkeeper’s Coach. My podcast, The Better Bookkeeper Show, is your guide to growing your bookkeeping business in a thoughtful and sustainable way. I fully believe that anyone has what it takes to make a living from bookkeeping, whether that means being a solopreneur or building a 7-figure firm like me. So follow along, and let’s get your bookkeeping business where you want it to be!
Follow me on LinkedIn, Instagram, and YouTube!
Produced by SpeakEasy Productions and hosted by Lynn Talbott of The Bookkeeper’s Coach.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Have you ever thought about your exit strategy?
Wait! I know you’re probably thinking “Lynn, I just started my business! Why would I want to exit it?” But thinking about selling your firm (even if you never do) will force you to build better systems, smarter structures, and a business that isn’t 100% dependent on you.
In this episode, I’m sharing two value drivers you can implement now to build a firm that’s more profitable, sustainable, and attractive down the road.
Timestamps:
[04:55] What potential buyers look for (and the tough questions to expect)
[08:18] Value Driver #1 - Financial performance: What your financials should show, margin benchmarks you should strive for, and a simple ROI check for client profitability.
[14:00] Value Driver #2 - Growth potential: Six ways to highlight future earnings
[25:37] Action steps and homework: A simple exercise to look at your business through a buyer’s eyes and spot opportunities to de-risk and increase value.
If this episode is helpful to you, get the full workbook with all 8 value drivers, checklists, and templates inside my bookkeeping Training Circle. The first 30 days are free.
Join here: coachingbookkeepers.com/membership.
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I’m Lynn Talbott, the Bookkeeper’s Coach. My podcast, The Better Bookkeeper Show, is your guide to growing your bookkeeping business in a thoughtful and sustainable way. I fully believe that anyone has what it takes to make a living from bookkeeping, whether that means being a solopreneur or building a 7-figure firm like me. So follow along, and let’s get your bookkeeping business where you want it to be!
Follow me on LinkedIn, Instagram, and YouTube!
Produced by SpeakEasy Productions and hosted by Lynn Talbott of The Bookkeeper’s Coach.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Think you don’t need a mentor because you can figure it out yourself? I used to say the exact same thing.
But now I understand that mentorship is the secret weapon that helps bookkeepers grow into confident business owners!
That’s why I invited a former mentor of mine, Ronna-Renee Jackson of LaunchPoint Leadership, to join me for this conversation. Together, we break down how a mentor’s outside perspective helps you spot issues sooner, make decisions faster, and move your firm forward without burning out.
Key Takeaways:
If this episode is helpful to you, get even more help with 30 days free in my Bookkeeping Training Circle. Join here: coachingbookkeepers.com/membership
Connect with Ronna-Renee Jackson on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/rjackson3
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I’m Lynn Talbott, the Bookkeeper’s Coach. My podcast, The Better Bookkeeper Show, is your guide to growing your bookkeeping business in a thoughtful and sustainable way. I fully believe that anyone has what it takes to make a living from bookkeeping, whether that means being a solopreneur or building a 7-figure firm like me. So follow along, and let’s get your bookkeeping business where you want it to be!
Follow me on LinkedIn, Instagram, and YouTube!
Produced by SpeakEasy Productions and hosted by Lynn Talbott of The Bookkeeper’s Coach.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
If promoting yourself feels fake or overwhelming, you’re not alone. You can’t (and shouldn’t) do it all yourself.
This episode will help you get in front of the right clients *without* selling your soul on social media. I’m sharing the simple, sustainable marketing moves I wish I’d used sooner, and I’m joined by marketing expert Stacey Nolan, who’s been helping bookkeepers and small business owners stand out for years.
We’re breaking down why marketing feels so overwhelming for bookkeepers, the biggest mistakes we see over and over, and how to show up consistently without living on social media. You’ll learn where to start, what to skip, and a few powerful tools that actually move the needle.
