Building the Premier Accounting Firm

Accounting firm owners often hesitate to adopt AI, worried about securing client data, adding to their workload, and where to start. In this episode of Building the Premier Accounting Firm, host Roger Knecht and AI trainer Tim Cakir explain how accounting professionals can work with AI, build repeatable skills, and measure real return on investment without giving up human judgment. In This Episode: 00:00 Introduction and Tim's Path to AI 02:53 Overcoming Cultural Resistance and Data Privacy 10:01 Starting Practical AI with Repeatable Skills 15:52 Going Wider or Deeper with Clients 20:29 Keeping the Human in the Loop 27:06 Measuring ROI and Tracking Productivity 32:26 Treating AI Agents Like New Employees 34:34 Good AI Habits and Small Daily Wins 40:04 Listener Resources: AI Audit, Challenge, GrowCon 42:23 Recap and Closing Thoughts Key Takeaways: Work with AI instead of simply using it, keeping your judgment at the center of every task. Identify repetitive tasks you dislike, then build a reusable AI skill (a saved step-by-step process) to handle them. Refine each skill over 7 to 10 runs, correcting weak outputs so the skill improves with your context. Review and sign off on all AI-assisted work before it reaches a client, since you remain responsible. Featured Quotes: "Don't just use AI. Work with it. It's brainstorming together and doing things together." — Tim Cakir  "AI will do the 80%, we will do the 20%. And our 20% is going to increase." — Tim Cakir  "AI is not replacing us. It is simply supplementing the work we're already doing." — Roger Knecht  Earn CPE: NASBA-approved CPE and IRS-approved CE credits are offered via Earmark by listening to this episode. ⁠ Access our QAS Self-Study Courses here: https://www.earmark.app/channels/0384dbbe-df08-4ae3-ba82-621a7a465e95 Conclusion: Thank you for joining us for another episode of Building the Premier Accounting Firm with Roger Knecht. For more information on how you can establish your own accounting firm and take control of your time and income, call 435-344-2060 or schedule an appointment to connect with Roger's team here.   Sponsors: Universal Accounting Center Helping accounting professionals confidently and competently offer quality accounting services to get paid what they are worth.   Offers: Special Offers for our Podcast Listeners, CLICK HERE to take advantage of them today! Remember this: Accounting Success IS Universal. Be sure to listen to our next episode and subscribe.   Also, let us know what you think of the podcast and please share any suggestions you may have.  We look forward to your input: Podcast Feedback   For more information on how you can apply these principles to start and build your bookkeeping, accounting, & tax business, please visit us at www.universalaccountingschool.com or call us at 801-265-3777.  And know that if it's about accounting, it's Universal.

Accounting is no longer just about compliance. In this episode of Building the Premier Accounting Firm, host Roger Knecht and guest Jodi Paydar, the "Radical CPA" and co-founder of Excel Labs, explore how accounting professionals can stay relevant as AI takes over the technical work in accounting. They discuss trust, communication, leadership, and why human relationships will define the future of the accounting firm. In This Episode: 00:00 Introduction and Why Humans Stay Relevant 05:00 Building Trust Through Better Communication 08:36 Change, Fight-Flight-Freeze, and Leadership 11:55 Competition, Firm Futures, and Sponsor Message 17:02 AI Agents and the Human Sign-Off 22:12 Upskilling and Deepening Client Relationships 25:54 Competing on Empathy and Training Teams 28:41 Better Questions and Excitement About the Future 31:51 Efficiency, Training the Next Generation 38:12 Listener Resources and Event Invitations 41:16 Closing Thoughts and Sign-Off Key Takeaways: Separate the conversation from the compliance deliverable so clients see the value of your advice. Build stronger communication skills to deepen trust with every client, not just your top four. Upskill your team in advisory conversations, because tax preparation is becoming automated. Ask better questions to uncover client needs and create better financial futures. Choose whether to fight, freeze, or flee the change, and lead with intention before 2030. Featured Quotes: "AI is going to do the accounting work for us. It truly is. It already is." -Jodi Paydar "Our competition today is a fintech or a venture funded, VC backed brand new company." -Jodi Paydar "Accounting has never been a technology problem, it's a value problem." -Roger Knecht Earn CPE: NASBA-approved CPE and IRS-approved CE credits are offered via Earmark by listening to this episode. ⁠ Access our QAS Self-Study Courses here: https://www.earmark.app/channels/0384dbbe-df08-4ae3-ba82-621a7a465e95 Conclusion: Thank you for joining us for another episode of Building the Premier Accounting Firm with Roger Knecht. For more information on how you can establish your own accounting firm and take control of your time and income, call 435-344-2060 or schedule an appointment to connect with Roger's team here. Sponsors: Universal Accounting Center Helping accounting professionals confidently and competently offer quality accounting services to get paid what they are worth.   Offers: Special Offers for our Podcast Listeners, CLICK HERE to take advantage of them today! Remember this: Accounting Success IS Universal. Be sure to listen to our next episode and subscribe.   Also, let us know what you think of the podcast and please share any suggestions you may have.  We look forward to your input: Podcast Feedback   For more information on how you can apply these principles to start and build your bookkeeping, accounting, & tax business, please visit us at www.universalaccountingschool.com or call us at 801-265-3777.  And know that if it's about accounting, it's Universal.

