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Stop letting your calendar run your life! In this episode, Serena dives into the brand-new Dubsado 3.0 (Beta) to show you how to protect your time and professionalize your client onboarding. Whether you’re a bookkeeper, accountant, or small business owner, learning how to automate the "back-and-forth" of scheduling is the fastest way to reclaim your sanity.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• The Power of the Scheduler: How to use the new 3.0 interface to set up custom meeting types with automatic Zoom or Google Meet links.
• Protecting Your Energy: Using buffer times and booking maximums so you never feel "back-to-back" again.
• Qualifying Leads: How to attach intake questionnaires to your booking link to ensure you have all the info you need before the call starts.
• Paid Discovery Calls: A simple trick to prevent "ghosting" and ensure potential clients are serious about working with you.
• The "New Client Guide" Strategy: Why redirecting clients to a custom thank-you page or Canva guide after they book can set the stage for a premium experience.

Resources Mentioned:

• Dubsado* dubsado.com/?c=shoupcpa
• Watch the Full Tutorial: See the new 3.0 interface in action over at youtube.com/@ambitiousbookkeeper.
• Dubsado Decoded: Our signature course co-created with Dubsado Specialist Kendra Courtney. Get your firm's proposals, contracts, and workflows set up correctly the first time. dubsadodecoded.com
• Free Audio Series: Want more tips on streamlining your bookkeeping business? Listen to our free series here: ambitiousbookkeeper.com/ddpodcast
• Dubsado Decoded for Bookkeepers & Accountants: dubsadodecoded.com

*Affiliate link

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I've been getting this question for years, and since I'm now on YouTube and Xero keeps rolling out new features, it was time to give this topic a serious refresh. In this episode, I'm breaking down all the reasons why I am a hundred percent Xero firm and why I genuinely love this software. This is not sponsored (but yes, please use my affiliate link!). I'm just a bookkeeper who has seen what a mess the alternative can create, and I want you to understand what you could have instead.

In this episode you’ll hear:

• Why Xero's security and data integrity controls make it the smarter choice over QBO
• How Xero's reporting structure saves us massive time across our entire client roster
• The efficiency tools and automations that let us simplify pricing and serve high-volume clients without penalty
• The invoicing features and included extras that QBO actually charges you for (yes, really)

Resources mentioned in this episode:

• Xero Partner Program (Affiliate Link): https://xeroamericas.partnerlinks.io/79afz10exu7d
• Relay Banking (Affiliate Link): https://relayfi.com?referralcode=ShoupCPA
• GoCardless (Affiliate Link): https://manage.gocardless.com/refer/us/serena/ygvg9o-amz

Videos linked in this episode:

• Xero | Modifying Chart of Accounts: https://youtu.be/NHZLjYx2FQw
• Xero | Reconcile Bank Accounts Pt 1: Match, Create, Transfer: https://youtu.be/D9CYOuAydac
• Xero | Reconcile Bank Accounts Pt2: Reconcile Period: https://youtu.be/5fnwMC_QUo0
• Hubdoc | Audit-Proof Your Business: https://youtu.be/vzSrPZOSJ3o

Thanks for listening. If this episode inspired you in some way, take a screenshot of you listening on your device and post it to your Instagram stories and tag me @ambitiousbookkeeper

For more information about the Ambitious Bookkeeper Podcast or interest in our programs or mentoring visit our resources below:

• Visit our website: https://www.ambitiousbookkeeper.com
• Follow me on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ambitiousbookkeeper
• Connect on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ambitiousbookkeeper
• Connect on Threads: https://www.threads.net/@ambitiousbookkeeper
• Connect on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/serenashoupcpa

Thank you for your support of our show. If you haven’t left a review yet it’s super simple. Please go to ambitiousbookkeeper.com/podcast and leave your review.

