Shows
She CountsThe Elevation of EmpathyDawn Brolin, CPA, CFE and author of "The Elevation of Empathy," shares her raw story of surviving a toxic partnership where she endured cruel comments about her weight and appearance, and how that shaped her perspective on leading with empathy. Through personal examples including her own leadership failures at work and lessons from her time as a softball coach, Dawn reveals how empathy can be cultivated, practiced, and wielded as a strategic advantage. The conversation tackles the unique challenges women face when leading with empathy, the emotional labor often expected of female managers, and why caring for others doesn't...
2025-08-131h 02
She CountsDon’t Call Me Darlin’Nicole Davis, Forbes Top 200 CPA and CEO of Conscious Accounting, shares her journey from being called "darling" in client meetings to becoming a force who dominates every room she enters. She candidly offers advice on how to feel like you own a room… that wasn’t “built” with you in mind. She reveals how true power isn't about titles or corner offices, it's about owning your story and making others accept who you are on your terms. Nicole discusses why women are uniquely positioned to lead the AI revolution in accounting, the critical difference between mentorship and sponsorship, and how show...
2025-07-301h 09
She CountsSpace to Serve Well: The Beauty of BoundariesRecorded live at Scaling New Heights, Nayo Carter-Gray shares her hard-won wisdom on setting client boundaries, and her frustration in receiving a scathing one-star review that turned into a teaching moment. From effective communication skills, to tools such as using answering services and shared email inboxes, to crafting the perfect out-of-office message and managing client expectations through education… she reveals how clear strategies and proactive systems create better client relationships, not damaged ones. You'll learn why "no" is a complete sentence and discover practical tools to protect your time without the guilt.SponsorsForwardly...
2025-07-1652 min
She CountsDo It AnywayNancy and Questian dive deep into the difference between fearlessness and courage, sharing vulnerable stories: about becoming a dancer at age 40, speaking to a room of hundreds of people, and starting their own businesses. They explore why saying "don't be afraid" misses the point—true courage isn't the absence of fear, but choosing to act despite it. From imposter syndrome to asking for money, they discuss the specific fears women in accounting face and offer practical tools, such as: affirmations; breaking down scary tasks; remembering your “why”; and borrowing confidence from mentors.SponsorsForwardly - http...
2025-07-021h 06
She CountsBreak Free From BurnoutBurnout coach and CPA Lynnette Oss Connell joins us and shares her personal journey from running a successful accounting practice while juggling five kids, to recognizing and addressing signs of complete burnout. She explains how women experience burnout differently than men due to biological and social factors, and why 99% of accountants struggle with chronic stress. Lynnette introduces the concept of time versus energy management audits, as well as different strategies for burnout prevention versus recovery. Lastly, we discuss the critical importance of building authentic community before crisis hits.SponsorsForwardly - https://www.forwardly...
2025-06-181h 06
CPA Trendlines PodcastsMcClelland and Telka: Women Ready to Rewrite the Rules of Accounting | The DisruptorsRepresentation isn't symbolic. It’s essential for the profession’s future.The DisruptorsWith Liz FarrAccounting pros Nancy McClelland, CPA, and Questian Telka, EA, are pulling back the curtain on what it really means to be a woman in the accounting world—with all the messy, maddening, and motivating moments that come with it.Their new podcast, She Counts, is more than just a talk show—it’s a movement. Aimed at ending the isolation so many women in accounting face, the show tackles taboo topi...
2025-06-101h 04
She CountsHow to Make Business Happen When Life HappensWhat do you do when your world falls apart—but the deadlines don’t stop?In this deeply personal episode, we’re getting real about the moments that nearly broke us. Nancy shares what it was like to run a firm while surviving months without being able to sit or lie down due to seizures. Questian opens up about her son’s sudden hospitalization and the toll it took on her body, business, and spirit.We talk about the pressure women in accounting feel to keep it together, to "suck it up," even in the middle o...
