Future Firm Accounting Podcast
This podcast is aimed at owners and partners of accounting firms. Each episode delivers one practical, actionable lesson designed to help listeners build a more systematic firm. The focus is on improving the firm's operations and the owner's lifestyle. It offers quick takeaways that can be applied immediately.
Episodes
Goodbye SEO?
My original firm and Future Firm both grew off the back of a blog I ran obsessively, until traffic dropped about seventy percent from its peak. In this episode, I share what happened, why I’d think twice about investing heavily in blogging if I were starting from scratch today, and what I’d focus on instead so your firm can still be found.
My Most Engaged Email Ever
While I was away on vacation, an accidental one-word email went out to my entire list, and it became the most engaging email I've sent in eight years of running Future Firm. In this episode, I share what happened, why it worked, and what it shows about getting noticed when everyone is numb to noise.
Saying No Is How You Say Yes (To the Right Clients)
Being selective about who you take on is what lets you deliver on the promise you make to the clients you keep. In this episode, I explain why saying no to the wrong clients is how you end up saying yes to the right ones, how to build a filter from your best and most draining clients, and the short, respectful decline message you can start using right away.
You're Not Actually on Vacation
If you're still checking email on vacation, you're not really disconnected, you're just working remotely. In this episode, I break down a practical system for taking real time off, even if your firm isn't fully owner-independent yet, including three decisions to make before you leave and a small experiment you can run before your next long weekend to see what happens.
When the "Wrong" Move Is Actually Right
There's a pricing trap I see firm owners fall into constantly, and it has nothing to do with lacking information. They know they need to raise prices, they have every tool to do it, and they still freeze for months.In this episode, I break down why the smartest move in that moment usually isn't the biggest possible one, and how the same pattern shows up in delegation, hiring, niching, and sales co
The Worst Time to Hire
Staying short-staffed hurts right away, and you feel it every day. A wrong hire hides in plain sight for months, quietly draining time and morale before it finally becomes undeniable.In this episode, I break down why the busiest stretch of your year is exactly the wrong time to rush a hiring decision, why attitude matters more than technical skill in almost every hire that ends up working out, and
If You Love This, You're Special
I ask a simple question in my coaching work that almost nobody answers the way you'd expect, and what it reveals points at a hiring mistake I see constantly. In this episode, I share a real story from one of my coaching members, a simple test you can run to check whether the right person is currently in your operations seat, and what a real operations leader's calendar should actually look like.
You Don't Need to Become an AI Expert
I coach one firm owner who's automating nearly everything herself and another who wants almost nothing to do with AI directly, and both are growing fast and staying profitable. In this episode, I break down the three paths firms are taking with AI right now, what the tradeoffs of each one look like, and why dipping your toe in still matters even if you never want to become the power user yourself.
Bad Marketing: Tactics to Avoid
Some marketing tactics feel productive in the moment but almost never move the needle. In this episode, I break down why a few common approaches keep failing firm owners in the exact same way, using real numbers on how badly one of them has been performing lately, plus a giveaway disaster from my own firm's early days.
Point A to Point B
A firm that can't be clearly credited for changing a client's business becomes exactly the kind of replaceable vendor that gets shopped against a cheaper competitor. In this episode, I walk through why a proper diagnosis is the starting point for avoiding that trap, how to scale the depth of that diagnosis to the size of the engagement, and a real example of a CPA who turned his own diagnostic pro
Scope Creep: The Two Root Causes
One of my coaching clients told me she gets a real physical anxiety reaction every time a certain client emails her, and that client wasn't even paying extra for the daily back and forth. When I asked my Inner Circle coaching group if anyone else was dealing with something similar, nearly every hand went up. In this episode, I break down the two root causes behind this pattern after coaching hundr
You Best Protect Ya Neck
Not long ago I asked my newsletter readers for feedback, and one asked for more Wu-Tang references. That's how this episode got its theme, but the lesson is a real one: you need to protect your time, energy, and mental bandwidth from a constant, well-meaning stream of people and tasks that would happily take them from you. In this episode, I walk through the "Ideal Role Document" I built to map ou
Soft Skills Matter More Now Than Ever
Technical competence got you this far, but it's not what's going to differentiate your firm going forward. In this episode, I walk through why soft skills, things like emotional intelligence, cultural awareness, and simplifying the complex, matter more than ever in the age of automation, and how to start building them deliberately starting this week. Read the full breakdown of all thirteen soft sk
Nobody Should Be Irreplaceable
Losing a team member is painful, but what happens next is usually the bigger problem: the scramble to hire, the months of retraining, and sometimes losing that person too. In this episode, I break down why this cycle isn't a sign of bad leadership, and share three practical ways to build redundancy into your team before you need it, so the next departure doesn't take your momentum with it.
5 Steps to $1M (Most Accounting Firm Owners Overcomplicate This)
What if hitting seven figures didn't require a bloated team or hundreds of clients? I walk through five steps that could get you there.
Being Top of Mind
Long before accounting, I lived in a completely different world, and it taught me one lever that's driven more new work than anything since.
Plan Before Do
Gut feel has been one of your most trusted tools as an owner, but it's not something you should lean on every time. Here's why that matters.
