<![CDATA[Between 2 Firms]]>Real conversations with accounting business owners.

]]>https://sagaaccounting.com/Riverside.fm (https://riverside.com)Mon, 13 Apr 2026 03:28:09 GMTThu, 13 Nov 2025 20:13:20 GMT60Saga Accounting Solutions<p>Real conversations with accounting business owners.</p>episodicSaga Accounting Solutionsmatthew@sagaaccounting.comno<![CDATA[13 - Perry Mayer - Taking the Leap and Building a White-Glove Accounting Business]]>Perry Mayer joins Nick to break down how he went from corporate internal audit and public accounting into building Vital Accounting Services on the side, then making the leap full-time after realizing there was never going to be a “perfect” moment. They get into what changed once Perry left corporate, including rebuilding his network from scratch, leaning hard into tax-accountant referral partners, and growing the firm by focusing on bookkeeping, cleanup work, and fractional controller/CFO services rather than tax. He shares how he structures fixed-fee tiered packages, why he refuses to track time unless absolutely necessary, and how he manages client expectations around cleanup timelines with a 90-day ramp-up. The conversation also covers hiring experienced accountants in the Philippines, the tradeoffs of offshore staffing and time-zone overlap, why review capacity can become the bottleneck as a firm scales, and what Perry is doing to build a more boutique, white-glove firm for clients in the $1M to $10M range.

To connect with Perry, visit his firm's website:

https://vitalacct.com/

or follow him on LinkedIn:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/perry-mayer-cpa

To watch the previous episode we did with Jonathan visit:

https://open.spotify.com/episode/3MibdfhCpFire5sUKdV4kG?si=hUKULOQDTBuR-UOlSojpmA

If you would like to connect with us visit:

https://sagaaccounting.com/

or to appear on the show, fill out a guest application:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeoshMXYliGh_4tU3OrHw2EjsVwZu3k8KbPi8fRMTCVjca1ig/viewform?usp=sharing&ouid=102990742476444666854

]]>a83af49c-7a82-40ec-a01e-d9207f7b60edWed, 25 Mar 2026 14:00:00 GMT<p>Perry Mayer joins Nick to break down how he went from corporate internal audit and public accounting into building Vital Accounting Services on the side, then making the leap full-time after realizing there was never going to be a “perfect” moment. They get into what changed once Perry left corporate, including rebuilding his network from scratch, leaning hard into tax-accountant referral partners, and growing the firm by focusing on bookkeeping, cleanup work, and fractional controller/CFO services rather than tax. He shares how he structures fixed-fee tiered packages, why he refuses to track time unless absolutely necessary, and how he manages client expectations around cleanup timelines with a 90-day ramp-up. The conversation also covers hiring experienced accountants in the Philippines, the tradeoffs of offshore staffing and time-zone overlap, why review capacity can become the bottleneck as a firm scales, and what Perry is doing to build a more boutique, white-glove firm for clients in the $1M to $10M range.</p><p></p><p>To connect with Perry, visit his firm's website:<br /><br /><a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://vitalacct.com/" target="_blank">https://vitalacct.com/</a><br /><br />or follow him on LinkedIn:<br /><br /><a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/perry-mayer-cpa" target="_blank">https://www.linkedin.com/in/perry-mayer-cpa</a><br /><br />To watch the previous episode we did with Jonathan visit:</p><p></p><p><a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://open.spotify.com/episode/3MibdfhCpFire5sUKdV4kG?si=hUKULOQDTBuR-UOlSojpmA" target="_blank">https://open.spotify.com/episode/3MibdfhCpFire5sUKdV4kG?si=hUKULOQDTBuR-UOlSojpmA</a></p><p></p><p>If you would like to connect with us visit:<br /><br /><a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://sagaaccounting.com/" target="_blank">https://sagaaccounting.com/</a><br /><br />or to appear on the show, fill out a guest application:<br /><br /><a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeoshMXYliGh_4tU3OrHw2EjsVwZu3k8KbPi8fRMTCVjca1ig/viewform?usp=sharing&amp;ouid=102990742476444666854" target="_blank">https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeoshMXYliGh_4tU3OrHw2EjsVwZu3k8KbPi8fRMTCVjca1ig/viewform?usp=sharing&amp;ouid=102990742476444666854</a></p>no01:14:1913 - Perry Mayer - Taking the Leap and Building a White-Glove Accounting Businessfull<![CDATA[11 - Nick & Matt - Inside Saga: Pursuing Organizational Growth in the Middle of Tax Season]]>Nick and Matt kick off a “special episode” format that pulls back the curtain on how they’re building Saga Accounting Solutions, starting with a quick firm update before zooming into their top-down growth plan: an org chart vision for what a mature 20 to 25 person firm should look like, how responsibilities shift as the team grows, and how they reduce “additional duties” by clarifying true ownership of areas like software and facilities. They then break down the constraints that drive every scaling decision, cash, talent, and systems, including their reserve rule of thumb, a capacity scorecard to quantify workload instead of relying on vibes, and how fixed-fee pricing still gets translated into internal budgeted hours for planning. The conversation closes on the lever they see as most powerful, pricing, and the decision path they use when demand outpaces capacity: hire when reserves support it, or raise prices to protect service quality and keep growth sustainable.

