Building the Premier Accounting Firm

Welcome to another episode of Building the Premier Accounting Firm. Today, Roger Knecht and The CFO Project CEO Dyanna Salcedo discuss how accounting professionals can pivot from traditional compliance work to high-impact CFO advisory services. This episode explores the impact of AI and offshoring on the accounting industry and provides a clear framework for building a scalable, profitable advisory practice. In This Episode: 00:00:00 Introduction to Expert Insights 00:01:38 Defining Accounting vs. Advisory Roles 00:06:42 Scalable CFO Advisory Models 00:13:47 Structuring Successful Client Engagements 00:22:08 Overcoming Barriers to Advisory Services 00:28:44 The Role of AI in Accounting 00:35:05 Closing Thoughts and Future Opportunities Key Takeaways: Define the role of a CFO advisor as a forward-looking guide for small business owners rather than a historical reporter. Leverage AI as a powerful tool for efficiency while maintaining a human-in-the-lead approach for judgment and accountability. Focus on cash flow drivers to provide tangible, high-value results that justify premium pricing. Featured Quotes: "Your job is to illuminate where the client should focus. They will have the answers of how to actually affect that driver." — Dyanna Salcedo "We call it human in the lead. You want to stay in the lead, making sure that you're verifying everything." — Dyanna Salcedo "AI cannot certify financials. AI cannot submit a tax return and sign off on that return as the preparer." — 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: BILL The AI-powered finanncial operations platform built to scale.  Visit www.Bill.com/Building for a special offer Universal Accounting Center Helping accounting professionals confidently and competently offer quality accounting services to get paid what they are worth. Offers: flobizsolutions.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.

On today's episode of Building the Premier Accounting Firm, Roger Knecht welcomes guest Jimmy Moore to discuss the critical intersection of merchant services, payment compliance, and financial technology for accounting firms. They explore how advisors can better protect their clients from rising fees and regulatory pitfalls while streamlining tech stacks for better performance. In This Episode: 00:00 Introduction to the Podcast 01:29 Understanding Merchant Services 04:20 PCI Compliance Fundamentals 06:46 Tech Stacks and Integrations 09:43 Four Compliant Billing Models 14:18 Cash Discounting Pitfalls 17:53 Visa Regulations and Enforcement 22:14 Future of Payment Technology 26:57 Leveraging Partnerships for Growth 32:02 Effective Rate and Closing Thoughts Key Takeaways: Audit client payment models to ensure they follow one of the four approved methods: surcharging, cash discounting, dual pricing, or convenience fees. Prioritize PCI compliance to safeguard sensitive cardholder data and avoid costly non-compliance fines. Integrate payment solutions with core accounting software to reduce manual data entry and minimize human error. 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: BILL The AI-powered finanncial operations platform built to scale.  Visit www.Bill.com/Building for a special offer Universal Accounting Center Helping accounting professionals confidently and competently offer quality accounting services to get paid what they are worth. Offers: flobizsolutions.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.  

Join us this Wednesday for a new episode where Roger discusses credit card compliance with Jimmy Moore.  

Welcome to another episode of Building the Premier Accounting Firm podcast. Join host Roger Knecht and serial entrepreneur Chris Shurian as they explore the vital intersection of accurate financial data, exceptional customer service, and business ownership. This episode provides actionable strategies for accounting professionals and business owners to better understand the metrics that drive success and the power of building genuine client relationships. In This Episode: 00:00 Defining Founders and Business Exits 04:16 The Crucial Role of Accurate Accounting 11:34 Key Metrics and Simplifying Financial Reporting 21:08 The Power of Exceptional Customer Service 30:46 Creating Wow Moments for Customers 40:52 Setting Expectations and Professional Care 50:55 Authenticity in Business Leadership Key Takeaways: Prioritize accurate, timely financial reporting to prevent business failure and enable informed decision-making. Implement the "barefoot experience" approach to customer service to exceed expectations and stand out in competitive industries. Use simple, high-level dashboards—or "scorecards"—to keep business owners focused on green-light, red-light metrics. Maintain human connection in business interactions, even when leveraging technology, to build long-term loyalty. Featured Quotes: "You have to know your numbers. You absolutely have to know your numbers." — Chris Shurian "Customer service is a contact sport." — Chris Shurian "We need to recognize that when we fail to actually do our jobs properly, it does hinder the business owner from making informed business decisions." — Roger Knecht 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.

In this episode of Building the Premier Accounting Firm, Roger Knecht welcomes back Tyler Otto to discuss the practical implementation of artificial intelligence within an accounting firm. This conversation highlights why treating AI as a new, trainable employee is the most effective approach for scaling operations and improving firm efficiency. In This Episode: 00:00:00 Introduction and Embracing AI 00:03:11 Treating AI as an Intern 00:10:15 The Reality of AI Development Time 00:16:49 Buy Versus Build AI Solutions 00:22:02 Future-Proofing Your Firm 00:25:41 AI for Firm Visibility and Control 00:28:36 Personal Growth and Community Engagement 00:32:08 Gratitude and Concluding Thoughts Key Takeaways: Adopt AI tools strategically by treating them like entry-level employees that require training, supervision, and clear process guidelines. Prioritize integrating AI features into existing software platforms rather than attempting to build proprietary, custom-coded systems. Recognize that implementing new technology requires an initial investment of time and labor before actual time savings occur. Focus firm leadership on high-level strategy and client interaction by utilizing AI to handle repetitive tasks and internal visibility. Featured Quotes: "If you want to figure out how to roll out AI, think of it like you just hired a new entry-level employee." — Tyler Otto "You have to slow down to speed up. You have to build the tools, build the skills, build the processes." — Tyler Otto "Your firm is a reflection of the leadership. So if you're not willing to work on yourself, you're not going to be able to expect your staff to be the person your firm needs." — Tyler Otto 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: BILL The AI-powered finanncial operations platform built to scale.  Visit www.Bill.com/Building for a special offer 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.