2025-06-041h 02
She CountsShe Believed in Me - Before I DidMentorship can transform careers, yet women in accounting often struggle to find female leaders to guide them - despite equal numbers entering the profession, only 19% of partners are women. Questian and Nancy explore how seeing someone who looks like you succeed makes your own success feel possible, sharing personal stories of mentors who believed in them before they believed in themselves. The hosts discuss both the psychology behind effective mentorship and practical ways to find mentors who align with your values, regardless of their age or position.SponsorsForwardly - https://www.forwardly.com/shecounts
2025-05-211h 10
She CountsShe CountsNancy McClelland and Questian Telka introduce their new podcast dedicated to women in accounting, sharing their unconventional paths into the profession and the friendship that sparked this project. They discuss their mission to create an authentic community where women can share challenges and triumphs without filtering, preview over 50 future topics they've accumulated over two years, and explain how their "conversational chemistry" transformed casual chats into a platform for collective wisdom. Through personal stories about struggles with confidence, education, and finding community, they establish that this isn't about preaching solutions, but creating a space where everyone's voice counts.
2025-05-2157 min
Unofficial QuickBooks Accountants PodcastThe 20 Things Bookkeepers Should Never Do (Wheel of Rants)Alicia and Veronica spin their "Wheel of Rants" to discuss essential boundaries accountants and bookkeepers should establish in their practice. From avoiding legal advice to setting proper client communication channels, they share war stories about embezzlement, email scams, and problematic client relationships. The hosts reveal why engagement letters are critical, how proper password management protects everyone involved, and why working for free ultimately undermines the entire industry.SponsorsHuman at Scale - https://uqb.promo/humanDebits - https://uqb.promo/debits(00:00) - Welcome to The Unofficial QuickBooks Accountants Podcast
(00:27) - Spring...
2025-05-1553 min
The Unique CPAPresenting the She Counts Podcast: Empowering Women in AccountingQuestian Telka and Nancy McClelland join Randy on Episode 208 of The Unique CPA to discuss their new podcast, She Counts, aimed at addressing the unique experiences of women in the accounting profession. The podcast will focus on authentic conversations with subject matter experts and leaders in the profession, with discussions about breaking through isolation, challenging industry norms, both providing and receiving support and practical advice, #MeToo, mentorship, vulnerability, the importance of DEI, and more. Launching She Counts in mid-May, Questian and Nancy understand the need for intentional change in hiring and promotion practices and invite both women and men t...
2025-04-2242 minThe Unique CPABridging the Gap in the Accounting CommunityRandy Crabtree concludes his conversation on community with Nancy McClelland, The Dancing Accountant, on Episode 205 of The Unique CPA. They focus particularly on the vital role bookkeepers play in the accounting world, and the importance of collaboration between them and tax professionals. This, along with creating effective systems, are keys to building a culture of shared resources, proper communication, and continuous learning—essentially, forming stronger bonds within the community will lead to better results for service provider and client alike. Nancy highlights practical steps to educate small business owners, bookkeepers, and tax pros to foster better working relationships, underscoring th...
2025-04-0131 minThe Unique CPAFrom Dancing to Music and Mastery of the ProfessionRandy Crabtree kicks off a two part conversation with Nancy McClelland, the Dancing Accountant, on Episode 204 of The Unique CPA. Their discussion will conclude the series on the impact of community in the accounting profession, where they delve into Nancy's journey from bookkeeping to becoming a CPA and the evolution of her business and identity. Nancy shares her insights on how pivotal relationships are to everything she does as owner of a “hyperlocal” firm, and the inspiration behind her initiative, “Ask a CPA,” which aims to foster collaboration between bookkeepers and tax professionals. The discussion highlights how better connections within t...
