Teaira is still on her honeymoon, so we're revisiting a fan favorite! Hosts Linda Artesani, Sarah Prevost, and Steven Libhart break down the accounting concepts that confuse even the most experienced attorneys, and explain why getting them right matters so much.

In this episode:
Trust accounts vs. IOLTA vs. operating accounts, and why keeping them separate protects you

Why reconciling monthly (or even weekly) beats waiting for quarterly deadlines

What commingling actually looks like in practice, and how easily it happens by accident

Why "just open a new bank account" is never the fix for a messed-up trust account

Why an overly detailed chart of accounts creates more headaches than it solves

When to bring a legal accounting professional onto your team (hint: earlier than you think) The ongoing debate over passing credit card fees on to clients

Whether you're an attorney trying to make sense of your firm's books or a bookkeeper building your legal accounting niche, this episode is full of real talk and practical clarity.

01:43 Trust Accounts Basics
02:52 Reconciliation Habits
05:09 Commingling Pitfalls
06:40 Hire Accounting Help Early
08:34 Chart of Accounts Mistakes
10:48 Profit vs Cash Confusion
13:00 Legal Accounting Community
14:11 Bad Trust Accounting Advice
14:52 Untangling Years of Errors
15:36 Why New Accounts Fail
17:33 Compliance Risks and Squirrels
17:57 Owner Oversight and Workflows
19:45 Billing Systems and Cleanup Projects
20:34 Credit Card Fees Debate
22:24 Client Experience and Responsiveness
25:17 Testing Fee Models and Cashflow

Accountants Law Pod is hosted by Lynda Artesani, Sarah Prevost, and Steve Libhart and directed/produced by Teaira Burge and The Proper Trust. Music by ComaStudio from Pixabay - Edited by audiovideo_uk

Disclaimer: The content presented in this podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as legal, financial, or professional advice.

The stories we share from the field are meant to educate, never to shame. We have deep respect for attorneys and the complexity of running a firm, and we recognize that many of the mistakes we discuss happen simply because no one ever explained the rules.

Teaira is away on her honeymoon, so we're revisiting one of our favorite conversations! Hosts Linda Artesani, Sarah Prevost, and Steven Libhart dig into the essential bookkeeping and accounting strategies every small law firm needs, from day one through eventual exit.

In this episode, we cover:

Why spreadsheets don't cut it long-term, and how to know when it's time to invest in real software

The must-have pieces for a solid bookkeeping foundation: contracts, SOPs, and scope creep tracking

Billing strategies for law firms, from hourly vs. fixed fee to getting paid faster

Why exit strategy planning matters, even when you're just starting out

The value of finding your niche within a niche in legal accounting

Why understanding your financial statements (not just handing them off) is key to running a healthy practice

Whether you're a solo bookkeeper serving law firms or an attorney trying to get your financial house in order, this episode is packed with practical, real-world advice.

00:52 Exit Strategy Reality Check
02:40 Growth Spurts and Hiring
03:34 Ditch the Spreadsheet
04:29 Core Software Stack
06:39 Trust Accounting Risks
07:34 Contracts SOPs and Budgeting
11:03 Billing and Getting Paid
13:42 Know Your Reports and KPIs
14:25 Client Communication Touchpoints
16:04 Niche Down for Expertise
19:23 Workflow Fixes and Automation Story
20:48 Modernize for Mergers and Scale

Accountants Law Pod is hosted by Lynda Artesani, Sarah Prevost, and Steve Libhart and directed/produced by Teaira Burge and The Proper Trust. Music by ComaStudio from Pixabay - Edited by audiovideo_uk

Disclaimer: The content presented in this podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as legal, financial, or professional advice.

The stories we share from the field are meant to educate, never to shame. We have deep respect for attorneys and the complexity of running a firm, and we recognize that many of the mistakes we discuss happen simply because no one ever explained the rules.

This episode comes to you live from XeroCon 2026 in Denver, recorded inside a vintage Airstream turned podcast studio!

Lynda, Sarah, Steve, and producer Teaira dish on why Xero has become such a viable platform for law firms, from its accountant-friendly pricing and reporting tools to its seamless Clio integration and app ecosystem.

They talk through the differences between Xero and QuickBooks for legal bookkeeping, touch on 1099 filing, and share some fun behind-the-scenes updates on the podcast's growth (20,000+ downloads and counting), the Accountants Law Lab, and a sneak peek at a new resource in the works for law firm owners.

A lighter, on-the-road episode packed with real insight into why more legal accountants are giving Xero a serious look.

00:00 Airstream Cold Open
00:32 Welcome to XeroCon
00:58 Denver Adventures
01:34 Day One Floor Vibes
01:56 Why Xero for Law Firms
03:19 Pricing and Product Trust
05:22 Performance and Search Wins
08:38 Bank Feeds and Automation
09:52 Convention Floor and Brand
11:07 Integrations and App Ecosystem
12:01 Xero Mobile App Talk
12:23 Producer Teaira Spotlight
12:32 Tia Runs the Show
12:57 Roles Expanding Fast
13:36 Milestones and Momentum
13:57 Airstream Reunion Stories
14:21 Team Across Time Zones
14:44 Self Funded and Sponsorship Dreams
15:15 Danielle Upgrades Everything
15:45 Law Lab Resources Explosion
17:31 AI Chatbot and New Community
19:44 Conference Goals and Wrap Up
21:39 Post Recording Airstream Talk
22:01 ClioCon Scheduling Curveball

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📩 Have a question or topic idea? Email us at info@accountantslawpod.com

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🌐 Visit us at accountantslawpod.com

Accountants Law Pod is hosted by Lynda Artesani, Sarah Prevost, and Steve Libhart and directed, produced, and edited by Teaira Burge and The Proper Trust. Music by ComaStudio from Pixabay

Disclaimer: The content presented in this podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as legal, financial, or professional advice.

The stories we share from the field are meant to educate, never to shame. We have deep respect for attorneys and the complexity of running a firm, and we recognize that many of the mistakes we discuss happen simply because no one ever explained the rules.