Épisodes

  • Episode 342 Building Confidence as a Bookkeeper (Even Without Clients Yet)

    Episode 342 Building Confidence as a Bookkeeper (Even Without Clients Yet)
    Oct 2 2025
    Hey Monika work experience: https://www.heymonika.com/ In this episode, Jo and Zoe dive into the challenges bookkeepers face when trying to gain practical work experience. They reflect on their own career journeys, from retraining and apprenticeships to learning vital lessons through real-world scenarios that exams never cover. The conversation highlights the gap between technical qualifications and workplace readiness, exploring how skills like communication, punctuality, and professional etiquette are just as important as bookkeeping knowledge. The hosts also introduce Hey Monica, their innovative work experience simulation platform. Designed to bridge the gap between study and practice, it helps bookkeepers build confidence through realistic client scenarios, mentoring, and role-play. Jo and Zoe emphasise that building a career in bookkeeping isn’t just about passing exams — it’s about continuous growth, adaptability, and recognising the transferable skills gained from all aspects of life. ----------------------------------------------- About us We're Jo and Zoe and we help bookkeepers find clients, make more money and build profitable businesses they love. Find out about working with us in The Bookkeepers' Collective, at: 6figurebookkeeper.com/collective ----------------------------------------------- About our Sponsor This episode of The Bookkeepers' Podcast is sponsored by Xero. Get 90% off your first 6 months by visiting: https://xero5440.partnerlinks.io/6figurebookkeeper ----------------------------------------------- Promotion This video contains paid promotion. ----------------------------------------------- Disclaimer The information contained in The Bookkeepers' Podcast is provided for information purposes only. The contents of The Bookkeepers' Podcast is not intended to amount to advice and you should not rely on any of the contents of the Bookkeepers' Podcast. Professional advice should be obtained before taking or refraining from taking any action as a result of the contents of the Bookkeepers' Podcast. The 6 Figure Bookkeeper Ltd disclaims all liability and responsibility arising from any reliance placed on any of the contents of the Bookkeepers' Podcast.
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    31 min
  • Episode 341 How to Handle a Bookeeping Clean Up Job

    Episode 341 How to Handle a Bookeeping Clean Up Job
    Sep 25 2025
    In this episode of The Bookkeepers’ Podcast, we tackle one of the most common challenges in the bookkeeping world: clean up jobs. Jo and Zoe dive into the practical steps bookkeepers should take when dealing with a client who’s fallen behind, whether it’s a few months of missed entries or a year-long backlog. They discuss how to set boundaries, determine whether to take on a clean up job at all, and how to price the work fairly—without undervaluing your time. With actionable advice on due diligence, onboarding, process improvement, and client communication, this episode is packed with insights to help you approach backlog work with clarity and confidence. What constitutes a bookkeeping clean up job and how to scope it How to assess the quality of existing records and validate balances Why you should start from the oldest month and work forward Tips on onboarding clients and setting clear expectations How to position yourself as a strategic advisor (not an employee) A structured method to price clean up work using alignment fees How to talk to clients about value, not just cost Why you should insist on paperwork and documentation Best practices for managing your time and maintaining high standards ----------------------------------------------- About us We're Jo and Zoe and we help bookkeepers find clients, make more money and build profitable businesses they love. Find out about working with us in The Bookkeepers' Collective, at: 6figurebookkeeper.com/collective ----------------------------------------------- About our Sponsor This episode of The Bookkeepers' Podcast is sponsored by Xero. Get 90% off your first 6 months by visiting: https://xero5440.partnerlinks.io/6figurebookkeeper ----------------------------------------------- Promotion This video contains paid promotion. ----------------------------------------------- Disclaimer The information contained in The Bookkeepers' Podcast is provided for information purposes only. The contents of The Bookkeepers' Podcast is not intended to amount to advice and you should not rely on any of the contents of the Bookkeepers' Podcast. Professional advice should be obtained before taking or refraining from taking any action as a result of the contents of the Bookkeepers' Podcast. The 6 Figure Bookkeeper Ltd disclaims all liability and responsibility arising from any reliance placed on any of the contents of the Bookkeepers' Podcast.
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    24 min
  • Episode 340: Unschooling. You NEED to hear this!

