Issue #28 - This is the Mindset Shift You Need
Old rules don’t build modern firms
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 Results
Nick Boscia, CPA, is currently on vacation in Japan.
He's probably walking through a bamboo forest or sipping sake with zero thoughts about backlogs or client emails, putting the “balance” in TheBalancedCPA, as we all know him, and that's exactly the point.
Somewhere along the line, too many accountants were sold the idea that long hours equal dedication; that you have to grind through work to earn your stripes.
The freedom from constant exhaustion and confusion is achievable, and it starts by ditching the hustle culture mindset and rethinking how your firm operates.
Dawn Brolin, CFE, owner of Powerful Accounting, has been on both sides of the equation. She knows what it takes to break the cycle, and she’s not sugarcoating it. Her perspective might just be the push you need to start building a firm that actually works for you.
Community 🫶
Join the Talk Nerdy To Me Community
Looking for a space where accounting pros actually talk strategy, systems, and scaling without the fluff?
Talk Nerdy To Me is a new kind of community for accountants and bookkeepers who want to ditch hourly billing, build smarter firms, and connect with others doing the same. They’ve got exclusive resources, Monthly Notion Labs Call, twice-weekly calls (97 & Up members only), and real conversations that help you level up, not burn out.
Ready to see what all the nerdy hype is about?
Elevate Your CAS Practice with Infinite Ties
Client Advisory Services (CAS) is the fastest-growing revenue stream in accounting, but many CAS professionals lack formal CAS-specific training.
This is where Infinite Ties fills that gap.
The Infinite Ties CAS Community is built by and for CAS professionals. From cutting-edge tech, practical tools and templates, or a community that truly understands your work, Infinite Ties is your go-to resource for all things CAS.
You get exclusive access to curated resources, weekly expert training, CAS-centric vendor corner, and a vibrant peer-to-peer forum designed to drive growth, scalability, and meaningful impact.
Just $99/month for up to 5 members of your CAS team.
H🔥t today
The AI Bar Keeps Getting Higher
Two days ago, Google shared some progress (100 updates by the way) that they've been making with AI at their annual Google I/O event.
Google's announcements were incremental and transformative, ranging from AI that can generate entire videos complete with synchronized audio to assistants that can autonomously navigate the web on your behalf.
One standout update was Project Mariner, an AI agent born out of Google DeepMind that performs complex tasks online, like apartment hunting or booking tickets, without human intervention. This is a glimpse into a future where AI doesn't just assist but acts.
So, what does this mean for you?
It's time to re-evaluate how your firm operates, serves clients, and stays competitive. The AI bar is higher now, and rising.
1079 Attendees, 8 Speakers, 1 Goal: To Build Smarter, Tech-Driven Firms
There’s a contagious energy that flows when there are like-minded and curious people in the room. Even virtually, you could feel it.
Over 1,000 attendees showed up at the Accounting AI and Automation Summit, ready to challenge the status quo, rethink old systems, and lean into what’s next for accounting.
The sessions were packed, the chat was buzzing, ideas flowed, and the speakers held nothing back, but one moment in particular stole the show.
Ryan Lazanis was slated to speak, but weeks before the event, he suffered a concussion. Most people would’ve had to bow out. Ryan didn’t. Instead, he sent his AI clone.
Seriously.
Ryan created an AI clone of himself (which fits into his topic) to deliver the entire presentation. It sounded like him and hit every point he wanted to share, well, with him in the background.
It was weirdly impressive and a perfect real-world example of how AI can extend your capabilities instead of replacing them. It turned a setback into a breakthrough moment and drove home that this technology isn’t just for show. It’s here, and it’s useful.
That theme ran through every talk with practical ways to work better, not harder. Tools that save you time without sacrificing quality and a clear reminder that when you bring together people who want to build better firms, big things happen.
If you missed it, the full replay is ready.
Swipe this workflow template
Swipe Greg Scholten's Accounting Onboarding Free Workflow Template.
Get more templates from firm owners like you in our community template library.
Meme
Relatable?
Events
📍 AICPA ENGAGE – June 9–12 (Las Vegas, NV)
One of the biggest events in the profession, AICPA ENGAGE, is where accounting leaders go to sharpen their skills, explore new technologies, and network with peers. With sessions on everything from tax strategy to practice management to AI, it’s a must-attend for anyone serious about leveling up.
📍 Scaling New Heights – June 22-25 (Orlando)
We’ve been to this conference twice (once in 2023 and again in 2024), and we’re heading back this year as proud sponsors because it’s one of the best places to learn, connect, and walk away with real strategies to grow your firm.
This year’s theme, “Make It So,” will focus on accounting technology, AI, automation, advisory services, and firm growth strategies. You’ll hear from top industry experts, gain practical insights you can apply immediately, and connect with professionals who face the same challenges and goals as you.
Which event are you looking forward to?
Noteworthy
How Yuri Kapilovich, CPA, Brings His Fun Personality to Accounting
Some people stumble into their destinies as if led by a thread of fate.
Yuri Kapilovich is one of them.
Not because he plotted out each milestone with ironic mathematical precision for a CPA, but because he dared to be wholly himself in a world that often prizes conformity, and the world noticed.
You may know him as #TheFunCPA, Managing Partner of Kapilovich & Associates, LLC, the smiling face on your LinkedIn feed, talking about taxes, clients, and life.
Financial Cents recently spoke with him, and what followed was not an interview but the kind that wanders freely through memory, pausing at stories long buried and laughter that rises without warning.
Want to Lead Better? Don't Overcomplicate It
Based on the Harvard Business Review article by Lisa Zigarmi and Stella Grizont
Have you been overestimating the value of advice-giving in leadership and underestimating the impact of simply being present?
Lisa Zigarmi and Stella Grizont's argument is grounded in a concept called attunement, which is less about solving the problem in front of you and more about being fully present with the person experiencing it. That means listening without jumping in, keeping your attention from drifting, and offering validation rather than immediate fixes.
For accounting and bookkeeping firm owners, your team doesn’t always need more tools or tighter SOPs. Sometimes, they need to feel seen. Clients also value empathy over technical answers, especially when they're feeling overwhelmed or financially exposed.
TL;DR: When deadlines mount and capacity shrinks, the instinct is to push harder or fix faster. However, the firms that thrive long-term are often led by people who know how to pause, tune in, and respond with clarity, not just solutions.
Until Next Time,