Link to org chart:
https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1TfJhYtmg1aPwoQQhcyhhYJDZV46RfCYerCxx8UNfOew/edit?usp=sharing

If you would like to connect with us visit:

https://sagaaccounting.com/

or to appear on the show, fill out a guest application:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeoshMXYliGh_4tU3OrHw2EjsVwZu3k8KbPi8fRMTCVjca1ig/viewform?usp=sharing&ouid=102990742476444666854

]]>d444a213-cdbd-4e76-be23-b379da0c2dc4Wed, 04 Mar 2026 15:00:00 GMT<p>Nick and Matt kick off a “special episode” format that pulls back the curtain on how they’re building Saga Accounting Solutions, starting with a quick firm update before zooming into their top-down growth plan: an org chart vision for what a mature 20 to 25 person firm should look like, how responsibilities shift as the team grows, and how they reduce “additional duties” by clarifying true ownership of areas like software and facilities. They then break down the constraints that drive every scaling decision, cash, talent, and systems, including their reserve rule of thumb, a capacity scorecard to quantify workload instead of relying on vibes, and how fixed-fee pricing still gets translated into internal budgeted hours for planning. The conversation closes on the lever they see as most powerful, pricing, and the decision path they use when demand outpaces capacity: hire when reserves support it, or raise prices to protect service quality and keep growth sustainable.<br /><br />Link to org chart:<br /><a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1TfJhYtmg1aPwoQQhcyhhYJDZV46RfCYerCxx8UNfOew/edit?usp=sharing" target="_blank">https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1TfJhYtmg1aPwoQQhcyhhYJDZV46RfCYerCxx8UNfOew/edit?usp=sharing</a><br /><br />If you would like to connect with us visit:<br /><br /><a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://sagaaccounting.com/" target="_blank">https://sagaaccounting.com/</a><br /><br />or to appear on the show, fill out a guest application:<br /><br /><a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeoshMXYliGh_4tU3OrHw2EjsVwZu3k8KbPi8fRMTCVjca1ig/viewform?usp=sharing&amp;ouid=102990742476444666854" target="_blank">https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeoshMXYliGh_4tU3OrHw2EjsVwZu3k8KbPi8fRMTCVjca1ig/viewform?usp=sharing&amp;ouid=102990742476444666854</a></p>no00:58:1511 - Nick & Matt - Inside Saga: Pursuing Organizational Growth in the Middle of Tax Seasonfull<![CDATA[12 - Darren King - Walking Away After a Private-Equity Buyout: Starting Over With Zero Clients]]>Darren King joins Nick to unpack how he went from a small-firm public accounting career to launching Darren King CPA in Sandpoint, Idaho, after watching multiple firm buyouts reshape client experience, pricing, and internal culture. He shares why the last private-equity buyout became the “now or never” moment to go solo, what it felt like to start with zero true side-practice clients, and how he built early momentum through past-client pull, subcontract work to keep the lights on, and a surprisingly effective referral-partner strategy of cold outreach to dozens of local bookkeepers. Darren explains why he’s tax-only by design, how he runs a simple one-call intake process (prior return first, then engagement letter), where his minimum pricing lands, and how he uses TaxDome as the all-in-one backbone alongside CCH Access, QBO, and a lean supporting stack. The conversation also covers capacity planning as a solo, turning down bad-fit work, staying local and relationship-driven, and building a firm around reasonable hours, autonomy, and a long-term vision of staying small.

