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PODCAST

The Ambitious Bookkeeper Podcast

Serena Shoup, CPA

The Ambitious Bookkeeper podcast is for bookkeepers & accountants who are growing or aspiring to start their own business. Our mission is to elevate the bookkeeping profession by providing support and resources for new and experienced firm owners.We share actionable tips on running a successful bookkeeping business, tools and resources, plus guest expert interviews that will help you elevate your business. Where you can find us:Website: https://www.ambitiousbookkeeper.comBBA:

business careers

All Episodes

23:26

217 ⎸ What You *Actually* Need to Start Your...

The Ambitious Bookkeeper Podcast ·

2025/09/24

Send us a text Hey there! In this episode, I'm breaking down exactly what you actually need to start your bookkeeping business - no fluff, just the tactical stuff that matters. As someone who accidentally started my bookkeeping business as a side hustle to motherhood and now mentors other bookkeepers, I'm sharing the five non-negotiables that will set you up for success from day one. In this episode you’ll hear: The complete education and experience foundation you needAll the paperwork and co...

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40:00

216 | Why You Might be Feeling Exhausted with...

The Ambitious Bookkeeper Podcast ·

2025/09/17

Send us a text In this episode, I'm sharing my personal journey through toxic mold exposure and the health challenges that nearly broke me as a mom and business owner. I'm joined by my nutritionist Dariella Gonitzke, who I met at BBD Live when I was at my lowest point. We dive deep into how stress, environmental factors, and hormonal changes can completely derail your health - and what you can actually do about it. In this episode you’ll hear: How I went from a healthy mom to barely functioni...

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26:54

215 | Is it time to migrate your clients to Xero?

The Ambitious Bookkeeper Podcast ·

2025/09/09

Send us a text Is it time to move your clients to Xero? Let’s talk about some considerations, before you embark on this path In this episode you’ll hear: how to know if it’s time to leave QBOsteps to take to migrate your clientsresources and benefits of being a Xero PartnerResources mentioned in this episode: Sign up for the Xero Partner Program: https://xeroamericas.partnerlinks.io/79afz10exu7d (affiliate link)Why we’re a Xero Firm Episode 19: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1774460/9399655Jetcon...

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14:33

214 ⎸ Entrepreneurship Isn’t Hard

The Ambitious Bookkeeper Podcast ·

2025/09/03

Send us a text Hey ambitious bookkeepers! In this week's audio-only episode, I'm getting real about a bold statement: entrepreneurship isn't hard. I know, I know - you're probably thinking I've lost it, right? But hear me out. This episode dives into how our mindset and the people we surround ourselves with can completely shift our experience as business owners. In this episode you’ll hear: Why it matters who you hang aroundThe issues with "venting" sessions with other business ownersThe posi...

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41:04

213 | Building a Bookkeeping Business From Scratch

The Ambitious Bookkeeper Podcast ·

2025/08/27

Send us a text Today I'm re-airing one of my favorite spotlight episodes featuring two incredible BBA students - Erin and Misa. These ladies built thriving bookkeeping businesses from absolutely nothing, and I'm sharing their real, raw stories plus giving you an update on where they are now (spoiler alert: they're both crushing it!). If you've been wondering whether you can actually make this work while juggling life, work, and family, this episode is going to give you all the inspiration you...

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38:35

212 | Q&A How to Get Clients to Respond, Creating...

The Ambitious Bookkeeper Podcast ·

2025/08/20

Send us a text Hey everyone! This month's live Q&A was packed with so many golden nuggets for your bookkeeping business. We covered everything from client management to getting started with confidence - basically all the real stuff you're dealing with day-to-day. In this episode you’ll hear: Getting Clients in Niche MarketsHandling Unresponsive ClientsRecording Startup ExpensesBookkeeping Practice TestsUsing Airtable, Asana, and DubsadoClient Management and Team StructureMigrating New Cli...

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24:43

211 ⎸ Now is Always the Best Time to Start

The Ambitious Bookkeeper Podcast ·

2025/08/13

Send us a text Hey ambitious bookkeepers! In this episode, I'm getting real about my "accidental" start in accounting and why NOW is always the best time to start your bookkeeping business. I'm sharing my journey from elementary education major to single mom working at a health food co-op, all the way to building my own virtual bookkeeping firm while raising kids. Spoiler alert: success doesn't require a perfect plan! In this episode you’ll hear: How I got into accountingThe exact steps I too...

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28:55

210 ⎸ My Secret to Managing Time & Prioritizing What...

The Ambitious Bookkeeper Podcast ·

2025/08/06

Send us a text In this episode, I'm sharing one of my most game-changing strategies - my Sunday evening planning ritual. If you're feeling overwhelmed juggling kids, home life, and building your business, this 15-20 minute weekly practice will help you take back control of your time and align your week with what truly matters. In this episode you’ll hear: How to implement a Sunday planning ritualThe exact tools I useHow I organize my entire week in under 20 minutesMy secret methodology for fi...

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60:51

209 ⎸ How to stop procrastinating with Robin Emdon

The Ambitious Bookkeeper Podcast ·

2025/07/30

Send us a text In this episode, I had an incredibly insightful conversation with Robin J. Emdon, author of "GetResultsology - The Science of Getting Stuff Done" and a productivity coach who specializes in helping people overcome procrastination. In this conversation Robin dives deep into the psychology behind why we procrastinate and provides concrete strategies to break free from it. In this episode you’ll hear: The neuroscience behind procrastinationThe three neurotransmitters you need to g...