The Awkward Conversation With an Easy Fix
Some client problems feel like they need a hard conversation. One firm owner proved otherwise, and I break down exactly how she did it.
The Four Things Actually Capping Your Growth (Not Lack of Clients)
What if adding more clients isn't the answer to feeling maxed out? I break down four things that quietly tend to cap a firm's growth.
A Marketing Tactic To Help Prove Your Expertise
There's a marketing tool many firm owners skip because they're too busy listing services. Turns out it might be the most persuasive thing you're not doing.
Avoid These Discovery Call Mistakes
The discovery call is where margins get set and clients get qualified — and some common patterns tend to undermine both more than people realize.
Your Good Clients Aren't Going Anywhere
Worried AI is going to take your clients? It might be worth asking which ones — and being honest about what that answer actually looks like.
Stop Trying to Please Everyone (It Won't Work Anyway)
Accommodating every type of client might sound like good business — but it's nearly impossible to pull off and could be hurting your growth.
The MrBeast Method for Firm Owners
What does MrBeast's early growth habit have to do with running an accounting firm? More than you might expect — and it's simpler than it sounds.
Zoom Out
When a firm owner has all the right pieces in place and is still struggling badly, the real problem is rarely where you'd expect to find it.
Two Paths, One AI Problem
AI is splitting firms onto two very different paths right now, and the outcome really isn't the same for both of them, not even close.
Direction, Not Effort (Why Your Tactics Aren't Working)
When things feel stuck, the instinct is almost always to reach for a new tool or process. I think that's the wrong move to make first.
Your Website Is Repelling Good Clients
Prices on your website, or not? I don't think it's a simple yes or no, and the wrong answer might be repelling good clients.
My Biggest Trial and Errors as a Firm Owner
There's a version of my first firm's story that looks clean from the outside, almost like a straight line to exit. It really wasn't.
Nervous About Offshoring? Don't Be.
A lot of firm owners think offshoring is primarily about cutting costs. I think that's the wrong lens entirely, and it might cost you.
Inside Ignition's 2026 Accounting Pricing Benchmark Report
This year's pricing benchmark report is out, and there's a gap in it I think matters more than the numbers themselves. I share what I found in this episode.For more, join me and Dawn Brolin live on July 23rd: https://www.ignitionapp.com/webinars/are-you-charging-what-youre-worth
Future-Proofing Yourself and Your Team
AI can already do a lot of what accountants get paid for. So what actually makes someone hard to replace in a firm like yours?
Start With Why
Ever wonder why some firm owners seem to have it so much easier than everyone else? I've got a theory, and it's not quite what you'd guess.
From Cloud Accounting to AI Agents, This Problem Hasn't Moved
AI and automation have taken over every conversation in accounting — but the core business model problems holding firms back haven't moved.
When Saving Money Costs You More
Sometimes the most expensive decision you can make is the one that looks like a saving — and here's how to tell the difference before you act.
My Review of a Real Firm's Packages
Reviewing a real firm's packages is often more useful than any abstract lesson — here's what this one gets right and what I'd change about it.
Who Not How: The Mindset Shift That Changes Everything
The most useful shift in how you run your firm might not be about how to solve operational problems — it's about who should solve them instead.
More Process Isn't Always the Answer
Could your own systems be holding your team back? One coaching client's "processes on processes" might sound more familiar than expected.
The Shiny Object of 2026 (So Far)
AI has been the dominant tech conversation for years — and the version that's already here in 2026 could be the most convincing distraction yet.
Fast and Broken Is Still Broken
Automating a broken process doesn't fix it — it makes it faster to stay ineffective. Here's the question that should come before anything else.
The Pricing Tactics I Actually Use in My Old Firm
When I work with firm owners, pricing is almost always the first thing we dig into — and what I teach came directly from running my old firm.
Go Senior Early. Here's Why.
The hire that makes you uncomfortable might be the one that finally gets you out of the bottleneck. Here's the case for going senior early.
Your New Boss Is an AI
The gig economy just got flipped — AI is now the employer. Here's what that means for accounting firms and the work worth building around.
What My 5-Year-Old Taught Me About Running a Firm
My five-year-old asked me to explain what I do — and trying to answer reminded me of something many firm owners have quietly lost sight of.
Mind Control (The Real Thing Holding Your Firm Back)
Fixing your prices or systems won't help much if the thinking underneath them hasn't changed. Here's what actually needs to shift first here.
The Next Phase of AI in Accounting is Here
AI tools of today are viewed as something to help you think faster. The next phase is AI that actually does things for you — and it's already here for firm owners to explore.
Your Clients Don't Care About You
Are you selling your process or selling the outcome? The difference could be affecting the clients you attract and what you're able to charge.
Episode 300: There's a Window After Busy Season (Most Firms Miss It)
June is one of the most important months for accounting firms — and one of the most wasted. Here's how to actually make the most of it.