2025-03-2537 min
Accounting InsidersNancy McClelland's Guide to Tax-Ready Books & Top 10 Accounting Conferences!🔗 https://www.linkedin.com/in/nancy-mcclelland-cpa/ -Connect with Insightful Accountant! 🔔 Subscribe & Stay Updated for expert insights on the latest trends shaping the accounting industry! 👉 https://share.hsforms.com/1VICuFacpRwqeIzN9NvPX_Aqldcp Website 👉 http://insightfulaccountant.com/ (X) Twitter 👉 https://twitter.com/insightfulActnt Blog 👉 https://blog.insightfulaccountant.com/ Facebook 👉 https://www.facebook.com/insightfulActnt/ LinkedIn 👉 https://www.linkedin.com/company/insightful-accountant/ YouTube 👉 https://www.youtube.com/@UCueK6XwHM9TxRUCGZ8rQAzg Instagram 👉 https://www.instagram.com/insightful.accountant/
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2025-03-201h 11CPA Trendlines PodcastsIra Rosenbloom: M&A Numbers Are Easy - Culture Fit Is Hard | The DisruptorsProgressive firms are the key to the future of the profession.The DisruptorsWith Liz FarrThe world of M&A is full of disruption, distraction, and disorientation these days, says Ira Rosenbloom, CEO of Optimum Strategies. While the headlines focus on private equity’s increasing role in CPA firm acquisitions, two new types of acquirers are playing a bigger role: Family offices and wealth management.MORE PODCASTS and VIDEOS: Roman Villard: Ditch the Suit & Shine | Monique Swansen: Align Firm Values with Se...
2025-03-1157 min
Accounting Flow PodcastTear Down the Wall: Workflows for Bookkeeper and Tax Preparer Collaboration w/Nancy McClelland, CPASend us a textThe divide between bookkeepers and tax preparers isn’t just frustrating; it’s costly. Miscommunication, duplicated work, and last-minute scrambles waste time and money. Worse, they leave small business clients with disorganized books and tax headaches.If you’ve ever found yourself muttering, "Why didn’t the bookkeeper clean this up?" or "Why does the Tax Pro keep changing my numbers?" this episode is for you.In this episode, Nancy McClelland, CPA, founder of The Dancing Accountant, broke down why this disconnect exists and how to fix it. ...
2025-02-2530 minCPA Trendlines PodcastsTina McGill: How to Create Lasting Client Impact | The DisruptorsMeet your clients where they are.The DisruptorsWith Liz FarrWhen Tina McGill, founder of MMAS CPA, transitioned from working as an assistant CFO at a university to public accounting, she first noticed “how segmented we were from the client experience.” She was delivering the data the partners told her needed to be delivered, “But the client didn't necessarily understand what I was delivering.” For seven years, in her conversations with clients, she followed the “checklist of what I'm supposed to give you.” While she felt good about achieving what she was supposed...
2025-02-181h 10CPA Trendlines PodcastsStefan van Duyvendijk: Develop Operational Mindset | The DisruptorsDon't just check the boxes. Provide benefits.The DisruptorsWith Liz FarrStefan van Duyvendijk, Accounting Operations Evangelist at FloQast, wants accountants in the industry to expand their roles. In addition to the vital role of providing the basic requirements of accounting, he wants them to develop an operational mindset, as described in the book van Duyvendijk co-authored with Mike Whitmire, CEO of FloQast: Shift Happens: The Rise of the Operational Mindset and How Controllers Can Drive Real Value. (Editor's Note: Liz Farr served as D...
2025-02-1147 minCPA Trendlines PodcastsSteve Evans: Why Traditional Hiring Methods Fail | The DisruptorsRedefine how you hire and develop top accounting talent.The DisruptorsWith Liz FarrIn 2012, Steve Evans’ friend Giles Pearson, a Big Four accountant in New Zealand, needed help. PwC kept making the same hiring mistakes because they had no way to assess a candidate’s technical accounting skills. Steve, an expert in psychometric testing, thought it might take half a day to scour the marketplace for appropriate tests but found nothing useful. MORE PODCASTS and VIDEOS: Roger Knecht: Can You Be an Acc...
2025-02-0447 min
Financial ClarityHow To Align Your Bookkeeper and Tax Accountant for Financial Success With Nancy McClellandNancy McClelland is the Owner of The Dancing Accountant, a firm specializing in bookkeeping, tax preparation, accounting, and advisory services for small businesses. With over 30 years of experience, she helps businesses streamline financial processes, improve compliance, and adopt best practices. Nancy also educates bookkeepers through her Ask a CPA membership community and writes an award-winning blog at TheDancingAccountant.com. She has been recognized as a Top Client Services ProAdvisor and one of Ignition’s Top 50 Women in Accounting. In this episode… Managing your business finances can feel overwhelming — especially when your bookkeeper and tax accountant seem t...