Podcast Publishing Tools we use:

• Editing → Sabr Media LLC: https://www.iangilliam.com/sabr-media-llc
• Descript: https://get.descript.com/u7lubkx09073 (affiliate link)
• Buzzsprout: https://www.buzzsprout.com/?referrer_id=1753696 (affiliate link)

Join the next free training >

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This is a podcast update & what to expect here on the podcast for the month of April!

Check out this week’s YouTube Video >>

• The New Xero Partner Hub

Thanks for listening. If this episode inspired you in some way, take a screenshot of you listening on your device and post it to your Instagram stories and tag me @ambitiousbookkeeper

For more information about the Ambitious Bookkeeper Podcast or interest in our programs or mentoring visit our resources below:

• Visit our website: https://www.ambitiousbookkeeper.com
• Follow me on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ambitiousbookkeeper
• Connect on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ambitiousbookkeeper
• Connect on Threads: https://www.threads.net/@ambitiousbookkeeper
• Connect on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/serenashoupcpa

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This one is a little different. One day in February I decided to vlog my day.. a sort of behind the scenes of my day. I wasn’t sure what I was going to use this footage for. And then… I was inspired a couple weeks ago (by the time this comes out) to write another BTS Newsletter. The two are **completely unrelated in topics—** combining the voice over of my Newsletter (unfiltered thoughts combined with a little education + provoking thoughts) with my random vlogging day.

I hope you enjoy… make sure you watch it on YouTube for the full effect.

In this episode you’ll hear:

• The audio version of Vol. 7. No more arbitrary price increases
• Audio of my check ins through out the day

WATCH ON YOUTUBE FOR THE FULL EXPERIENCE → subscribe while you’re there.

Subscribe to the Newsletter. I don’t sell in them. They are my own personal thoughts and musings as I build & grow my businesses. There will be typos. Half the time, I write them from my phone. Right when inspiration hits.

Thanks for listening. If this episode inspired you in some way, take a screenshot of you listening on your device and post it to your Instagram stories and tag me @ambitiousbookkeeper

For more information about the Ambitious Bookkeeper Podcast or interest in our programs or mentoring visit our resources below:

• Visit our website: https://www.ambitiousbookkeeper.com
• Follow the Blog: https://www.ambitiousbookkeeper.com/blog
• Connect on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ambitiousbookkeeper
• Connect on Threads: https://www.threads.net/@ambitiousbookkeeper
• Connect on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/serenashoupcpa

Thank you for your support of our show. If you haven’t left a review yet it’s super simple. Please go to ambitiousbookkeeper.com/podcast and leave your review.

Podcast Publishing Tools we use:

• Editing → Sabr Media LLC: https://www.iangilliam.com/sabr-media-llc
• Descript: https://get.descript.com/u7lubkx09073 (affiliate link)
• Buzzsprout: https://www.buzzsprout.com/?referrer_id=1753696 (affiliate link)

Join the next free training >

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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 you’ll hear:

• How JAX works inside Xero
• What security and data privacy measures are in place
• How the auto bank reconciliation feature works
• How JAX can look up vendor information from the web while you're coding transactions
• How to use JAX to create invoices, pull up open invoices, and even build quotes

Resources mentioned in this episode:

• Xero :https://xeroamericas.partnerlinks.io/79afz10exu7d
• JAX Article: https://central.xero.com/s/article/About-Just-Ask-Xero-JAX-AU
• Xero’s data commitment: https://www.xero.com/us/data/
• Xero Playlist → https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLvpVbZsrj-tXq1nN53z162JbTwGeH3GPf

Thanks for listening. If this episode inspired you in some way, take a screenshot of you listening on your device and post it to your Instagram stories and tag me @ambitiousbookkeeper

For more information about the Ambitious Bookkeeper Podcast or interest in our programs or mentoring visit our resources below:

• Visit our website: https://www.ambitiousbookkeeper.com
• Follow the Blog: https://www.ambitiousbookkeeper.com/blog
• Connect on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ambitiousbookkeeper
• Connect on Threads: https://www.threads.net/@ambitiousbookkeeper
• Connect on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/serenashoupcpa

Thank you for your support of our show. If you haven’t left a review yet it’s super simple. Please go to ambitiousbookkeeper.com/podcast and leave your review.