Key Takeaways:
You can connect with Stacey Nolan on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/stacey-nolan-m-ed-838078222
If this episode is helpful to you, get even more help with 30 days free in my Bookkeeping Training Circle. Join here: coachingbookkeepers.com/membership
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I’m Lynn Talbott, the Bookkeeper’s Coach. My podcast, The Better Bookkeeper Show, is your guide to growing your bookkeeping business in a thoughtful and sustainable way. I fully believe that anyone has what it takes to make a living from bookkeeping, whether that means being a solopreneur or building a 7-figure firm like me. So follow along, and let’s get your bookkeeping business where you want it to be!
Follow me on LinkedIn, Instagram, and YouTube
Produced by SpeakEasy Productions and hosted by Lynn Talbott of The Bookkeeper’s Coach.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
You’ve closed the deal… now what?
This is part 2 of our “Mastering the Sales Process” series and we’re breaking down what to do after the client says yes! From contracts and payment links to document requests and expectations calls, we’re walking you through the full onboarding process so you can keep the momentum going.
You’ll learn:
If this episode is helpful to you, get even more help with 30 days free in my Bookkeeping Training Circle. Join here: coachingbookkeepers.com/membership
Learn more about Ashley LaMar-Morris at purrrfectbookkeeping.com
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I’m Lynn Talbott, the Bookkeeper’s Coach. My podcast, The Better Bookkeeper Show, is your guide to growing your bookkeeping business in a thoughtful and sustainable way. I fully believe that anyone has what it takes to make a living from bookkeeping, whether that means being a solopreneur or building a 7-figure firm like me. So follow along, and let’s get your bookkeeping business where you want it to be!
Follow me on LinkedIn, Instagram, and YouTube!
Produced by SpeakEasy Productions and hosted by Lynn Talbott of The Bookkeeper’s Coach.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
As a bookkeeper, you may not feel like a natural salesperson... but if you’re running your own bookkeeping business, sales calls are non-negotiable! In this episode, Ashley LaMar-Morris with Purrrfect Bookkeeping is back as a guest and we’re breaking down how to lead confident, aligned discovery calls without feeling salesy or second-guessing yourself.
We cover:
Get 30 days free when you join my bookkeeping Training Circle. Join here: coachingbookkeepers.com/membership
Learn more about Ashley LaMar-Morris at purrrfectbookkeeping.com
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I’m Lynn Talbott, the Bookkeeper’s Coach. My podcast, The Better Bookkeeper Show, is your guide to growing your bookkeeping business in a thoughtful and sustainable way. I fully believe that anyone has what it takes to make a living from bookkeeping, whether that means being a solopreneur or building a 7-figure firm like me. So follow along, and let’s get your bookkeeping business where you want it to be!
Follow me on LinkedIn, Instagram, and YouTube!
Produced by SpeakEasy Productions and hosted by Lynn Talbott of The Bookkeeper’s Coach.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Think you need a fancy website, a fully decked-out office, or a thousands of dollars worth of software to start your bookkeeping business? Think again!
In this episode, I’m sharing the 10 essentials to get your bookkeeping business off the ground. Everything from the exact tech stack I use, to the legal steps that protect you, to the confidence you’ll need to land your first clients, and much more!
Whether you’re fresh out of the corporate world or side-hustling your way to freedom, this checklist will help you start smart and build a business that actually works.
Timestamps:
[2:00] Must-Have #1
[2:42] Must-Have #2
[3:29] Must-Have #3
[3:52] Must-Have #4
[9:31] Must-Have #5
[11:02] Must-Have #6
[13:25] Must-Have #7
[17:09] Must-Have #8
[20:03] Must-Have #9
[24:47] Must-Have #10
[26:10] Recap + Closing Thoughts
If you’re ready to take your bookkeeping business to the next level, you can join my private Training Circle here: coachingbookkeepers.com/membership
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I’m Lynn Talbott, the Bookkeeper’s Coach. My podcast, The Better Bookkeeper Show, is your guide to growing your bookkeeping business in a thoughtful and sustainable way. I fully believe that anyone has what it takes to make a living from bookkeeping, whether that means being a solopreneur or building a 7-figure firm like me. So follow along, and let’s get your bookkeeping business where you want it to be!
