Issue #20 - 20 Reasons We're Thankful for You 🍗
[EXCLUSIVE] Inside the adventurous life of Mike Sylvester (submarines, traveling 37 countries and running a firm)
Welcome to "Get Work Done," where we discuss the complexities of efficiently running accounting and bookkeeping firms. Brought to you by Financial Cents and delivered to your inbox every 2 weeks.
Small change, big difference
Picture this: It’s a typical Tuesday morning at your accounting firm. A client calls, urgently needing an update on their latest financials. You promise to get back to them ASAP. Easy, right?
Not so fast.
You dive into your email inbox, only to find 17 different threads about this client. Each one has attachments named “final_final_v2” and “updated_draft_3.” Next, you open the project management tool, hoping for clarity, but it only points you toward a spreadsheet that’s “shared” but somehow not shared with you. Meanwhile, your teammate is texting, saying they’ve updated the numbers, but where? Who knows!
By the time you finish The Great Data Treasure Hunt, you’re exhausted, the client is impatient, and the day feels like it’s been hijacked. Sound familiar?
Now imagine a different scenario: The same client calls, and instead of a frantic treasure hunt, you open one central system. Everything you need—emails, financials, notes, even the latest updates from your team—is there, neatly organized and ready to go.
This magical tool is called a Single Source of Truth (SSOT).
An SSOT is a centralized, reliable system where all important client data is stored, updated, and managed. It ensures that your team always works from the same, most accurate, and up-to-date information.
Here’s how to implement a Single Source of Truth (SSOT) for your firm.
Communities 🫶
The CFO Project
Discover how to grow your practice in 2025 through CFO Advisory services
Finally, escape the accountant's trap (of trading time for money) and join the hundreds of other financial professionals who have transitioned to offering high-ticket CFO Advisory services.
Date: Friday, December 6th at 2 pm ET | 11 am PT
EOY Workflow Reset Series
3 One-hour Workshops + 1 Workflow Therapy Session
Join the EOY Workflow Reset Series, a free 4-part event designed to help you streamline processes, build a winning tech stack, and improve client engagement workflows in 2025. Learn from real firm owners, get free, actionable templates, and find support in an intimate workflow therapy session. Starts December 10—don’t miss out!
H🔥t today
20 Things We're Grateful for About Accountants
You bring order to chaos.
Accountants take messy books and turn them into structured, meaningful reports.You keep businesses compliant.
Without accountants, tax laws, payroll rules, and financial regulations would overwhelm most business owners.You’re financial therapists.
Accountants often double as trusted advisors, providing calm and clarity during financial stress.You’re detail-driven superheroes.
Their ability to spot inconsistencies and errors saves businesses from costly mistakes.You love to learn.
Accountants stay on top of ever-changing tax codes, software updates, and industry trends.You empower business owners.
With your expertise, accountants help entrepreneurs make better decisions and scale their businesses.You work magic under deadlines.
Tax season, year-end reporting, and audits—accountants deliver results even under pressure.You’re masters of multitasking.
From managing clients to balancing deadlines, accountants juggle it all seamlessly.You simplify the complex.
Explaining financial statements and tax laws in plain English is a true skill.You build trust.
Accountants are the backbone of transparency and trust in financial reporting.You care about your clients.
Accountants go above and beyond to ensure their clients succeed, often working overtime to meet their needs.You make taxes less terrifying.
For many, accountants turn the dread of tax season into manageable—and even positive—experiences.You advocate for small businesses.
Accountants help small businesses navigate challenges and thrive in competitive markets.You adapt to change.
Whether it’s new technology or unexpected challenges, accountants are resilient and innovative.You make data-driven decisions possible.
Accountants ensure businesses have accurate, actionable insights to guide their strategies.You are ethical guardians.
Accountants uphold integrity and ensure financial accuracy and compliance.You foster community.
Through collaboration and mentorship, accountants support each other and elevate the profession.You’re problem solvers.
No challenge is too big or too complex—they tackle it head-on with logic and precision.You save businesses money.
Accountants uncover tax-saving opportunities and inefficiencies to maximize profits.You make growth possible.
By standardizing processes and implementing workflows, accountants enable businesses to scale confidently.
To all our accountant friends out there: Thank you for your dedication, expertise, and the positive impact you make every day. We’re thankful for you this Thanksgiving and every day!
Swipe this workflow template
Swipe this free checklist template for an individual 1040 return by Nick Boscia EA.
Meme
Relatable?
Noteworthy
Mike Sylvester’s Time on a Nuclear Submarine, Traveling to 37 Countries, Running a Successful CPA Firm and The Collaboration Room
“Why did I pick submarines?”
Mike Sylvester laughs, leaning back as if surprised by his life story.
Honestly, I have no idea. It was probably William Shatner's video about nuclear power as the "final frontier" that made me fall for it.
And so began the journey of a man going from depths below the polar ice to building SBS CPA Group and leading a thriving community of accountants through The Collaboration Room.
Mike’s life has been anything but ordinary.
Financial Cents recently spoke with him, and he shared the motivations behind all his adventures and how he keeps work in check.
Happy Thanksgiving, Friends 💚,