Podcast Publishing Tools we use:

• Editing → Sabr Media LLC: https://www.iangilliam.com/sabr-media-llc
• Descript: https://get.descript.com/u7lubkx09073 (affiliate link)
• Buzzsprout: https://www.buzzsprout.com/?referrer_id=1753696 (affiliate link)

Join The Bookkeeping Business Accelerator-VIP before March 17th >> https://www.ambitiousbookkeeper.com/vip

Join the Meet The Coaches + BBA Info Session | March 12 @ 4PM Pacific >> https://evt.to/d1qq02b8xjl4

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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, honest conversation about what it actually takes to build a bookkeeping business, how AI is changing our industry (but not in the way you might fear), and what's in store for this cohort.

In this episode you’ll hear:

• The big announcement
• Erin's origin story
• AI in bookkeeping
• And more!

Resources mentioned in this episode:

• Bookkeeping Business Accelerator (BBA): https://www.ambitiousbookkeeper.com/vip
• Ambitious Bookkeeper Bookkeeping Biz Workshops: https://www.ambitiousbookkeeper.com/workshops
• Xero: https://xeroamericas.partnerlinks.io/79afz10exu7d
• QuickBooks Online: https://www.referquickbooks.com/s/Serena4
• Workflow Queen / Alyssa Lang: https://www.workflowqueen.com

Meet Erin

As Founder of UpKeeping® and a proud student in The Ambitious Bookkeeper community, Erin is changing the old & boring stereotypes of the accounting industry. Erin and her team support new entrepreneurs and already-established small business owners by being their #1 financial cheerleader/concierge/communicator.

When she’s not trying to make accounting more “fun”, Erin loves traveling the world with her family, playing the violin, and convincing accounting students & professionals that owning an accounting firm is the American dream.

Connect with Erin

👥 Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erinpohan/

📱 Instagram: @upkeeping.co

Thanks for listening. If this episode inspired you in some way, take a screenshot of you listening on your device and post it to your Instagram stories and tag me @ambitiousbookkeeper

For more information about the Ambitious Bookkeeper Podcast or interest in our programs or mentoring visit our resources below:

• Visit our website: https://www.ambitiousbookkeeper.com
• Follow the Blog: https://www.ambitiousbookkeeper.com/blog
• Connect on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ambitiousbookkeeper
• Connect on Threads: https://www.threads.net/@ambitiousbookkeeper
• Connect on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/serenashoupcpa

Thank you for your support of our show. If you haven’t left a review yet it’s super simple. Please go to ambitiousbookkeeper.com/podcast and leave your review.

Podcast Publishing Tools we use:

• Editing → Sabr Media LLC

Join The Bookkeeping Business Accelerator-VIP before March 17th >> https://www.ambitiousbookkeeper.com/vip

Join the Meet The Coaches + BBA Info Session | March 12 @ 4PM Pacific >> https://evt.to/d1qq02b8xjl4

Send a text

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 firm
• Pricing, scope creep, and tough money conversations
• Finding your first five clients
• Onboarding process

Resources mentioned in this episode:

• Bookkeeping Biz Workshops: https://www.ambitiousbookkeeper.com/workshops
• Onboarding Templates Freebie: https://www.ambitiousbookkeeper.com/onboarding
• Elevate: https://www.ambitiousbookkeeper.com/elevate
• Bookkeeping Business Accelerator: https://www.ambitiousbookkeeper.com/bba
• Effortless Client Requests: workflowqueen.com
• Become a Bookkeeper: https://www.katieferro.com/a/38894/2PQNgtvv
• Dubsado Decoded: https://kendracourtney.com/dubsado-decoded/
• Akadian QBO: https://fastandeasyqbo.samcart.com/referral/qbo-basic/8Duca0gOuAg8wpjF
• Bookkeeper Launch: https://sk293.isrefer.com/go/BLFS/SS64/