To connect with Darren, visit his firms website:

https://www.darrenkingcpa.com/

or follow him on LinkedIn:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/darrenkingcpa

https://www.facebook.com/people/Darren-King-CPA-PLLC/61576615540774/

If you would like to connect with us visit:

https://sagaaccounting.com/

or to appear on the show, fill out a guest application:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeoshMXYliGh_4tU3OrHw2EjsVwZu3k8KbPi8fRMTCVjca1ig/viewform?usp=sharing&ouid=102990742476444666854

]]>7a14c5f7-f8e3-4fb3-bca4-94336088b03eWed, 11 Mar 2026 14:00:00 GMT<p>Darren King joins Nick to unpack how he went from a small-firm public accounting career to launching Darren King CPA in Sandpoint, Idaho, after watching multiple firm buyouts reshape client experience, pricing, and internal culture. He shares why the last private-equity buyout became the “now or never” moment to go solo, what it felt like to start with zero true side-practice clients, and how he built early momentum through past-client pull, subcontract work to keep the lights on, and a surprisingly effective referral-partner strategy of cold outreach to dozens of local bookkeepers. Darren explains why he’s tax-only by design, how he runs a simple one-call intake process (prior return first, then engagement letter), where his minimum pricing lands, and how he uses TaxDome as the all-in-one backbone alongside CCH Access, QBO, and a lean supporting stack. The conversation also covers capacity planning as a solo, turning down bad-fit work, staying local and relationship-driven, and building a firm around reasonable hours, autonomy, and a long-term vision of staying small.<br /><br />To connect with Darren, visit his firms website:<br /><br /><a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.darrenkingcpa.com/" target="_blank">https://www.darrenkingcpa.com/</a><br /><br />or follow him on LinkedIn:<br /><br /><a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/darrenkingcpa" target="_blank">https://www.linkedin.com/in/darrenkingcpa</a><br /><br /><a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.facebook.com/people/Darren-King-CPA-PLLC/61576615540774/" target="_blank">https://www.facebook.com/people/Darren-King-CPA-PLLC/61576615540774/</a><br /><br />If you would like to connect with us visit:<br /><br /><a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://sagaaccounting.com/" target="_blank">https://sagaaccounting.com/</a><br /><br />or to appear on the show, fill out a guest application:<br /><br /><a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeoshMXYliGh_4tU3OrHw2EjsVwZu3k8KbPi8fRMTCVjca1ig/viewform?usp=sharing&amp;ouid=102990742476444666854" target="_blank">https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeoshMXYliGh_4tU3OrHw2EjsVwZu3k8KbPi8fRMTCVjca1ig/viewform?usp=sharing&amp;ouid=102990742476444666854</a></p>no01:21:3212 - Darren King - Walking Away After a Private-Equity Buyout: Starting Over With Zero Clientsfull<![CDATA[10 - Jeremy Roman - Turning a Legacy 1040 Mill into a Systems-First Modern Firm in 3 Years]]>Jeremy Roman of R Tax Services joins Nick to unpack how he inherited a 40 year family tax practice in Evansville, Indiana and rebuilt it from the ground up. Jeremy shares the shock of discovering the firm was a 2,500 return 1040 mill averaging about $55 per return, why he standardized pricing immediately, and how he used policies and systems to stop discounting, fire the wrong clients, and protect his team’s time. He walks through the full overhaul, moving from Drake and Square to TaxDome, ClickUp, ProConnect, engagement letters, portals, and a real review process, while shifting from nonstop in person appointments to drop offs and virtual delivery. The conversation also covers Jeremy’s 2025 reset, raising the base return to $225, introducing three tiers including an advisory option, cutting bank products, and aiming for fewer returns, better margins, and a healthier life for his family and staff.