2025-02-041h 07CPA Trendlines PodcastsRoger Knecht: Can You Be an Accountrepreneur? | The DisruptorsYou don’t need all the answers, but you do need to ask the right questions.The DisruptorsWith Liz FarrAbout ten years ago, Roger Knecht, President of Universal Accounting, noticed that while accountants wanted to move into the advisory space, few had any idea how to make that transition. So he talked to business owners about what they’d like to see and developed a curriculum to help accountants develop those skills. “It's game-changing,” Knecht says, “because once you have the confidence as well as the compet...
2025-01-281h 03CPA Trendlines PodcastsBeth Whitworth: Focus on Outcomes Not Hours | The DisruptorsStop wearing your hours worked as a badge of honor.The DisruptorsWith Liz FarrA few months ago, Beth Whitworth emailed her remaining legacy 1040 clients, informing them that they would have to move over to the subscription-based model she’s been implementing over the last few years. “I will say it's scary,” she says. “And when I pushed the button and then sent the email, I was like, 'Oh, what'd I do?” But she quickly realized that she was doing the right thing. “This is where we need to m...
2025-01-2157 minCPA Trendlines PodcastsMike Sylvester: Learn to Say No | The DisruptorsBe blunt. Give your clients the advice they should hear, not what they want to hear. The DisruptorsWith Liz FarrThe talent crunch in accounting isn’t an issue for Mike Sylvester. Last year, 40 accountants applied to work at his firm, SBS CPA Group. He’s had serious inquiries from people at top 50 firms eager to work with him. Further, he just hired someone from a top 10 firm who says the benefits are better and who will make $10,000 more while working 300 fewer hours. M...
2025-01-141h 01
QB Power Hour PodcastI Got 1099 Problems But a Workflow Ain't OneNancy McClelland and Rich Kane join us to chat about ways to make 1099s a part of your monthly client services using Keeper.QB Power Hour is a free, biweekly webinar series for accountants, ProAdvisors, CPAs, bookkeepers and QuickBooks consultants presented by Michelle Long, CPA and Dan DeLong who are very passionate about the industry, QuickBooks and apps that integrate with QuickBooks.Watch or listen to all of the QB Power Hours at https://www.qbpowerhour.com/blogRegister for upcoming webinars at https://www.qbpowerhour.com/00:00 Introduction and CPE Credit...
2025-01-071h 06CPA Trendlines PodcastsSalim Omar: Identify Your Client's $100,000 Problem | The DisruptorsIf you try to help everyone, you don’t help anyone.The DisruptorsWith Liz FarrSalim Omar, CPA, opened his firm in 1996 after working as a CFO in a small investment boutique firm because he wanted to be his own boss. But the experience was terrible: “I found myself working long hours. I was not enjoying the work I was doing. Having the team was a revolving door.”“There’s got to be a better way,” Omar said then. “If this is what entrep...
2025-01-0748 minCPA Trendlines PodcastsRebecca Driscoll: Amplify Reach by Helping Other Firm Owners | The DisruptorsThe future of accounting will be strategy, communication, analysis, and proactive support. The DisruptorsWith Liz FarrRebecca Driscoll went out on her own at a young age when a partner at the CPA firm where she was working encouraged her. “You're not cut out for this path that we have in a traditional accounting firm,” Driscoll recalls him telling her. “You're different, so you should go be different.” She already had a book of business as a staff accountant, but on the traditional path at that firm, it would be another decade befo...
2024-11-1256 minCPA Trendlines PodcastsRory Henry: Create the Return on Relationship | The DisruptorsBe a client-centric human in a world of AI and technology. The DisruptorsWith Liz FarrSeveral years ago, Rory Henry asked himself, “Why don’t financial advisors and CPAs work together?” It boggled his mind because both work with the client’s finances but are not always in sync. “We’re advising them on their businesses, and then the wealth advisor takes over and manages the finances,” Henry says. “But really, one decision affects another.” The ultra-wealthy have long used the family office model to bring a staff of CPAs, attorneys, and advisors to provi...