Follow me on LinkedIn, Instagram, and YouTube!
Produced by SpeakEasy Productions and hosted by Lynn Talbott of The Bookkeeper’s Coach.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
You probably didn’t wake up and say, “Today feels like a great day to write a business plan.”
But if you’re tired of winging it, saying yes to the wrong clients, or wondering where your profit went… It's time to create a plan that actually works for you.
In this episode, I’m breaking down 7 practical, tactical steps to help you build a bookkeeping business that’s aligned with your goals, your values, and the lifestyle you’re working toward.
Whether you're just getting started or ready to scale, this will help you move forward with clarity and confidence.
Timestamps:
[02:19] Step 1
[05:30] Step 2
[08:18] Step 3
[13:30] Step 4
[17:58] Step 5
[21:26] Step 6
[25:15] Step 7
Want to follow along? Grab my free Bookkeeping Business Plan Template at https://coachingbookkeepers.com/business-plan and start building your roadmap today!
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I’m Lynn Talbott, the Bookkeeper’s Coach. My podcast, The Better Bookkeeper Show, is your guide to growing your bookkeeping business in a thoughtful and sustainable way. I fully believe that anyone has what it takes to make a living from bookkeeping, whether that means being a solopreneur or building a 7-figure firm like me. So follow along, and let’s get your bookkeeping business where you want it to be!
Follow me on LinkedIn, Instagram, and YouTube!
Produced by SpeakEasy Productions and hosted by Lynn Talbott of The Bookkeeper’s Coach.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Ever undercharged a client? Lost track of your growing team? Or worse: hired someone who nearly tanked your reputation?
In this episode, George Wilson is back as a guest and we get real about the mistakes that cost us money, time, and sleep while building our bookkeeping firms… and how we finally got it right.
These are the painful (and painfully common) missteps that almost every bookkeeper faces when trying to grow, and this episode will help you get back in control!
We’re sharing:
If you’re ready to take your bookkeeping business to the next level, you can join my private Training Circle here: coachingbookkeepers.com/membership
Timestamps:
00:28 – What We’ll Cover In This Episode
04:24 – Mistake #1: Underpricing Clients Early On
17:20 – Mistake #2: Losing Oversight as the Business Grew
22:56 – Mistake #3: Hiring Too Fast and Regretting It
27:59 – How to Get Help Fixing These Mistakes
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I’m Lynn Talbott, the Bookkeeper’s Coach. My podcast, The Better Bookkeeper Show, is your guide to growing your bookkeeping business in a thoughtful and sustainable way. I fully believe that anyone has what it takes to make a living from bookkeeping, whether that means being a solopreneur or building a 7-figure firm like me. So follow along, and let’s get your bookkeeping business where you want it to be!
Follow me on LinkedIn, Instagram, and YouTube!
Produced by SpeakEasy Productions and hosted by Lynn Talbott of The Bookkeeper’s Coach.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Thinking about adding payroll to your services? This episode breaks down what bookkeepers really need to know before diving into payroll, from pricing and platforms to managing tricky client expectations.
Our guest is George Wilson, owner of Southern Payroll & Bookkeeping, who brings hard-earned insights from years of processing payroll across multiple industries, including one of the most complex: restaurants.
Here’s what we cover:
Payroll can be a profitable service… but only if you do it on your terms. Listen in to learn how to avoid burnout, choose better clients, and grow your bookkeeping business with confidence.
If you’re ready to take your bookkeeping business to the next level, you can join my private Training Circle here: coachingbookkeepers.com/membership
Timestamps:
00:37 – What We’ll Cover In This Episode
01:43 – Meet George Wilson: Payroll Expert
05:34 – The One Shift That Changed How We Do Payroll
08:22 – The Business Model That Nearly Bankrupted Us
11:39 – What “Full-Service Payroll” Really Looks Like
15:24 – This Industry Should Not Be Your First Payroll Client
17:01 – The Easiest Payroll Clients to Start With
20:04 – How to Avoid Last-Minute Payroll Panics
24:02 – The Overlooked Scheduling Mistake That Can Derail Your Week
27:15 – Why Your Bookkeeping May Not Match the W-3
30:25 – The One Tax Mess You Don’t Want to Clean Up
33:16 – The Line You Must Draw With Payroll Clients
34:06 – How to Assess Client Complexity Before Saying Yes
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I’m Lynn Talbott, the Bookkeeper’s Coach. My podcast, The Better Bookkeeper Show, is your guide to growing your bookkeeping business in a thoughtful and sustainable way. I fully believe that anyone has what it takes to make a living from bookkeeping, whether that means being a solopreneur or building a 7-figure firm like me. So follow along, and let’s get your bookkeeping business where you want it to be!