To connect with Jeremy, visit his firms website:

https://rtaxservices.com/

or follow him on LinkedIn:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/linuxjro

If you would like to connect with us visit:

https://sagaaccounting.com/

or to appear on the show, fill out a guest application:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeoshMXYliGh_4tU3OrHw2EjsVwZu3k8KbPi8fRMTCVjca1ig/viewform?usp=sharing&ouid=102990742476444666854

]]>5a6485d3-b9e0-4b75-98f4-e75da02b0deeWed, 18 Feb 2026 15:00:00 GMT<p>Jeremy Roman of R Tax Services joins Nick to unpack how he inherited a 40 year family tax practice in Evansville, Indiana and rebuilt it from the ground up. Jeremy shares the shock of discovering the firm was a 2,500 return 1040 mill averaging about $55 per return, why he standardized pricing immediately, and how he used policies and systems to stop discounting, fire the wrong clients, and protect his team’s time. He walks through the full overhaul, moving from Drake and Square to TaxDome, ClickUp, ProConnect, engagement letters, portals, and a real review process, while shifting from nonstop in person appointments to drop offs and virtual delivery. The conversation also covers Jeremy’s 2025 reset, raising the base return to $225, introducing three tiers including an advisory option, cutting bank products, and aiming for fewer returns, better margins, and a healthier life for his family and staff.</p><p></p><p>To connect with Jeremy, visit his firms website:</p><p></p><p><a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://rtaxservices.com/" target="_blank">https://rtaxservices.com/</a></p><p></p><p>or follow him on LinkedIn:</p><p></p><p><a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/linuxjro" target="_blank">https://www.linkedin.com/in/linuxjro</a><br /><br />If you would like to connect with us visit:<br /><br /><a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://sagaaccounting.com/" target="_blank"><b>https://sagaaccounting.com/</b></a><br /><br />or to appear on the show, fill out a guest application:<br /><br /><a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeoshMXYliGh_4tU3OrHw2EjsVwZu3k8KbPi8fRMTCVjca1ig/viewform?usp=sharing&amp;ouid=102990742476444666854" target="_blank"><b>https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeoshMXYliGh_4tU3OrHw2EjsVwZu3k8KbPi8fRMTCVjca1ig/viewform?usp=sharing&amp;ouid=102990742476444666854</b></a></p>no01:33:5010 - Jeremy Roman - Turning a Legacy 1040 Mill into a Systems-First Modern Firm in 3 Yearsfull<![CDATA[9 - Jonathan Tiralosi - From Cold Calling CPAs With 6 Months Runway To Building A Referral Flywheel]]>Jonathan Tiralosi of Bullseye Bookkeeping joins Nick to share how he went from KPMG and a pharma month-end close role to going full-time with only six months of runway and about $2,000 per month in recurring revenue. They break down the turning point that unlocked growth, which was cold-calling CPAs across five counties and turning those conversations into a tax pro referral flywheel through white-label and partner relationships. Jonathan also covers why he stays bookkeeping-only, how he delivers monthly financials with client-facing insights, and how he tiers reporting from P&L insights to cash flow reporting, Loom videos, and meetings. The conversation wraps with the tools and systems behind his workflow, including Financial Cents and Anchor, plus lessons on pricing cleanups versus catch-ups and building a firm that does not require long hours and weekends forever.

