From Bookkeeper to Business Builder w/ Rebecca Howell

Building the Premier Accounting Firm

In this episode, Universal Accounting President and host Roger Knecht sits down with Rebecca Howell to explore her transformative journey in the accounting industry. From a passion for math to a thriving 20-year career in bookkeeping, Rebecca’s story is one of growth, adaptation, and strategic transition that we in the industry can relate to and learn from.

Key Highlights:

• Early Beginnings and Business Growth:

• Rebecca’s love for numbers propelled her into bookkeeping, supporting small businesses and entrepreneurs.

• Launching her own firm in 2003, she expanded her client base significantly, aided by Intuit’s proadvisor program.

• Adapting to Industry Changes:

• As Intuit shifted to offering its own services, Rebecca refocused on building long-term client relationships and empowering her team, resulting in impressive growth from 40 clients in 2019 to over 200 by 2022.

• Leadership and Personal Challenges:

• Facing challenges in leadership and team dynamics, Rebecca hired a business coach to enhance communication.

• They discuss how the stress of being the sole tax preparer took a toll on her health, leading to the sale of her business for personal well-being.

• Identity and Purpose Reflection:

• Letting go of tax clients led to an identity crisis and a reevaluation of her purpose beyond business ownership.

• Rebecca underscores the importance of a sustainable business model and early exit strategy planning.

• Transition to New Roles:

• Finding fulfillment in transitioning from a fractional CFO to exit planning, Rebecca advocates for prioritizing profit, inspired by the book “Profit First.”

• Entrepreneurial Advice:

• Rebecca emphasizes the necessity of early exit strategy planning, comparing business maintenance to caring for a home or vehicle.

• Her journey highlights the balance between work and personal life, with a strong support network playing a crucial role.

• Reassessing Priorities: The discussion encourages listeners to reassess their priorities, learn to say no, and leverage resources like podcasts and conferences for continued professional development.

Rebecca’s journey is a testament to the power of passion, a supportive network, and a strong work ethic in navigating the challenges and opportunities within the accounting field. If you’d like to follow Rebecca’s footsteps toward building your own accounting firm, reach out to Universal Accounting Center at 435-344-4060 to learn how.

Sponsors:

Universal Accounting Center

• Helping accounting professionals confidently and competently offer quality accounting services to get paid what they are worth.

Offers: Offering a free business valuation https://exitsuccess.bizequity.com/

Get a FREE copy of these books all accounting professionals should use to work on their business and become profitable. These are a must-have addition to every accountant’s library to provide quality CFO & Advisory services as a Profit & Growth Expert today:

• “Red to BLACK in 30 days – A small business accountant’s guide to QUICK turnarounds” – This is a how-to guide on how to turn around a struggling business into a more sustainable model. Each chapter focuses on a crucial aspect of the turnaround process - from cash flow management to strategies for improving revenue. This book will teach you everything you need to become a turnaround expert for small businesses.

• “in the BLACK, nine principles to make your business profitable” – Nine Principles to Make Your Business Profitable – Discover what you need to know to run the premier accounting firm and get paid what you are worth in this book, by the same author as Red to Black – CPA Allen B. Bostrom. Bostrom teaches the three major functions of business (marketing, production and accounting) as well as strategies for maximizing profitability for your clients by creating actionable plans to implement the nine principles.

• “Your Strategic Accountant” - Understand the 3 Core Accounting Services (CAS - Client Accounting Services) you should offer as you run your business. Help your clients understand which numbers they need to know to make more informed business decisions.

• “Your Profit & Growth Expert” - Your business is an asset. You should know its value and understand how to maximize it. Beginning with the end in mind helps you work ON your business to build a company you can leave so that it can continue to exist in your absence or build wealth as you retire and enjoy the time, freedom, and life you want and deserve.

Follow the Turnkey Business plan for accounting professionals. This is the proven process to start and build the premier accounting firm in your area. After more than 40 years we’ve identified the best practices of successful accountants and this is a presentation we are happy to share.

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Check it out and see what you can do to be in business for yourself but not by yourself with Universal Accounting Center. It’s here you can become a:

• Professional Bookkeeper, PB

• Professional Tax Preparer, PTP

• Profit & Growth Expert, PGE

Next, join a group of like-minded professionals within the accounting community. Register to attend GrowCon and Stay up-to-date on current topics and trends and see what you can do to also give back, participating in relevant conversations as they relate to offering quality accounting services and building your bookkeeping, accounting & tax business.

• The Accounting & Bookkeeping Tips Facebook Group

• The Universal Accounting Fanpage

• Topical Newsletters:

• Universal Accounting Success

• The Universal Newsletter

Lastly, get your Business Score to see what you can do to work ON your business and have the Premier Accounting Firm. Join over 70,000 business owners and get your score on the 8 Factors That Drive Your Company’s Value.

For Additional FREE Resources for accounting professionals check out this collection HERE!

Be sure to join us for GrowCon, the LIVE event for accounting professionals to work ON their business. This is a conference you don’t want to miss.

Remember this, Accounting Success IS Universal.

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For more information on how you can apply these principles to start and build your accounting, bookkeeping & tax business please visit us at www.universalaccountingschool.com or call us at 8012653777