Join us this Wednesday for a new episode where Roger discusses the human and AI with Jody Padar. 

Your business has value, but does a buyer see it the way you do? In today's episode of Building the Premier Accounting Firm, Roger sits down with Marc Adams, strategy mentor and business exit planner with Acquisitions for You. Together they explore why most small businesses never sell and how accounting professionals can prepare clients for a tax-efficient exit. Learn what buyers really pay for, where founders lose money, and how to build a more transferable business. In This Episode: 00:00 Welcome and Beginning With the End in Mind 03:19 Marc's Cancer Diagnosis and COVID Recovery 07:20 Nine in Ten Businesses and a Promise 14:20 Value Leakage and Doubling Business Worth 21:00 Transferable Value and Messy Businesses 27:35 Hidden Leaks and the AI Valuation Premium 31:28 How Accountants Prepare Clients for Exit 38:41 Private Equity Versus Faster Direct Exits 44:50 Show Promotions and Event Invitations 50:04 Closing Thoughts and Speaker Invitation Key Takeaways: Start with the end in mind. Define the exit outcome you want, and set your timeline, whether that is one year or ten. Build systems, processes, and a management team so the business can run without the owner. Raise prices regularly. Ask clients when they last increased fees, because small increases can lift profit significantly. Plan early. Restructuring a business just before a sale can trigger IRS scrutiny, so prepare well before going to market. Featured Quotes: "They're the people that you need to help. If one of them does sell, they don't need your help. Somebody's going to buy it." — Marc Adams "Owners buy certainty of profitability, and the more that you've got around it, effectively, that can make it certain and run without you." — Marc Adams "Start with the end in mind. Very few of us actually practice it." — Marc Adams Earn CPE: NASBA-approved CPE and IRS-approved CE credits are offered via Earmark by listening to this episode. ⁠ Access our QAS Self-Study Courses here: https://www.earmark.app/channels/0384dbbe-df08-4ae3-ba82-621a7a465e95 Conclusion: Thank you for joining us for another episode of Building the Premier Accounting Firm with Roger Knecht. For more information on how you can establish your own accounting firm and take control of your time and income, call 435-344-2060 or schedule an appointment to connect with Roger's team here. Sponsors: Universal Accounting Center Helping accounting professionals confidently and competently offer quality accounting services to get paid what they are worth.   Offers: Are you a founder, business owner, or advisor, helping clients think through exit readiness, business value, tax-efficient outcomes, or what may be reducing the owner's keep rate before a sale? Connect with Marc to learn how to double your/their business value in 6 months: https://acquisitions4you.com/  Special Offers for our Podcast Listeners: CLICK HERE to take advantage of them today! Remember this: Accounting Success IS Universal. Be sure to listen to our next episode and subscribe.   Also, let us know what you think of the podcast and please share any suggestions you may have.  We look forward to your input: Podcast Feedback   For more information on how you can apply these principles to start and build your bookkeeping, accounting, & tax business, please visit us at www.universalaccountingschool.com or call us at 801-265-3777.  And know that if it's about accounting, it's Universal.  