2024-11-0555 minCPA Trendlines PodcastsMike Maksymiw: Be the Leader You Wish You Had | The DisruptorsIf no one’s complaining that your fees are too high, your fees are too low.The Disruptors. With Liz Farr. Mike Maksymiw, the leader of Aprio Firm Alliance, hates charge hours as a primary performance metric. He even left a firm where he was a partner because of a dispute over charge hours. Although he exceeded his revenue goals by a healthy margin, he was penalized because he got the work done in fewer hours.21 MORE TAKEAWAYS: More Mike Maksymiw Disruptor Notes | MORE: Disruptors | MORE CPA TRENDLINES PODCASTS and VIDEOS: Terrell Turner...
2024-10-291h 08CPA Trendlines PodcastsTerrell Turner: Build a Solid Business Showing Up as Yourself | The DisruptorsYour clients may need a lot of empathy and not just tactical advice. Plus 13 key takeaways. The DisruptorsWith Liz Farr Terrell Turner started his “journey of doing things differently” on April 1, 2020, in the midst of the pandemic. While “2020 was the reset button for everyone,” that reset offered Turner a tremendous opportunity to create a new kind of firm. “We don't have any history in doing this,” Turner recalls thinking. “So how would we do this in this new environment that we're in?” His path to founding a firm was unusual – from public accounting to i...
2024-10-221h 19CPA Trendlines PodcastsKelly Mann: Be the Bull in the China Shop | The DisruptorsStop following SALY. Think about what you are trying to accomplish. Plus 17 key takeaways.The DisruptorsWith Liz Farr Kelly Mann wants firms to stop relying on SALY – same as last year – for everything: “Everything is same as last year, the way we give bonuses to people, the way we split partner compensation, the way we monitor hours, the way we prepare a work paper, the way we plan an audit,” she says.17 MORE TAKEAWAYS: More Kelly Mann Disruptor Notes MORE: Disruptors MORE CPA TRENDLINES PODCASTS and VIDEOS: Alicia Katz...
2024-10-0155 minCPA Trendlines PodcastsAlicia Katz Pollock: Create a Human-Centric Business | The DisruptorsThe DisruptorsWith Liz FarrAlicia Katz Pollock proves that you don’t need an accounting degree or formal bookkeeping training to be a hugely helpful resource for the QuickBooks community.SHOW NOTES here | MORE PODCASTS and VIDEOS: Nancy McClelland: Be the One Your Clients Ask First |Alan Whitman: Stop Accepting the Status Quo | Sean Duncan: Discover Your Own Genius | Ingrid Edstrom: True Wealth Is Not Financial | Caleb Jenkins: Firm Growth Requires Owners to Shift Roles | Chris Hervochon: Be the Leader You Want to Work For | Ira Rosenbloom: Don’t Merge for the Money | Adam Le...
2024-09-2459 minCPA Trendlines PodcastsNancy McClelland: Be the One Your Clients Ask First | The DisruptorsRely on your professional network for answers you don't know.The DisruptorsWith Liz FarrNancy McClelland never intended to start a firm, but after leaving a toxic work environment, she took on a few part-time gigs. Because she’d never worked at a CPA firm, she built her firm “the way it made sense” without bumping up against the traditions of “This is how it should be done.”The name of her firm – The Dancing Accountant – reflects her passion for dancing and membership in several dance troupes, including one where she wears miniskir...
2024-09-171h 32The Unique CPARedefining Your Balance: Prominent Contributors to Bridging the Gap 2024On this second bonus episode of The Unique CPA, host Rob Brown from the Accounting Influencers Podcasts returns to preview the Bridging the Gap Conference 2024, scheduled for July 22-24 in Rosemont, Illinois. This time, he is joined by speakers Nancy McClelland, Kristen Keats, Seth Feinberg, and Dawn Brolin as they discuss their roles and sessions at the event. Highlighting the conference's unique focus on mental health, professional growth, and community among accountants, all the speakers agree that Bridging the Gap is not like any other conference they’ve attended. The emphasize the elements of vulnerability, mental well-being, practical insights, an...