Follow me on LinkedIn, Instagram, and YouTube!
Produced by SpeakEasy Productions and hosted by Lynn Talbott of The Bookkeeper’s Coach.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Are you struggling to let go of control as your bookkeeping business grows? Leading a team requires a completely different skill set than being a solo practitioner. In this episode, I share my tried-and-true strategies for building a motivated, happy, and high quality bookkeeping team (while also maintaining your sanity).
After listening, you'll walk away knowing:
If you’re ready to take your bookkeeping business to the next level, you can join my private Training Circle here: coachingbookkeepers.com/membership
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The Better Bookkeeper Show is your guide to growing your bookkeeping business in a thoughtful and sustainable way. I fully believe that anyone has what it takes to make a living from bookkeeping, whether that means being a solopreneur or building a 7-figure firm like me. So follow along, and let’s get your bookkeeping business where you want it to be!
Produced by SpeakEasy Productions and hosted by Lynn Talbott of The Bookkeeper’s Coach.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The demand for bookkeepers is skyrocketing! Every small business needs someone to manage their books, and CPAs are retiring at a record pace. This episode reveals why NOW is the ideal time to launch your bookkeeping business, with real insights from my own journey, including actual client ratios and service offerings. Plus:
The barrier to entry for starting a bookkeeping business has never been lower, while demand has never been higher. Start now, bootstrap your way to success, and build a flexible business that supports your ideal lifestyle. Your future self will thank you for taking action today!
If you’re ready to take your bookkeeping business to the next level, you can join my private Training Circle here: coachingbookkeepers.com/membership
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The Better Bookkeeper Show is your guide to growing your bookkeeping business in a thoughtful and sustainable way. I fully believe that anyone has what it takes to make a living from bookkeeping, whether that means being a solopreneur or building a 7-figure firm like me. So follow along, and let’s get your bookkeeping business where you want it to be!
Produced by SpeakEasy Productions and hosted by Lynn Talbott of The Bookkeeper’s Coach.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
What if your biggest obstacle in bookkeeping isn't your technical skills, but your mindset? Because the biggest difference I see between struggling bookkeepers and thriving ones often comes down to one thing: how they approach challenges.
In the last episode, Ashley LaMar-Morris and I discussed how to shift from a fixed mindset to a growth mindset. Today we’re sharing the practical applications of a growth mindset that you can start doing NOW, such as using affirmations and planning your exit strategy.
You’ll learn:
If you’re ready to take your bookkeeping business to the next level, you can join my private Training Circle here: coachingbookkeepers.com/membership
Learn more about Ashley LaMar-Morris at purrrfectbookkeeping.com
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The Better Bookkeeper Show is your guide to growing your bookkeeping business in a thoughtful and sustainable way. I fully believe that anyone has what it takes to make a living from bookkeeping, whether that means being a solopreneur or building a 7-figure firm like me. So follow along, and let’s get your bookkeeping business where you want it to be!
Produced by SpeakEasy Productions and hosted by Lynn Talbott of The Bookkeeper’s Coach.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Are you willing to unlock your potential? The first step is identifying the limiting beliefs that you’re telling yourself.
In this episode, Ashley LaMar-Morris and I discuss how to embrace challenges and overcome your fear of failure, why you should recognize your own strengths while staying humble, and ultimately how to shift from a “fixed” mindset to a “growth” mindset so you can achieve greater success.