In today's episode of Building the Premier Accounting Firm, Roger Knecht and award winning marketing consultant Mike Jones discuss branding strategies for accounting firms. Discover why identity matters more than just a logo and how to stand out in the accounting industry. In This Episode: 00:00:00 Introduction and Why Branding Matters 00:07:12 Defining Identity and First Impressions 00:15:05 Consistency, Fonts, and Common Mistakes 00:22:00 Social Media, Video, and Audience Targeting 00:30:06 Firm Naming Strategies and Final Advice Key Takeaways: Define your firm's unique identity beyond standard visual elements. Maintain strict visual and messaging consistency across all platforms. Target a specific audience to make your marketing much more effective. Evaluate your firm's name and branding to build better differentiation. Featured Quotes: "Mike Jones: Your brand is your identity. It is who you are." "Mike Jones: Just because it's common doesn't mean it's best." Earn CPE: NASBA-approved CPE and IRS-approved CE credits are offered via Earmark by listening to this episode. ⁠ Access our QAS Self-Study Courses here: https://www.earmark.app/channels/0384dbbe-df08-4ae3-ba82-621a7a465e95 Conclusion: Thank you for joining us for another episode of Building the Premier Accounting Firm with Roger Knecht. For more information on how you can establish your own accounting firm and take control of your time and income, call 435-344-2060 or schedule an appointment to connect with Roger's team here.   Sponsors: Universal Accounting Center Helping accounting professionals confidently and competently offer quality accounting services to get paid what they are worth.   Offers: The Remarkabrand Index for Accounting Firms - https://www.remarkabrand.com/  https://www.remarkabrand.com/2026-remarkabrand-index-for-accounting-firms     Special Offers for our Podcast Listeners: CLICK HERE to take advantage of them today! Are you ready for a change, both personally and professionally?  Then accept and participate in the Accountrepreneurs Challenge.  This is a FREE opportunity to apply best practices and make this the best year yet in your career. Be sure to join us for GrowCon, the LIVE event for accounting professionals to work ON their business. This conference is one you don't want to miss. Get a FREE copy of these books all accounting professionals should use to work on their business and become profitable.  These are a must-have addition to every accountant's library to provide quality CFO & Advisory services as a Profit & Growth Expert today: "Red to BLACK in 30 days – A small business accountant's guide to QUICK turnarounds."  "in the BLACK, Nine Principles to Make Your Business Profitable."  "Your Strategic Accountant" - Understand the 3 Core Accounting Services (CAS - Client Accounting Services) you should offer as you run your business.  "Your Profit & Growth Expert" - Offer CFO & Advisory services with confidence and competence.  Take the time to understand what your clients expect from you as their accountant. Follow the Turnkey Business plan for accounting professionals.  This is the proven process to start and build the premier accounting firm in your area.  After more than 40 years we've identified the best practices of successful accountants and this is a presentation we are happy to share.     Also learn the best practices to automate and nurture your lead generation process allowing you to get the bookkeeping, accounting and tax clients you deserve.  GO HERE to see this presentation and learn what you can do today to identify and engage with your ideal clients.   Check it out and see what you can do to be in business for yourself but not by yourself with Universal Accounting Center.   It's here you can become a:   Professional Bookkeeper, PB Professional Tax Preparer, PTP Profit & Growth Expert, PGE   Next, join a group of like-minded professionals within the accounting community.  Register to attend GrowCon and Stay up-to-date on current topics and trends and see what you can do to also give back, participating in relevant conversations as they relate to offering quality accounting services and building your bookkeeping, accounting & tax business.   The Accounting & Bookkeeping Tips Facebook Group The Universal Accounting Fanpage Topical Newsletters: Universal Accounting Success The Universal Newsletter   Lastly, get your Business Score to see what you can do to work ON your business and have the Premier Accounting Firm. Join over 70,000 business owners and get your score on the 8 Factors That Drive Your Company's Value.     For Additional FREE Resources for accounting professionals, check out this collection HERE!   Be sure to join us for GrowCon, the LIVE event for accounting professionals to work ON their business. This is a conference you don't want to miss.   Remember this, Accounting Success IS Universal. Listen to our next episode and be sure to subscribe.   Also, let us know what you think of the podcast and please share any suggestions you may have.  We look forward to your input: Podcast Feedback   For more information on how you can apply these principles to start and build your accounting, bookkeeping & tax business please visit us at www.universalaccountingschool.com or call us at 8012653777