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© 2026 The Ambitious Bookkeeper Podcast
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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.com
BBA: https://www.ambitiousbookkeeper.com/bba
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/serenashoupcpa
LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/serenashoup
Instagram: https://instagram.com/ambitiousbookkeeper
243 Episodes
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Send us Fan Mail AI is changing the bookkeeping game, but it's not replacing us anytime soon. In this episode, I'm pulling back the curtain on Xero's built-in AI feature, JAX (Just Ask Xero), and walking you through exactly how we're testing it inside our own firm before rolling it out to clients. From auto bank reconciliation to creating invoices via conversation, there are some genuinely cool time-saving features here, but there's still a lot you need to be doing yourself. In this episode y...
Send us Fan Mail I have a big announcement to share and I've been so excited to finally let the cat out of the bag! Erin Pohan, one of our OG community members and founder of UpKeeping®, is joining me as co-coach for this upcoming cohort of the Bookkeeping Business Accelerator. I wanted to bring Erin on because she's lived this journey. She started from scratch just like you, built her firm to 50 clients and a team of three, and she did it using the BBA framework. This episode is a real, hone...
Send us Fan Mail From AI tools and scope creep to finding your first clients and onboarding systems, whether you're just dreaming about starting a bookkeeping business or you're a few years in, there's something in here for you. In this episode you’ll hear: How I use AI in my firmPricing, scope creep, and tough money conversationsFinding your first five clientsOnboarding processResources mentioned in this episode: Bookkeeping Biz Workshops: https://www.ambitiousbookkeeper.com/workshopsOnboard...
Send a text Welcome back to our monthly live Q&A! We took a little break, but we're back and ready to tackle all your burning questions about building your bookkeeping business. Whether you're just getting started or scaling your firm, this episode is packed with real talk and practical advice. In this episode you’ll hear: Partnership pitfalls and planningTech stack essentialsHiring and leading your first employeePricing strategies for startups and special situationsResources mentioned in...
Send a text In this episode, Serena interviews Hunter Rademaker and they talk about Hunter’s expertise on sales in accounting, emphasizing client qualification, communication, advisory roles, and strategic hiring for growth. In this episode you’ll hear: Hunter’s unique sales roleThe sales process & qualifying new clientsAdvice for new bookkeepersClient retention & advisoryPricing & hiring a sales personResources mentioned in this episode: House of Revenue/Sales BQ - Consulting com...
Send a text The 'One Big Beautiful Bill' introduces significant tax changes for 1099s, depreciation, and employer credits, emphasizing meticulous bookkeeping for compliance and savings. Listen in to the conversation with Adrian & Serena as they unpack the need-to-know highlights for bookkeepers and how you can stand out in the industry by making a few small changes to your processes. In this episode you’ll hear: 1099 Reporting ChangesBonus Depreciation and Section 179Tips and Charitable C...
Send us Fan Mail Before we close things down for the holidays, I decided to bring back one of my favorite interviews from the vault. In 2021 during one of our Bookkeeping Biz Workshop rounds, I brought Katie on to chat about a program she had just created—which is still going strong today—in fact, has been revamped and redesiged since she created it, and I want to make sure you all know about it. But more so than that, I wanted to bring this conversation back to you in case you’re planning fo...
Send us Fan Mail I had the best conversation with Kelly Sinclair about something that's been on my mind (and probably yours too): how to actually use AI without losing the human connection that makes your business YOU. We dive deep into why social media might not be the lead generator you think it is, how to build visibility strategies that don't rely on the algorithm, and how AI can actually help you show up MORE human, not less. In this episode you’ll hear: Why taking a break from social me...
Send us Fan Mail In this episode, I'm chatting with my friend Kelsey Silver about something so many of you have been asking about - how the heck are we supposed to use AI without compromising our clients' security? Kelsey has a super unique background and she breaks down exactly what we need to look for when evaluating AI tools for our firms. Plus, she shares about her AI app Foresight HQ that helps you identify your hottest leads in your Instagram DMs - no more chasing people who just wanted...
Send us Fan Mail This episode is best watched on YouTube > In this episode, I'm walking you through one of my absolute favorite tools for keeping your business audit-proof: Hubdoc. I'll show you exactly how we use it at Of Course Financial to help our clients manage their supporting business documents digitally, save hundreds of hours every year, and stay compliant with IRS requirements. Plus, I've got some exciting announcements about upcoming Xero tutorials, the Bookkeeping Biz Workshops...
Send us Fan Mail Hey guys! This month's live Q&A was packed with real talk about the nitty-gritty of running a bookkeeping business. We covered everything from pricing cleanups (spoiler: diagnostics are your best friend) to getting cyber insurance (yes, it's non-negotiable), and I even got vulnerable about my experience juggling babies and business. If you've ever wondered how to market to trades, what reports clients actually need, or how to take maternity leave as a business owner, this...
Send us Fan Mail some links are affiliate links Want to see my weekly timesheets? Follow me on Threads: https://www.threads.net/@ambitiousbookkeeper No one talks enough about the amount of time that goes into an online course business. So I’m talking about it today. In this episode you’ll hear: My profit margins for both my firm & my online course businessthe time I spend during launches & fulfillmenthow much time I spent in August 2025 on both businessesResources mentioned in this ep...
Send us Fan Mail Cyber scams targeting bookkeepers are getting more sophisticated, and I'm sitting down with insurance expert Jock Wols to talk about what's happening in our industry right now. I even share my own recent experience being targeted through the Gusto partner directory—twice in one day! If you think it won't happen to you, think again. This conversation is packed with real stories, practical tips, and the insurance knowledge you need to protect your business in 2025. In this epis...
Send us Fan Mail In this episode, I sat down with Margie Remmers-Davis, founder and CEO of Akadian Accounting Education, to talk about what it really takes to learn QuickBooks Online. If you've ever felt like the ProAdvisor certification didn't actually prepare you to do bookkeeping work, this conversation is for you. Margie shares her incredible journey from stay-at-home mom to bookkeeping educator, and we dive deep into how she's revolutionizing the way people learn QBO and bookkeeping. In ...
Send us Fan Mail 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 ...
Send us Fan Mail 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 functio...
Send us Fan Mail 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/1774460/9399655Jetc...
Send 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 positiv...
Send us Fan Mail 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 y...
Send us Fan Mail 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 C...
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