    Episode 340: Unschooling. You NEED to hear this!
    Sep 18 2025
    In this deeply personal conversation, Jo opens up about her family’s journey from school anxiety and selective mutism to a self-directed, joyful approach to learning: unschooling. She shares the early signs that traditional school wasn’t working for her daughter, including a traumatic bullying incident, health challenges, and escalating panic attacks in Year 8. Despite trying reduced timetables and a paid online school, the same patterns returned. Jo describes the moment they de-registered and chose to remove expectations, allowing recovery and curiosity to lead. The result? A thriving teen with community, responsibility, paid work (dog walking, stables, social media), equine study certificates, vibrant friendships, and a self-initiated plan to sit GCSEs on her own timeline. Jo also demystifies local authority involvement, reflects on judgement from others, and shares a parenting philosophy centred on trust, autonomy, and consequences in a safe, loving home. Early signs: selective mutism, post-Covid transition, and exhaustion in Year 7 The trigger events: unexpected class move, bullying incident, and toilet-pass anxiety Attempts to “fit back in”: reduced timetable, calm room, and online private school The pivot: de-registering and choosing unschooling to prioritise healing Life after school: horses, certificates, paid work, social confidence, and self-led GCSE plan Myth-busting: local authority contact, fines, and what “education” can look like at home Parenting through judgement: autonomy, boundaries, and trusting teens ----------------------------------------------- About us We're Jo and Zoe and we help bookkeepers find clients, make more money and build profitable businesses they love. Find out about working with us in The Bookkeepers' Collective, at: 6figurebookkeeper.com/collective ----------------------------------------------- About our Sponsor This episode of The Bookkeepers' Podcast is sponsored by Xero. Get 90% off your first 6 months by visiting: https://xero5440.partnerlinks.io/6figurebookkeeper ----------------------------------------------- Promotion This video contains paid promotion. ----------------------------------------------- Disclaimer The information contained in The Bookkeepers' Podcast is provided for information purposes only. The contents of The Bookkeepers' Podcast is not intended to amount to advice and you should not rely on any of the contents of the Bookkeepers' Podcast. Professional advice should be obtained before taking or refraining from taking any action as a result of the contents of the Bookkeepers' Podcast. The 6 Figure Bookkeeper Ltd disclaims all liability and responsibility arising from any reliance placed on any of the contents of the Bookkeepers' Podcast.
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    35 min
  • Episode 339: 5 Best Niches for Bookkeepers

    Episode 339: 5 Best Niches for Bookkeepers
    Sep 11 2025
    Join the collective - https://www.6figurebookkeeper.com/ Get Journal and fic your online presence - https://www.bookkeepersmarketing.com/ In this episode of The Bookkeepers' Podcast, Jo Wood and Zoe Whitman take a deep dive into the five most profitable and practical niches for bookkeepers to consider. Niching can be one of the most important decisions in your bookkeeping journey—yet it’s often where people get stuck. Whether you're just starting out or looking to refine your services, this episode will help you identify the types of clients you’re best equipped to support, and how niching can lead to greater profitability and ease in your business. Jo and Zoe break down the real-world pros, challenges, systems, and service expectations across five key industry types. They also share personal stories from their own practices and clients to illustrate how each niche works in practice. 💡 You Will Learn: Why niching matters and how it helps you streamline systems and services. How to identify your ideal client based on more than just industry. The specific needs and quirks of five different business types. How to position yourself as an expert in a niche even if you’re still learning. Where opportunities lie for bookkeepers in sectors like construction, salons, and e-commerce. How niching allows you to automate, specialise, and increase your profit margin. ----------------------------------------------- About us We're Jo and Zoe and we help bookkeepers find clients, make more money and build profitable businesses they love. Find out about working with us in The Bookkeepers' Collective, at: 6figurebookkeeper.com/collective ----------------------------------------------- About our Sponsor This episode of The Bookkeepers' Podcast is sponsored by Xero. Get 90% off your first 6 months by visiting: https://xero5440.partnerlinks.io/6figurebookkeeper ----------------------------------------------- Promotion This video contains paid promotion. ----------------------------------------------- Disclaimer The information contained in The Bookkeepers' Podcast is provided for information purposes only. The contents of The Bookkeepers' Podcast is not intended to amount to advice and you should not rely on any of the contents of the Bookkeepers' Podcast. Professional advice should be obtained before taking or refraining from taking any action as a result of the contents of the Bookkeepers' Podcast. The 6 Figure Bookkeeper Ltd disclaims all liability and responsibility arising from any reliance placed on any of the contents of the Bookkeepers' Podcast.
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    30 min
  • Episode 338: From Subcontractor to Bookkeeper of the Year — The 6FB Collective Effect

