Podcast
The Practicing Accountant
Hosted by The Practicing Accountant · EN
Welcome to "The Practicing Accountant," the podcast dedicated to firm owners navigating the complexities of running a modern accounting practice. Whether you've been in the game for a decade or are just starting out, our candid conversations, insightful strategies, and real-world advice are here to guide you.
Join us for casual yet impactful discussions where we dive deep into the issues that matter most—pricing, scaling, capacity, burnout, and the ever-challenging tax seasons. Expect a bit of banter, some cussing, and a lot of honesty as we explore how to build a firm that not only thrives b
20episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Turning a Tax Practice into an Advisory Business (Live Coaching)
Jun 2500:35:24Tap to summarize68. In this live coaching session, Doug sits down with Kisha Shabazz, CPA, who just wrapped her first full tax season after leaving corporate America. With 85 clients under her belt, Kisha is now facing the next challenge: how to transition into an advisory model that brings year-round value and pricing power without getting overwhelmed.We talk through packaging, pricing, onboarding, and the mindset shifts required to evolve from tax preparer to trusted advisor. If you're sitting on a book of business and wondering how to go from reactive to intentional, this one’s for you.🔗 Connect with Kisha:Website: futurefinancialdesign.comLinkedIn: Kisha Shabazz, CPA@futurefinancialdesign on Facebook, TikTok, and Instagram🎙 Want live coaching on the podcast?Apply at www.thepracticingaccountant.com/podcast
Transcribe →From Burnout to Niche Authority: Andrew Hunzicker on Cannabis Accounting
Jun 1800:41:50Tap to summarize67. In this episode of The Practicing Accountant, Doug sits down with Andrew Hunzicker, CPA and founder of DOPE CFO, to unpack how he turned an unexpected niche—cannabis accounting—into a thriving business and national movement.Andrew shares how he went from burnout in oil & gas to becoming a leading expert in one of the fastest-growing, underserved industries in the U.S. They discuss niching, pricing power, the looming federal legalization of cannabis, and how AI is reshaping low-value work.Whether you’re stuck in the generalist grind or thinking about pivoting to a niche with serious upside, this episode shows what’s possible when you go deep, not wide.Learn more about Andrew at www.dopecfo.com, email him directly at andrew@dopecfo.comor follow him on Instagram HEREMore episodes and resources at www.thepracticingaccountant.com
Transcribe →If You Had $10K to Improve Your Firm… What Would You Actually Do?
Jun 900:18:03Tap to summarize66. In this episode of The Practicing Accountant, Doug and Dan go back and forth on one simple—but powerful—thought experiment: if you had $10,000 to spend on your firm, how would you use it? They cover options that increase client quality, free up your time, strengthen your team, and boost your long-term marketing power. From firing a toxic client to hosting a niche event or investing in a badass assistant, this episode explores real ways to grow a better firm with intentional choices—not just more hustle.Want the simplest path to pricing power and fewer clients?Grab the free guide at www.thepracticingaccountant.com/vbp
Transcribe →Why More Clients Isn’t the Goal — And What to Focus on Instead
Jun 2, 202500:13:47Tap to summarize65. Dan and Doug unpack the dangerous obsession with client volume and why it’s time to stop measuring success by how many people you serve. From Facebook group hot takes to real-world stories, they explore why having fewer, better clients leads to more freedom, better margins, and a business that actually serves you.Doug shares how one firm owner created pricing power by packaging services, setting boundaries, and building a business on his terms. Plus: what Baskin-Robbins, hot dogs, and value-based pricing have in common.If you're stuck in the volume game, this is your permission to get out.🎯 Free value pricing guide: thepracticingaccountant.com/vbp
Transcribe →What I’d Tell Myself If I Were Starting My Firm Today
May 23, 202500:13:34Tap to summarizeEpisode 64: Over half of today’s accountants dream of starting their own firm—and nearly 80% of Gen Z accountants do too. But most new firm owners hit the same walls early on: pricing confusion, unclear offers, and the myth that you must “niche from day one.” In this episode, Doug and Dan reflect on what they'd do differently (and what they did right) in the early days of their firms. They share advice for new firm owners—like how to land early clients without getting stuck in bad pricing, when to niche, and why founder pricing might be the fastest path to pricing power.✅ Free guide: How to set pricing that grows with you — thepracticingaccountant.com/vbp
Transcribe →The Easiest Way to Get New Clients Without Running Ads or Cold Calling
May 19, 202500:10:41Tap to summarizeTired of chasing leads or pouring money into ads that don’t convert? This episode is all about co-firming—a simple, high-leverage strategy to get better clients by building referral relationships with other accounting firms. Doug and Dan break down what co-firming is, why it works (especially if you specialize), and how to put it into action this summer.If you're a bookkeeper, tax pro, or fractional CFO trying to grow your firm the smart way, don’t miss this conversation.🔗 Download our free value pricing guide: thepracticingaccountant.com/vbp
Transcribe →62. What Happens When Your Biggest Client Leaves?
May 12, 202500:18:53Tap to summarizeDoug and Dan dive into a powerful client case study about concentration risk—when too much of your firm’s revenue depends on one client. In this episode, you'll hear real-world stories from Doug's coaching work with firm owners who are navigating everything from losing major clients to rethinking their entire offer. The guys also unpack the problem with generic service lists, why too many firms ignore long-term planning, and how shifting your offer to focus on outcomes—not tasks—can help you stand out and grow smarter.👉 If you're ready to rethink your pricing and communicate real value, grab our free value pricing guide at thepracticingaccountant.com/vbp
Transcribe →61. Post-Busy Season Priorities: Where to Focus Next
May 6, 202500:23:35Tap to summarizeDoug’s been deep in it this week — coaching over a dozen accountants just days after the March 15th deadline. In this episode, he shares raw insights straight from the front lines: partner drama, people leaving to start firms, burnout, misaligned goals, and the surprising patterns showing up across firms of all sizes.We cover:Why partners are burning out and how staff are silently watching it unfoldThe post-deadline mistakes firms make that kill momentumWhy business development dials are stuck on zero when they should be heating upA contrarian take on AI: stop obsessing and start fixing your pricingThis episode is a wake-up call — not just to debrief the season, but to break the hamster wheel before next year’s hits.📘 Ready to take pricing seriously? Download our free value pricing guide at thepracticingaccountant.com/vbp
Transcribe →60. The Busy Season Is Over — Now It's Time to Build Your Dream Firm
Apr 28, 202500:25:22Tap to summarizeBusy season might be over, but the real work of building your firm starts now. In this episode, Doug and Dan talk about the hidden “aftershocks” of busy season — layoffs, client churn, and why now is the best time to crank up your business development dial.We dig into:Why “getting more clients” isn’t the real goal — it’s getting better clients.How networking (done right) can add ideal clients faster than social media.Where accountants are wasting time marketing (and what to do instead).Why intentional business development now creates pricing power later.Ready to build pricing power and future-proof your firm?👉 Download the free Value Pricing Guide here: thepracticingaccountant.com/vbp
Transcribe →59. Why Fewer Options Close More Deals: The Power of Two Packages
Apr 21, 202500:10:55Tap to summarizeWhat if offering fewer choices actually made clients say yes faster — and at higher prices? In this episode, Doug shares a real story of how cutting from three proposal options down to two led to better conversions, less confusion, and stronger positioning.We talk about how to make your value obvious, how to hold the line on pricing, and why “just dropping the price” is the fastest way to lose authority.🎯 Want to price with more confidence? Grab our free value pricing guide at thepracticingaccountant.com/vbp
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