The Document That Changed How My Team Operates
Episode resources: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1L3v1Xg0qiBhDQKroi5Qf73hWUvG4yOA0RQvbxOBizc0/edit?usp=sharing — Many firm owners say they want to delegate, but haven't defined what ownership actually looks like for each person on their team. I share the exact framework we used at Future Firm — including why I needed it applied to myself first — and how it could help reduce the constant escal
Why Your Firm Feels Directionless (And How to Fix It)
If your team keeps coming to you for direction on things that should be obvious, vision might be what's actually missing. Here's why it matters.
What Your Price Says About Your Firm
Pricing isn't just a number—it's a signal. Here's what your price might be telling prospects about your firm before the conversation even starts.
Don’t Get More Leads in Your Accounting Firm Until You Fix This
Pouring more leads into a leaky funnel just makes things worse. Here's what to fix first before bolstering your marketing activities.
The Senior Accounting Hire You Can Actually Afford
Stuck, overworked, and can't afford the hire that would fix it? There might be a path forward that doesn't require perfect margins first.
Why Most Firm Owners Quit Marketing Too Early
Digital marketing is harder than ever in 2026—but that doesn't mean it's not worth it. Here's what winning at it actually tends to require.
Free Up Time in Your Firm by Stopping These 4 Things
There are four things quietly eating your time as a firm owner. Getting out of them could change how fast—and how freely—your firm grows.
“You're Too Expensive" and What It Actually Means
Price objections can feel personal, but they often point to something fixable. Here's what might actually be going on in those conversations.
The Real Cost of Being a Control Freak
A lot of firm owners are unknowingly the biggest bottleneck in their own business. Here's what that tends to look like—and what to do about it.
How I Learned to Sell as an Introvert (And Why You Can Too)
Many introverted firm owners assume sales just isn't for them. This episode—and the Profitable Packages Workshop—might change that: futurefirm.co
What AI Agents Can Actually Do for Your Firm
AI agents could meaningfully change what your firm is capable of. Learn more here: https://futurefirm.co/ai-agents-in-accounting/
Two Simple Fixes That Will Immediately Improve Your Sales Process
The first thing a prospect sees from your firm could shape whether they stick around. Here's how to make it work in your favor.
The Blind Spot Every Firm Owner Has (And How to Fix It)
The higher you get in your firm, the less honest feedback you tend to get. That gap can be costly — and it's more fixable than you might think.
Why Fully Cloud Firms Work Less and Earn More, At Least Based on This Poll
A poll of 150 firm owners revealed a clear gap between fully cloud, partially cloud, and not cloud firms — in hours worked and profit margins.
Stop Pricing From a Spreadsheet (Do This Instead)
A pricing formula can tell you what a service costs to deliver. What it can't tell you is what a client is actually willing to pay.
The Fine Line Between Clever Marketing and Flat-Out Trickery
Bold marketing can work — but not all of it earns attention the right way. There's a version of standing out that could actually be costing you trust.
How to Find a New Team Member Fast (When You Need One Yesterday)
Speed and quality don't have to be mutually exclusive when hiring. The right approach can make a real difference in how this plays out.
The One Thing Missing From Your Firm's Marketing
Your marketing might be accurate — but is it effective? Many firm owners are stuck at level one without knowing it.
What's a Good Profit Margin for Your Firm? (The Honest Answer)
A 40% profit margin might look great on paper. But depending on what it's costing you to generate it, the reality could be very different.
The Tax Advisor Who Made Me Use ChatGPT Instead
What happens when a client finds AI more helpful than the advisor they're paying? I recently found out firsthand — and it wasn't a good sign.
How Being Yourself Beats Any Marketing Strategy (With Real Examples)
Does your marketing actually sound like you — or could it have been written by anyone? It might be worth taking an honest look.
How I Moved My Team From AI Optional to AI Required
Have you had an honest conversation with your team about AI yet? It might be more overdue than you think.
Add This One Feature to Every Package in Your Firm
Your firm already does something clients would pay more for. They just don't know it yet.
How to Stop Being the Bottleneck in Your Accounting Firm
Feeling stuck as the bottleneck in your firm? There are usually three things behind it, and all of them are fixable.
The 2 AI Apps Every Firm Should Be Using Daily
There are still firms that haven't touched AI. If that's you, these two tools are a simple way to get going.
The Fear of Raising Prices Is Real (Here’s How To Do It)
Charging more is something a lot of firm owners avoid. But there's a way to approach it that makes the conversation easier than you'd expect.
Simple Marketing Wins for When Revenue Feels Tight
When revenue gets tight, going on offense with some simple marketing tends to beat pulling back. You might not have tried these tactics yet.
How I Chose Software at My Firm (Without Losing My Mind)
Every software tool looks great in a demo. There's a simple way to narrow down what really matters before you start shopping, and it could save you a lot of time.
Grow Your Accounting Firm? 4 Reasons It’s Worth It
Not every firm owner wants to grow. But if you've been on the fence about it, this one might help you think it through.
Stop Discounting Your Services
Discounting feels like a smart way to grow. But there's a cost that many firm owners don't see until it's too late.
Sometimes Business Isn't About ROI
You can't optimize everything all the time. Here's why leaving room for joy might be what your firm actually needs.
Why the Billable Hour Might Make a Comeback
I've argued against the billable hour for years. But AI might be changing the math on what clients actually value most.
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