Ever feel like you’re too late to start your bookkeeping business, or like you need one more certification before you’re ready?

In this episode, I’m joined by Laura Strobel, owner of Village & Vine Consulting. Her story is proof that there’s no perfect timeline for starting a bookkeeping practice.

Laura didn’t side hustle her way into bookkeeping. She learned the skills, took the plunge, and went all in, alongside her daughters.

You’ll learn:

• When it actually makes sense to leave your W-2 job
• Why the first 1-3 years of growing a bookkeeping practice feel hard
• What full-cycle bookkeeping services look like and why clients value them
• Why having support changes everything when you’re building a business
• How to balance working with family

Whether support comes from family, mentors, peers, or a community like The Bookkeeping Training Circle, you don’t have to figure this out alone.

If you want guidance and accountability as you build your bookkeeping business, join me inside The Bookkeeping Training Circle: coachingbookkeepers.com/membership

--

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!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ever catch yourself wondering, “Am I actually good enough at this to call myself a professional bookkeeper?” Spoiler: You're not alone, and it takes a lot more than just knowing debits and credits.

In this episode, I'm joined by Ashley LaMar-Morris, owner of Purrrfect Bookkeeping and one of my former team members, to walk through the seven essential skills every modern bookkeeper needs to master. These are the real-world skills that transform you from someone who "does books" into a trusted financial partner clients rave about.

Whether you're just starting your bookkeeping business, growing your firm, or refining your craft, this episode will help you identify which skills to strengthen next.

[01:22] Skill #1: Attention to Detail - Why pattern recognition matters more than perfection

[05:28] Skill #2: Knowledge of Accounting Principles - The double-entry mindset that changes everything

[12:10] Skill #3: Mastering Software & Workflow - Moving beyond "just knowing QuickBooks"

[27:50] Skill #4: Organization & Problem Solving - Systems that scale with your business

[43:15] Skill #5: Communication - How to ask clients questions without sounding clueless

[52:05] Skill #6: Ethics & Confidentiality - Building trust that keeps clients for years

[58:59] Skill #7: Continuous Learning & Adaptability - Staying ahead in an always-evolving industry

If this episode is helpful to you, get even more support in my Training Circle, where we dive deeper into real client scenarios, tools, and systems to help you build a confident, sustainable bookkeeping business.

👉 Join The Training Circle here: https://coachingbookkeepers.com/membership

Learn more about Ashley LaMar-Morris at https://purrrfectbookkeeping.com/

--

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!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Holiday cheer is in the air… but so is year-end cleanup season. The good news? December gives you a golden window to get organized and set 2026 up for success.

In this episode, Ashley and I walk you through the exact 5-step workflow we both use to prep our client books before the January chaos hits!

Whether you’re brand new to bookkeeping or you’ve survived a few tax seasons already, this episode will help you feel calmer, more organized, and totally in control as you head into Q1.

16:08 - Step 1: Using QBO Books Review

21:19 - Step 2: Reconciling the Balance Sheet

34:52 - Step 3: Reviewing Profit & Loss

44:40 - Step 4: Tax Mapping the Chart of Accounts

46:16 - Step 5: Closing the Books

Learn more about Ashley LaMar-Morris at purrrfectbookkeeping.com

**If year-end cleanup still feels overwhelming or you want the confidence and systems Ashley and I use to stay proactive all year long, come join us inside The Bookkeepers Training Circle: coachingbookkeepers.com/membership

--

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.