To connect with Jonathan, visit his firms website:

https://bullseyebookkeepingllc.com/

or follow him on your platform of choice:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jtiralosi

https://www.instagram.com/bullseyebookkeeping/

If you would like to connect with us visit:

https://sagaaccounting.com/

or to appear on the show, fill out a guest application:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeoshMXYliGh_4tU3OrHw2EjsVwZu3k8KbPi8fRMTCVjca1ig/viewform?usp=sharing&ouid=102990742476444666854

]]>67579791-d109-4e06-ab3c-78d8596bd2adWed, 11 Feb 2026 15:00:00 GMT<p>Jonathan Tiralosi of Bullseye Bookkeeping joins Nick to share how he went from KPMG and a pharma month-end close role to going full-time with only six months of runway and about $2,000 per month in recurring revenue. They break down the turning point that unlocked growth, which was cold-calling CPAs across five counties and turning those conversations into a tax pro referral flywheel through white-label and partner relationships. Jonathan also covers why he stays bookkeeping-only, how he delivers monthly financials with client-facing insights, and how he tiers reporting from P&amp;L insights to cash flow reporting, Loom videos, and meetings. The conversation wraps with the tools and systems behind his workflow, including Financial Cents and Anchor, plus lessons on pricing cleanups versus catch-ups and building a firm that does not require long hours and weekends forever.</p><p></p><p>To connect with Jonathan, visit his firms website:</p><p></p><p><a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://bullseyebookkeepingllc.com/" target="_blank">https://bullseyebookkeepingllc.com/</a></p><p></p><p>or follow him on your platform of choice:</p><p></p><p><a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/jtiralosi" target="_blank">https://www.linkedin.com/in/jtiralosi</a></p><p></p><p><a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.instagram.com/bullseyebookkeeping/" target="_blank">https://www.instagram.com/bullseyebookkeeping/</a><br /><br />If you would like to connect with us visit:<br /><br /><a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://sagaaccounting.com/" target="_blank"><b>https://sagaaccounting.com/</b></a><br /><br />or to appear on the show, fill out a guest application:<br /><br /><a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeoshMXYliGh_4tU3OrHw2EjsVwZu3k8KbPi8fRMTCVjca1ig/viewform?usp=sharing&amp;ouid=102990742476444666854" target="_blank"><b>https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeoshMXYliGh_4tU3OrHw2EjsVwZu3k8KbPi8fRMTCVjca1ig/viewform?usp=sharing&amp;ouid=102990742476444666854</b></a></p><p></p>no01:27:109 - Jonathan Tiralosi - From Cold Calling CPAs With 6 Months Runway To Building A Referral Flywheelfull<![CDATA[8 - Josh Schneider - Pursuing A Thousand Monthly Clients: The Vision Behind Multiply]]>Josh Schneider joins Nick to break down how a rough early CPA-firm experience and a later “breakthrough year” as an entrepreneur pushed him to launch Multiply Advisors with a bigger goal in mind: building toward 1,000 monthly clients. They dig into what he learned from interviewing 100 business owners, including the insight that 88% weren’t happy with their current accounting support and why switching providers is still so sticky. Josh shares how he’s trying to close the gap between compliance and real value, including faster “sit rep” style reporting and his Action Intelligence Report concept to give founders usable signals instead of waiting 30 days for perfect financials. The conversation also covers building a centralized client-communication model, experimenting with dashboards and automation, and why he’s built a significant portion of his team in the Philippines.

To connect with Josh, visit his firms website:

https://www.multiplyadvisors.com/

or follow him on your platform of choice:

https://www.instagram.com/thejoshuaschneider/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuarschneider/

If you would like to connect with us visit:

https://sagaaccounting.com/

or to appear on the show, fill out a guest application:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeoshMXYliGh_4tU3OrHw2EjsVwZu3k8KbPi8fRMTCVjca1ig/viewform?usp=sharing&ouid=102990742476444666854