    Episode 338: From Subcontractor to Bookkeeper of the Year — The 6FB Collective Effect
    Sep 3 2025
    Reach 6 Figures as a Bookkeeper - https://www.6figurebookkeeper.com/collective/ In this episode, we speak with Steph Nicholson — member of The Bookkeepers’ Collective, ambassador, and our Bookkeeper of the Year — about moving from industry into practice, navigating practising licences, building confidence through community and networking, and a standout cashflow turnaround that saved 40 jobs. Steph shares candidly about grief, neurodiversity, and the realities of growing a practice that works around life. You Will Learn Ways to enter bookkeeping from industry and why that background can be a superpower. How Steph navigated practising licences (ultimately via IAB) and what services she can deliver under it. Practical paths to early clients (referrals + visibility) and confidence-building through subcontracting. How to find work experience: events, Collective connections, and subcontracting. Networking for introverts and launching a relaxed local group (“pints & prosecco”). Managing ADHD/perimenopause in business with boundaries and simple coping strategies. A cashflow case study: using tools and timing to protect jobs and rebuild reserves. ----------------------------------------------- About us We're Jo and Zoe and we help bookkeepers find clients, make more money and build profitable businesses they love. Find out about working with us in The Bookkeepers' Collective, at: 6figurebookkeeper.com/collective ----------------------------------------------- About our Sponsor This episode of The Bookkeepers' Podcast is sponsored by Xero. Get 90% off your first 6 months by visiting: https://xero5440.partnerlinks.io/6figurebookkeeper ----------------------------------------------- Promotion This video contains paid promotion. ----------------------------------------------- Disclaimer The information contained in The Bookkeepers' Podcast is provided for information purposes only. The contents of The Bookkeepers' Podcast is not intended to amount to advice and you should not rely on any of the contents of the Bookkeepers' Podcast. Professional advice should be obtained before taking or refraining from taking any action as a result of the contents of the Bookkeepers' Podcast. The 6 Figure Bookkeeper Ltd disclaims all liability and responsibility arising from any reliance placed on any of the contents of the Bookkeepers' Podcast.
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    41 min
  • Episode 337: What Does a Bookkeeper Actually Do?

    Episode 337: What Does a Bookkeeper Actually Do?
    Aug 28 2025
    Try Journal free for 14 days: https://www.bookkeepersmarketing.com/ Take part in our Summer Survey: https://6fbsummer.scoreapp.com/p/summer2025 In this episode of The Bookkeepers’ Podcast, we take a fresh, practical look at what bookkeepers actually do—end to end. We walk through the real workflow for small businesses: choosing cloud software and connecting bank feeds, coding sales and expenses with proper evidence (especially for VAT), handling accruals and prepayments, running credit control and payment runs, dealing with payroll journals, staying compliant with AML, and turning up-to-date data into useful management reports and cash flow forecasts. You Will Learn The true purpose of bookkeeping (decision-ready info first, tax compliance as a result). Why we recommend moving clients to cloud software (Xero, Sage, FreeAgent, QuickBooks) and specialising in one platform. How to keep business and personal spend separate and reconcile from the bank statement out. Sales workflows: invoicing, POS, online sales via Stripe/PayPal—and why you must “gross up” fees. Expenses, approvals, and smooth supplier payment runs (with director approvals). Payroll boundaries: when to outsource vs in-house, and how to post payroll journals correctly. AML responsibilities and the “bookkeeper as detective” mindset. Building monthly/quarterly reporting rhythms, KPIs, and cash flow forecasting clients can act on. ----------------------------------------------- About us We're Jo and Zoe and we help bookkeepers find clients, make more money and build profitable businesses they love. Find out about working with us in The Bookkeepers' Collective, at: 6figurebookkeeper.com/collective ----------------------------------------------- About our Sponsor This episode of The Bookkeepers' Podcast is sponsored by Xero. Get 90% off your first 6 months by visiting: https://xero5440.partnerlinks.io/6figurebookkeeper ----------------------------------------------- Promotion This video contains paid promotion. ----------------------------------------------- Disclaimer The information contained in The Bookkeepers' Podcast is provided for information purposes only. The contents of The Bookkeepers' Podcast is not intended to amount to advice and you should not rely on any of the contents of the Bookkeepers' Podcast. Professional advice should be obtained before taking or refraining from taking any action as a result of the contents of the Bookkeepers' Podcast. The 6 Figure Bookkeeper Ltd disclaims all liability and responsibility arising from any reliance placed on any of the contents of the Bookkeepers' Podcast.
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    34 min
  • Episode 336: The Bookkeeper’s Guide to Stress-Free Social Media

