Welcome to the very first episode of The Accounting Edit! Meet your hosts, Leah McCool and Aminder Mann, CPA - two former startup senior accountants who took the leap from corporate and launch their own firms. In this kickoff episode, they reflect on what inspired the leap into entrepreneurship, the challenges (and successes) they've experienced, and the vision that drives their work today.

As women of color, they bring fresh perspectives to a field that’s often seen as rigid and traditional. Their goal? To create space for more inclusive conversations around accounting, mentorship, entrepreneurship, and what it really means to grow a fulfilling career in this space.

What You’ll Take Away:
- Why starting their own firms was a defining move
- The value of diverse voices in the accounting world
- How mentorship and community made all the difference (no gatekeeping here)
- Real talk on navigating the accountant journey (and alternate paths)
- How their startup experience shaped their client approach
- Thoughts on building work-life balance as entrepreneurs
- The future for The Accounting Edit podcast
Whether you're thinking about starting your own firm, breaking into the accounting industry, or just want to hear how others are forging their own paths, this episode is the perfect place to begin.

Website: TheAccountingEdit.com

Aminder's Links:
Website: sequoia-cpa.com
Instagram: @sequoiacpa
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/sequoia-cpa

Leah's Links:
Website: orca-accounting.com
Instagram: orcaaccounting
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/leahmccool/

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to the Podcast Journey

03:14 The Inspiration Behind the Podcast

06:04 Backgrounds and Early Influences

08:53 Diverse Paths to Accounting

15:33 Transitioning from Corporate to Entrepreneurship

18:10 Finding Balance and Meaning in Work

24:46 The Catalyst for the Podcast

27:12 Sharing Industry Knowledge and Experiences

29:36 The Importance of Networking

30:42 Career Paths and Education

33:02 Valuable Corporate Experiences

36:45 Transitioning to Startups

39:30 Leaping Into Entrepreneurship

42:39 Vision for the Future

45:42 Creating Inclusive Workspaces

48:24 Wrap Up

Key Words: accounting, entrepreneurship, diversity, CPA, mentorship, women in business, small business, podcasting, networking, work-life balance