]]>d3eeb1b1-1f67-4397-b5df-475baca737a8Wed, 04 Feb 2026 15:00:00 GMT<p>Josh Schneider joins Nick to break down how a rough early CPA-firm experience and a later “breakthrough year” as an entrepreneur pushed him to launch Multiply Advisors with a bigger goal in mind: building toward <b>1,000 monthly clients</b>. They dig into what he learned from interviewing 100 business owners, including the insight that 88% weren’t happy with their current accounting support and why switching providers is still so sticky. Josh shares how he’s trying to close the gap between compliance and real value, including faster “sit rep” style reporting and his Action Intelligence Report concept to give founders usable signals instead of waiting 30 days for perfect financials. The conversation also covers building a centralized client-communication model, experimenting with dashboards and automation, and why he’s built a significant portion of his team in the Philippines.</p><p></p><p>To connect with Josh, visit his firms website:<br /></p><p><a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.multiplyadvisors.com/" target="_blank">https://www.multiplyadvisors.com/</a></p><p></p><p>or follow him on your platform of choice:</p><p></p><p><a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.instagram.com/thejoshuaschneider/" target="_blank">https://www.instagram.com/thejoshuaschneider/</a></p><p></p><p><a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuarschneider/" target="_blank">https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuarschneider/</a><br /><br />If you would like to connect with us visit:<br /><br /><a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://sagaaccounting.com/" target="_blank"><b>https://sagaaccounting.com/</b></a><br /><br />or to appear on the show, fill out a guest application:<br /><br /><a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeoshMXYliGh_4tU3OrHw2EjsVwZu3k8KbPi8fRMTCVjca1ig/viewform?usp=sharing&amp;ouid=102990742476444666854" target="_blank"><b>https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeoshMXYliGh_4tU3OrHw2EjsVwZu3k8KbPi8fRMTCVjca1ig/viewform?usp=sharing&amp;ouid=102990742476444666854</b></a></p><p></p>no01:31:578 - Josh Schneider - Pursuing A Thousand Monthly Clients: The Vision Behind Multiplyfull<![CDATA[6 - Hector Cantu - Tripling Monthly Revenue Per Client in 3 Years]]>Hector Cantu joins Nick to break down how he’s built and refined his firm’s service model, including the shift from taking any client to packaging the right work for the right audience. They dig into Hector’s three-tier offering, how he structures proposals and sets expectations, and what he’s learned about pricing as the scope moves from basic compliance to higher-touch advisory. Hector also shares why bundling bookkeeping and tax creates a smoother client experience, how he builds repeatable workflows and client-facing systems (including Financial Cents), and how serving Spanish-speaking clients has become a meaningful differentiator. The conversation is a practical look at designing a firm around clarity, process, and sustainable delivery.

To connect with Hector, visit his firms website:

https://www.cantutaxconsulting.com/

If you would like to connect with us visit:

https://sagaaccounting.com/

or to appear on the show, fill out a guest application:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeoshMXYliGh_4tU3OrHw2EjsVwZu3k8KbPi8fRMTCVjca1ig/viewform?usp=sharing&ouid=102990742476444666854

]]>88772f25-88ee-4f55-82cb-64bf1c90ca2bThu, 22 Jan 2026 21:24:39 GMT<p>Hector Cantu joins Nick to break down how he’s built and refined his firm’s service model, including the shift from taking any client to packaging the right work for the right audience. They dig into Hector’s three-tier offering, how he structures proposals and sets expectations, and what he’s learned about pricing as the scope moves from basic compliance to higher-touch advisory. Hector also shares why bundling bookkeeping and tax creates a smoother client experience, how he builds repeatable workflows and client-facing systems (including Financial Cents), and how serving Spanish-speaking clients has become a meaningful differentiator. The conversation is a practical look at designing a firm around clarity, process, and sustainable delivery.<br /><br />To connect with Hector, visit his firms website:<br /><br /><a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.cantutaxconsulting.com/" target="_blank">https://www.cantutaxconsulting.com/</a><br /><br />If you would like to connect with us visit:<br /><br /><a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://sagaaccounting.com/" target="_blank">https://sagaaccounting.com/</a><br /><br />or to appear on the show, fill out a guest application:<br /><br /><a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeoshMXYliGh_4tU3OrHw2EjsVwZu3k8KbPi8fRMTCVjca1ig/viewform?usp=sharing&amp;ouid=102990742476444666854" target="_blank">https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeoshMXYliGh_4tU3OrHw2EjsVwZu3k8KbPi8fRMTCVjca1ig/viewform?usp=sharing&amp;ouid=102990742476444666854</a></p>no01:31:136 - Hector Cantu - Tripling Monthly Revenue Per Client in 3 Yearsfull<![CDATA[7 - Kim Kelleher & Heather Deibele - BEST. EXPERIENCE. EVER.: A Guiding Motto For Success]]>Kim Kelleher and Heather Deibele join Nick to break down how they each found their way into accounting, from Kim’s “accidental accountant” path that started with volunteering as a treasurer to Heather’s jump from engineering and startup ops into a fully remote, QuickBooks Online only firm. They walk through how a few years of coffee chats turned into a deliberate merger, the branding process that became Luma Accounting, and the culture systems they’ve built around “Best Experience Ever” for both clients and team. Kim and Heather share how they’ve standardized discovery, cleanup, and onboarding so client relationships can be owned by “Lantern Leaders” with “Light Keepers” supporting the monthly flow, plus why that structure finally lets them work on the business instead of staying stuck in delivery. The conversation also covers niching into construction and the trades (including job costing), experimenting with pricing that’s trending toward a percent-of-revenue model, and the tech stack behind it all, from Ramp and Gusto to Double, Airtable, Slack, and their early testing of Ping Assistant to capture meeting context, action items, and follow-through.

