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

🔔 Subscribe for weekly episodes covering law firm bookkeeping, legal tech, and accounting practice tips.

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

🧑‍💼 Join the Accountants Law Lab Mastermind: accountantslawlab.com

🌐 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.

Shahram Zarshenas from Financial Cents joins Lynda, Sarah, and Steven for a deep dive into what's new in practice management software, and how AI is reshaping the way accounting and bookkeeping firms operate.

They cover major product updates like automated file renaming, month end close automation, document tagging, and the upcoming profit and loss and cash flow reporting features. The conversation also explores Xero's growing presence in the market, why QuickBooks is losing favor with some firms, and how AI is shifting practice management from a system of record to a system of action. Plus, a candid look at how firm owners are already using AI tools like Claude in their own workflows.

A must listen for any accounting or bookkeeping professional trying to figure out where AI fits into their practice.

00:55 Meet Shahram from Financial Cents
01:33 Awards Culture And Support
02:49 Why Financial Cents Works
05:10 AI Supercharging Development
06:31 Document Tags Time Saver
08:30 Client Portal View Mode
09:34 Month End Close Reports
10:54 WorkflowCon Highlights
14:15 Xero Integration Outlook
20:05 Ledger Ecosystems And AI Tools
22:50 Financial Reports Preview
23:38 P&L Collaboration Notes
25:08 AI Powered File Renaming
26:37 Effortless AI For Firms
28:38 Validate Rename Route Files
31:34 Creative AI Use Cases
37:32 Smart Intake Roadmap
39:33 System Of Action Future
43:19 Hiring Creativity With AI

🔔 Subscribe for weekly episodes covering law firm bookkeeping, legal tech, and accounting practice tips.

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

🧑‍💼 Join the Accountants Law Lab Mastermind: accountantslawlab.com

🌐 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.

Zelle is fast, convenient, and wildly popular. It is also one of the most dangerous payment platforms an attorney can use for client transactions.

In this episode Steve Libhart and Sarah Prevost break down exactly why peer-to-peer payment platforms like Zelle create serious compliance exposure for law firms, from the commingling of funds when payments land in the wrong account, to the complete absence of dispute resolution when something goes wrong. They share real personal experiences with P2P payment scams, walk through the scenarios where Zelle becomes a compliance nightmare, and explain why so many state bars are actively warning attorneys away from it.

A short but important episode for every attorney and legal bookkeeper who has ever seen Zelle appear on a client invoice.

00:51 Why Zelle Is Risky
02:40 Trust Account Pitfalls
04:50 No Disputes and Hacks
09:18 Compliance and Audit Trouble
11:22 Why Firms Still Use It
14:15 Client Expectations and Agreements
20:49 Scams and Real World Fraud

🔔 Subscribe for weekly episodes covering law firm bookkeeping, legal compliance, and accounting practice tips.

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

🧑‍💼 Join the Accountants Law Lab Mastermind: accountantslawlab.com

🌐 Visit us at accountantslawpod.com

Has your firm ever had a client try to pay via Zelle? Drop it in the comments.

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.

Holding the weight of someone else's compliance is one of the heaviest parts of legal bookkeeping, and in this episode Lynda Artesani, Sarah Prevost, and Steven Libhart get real about what that actually looks like in practice.

From attorneys who earned their fees but were too afraid to move the money, to the moment you realize a client is using trust funds as a cushion, to Steve's own experience having to take action against someone he genuinely liked and respected, this is the honest conversation about trust accounting compliance that nobody else is having.

The team covers how to say no with care, when to walk away, what to do when you spot something that looks wrong, and why having another set of eyes on the trust account is not optional. One of their most personal and important episodes yet.

01:10 Carrying Compliance Weight
01:44 When Advice Gets Ignored
02:19 Fear of Moving Earned Funds
04:24 Trust Accounting Mindset
07:04 Settlement Timing and Fraud
08:11 Education and Audit Readiness
10:30 Records and Validation Systems
14:35 State Rules and Timing Nuances
16:26 The Penny Problem
18:00 Spotting Misuse and Disengaging
19:46 Fixing Mistakes and Adding Oversight
20:49 Wins That Help Attorneys Sleep

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.

Should you connect Clio to QuickBooks or keep them separate? Lynda Artesani, Sarah Prevost, and Steven Libhart settle the debate once and for all.

In this episode the team shares real stories from files gone wrong, walks through the most common integration mistakes and how to avoid them, and makes a passionate case for why connecting the two systems is almost always the right move.

From duplicate entries and one-way sync quirks to audit logs, undeposited funds, and the right way to set it all up before you flip the switch, this is the practical, no-fluff guide to the Clio and QuickBooks integration every legal bookkeeper needs to hear.

02:09 Why Integrate Clio
02:34 Integration Risks Setup
03:14 Revenue and AR Benefits
05:16 Audit Trail and Locks
07:10 Duplicates One Way Sync
09:25 Trust Clearing Account
11:48 Partial Integration Controls
13:22 Pro Tips Mapping Limits
14:50 Advanced Use Cases
18:25 Switching and Setup Checklist
20:47 Underutilized Software Mindset

🔔 Subscribe for weekly episodes covering law firm bookkeeping, legal tech, and accounting practice tips.

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

🧑‍💼 Join the Accountants Law Lab Mastermind: accountantslawlab.com

🌐 Visit us at accountantslawpod.com

Are you connected or disconnected? Drop a comment and tell us why!

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.

Building a law firm's chart of accounts by leaving QuickBooks or Xero on default settings almost never works, and it usually creates a mess someone else has to clean up later.

In this episode, Lynda Artesani, Sarah Prevost, and Steven Libhart break down why the default chart of accounts (built for contractors, not law firms) falls short, and what a proper setup actually looks like.

They cover separating operating accounts from IOLTA/trust accounts, common naming mistakes that confuse tax preparers, the $2,500 fixed asset rule and why it trips people up, handling attorney compensation versus distributions, avoiding accounts that expose employee names, and why housekeeping your chart of accounts once a year (hint: now is a great time) keeps your books usable instead of unmanageable.

If you've ever looked at a law firm's profit and loss and had no idea where to look, this conversation is for you.

01:20 Why Default COA Fails
02:03 Separate IOLTA and Operating
03:56 Align Books With Tax Return
05:48 Common DIY COA Mistakes
06:59 Estimated Taxes and Equity
07:40 Fixed Assets and Thresholds
10:34 Marketing Buckets and KPIs
14:00 Cost of Sales and Client Costs
16:05 Housekeeping and Subaccounts
18:34 Payroll and Bank Feed Pitfalls
22:47 When to Stop DIY

Have a question or topic you want covered on a future episode? Email info@accountantslawpod.com or reach out through accountantslawpod.com.

Join the Accountants Law Lab Mastermind at accountantslawlab.com.

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.