    Episode 336: The Bookkeeper’s Guide to Stress-Free Social Media
    Aug 21 2025
    Try Journal free for 14 days: https://www.bookkeepersmarketing.com/ Take part in our Summer Survey: https://6fbsummer.scoreapp.com/p/summer2025 In this episode, Jo and Zoe dive deep into the challenges bookkeepers face when it comes to showing up consistently on social media. They discuss the fears, mistakes, and mindset blocks that often hold bookkeepers back—from bad Canva templates to blank-page paralysis—and why marketing is a non-negotiable part of building a thriving practice. The episode introduces Journal, a brand-new social media tool designed specifically for bookkeepers and accountants. Journal combines the power of AI, Canva, and scheduling in one place, with bookkeeper-specific content preloaded. Jo and Zoe share their personal journey with marketing, why consistency builds trust and clients, and how Journal helps bookkeepers stand out as professionals while saving huge amounts of time. Why social media and visibility are essential for bookkeepers Zoe’s journey from struggling with blogging and confidence to winning a social media award The common pitfalls of DIY Canva content Why consistency builds trust and impacts pricing, branding, and client attraction How Journal combines AI, Canva, scheduling, and bookkeeping-specific content in one platform Special listener offer: 14-day free trial + £10/month lifetime discount ----------------------------------------------- About us We're Jo and Zoe and we help bookkeepers find clients, make more money and build profitable businesses they love. Find out about working with us in The Bookkeepers' Collective, at: 6figurebookkeeper.com/collective ----------------------------------------------- About our Sponsor This episode of The Bookkeepers' Podcast is sponsored by Xero. Get 90% off your first 6 months by visiting: https://xero5440.partnerlinks.io/6figurebookkeeper ----------------------------------------------- Promotion This video contains paid promotion. ----------------------------------------------- Disclaimer The information contained in The Bookkeepers' Podcast is provided for information purposes only. The contents of The Bookkeepers' Podcast is not intended to amount to advice and you should not rely on any of the contents of the Bookkeepers' Podcast. Professional advice should be obtained before taking or refraining from taking any action as a result of the contents of the Bookkeepers' Podcast. The 6 Figure Bookkeeper Ltd disclaims all liability and responsibility arising from any reliance placed on any of the contents of the Bookkeepers' Podcast.
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    39 min
  • Episode 335: How to Price Bookkeeping Services (And How to Re-price without Losing ALL YOUR CLIENTS)

    Episode 335: How to Price Bookkeeping Services (And How to Re-price without Losing ALL YOUR CLIENTS)
    Aug 14 2025
    ⬇️ Resources for Bookkeepers linktr.ee/6fb ⬇️ Take part in the Summer Survey to find out what other bookkeepers are charging. https://6fbsummer.scoreapp.com/p/summer2025 ⬇️ Join The Bookkeepers' Collective https://6figurebookkeeper.com Jo Wood and Zoe Whitman dive into one of the most frequently asked questions in the bookkeeping community - how should you price your services? Drawing on insights from their summer pricing survey and real-world experiences, Jo and Zoe break down the pitfalls of hourly rates, the importance of value-based pricing, and how to confidently transition to fixed fee models. They explore how efficiency, technology, and mindset impact profitability, and share how to build a pricing strategy aligned with your lifestyle, capacity, and goals. You’ll also learn about the gold standard service model and how to design packages that reflect the true value you provide as a bookkeeper and finance professional. What Listeners Will Learn Why hourly pricing can cap your income and reduce your profitability. How to position your services based on outcomes and value. What bookkeepers are actually charging based on current survey data. How to design and price a “gold standard” monthly bookkeeping service. The impact of tech and efficiency on hourly-based income. How to reverse-engineer your pricing based on income goals. Strategies for repricing clients without losing your business. The importance of understanding your ideal client when pricing. ----------------------------------------------- About us We're Jo and Zoe and we help bookkeepers find clients, make more money and build profitable businesses they love. Find out about working with us in The Bookkeepers' Collective, at: 6figurebookkeeper.com/collective ----------------------------------------------- About our Sponsor This episode of The Bookkeepers' Podcast is sponsored by Xero. Get 90% off your first 6 months by visiting: https://xero5440.partnerlinks.io/6figurebookkeeper ----------------------------------------------- Promotion This video contains paid promotion. ----------------------------------------------- Disclaimer The information contained in The Bookkeepers' Podcast is provided for information purposes only. The contents of The Bookkeepers' Podcast is not intended to amount to advice and you should not rely on any of the contents of the Bookkeepers' Podcast. Professional advice should be obtained before taking or refraining from taking any action as a result of the contents of the Bookkeepers' Podcast. The 6 Figure Bookkeeper Ltd disclaims all liability and responsibility arising from any reliance placed on any of the contents of the Bookkeepers' Podcast.
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    29 min