If you’re ready to take your bookkeeping business to the next level, you can join my private Training Circle here: coachingbookkeepers.com/membership
Learn more about Ashley LaMar-Morris at purrrfectbookkeeping.com
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The Better Bookkeeper Show is your guide to growing your bookkeeping business in a thoughtful and sustainable way. I fully believe that anyone has what it takes to make a living from bookkeeping, whether that means being a solopreneur or building a 7-figure firm like me. So follow along, and let’s get your bookkeeping business where you want it to be!
Produced by SpeakEasy Productions and hosted by Lynn Talbott of The Bookkeeper’s Coach.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
If you’ve ever felt intimidated when working with a client’s CPA, this episode is your guide to building that relationship! There’s no reason to be nervous, and working as a team with them will benefit you *and* your client!
In this episode, Brian Moyer of Moyer & Co. and I discuss how a bookkeeper and a tax preparer can work together year-round (not just during tax season!)
Key Takeaways:
If you’re ready to take your bookkeeping business to the next level too, you can join my private Training Circle here: coachingbookkeepers.com/membership
You can learn more about Brian Moyer and Moyer & Company at moyerco.com!
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The Better Bookkeeper Show is your guide to growing your bookkeeping business in a thoughtful and sustainable way. I fully believe that anyone has what it takes to make a living from bookkeeping, whether that means being a solopreneur or building a 7-figure firm like me. So follow along, and let’s get your bookkeeping business where you want it to be!
Produced by SpeakEasy Productions and hosted by Lynn Talbott of The Bookkeeper’s Coach.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Heather Moreland is back as a guest to share the rest of her story! She didn’t stop at becoming an independent bookkeeper, she wanted to keep growing and knew that meant she had to hire employees.
After listening to this episode, you’ll know how to go from solo to CEO, including:
If you’re ready to take your bookkeeping business to the next level too, you can join my private Training Circle here: https://coachingbookkeepers.com/membership
You can learn more about Heather Moreland and Lakesite Accounting at lakesiteaccounting.com!
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The Better Bookkeeper Show is your guide to growing your bookkeeping business in a thoughtful and sustainable way. I fully believe that anyone has what it takes to make a living from bookkeeping, whether that means being a solopreneur or building a 7-figure firm like me. So follow along, and let’s get your bookkeeping business where you want it to be!
Produced by SpeakEasy Productions and hosted by Lynn Talbott of The Bookkeeper’s Coach.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
If you’re thinking about making the leap to start your bookkeeping business, you’ll gain a lot from this conversation with Heather Moreland. She left her full-time accounting job in 2023 to become an independent bookkeeper and now has a firm that employs other bookkeepers!
We discuss the ways you can level up and charge more for your services, the importance of networking with the right people, and which systems and software can make growing your business easier.
If you’re ready to take your bookkeeping business to the next level too, you can join my private Training Circle here: https://coachingbookkeepers.com/membership
The Better Bookkeeper Show is your guide to growing your bookkeeping business in a thoughtful and sustainable way. I fully believe that anyone has what it takes to make a living from bookkeeping, whether that means being a solopreneur or building a 7-figure firm like me. So follow along, and let’s get your bookkeeping business where you want it to be!
Produced by SpeakEasy Productions and hosted by Lynn Talbott of The Bookkeeper’s Coach.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Starting a bookkeeping business can sometimes be… a little scary.
You might be new to working for yourself, or you might have been winging it for a while? Maybe you've got a little side hustle bookkeeping business going on... but now you're ready to get down to business.
Either way, you don’t have to go through it alone! I’m Lynn Talbott, and I scaled and sold a seven-figure bookkeeping business, I’ve been where you are now. I know the problems you’re facing and I want to share what I had to learn the hard way to help you on your journey.
In each episode, I share tips for growing your bookkeeping business in a thoughtful and sustainable way, dealing with client issues that may arise, and managing a team of bookkeepers...if you choose to.
I fully believe that anyone has what it takes to make a living from bookkeeping, whether that means being a solo-entrepreneur or building a 7-figure firm like me. So follow along, and let’s get your bookkeeping business where you want it to be!
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.