To connect with Kim & Heather, visit their firms website:

https://lumaaccounting.com/

or follow them on LinkedIn:

https://www.linkedin.com/company/luma-accounting-llc

https://www.linkedin.com/in/heatherdeibele

https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimkelleher

If you would like to connect with us visit:

https://sagaaccounting.com/

or to appear on the show, fill out a guest application:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeoshMXYliGh_4tU3OrHw2EjsVwZu3k8KbPi8fRMTCVjca1ig/viewform?usp=sharing&ouid=102990742476444666854

]]>49523af0-8acb-4153-9b23-a52f00337ce9Wed, 28 Jan 2026 15:00:00 GMT<p>Kim Kelleher and Heather Deibele join Nick to break down how they each found their way into accounting, from Kim’s “accidental accountant” path that started with volunteering as a treasurer to Heather’s jump from engineering and startup ops into a fully remote, QuickBooks Online only firm. They walk through how a few years of coffee chats turned into a deliberate merger, the branding process that became Luma Accounting, and the culture systems they’ve built around “Best Experience Ever” for both clients and team. Kim and Heather share how they’ve standardized discovery, cleanup, and onboarding so client relationships can be owned by “Lantern Leaders” with “Light Keepers” supporting the monthly flow, plus why that structure finally lets them work on the business instead of staying stuck in delivery. The conversation also covers niching into construction and the trades (including job costing), experimenting with pricing that’s trending toward a percent-of-revenue model, and the tech stack behind it all, from Ramp and Gusto to Double, Airtable, Slack, and their early testing of Ping Assistant to capture meeting context, action items, and follow-through.</p><p></p><p>To connect with Kim &amp; Heather, visit their firms website:<br /><br /><a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://lumaaccounting.com/" target="_blank">https://lumaaccounting.com/</a></p><p></p><p>or follow them on LinkedIn:</p><p></p><p><a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/luma-accounting-llc" target="_blank">https://www.linkedin.com/company/luma-accounting-llc</a></p><p></p><p><a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/heatherdeibele" target="_blank">https://www.linkedin.com/in/heatherdeibele</a></p><p></p><p><a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimkelleher" target="_blank">https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimkelleher</a><br /><br />If you would like to connect with us visit:<br /><br /><a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://sagaaccounting.com/" target="_blank"><b>https://sagaaccounting.com/</b></a><br /><br />or to appear on the show, fill out a guest application:<br /><br /><a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeoshMXYliGh_4tU3OrHw2EjsVwZu3k8KbPi8fRMTCVjca1ig/viewform?usp=sharing&amp;ouid=102990742476444666854" target="_blank"><b>https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeoshMXYliGh_4tU3OrHw2EjsVwZu3k8KbPi8fRMTCVjca1ig/viewform?usp=sharing&amp;ouid=102990742476444666854</b></a></p><p></p><p></p>no01:24:377 - Kim Kelleher & Heather Deibele - BEST. EXPERIENCE. EVER.: A Guiding Motto For Successfull<![CDATA[5 - Ryan Elblein - From Contractor to Solo Tax Firm Owner Targeting the Trades]]>Ryan Elblein joins Nick to break down how he went from big-firm tax to running a solo practice built from scratch, including the early side-hustle phase that turned into a full-time firm. They dig into what’s made the Tax Pros Discord such a high-value, real-time resource, plus how Ryan used BNI networking and subcontract work to create runway while his client base grew. Ryan shares why he now bundles tax and bookkeeping for “one point of contact,” how that unlocks faster planning throughout the year, and the tools behind his workflow (TaxDome, Stanford Tax, TacStorm, Beehive). The conversation also covers niching into the trades, experimenting with three-tier pricing based on delivery, and designing a firm around flexibility and family life.