2024-07-1230 min
Accounting High206 How to Find Success in the Big Apple as a Singing CPA (feat. Steven Zelin, CPA)Episode 206
FACULTY: Steven Zelin, the Singing CPA
CLASS: #Shoperations
In this episode, Scott interviews Steven Zelin, CPA, also known as The Singing CPA. Steven shares his journey, from becoming a CPA to pursuing his passion for singing, starting his own firm, client acquisition and niche development, peer review, the Steve Zelin Singing CPA brand, firm statistics, and working in-office versus remote.
Shout Outs:
AICPA Engage, Edward Medlowitz, Nancy McClelland, Sammy Katz, Barry Melancon
Chapters:
0:00 Teaser
01:39 Introduction
02:31 Becoming a CPA
04:20...
2024-05-0545 min
The CFO ProjectHow to Overcome Imposter SyndromeAre you an accountant, CPA, or bookkeeper struggling with imposter syndrome? In this episode of Escaping the Accountant's Trap, Adam Lean is joined by Nancy McClelland CPA, aka The Dancing Accountant, to tackle this widespread issue. Nancy shares her expertise on imposter syndrome - what it really means, how to know if you have it or are simply learning something new, and practical tips for overcoming those feelings of being a fraud.You'll hear Nancy's insightful perspective on why imposter syndrome disproportionately affects women and minorities, the difference between self-doubt and truly being an imposter, and how...
2024-04-0929 min
The Tech Talk for Accountants ShowEpisode 359: Nancy McClelland - Breaking Down Barriers Between Bookkeepers and CPAsNancy McClelland, AKA "The Dancing Accountant," joins us to discuss ways bookkeepers and CPAs can work better together to serve their shared clients. We talk about the historical divides between these professions and how modern technologies like Keeper and Right Tool are making new levels of collaboration possible. The goal is to move from merely doing compliance work to providing real advisory services that create value for small business owners. By leveraging each other's strengths, bookkeepers and tax pros can spot issues earlier, have more productive conversations with clients, and ultimately help local companies thrive. Tune in to gain...
2024-02-2654 minAccounting High192 Teaching Bookkeepers and Tax Preparers to Communicate Better (feat. Nancy McClelland, CPA)Episode 192
FACULTY: Nancy McClelland, CPA
CLASS: #TheGuide
TITLE: Teaching Bookkeepers and Tax Preparers to Communicate Better
In this podcast episode, Scott interviews Nancy McClelland, CPA, Owner of Nancy McClelland LLC, also known as The Dancing Accountant. The conversation covers the origin story of The Dancing Accountant, all the way to tax season in Mexico. They discuss the rivalry between bookkeepers and tax preparers, biases in the accounting profession, and dispelling perceptions versus the reality of being a professional.
Origin of the DancingAccountant
How Nancy became an Accountant
2024-01-281h 03
Practice Success PodcastNancy McClelland on Balancing Passion, Work, and Maintaining the Human Touch in AINancy McClelland, CPA & Owner of The Dancing Accountant discusses how she balances her love for dance, her passion for her profession, and her commitment to creating a caring and supportive workplace. It explores the opportunities and challenges presented by AI in accounting, showcasing Nancy's enthusiasm for embracing technology while also prioritizing the human element.
2024-01-1722 min
Where Accountants Go - The Accounting Careers Podcast230: Nancy McClelland – The Dancing Accountant!Nancy McClelland, a CPA in the Chicago area, joined us for this episode of Where Accountants Go, the Accounting Careers podcast. In this episode, we are going to cover many items, probably the most interesting being how she came up with the name for her practice – “The Dancing Accountant”!
As you might expect, Nancy’s early background was in music. Her mother was very creative, and her father was the more analytical one. While in college, Nancy tried many majors, but eventually chose music. She very early on landed a role in administration with an arts school, and realized that she also had...
2021-07-1337 min
What's Your "And"?2: Nancy McClelland dishes on how she stands out to clients [podcast]"The Dancing Accountant" dishes on how she stands out to clients
Nancy McClelland loves dancing so much, when she decided to start her own firm, she called it The Dancing Accountant, LLC. She shares some great insight into how opening up to her clients about her hobby makes her seem more human and less intimidating.
Being a professional 1960's Go Go Dancer was something that Nancy had always wanted to try. Shortly after a milestone birthday, she realized that it was now or never, so she began taking classes in Chicago. Just four short...
2015-09-3047 min