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44:27

208 ⎸ Social Media Marketing in 2025 with Grace...

The Ambitious Bookkeeper Podcast ·

2025/07/23

Send us a text In this episode, Serena sits with Grace Costa, founder of Social Mixed Media and the Social Accountant, to dive deep into what's working in social media marketing right now. Grace shares her journey from accountant to marketing agency owner and gives us the real scoop on how AI is changing the game for bookkeepers and accountants trying to land clients online. In this episode you’ll hear: - 4 core organic marketing strategies for bookkeepers and accountants in 2025 - How AI an...

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41:05

207 ⎸ [Q&A] Accrual Accounting and Client Management...

The Ambitious Bookkeeper Podcast ·

2025/07/16

Send us a text Hey everyone! This month's live Q&A was packed with so many good questions from the community. We covered everything from client communication systems to accrual accounting transitions, and I even got to address some pricing questions that I know so many of you struggle with. In this episode you’ll hear: Client request systems and processesXero migrations and software recommendationsAccrual accounting deep divePricing strategies and business growthResources mentioned in thi...

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87:11

206 | 2025 The State of Virtual Bookkeeping &...

The Ambitious Bookkeeper Podcast ·

2025/07/09

Send us a text Join Serena and Alyssa Lang, the Workflow Queen, as they dive deep into the results of the first-ever State of Virtual Bookkeeping and Accounting Industry Report! We collected over 200 responses from bookkeepers and accounting firm owners like you, and the data is honestly eye-opening. This isn't your typical corporate survey - this is BY us, FOR us small firm owners. In this episode you’ll hear: The advisory services reality check - Why 41% of you are probably already doing ad...

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46:01

BONUS | Ambitious Wave Queen Show - Live at WAVE...

The Ambitious Bookkeeper Podcast ·

2025/07/07

Send us a text This bonus episode features the live recording from Wave Seattle, where I joined forces with Alyssa Lang (the Workflow Queen) and event host Erin Pohan for an authentic conversation about business, friendship, and finding your people in the accounting industry. We shared our "biz bestie" origin story, talked about navigating personal setbacks as business leaders, and answered real questions from the audience about everything from hiring to burnout. In this episode you’ll hear: ...

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60:21

205 ⎸ Protecting Your Clients from Audits with Ex-Irs...

The Ambitious Bookkeeper Podcast ·

2025/07/02

Send us a text In this episode, I had the incredible opportunity to sit down with Adrian Lopez, a former IRS revenue agent turned CPA, who just left the IRS last month to start his own practice. Adrian pulls back the curtain on what really happens during IRS audits and shares insider secrets that every bookkeeper and business owner needs to know. In this episode you’ll hear: The real audit triggers that most people don't know about (hint: it's not filing extensions!)Why construction contracto...

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16:58

204 ⎸ Q: How long should we retain client documents?

The Ambitious Bookkeeper Podcast ·

2025/06/25

Send us a text In this episode, I'm tackling a listener question about document retention in our digital age. You know how we used to worry about keeping physical files for 3, 5, or 7 years? Well, now that everything's digital and stored in the cloud, does that change our retention strategy? Spoiler alert: it's way more complex than I initially thought! I'm breaking down both IRS guidelines for small businesses AND AICPA guidelines for accounting firms, plus sharing exactly what we do in our ...

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13:51

203 ⎸ Q: Is the NonProfit Sector a Viable Niche?

The Ambitious Bookkeeper Podcast ·

2025/06/18

Send us a text In this episode, I'm answering an audience question about whether the nonprofit sector is a viable niche for a new bookkeeping firm. I dive deep into the pros and cons of specializing in nonprofits and share actionable strategies for making this niche work. What You Can Expect to Hear How to overcome the common challenge of nonprofits expecting discounted pricing through value-based pricing strategiesSpecific scalability tactics including productizing services, choosing special...

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34:26

202 ⎸ Healing Money Trauma with Meenadchi

The Ambitious Bookkeeper Podcast ·

2025/06/11

Send us a text In this eye-opening episode, Serena sits down with Meenadchi, an ancestral healing practitioner, to explore how intergenerational trauma impacts our relationship with money. This isn't your typical business conversation - we're diving deep into the personal stuff that affects how you run your business and serve your clients … and get a little woo! In this episode you’ll hear: How trauma from your ancestors (even great-grandparents) lives in your body and affects your money deci...

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41:14

201 ⎸ [Q&A] Nonprofit Niche, Software, and Standing...

The Ambitious Bookkeeper Podcast ·

2025/06/04

Send us a text 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 co...

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53:27

200 ⎸ What I Learned in 2024 & Q1 of 2025

The Ambitious Bookkeeper Podcast ·

2025/05/28

Send us a text 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 ...

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37:11

199 | [Q&A] Handling Clients, Cash vs Accrual,...

The Ambitious Bookkeeper Podcast ·

2025/05/14

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 underchargingDiscover effective ways to present financial statements that truly benefit your clientsFind out how to balance multiple professional iden...

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233 results

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