Affiliate Links

• Xero: https://xeroamericas.partnerlinks.io/79afz10exu7d
• QuickBooks Online: https://www.referquickbooks.com/s/Serena4
• Dubsado: https://www.dubsado.com/?c=shoupcpa
• Gusto: https://gusto.com/r/1bjHm
• Content Snare: https://contentsnare.com/#_r_serena58
• Clockify: https://clockify.me/?fpr=qyebl2

Thanks for listening. If this episode inspired you in some way, take a screenshot of you listening on your device and post it to your Instagram stories and tag me @ambitiousbookkeeper

For more information about the Ambitious Bookkeeper Podcast or interest in our programs or mentoring visit our resources below:

• Visit our website: https://www.ambitiousbookkeeper.com
• Follow the Blog: https://www.ambitiousbookkeeper.com/blog
• Connect on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ambitiousbookkeeper
• Connect on Threads: https://www.threads.net/@ambitiousbookkeeper
• Connect on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/serenashoupcpa

Thank you for your support of our show. If you haven’t left a review yet it’s super simple. Please go to ambitiousbookkeeper.com/podcast and leave your review.

Podcast Publi

Join The Bookkeeping Business Accelerator-VIP before March 17th >> https://www.ambitiousbookkeeper.com/vip

Join the Meet The Coaches + BBA Info Session | March 12 @ 4PM Pacific >> https://evt.to/d1qq02b8xjl4

Send us Fan Mail

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 planning
• Tech stack essentials
• Hiring and leading your first employee
• Pricing strategies for startups and special situations

Resources mentioned in this episode:

• Xero: https://xeroamericas.partnerlinks.io/79afz10exu7d
• QuickBooks Online: https://www.referquickbooks.com/s/Serena4
• Become a Bookkeeper by Katie Farrow: https://www.katieferro.com/a/38894/2PQNgtvv
• Risk Desk by Jock Walls at https://www.myriskdesk.com
• Dubsado: https://www.dubsado.com/?c=shoupcpa
• Google Workspace: https://referworkspace.app.goo.gl/Xo4G
• TaxJar, Anrok, Hubdoc

• "Make 'Em Beg to Work for You" by Dr. Angela E. Lauria
• "Teamwork" by Natalie Dawson

• Bookkeeping Business Accelerator: https://www.ambitiousbookkeeper.com/bba
• Elevate: https://www.ambitiousbookkeeper.com/elevate
• Confident Compliance Bundle: https://www.ambitiousbookkeeper.com/offers/tgPgMBJ7
• Workflow Queen's Breakthrough Program: https://serenashoup.krtra.com/t/IKUxtNZoz7lF
• Dubsado Decoded: https://kendracourtney.com/dubsado-decoded/
• QBO Gym: https://fastandeasyqbo.samcart.com/referral/GymChallenge/8Duca0gOuAg8wpjF

Thanks for listening. If this episode inspired you in some way, take a screenshot of you listening on your device and post it to your Instagram stories and tag me @ambitiousbookkeeper

For more information about the Ambitious Bookkeeper Podcast or interest in our programs or mentoring visit our resources below:

• Visit our website: https://www.ambitiousbookkeeper.com
• Follow the Blog: https://www.ambitiousbookkeeper.com/blog
• Connect on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ambitiousbookkeeper
• Connect on Threads: https://www.threads.net/@ambitiousbookkeeper
• Connect on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/serenashoupcpa

Thank you for your support of our show. If you haven’t left a review yet it’s super simple. Please go to ambitiousbookkeeper.com/podcast and leave your review.

Podcast Publishing Tools we use:

• Editing → Sabr Media LLC: https://www.iangilliam.com/sabr-media-llc
• Descript: https://get.descript.com/u7lubkx09073 (affiliate link)
• Buzzsprout: