In this episode of Accountants Law Pod, our hosts sit down with Emery Wager, from Confido Legal, a payment processing platform designed exclusively for law firms. Together, they explore the complex world of legal payments and how technology is reshaping the way firms manage transactions.

💡 What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

The origin story of Confido and how it’s grown into a trusted payment solution for law firms.
Why payment processing for attorneys comes with unique compliance and regulatory challenges.
How features like split payments, digital disbursements, and AI-supported fraud prevention give law firms an edge.
The role of cutting-edge security in protecting client funds. How client-focused design is simplifying billing and boosting firm efficiency.
A sneak peek into Confido’s future enhancements for the legal industry.

Whether you’re an accountant, bookkeeper, or attorney, this conversation sheds light on how payment innovation can reduce risk, improve compliance, and create a smoother client experience.

🎧 Tune in to hear Emery’s journey, the tech behind Confido, and practical insights for law firms navigating today’s financial landscape.

Resources from this episode:
Chargebacks for Law Firms
State By State Guide to Surcharging
State By State Guide to Disbursing Funds Electronically

00:32 Special Guest Introduction: Emery
01:10 Emery's Background and Confido Legal
04:02 Client-Focused Approach and Customer Service
08:19 Navigating Payment Processing for Law Firms
12:39 Challenges and Solutions in Payment Systems
17:22 Fraud Prevention and Security Measures
19:42 Innovations in Payment Processing
26:56 Discussing Pricing and Payment Collection
27:33 Evergreen Retainers in Family Law
28:27 Weekly Billing Practices
28:52 Merchant Services and Fees
35:07 Security and Fraud Prevention
43:55 Future of AI in Legal Payments

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Find us on YouTube as well!

If you have questions, topic requests, or guest suggestions you can email us at info@accountantslawpod.com or send us a message through our website, www.accountantslawpod.com

If you want to join us in the Accountants Law Lab, visit our website at www.accountantslawlab.com to sign up!

If you want to follow along with Steve’s airstream adventures, as well as Accountants Law Pod updates, be sure to follow us on instagram at Accountants Law Pod.

Accountants Law Pod is hosted by Lynda Artesani, Sarah Prevost, and Steve Libhart and directed/produced by Teaira Burge and The Proper Trust. Music by ComaStudio from Pixabay - Edited by audiovideo_uk

Disclaimer: The content presented in this podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as legal, financial, or professional advice.

Understanding Advanced Client Costs: A Deep Dive

In this episode of the Accountants Law Pod, Sarah and Steve unpack the complexities of advanced client costs (ACC) in law firms.

💡 What You’ll Learn:
The difference between hard costs vs. soft costs
Best practices for categorizing and recording expenses
IRS guidelines every firm should know
Internal controls to prevent costly mistakes
Why communication between attorneys, paralegals, accountants, and tax preparers is key

Whether you’re a seasoned professional or just getting started in legal accounting, this episode will help you manage ACC with clarity, compliance, and confidence.

01:01 Advanced Client Costs Overview
01:47 Handling Advanced Client Costs
03:40 Soft vs. Hard Costs
05:18 Tax Implications and Best Practices
15:00 Internal Controls and Approval Processes
17:51 Common Mistakes and Pitfalls

Be sure to subscribe for more episodes!
Find us on YouTube as well!

If you have questions, topic requests, or guest suggestions you can email us at info@accountantslawpod.com or send us a message through our website, www.accountantslawpod.com

If you want to join us in the Accountants Law Lab, visit our website at www.accountantslawlab.com to sign up!

Accountants Law Pod is hosted by Lynda Artesani, Sarah Prevost, and Steve Libhart and directed/produced by Teaira Burge and The Proper Trust. Music by ComaStudio from Pixabay - Edited by audiovideo_uk

Disclaimer: The content presented in this podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as legal, financial, or professional advice.

Discover the pros and cons of alternative banking for law firms—compliance, FDIC, service, and tips to choose the right fit.

02:04 Introduction to Alternative Banking Options
02:36 Experiences with Non-Brick-and-Mortar Banks
03:19 Trust Accounting and Bar Requirements
04:05 Benefits and Drawbacks of Online Banks
06:06 Security and FDIC Insurance
12:58 Customer Service and Jurisdictional Rules
14:58 Future of Banking and Changing Practices
17:07 Customer Service Challenges in Online Banking
17:42 Specialized Banking for Lawyers
18:40 Relay Bank and Employee Credit Cards
21:40 The Importance of Customer Service in Banking
24:06 Password Issues and Customer Service Frustrations

Be sure to subscribe for more episodes!
Find us on YouTube as well!

If you have questions, topic requests, or guest suggestions you can email us at info@accountantslawpod.com or send us a message through our website, www.accountantslawpod.com

If you want to join us in the Accountants Law Lab, visit our website at www.accountantslawlab.com to sign up!

If you want to follow along with Steve’s airstream adventures, as well as Accountants Law Pod updates, be sure to follow us on instagram at Accountants Law Pod.

Accountants Law Pod is hosted by Lynda Artesani, Sarah Prevost, and Steve Libhart and directed/produced by Teaira Burge and The Proper Trust. Music by ComaStudio from Pixabay - Edited by audiovideo_uk

Disclaimer: The content presented in this podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as legal, financial, or professional advice.

Join our hosts as they unpack the shift many law firms are making from QuickBooks Desktop to modern, cloud tools like QuickBooks Online. They cover why firms are moving, what makes migrations tricky (hello, legacy data), and how to plan a smooth cutover—without losing your audit trail or your mind.

You’ll learn:

Where Desktop falls short for today’s remote, integrated workflows
How to scope a migration (what history to keep, what to archive)
Data pitfalls to watch: corrupted files, class/job mapping, custom fields, IOLTA nuances, and attachment handling
A practical prep list: cleanup, cutover date, sandbox testing, and training
When to DIY vs. bring in a migration partner—and how to brief them

00:24 QuickBooks Desktop: A Legacy Software
01:15 Challenges with QuickBooks Desktop
02:34 Transitioning to QuickBooks Online
04:40 Data Migration Complexities
11:11 The Evolution of QuickBooks
14:32 A Troublesome QuickBooks File
14:56 The Importance of Data Backup
15:40 Community Knowledge Sharing
16:11 Challenges with Desktop and Online Integration
16:39 Migrating Data and Ensuring Accuracy
18:31 Starting Fresh with New Files
22:38 Converting to Different Ledger Systems

Be sure to subscribe for more episodes!
Find us on Spotify and Google Podcasts as well!

If you have questions, topic requests, or guest suggestions you can email us at info@accountantslawpod.com or send us a message through our website, www.accountantslawpod.com

If you want to join us in the Accountants Law Lab, visit our website at www.accountantslawlab.com to sign up!

If you want to follow along with Steve’s airstream adventures, as well as Accountants Law Pod updates, be sure to follow us on instagram at Accountants Law Pod.

Accountants Law Pod is hosted by Lynda Artesani, Sarah Prevost, and Steve Libhart and directed/produced by Teaira Burge and The Proper Trust. Music by ComaStudio from Pixabay - Edited by audiovideo_uk

Disclaimer: The content presented in this podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as legal, financial, or professional advice.

In this episode, Lynda, Sarah, and Steve dive deep into the nuanced world of hiring for law firms and accounting practices.

They explore essential questions like:

Should you hire a part-time contractor or a full-time employee?
How do you balance financial cost with cultural fit?
When is the right time to bring someone on board?

You’ll also hear a thoughtful discussion about:
The pros and cons of automation vs. human support
How to protect sensitive client data when outsourcing
Tips for creating a smooth and secure onboarding experience
Why treating employees like customers is the key to retention

Whether you’re expanding your firm or just beginning to build your team, this episode is packed with practical advice and real-world examples to help you make hiring decisions with confidence and clarity.

01:50 Smart Hiring for Law Firms
03:04 Challenges in Hiring and Delegation
06:11 Cost Considerations in Hiring
12:16 Contract vs. Direct Hire
15:25 Offshoring and International Hiring
17:16 Facing the Fear of Hiring
18:01 The Importance of Cultural Fit
18:58 Contract vs. Full-Time Hiring
21:54 Challenges of Global Hiring
23:01 Treating Your Team as Customers
24:12 The Cost of Replacement
24:58 Navigating Mistakes and Learning
30:08 Protecting Client Data

Be sure to subscribe for more episodes!
Find us on YouTube as well!

If you have questions, topic requests, or guest suggestions you can email us at info@accountantslawpod.com or send us a message through our website, www.accountantslawpod.com

If you want to join us in the Accountants Law Lab, visit our website at www.accountantslawlab.com to sign up!

If you want to follow along with Steve’s airstream adventures, as well as Accountants Law Pod updates, be sure to follow us on instagram at Accountants Law Pod.

Accountants Law Pod is hosted by Lynda Artesani, Sarah Prevost, and Steve Libhart and directed/produced by Teaira Burge and The Proper Trust. Music by ComaStudio from Pixabay - Edited by audiovideo_uk

Disclaimer: The content presented in this podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as legal, financial, or professional advice.

Hey there, and welcome back to The Accountants Law Pod! Our team is taking a short summer break to rest, recharge, and maybe enjoy a few umbrella drinks. In the meantime, we're revisiting some of our most-loved episodes in this special Best Of series. Whether you're hearing it for the first time or diving back in for a refresher, we hope you enjoy—and we’ll be back with brand new episodes soon!

Three-way reconciliation got you sweating? You’re not alone. In this episode, we pull back the curtain on the chaos (and importance) of trust accounting. From client mix-ups to compliance missteps, they share real stories, expert advice, and practical tips for getting it right—every single time.

03:21 Triple Checking and Three-Way Reconciliation
05:09 Trust Account Challenges and Solutions
11:06 Banking Issues and Recommendations
18:25 Client Communication and Project Management
20:56 Challenges in Project Timelines
21:04 Importance of Client Communication
21:48 Access to Financial Information
22:49 Common Financial Mistakes
23:28 Multi-Entity and Payroll Complexities
24:29 The Role of Compliance
25:21 Trust Account Management
29:41 Human Touch in Financial Oversight

Be sure to subscribe for more episodes!
Find us on YouTube as well!

If you have questions, topic requests, or guest suggestions you can email us at info@accountantslawpod.com or send us a message through our website, www.accountantslawpod.com

If you want to join us in the Accountants Law Lab, visit our website at www.accountantslawlab.com to sign up!

If you want to follow along with Steve’s airstream adventures, as well as Accountants Law Pod updates, be sure to follow us on instagram at Accountants Law Pod.

Accountants Law Pod is hosted by Lynda Artesani, Sarah Prevost, and Steve Libhart and directed/produced by Teaira Burge and The Proper Trust. Music by ComaStudio from Pixabay - Edited by audiovideo_uk

Disclaimer: The content presented in this podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as legal, financial, or professional advice.

Hey there, and welcome back to The Accountants Law Pod! Our team is taking a short summer break to rest, recharge, and maybe enjoy a few umbrella drinks. In the meantime, we're revisiting some of our most-loved episodes in this special Best Of series. Whether you're hearing it for the first time or diving back in for a refresher, we hope you enjoy—and we’ll be back with brand new episodes soon!

Are you charging what you're really worth? In this powerful episode, Lynda and Sarah unpack the mindset shifts accountants need to confidently price their services—especially when working with attorneys. From navigating inflation to communicating value, this conversation is your permission slip to raise your rates and stop second-guessing your worth.

00:43 Discussing Pricing Mindset
09:17 Evaluating Client Relationships
12:44 The Role of Accountants in Client Success
16:04 The Puzzle of Specialization
16:31 Valuing Your Expertise
17:08 Effective Communication Strategies
18:15 Pricing and Compensation
19:34 Building Confidence and Courage
20:26 The Importance of Contracts
21:28 Continuous Learning and Support
29:13 Navigating Inflation and Costs

Be sure to subscribe for more episodes!
Find us on YouTube as well!

If you have questions, topic requests, or guest suggestions you can email us at info@accountantslawpod.com or send us a message through our website, www.accountantslawpod.com

If you want to join us in the Accountants Law Lab, visit our website at www.accountantslawlab.com to sign up!

If you want to follow along with Steve’s airstream adventures, as well as Accountants Law Pod updates, be sure to follow us on instagram at Accountants Law Pod.

Accountants Law Pod is hosted by Lynda Artesani, Sarah Prevost, and Steve Libhart and directed/produced by Teaira Burge and The Proper Trust. Music by ComaStudio from Pixabay - Edited by audiovideo_uk

Disclaimer: The content presented in this podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as legal, financial, or professional advice.

Hey there, and welcome back to The Accountants Law Pod! Our team is taking a short summer break to rest, recharge, and maybe enjoy a few umbrella drinks. In the meantime, we're revisiting some of our most-loved episodes in this special Best Of series. Whether you're hearing it for the first time or diving back in for a refresher, we hope you enjoy—and we’ll be back with brand new episodes soon!

Tax season stress, shoebox clients, and outdated spreadsheets—oh my! In this Best Of episode, we dive into how accounting pros can transform legal practices with smarter workflows, trust compliance, and tech-driven efficiency. Tune in to learn how specialized support leads to streamlined operations, better goal-setting, and real cost savings for law firms.

01:54 Revolutionizing Legal Accounting
04:36 The Importance of Goal Setting
06:32 Operational Tweaks and Efficiency
07:56 Specialized Accounting for Law Firms
12:33 Compliance and Trust Accounts
14:36 Reconciling Trust Accounts
14:53 Software and Spreadsheets
15:36 Handling Client Costs
16:46 Entity Structure and Tax Strategies
20:03 Specialized Workflows for Law Firms
22:26 Embracing Technology and Automation

Be sure to subscribe for more episodes!
Find us on YouTube as well!

If you have questions, topic requests, or guest suggestions you can email us at info@accountantslawpod.com or send us a message through our website, www.accountantslawpod.com

If you want to join us in the Accountants Law Lab, visit our website at www.accountantslawlab.com to sign up!

If you want to follow along with Steve’s airstream adventures, as well as Accountants Law Pod updates, be sure to follow us on instagram at Accountants Law Pod.

Accountants Law Pod is hosted by Lynda Artesani, Sarah Prevost, and Steve Libhart and directed/produced by Teaira Burge and The Proper Trust. Music by ComaStudio from Pixabay - Edited by audiovideo_uk

Disclaimer: The content presented in this podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as legal, financial, or professional advice.