To connect with Ryan, visit his firms website:

https://elbleincpa.com/

or follow him on your platform of choice:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryanelblein

https://www.instagram.com/ryanelbleincpa/

https://www.facebook.com/ElbleinCPA/

If you would like to connect with us visit:

https://sagaaccounting.com/

or to appear on the show, fill out a guest application:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeoshMXYliGh_4tU3OrHw2EjsVwZu3k8KbPi8fRMTCVjca1ig/viewform?usp=sharing&ouid=102990742476444666854

]]>d9deed72-7ff0-46fe-82d0-e82062f50864Wed, 14 Jan 2026 15:00:00 GMT<p>Ryan Elblein joins Nick to break down how he went from big-firm tax to running a solo practice built from scratch, including the early side-hustle phase that turned into a full-time firm. They dig into what’s made the Tax Pros Discord such a high-value, real-time resource, plus how Ryan used BNI networking and subcontract work to create runway while his client base grew. Ryan shares why he now bundles tax and bookkeeping for “one point of contact,” how that unlocks faster planning throughout the year, and the tools behind his workflow (TaxDome, Stanford Tax, TacStorm, Beehive). The conversation also covers niching into the trades, experimenting with three-tier pricing based on delivery, and designing a firm around flexibility and family life.</p><p></p><p>To connect with Ryan, visit his firms website:<br /><br /><a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://elbleincpa.com/" target="_blank">https://elbleincpa.com/</a><br /><br />or follow him on your platform of choice:<br /><br /><a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryanelblein" target="_blank">https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryanelblein</a><br /><br /><a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.instagram.com/ryanelbleincpa/" target="_blank">https://www.instagram.com/ryanelbleincpa/</a><br /><br /><a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.facebook.com/ElbleinCPA/" target="_blank">https://www.facebook.com/ElbleinCPA/</a><br /><br />If you would like to connect with us visit:<br /><br /><a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://sagaaccounting.com/" target="_blank">https://sagaaccounting.com/</a><br /><br />or to appear on the show, fill out a guest application:<br /><br /><a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeoshMXYliGh_4tU3OrHw2EjsVwZu3k8KbPi8fRMTCVjca1ig/viewform?usp=sharing&amp;ouid=102990742476444666854" target="_blank">https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeoshMXYliGh_4tU3OrHw2EjsVwZu3k8KbPi8fRMTCVjca1ig/viewform?usp=sharing&amp;ouid=102990742476444666854</a></p>no01:21:455 - Ryan Elblein - From Contractor to Solo Tax Firm Owner Targeting the Tradesfull<![CDATA[4 - Lauren Dozier - Building a Part-Time, Fully Remote Team Offering Controllership Services]]>In this episode, Nick talks with Lauren Dozier, founder of Dozier Financial Services, about going from a corporate finance background to building a bookkeeping firm that evolved into controllership style work and full back-office support. Lauren walks through how her service offering expanded as clients needed more than clean books, what “decision-ready” reporting looks like in practice, and how she thinks about scope as the back office gets more complex. They also get into payroll, why it became a consistent pain point, and how shifting tools and delegating specialized payroll work improved both client experience and delivery. Plus, a practical look at operations, from early scrappy task tracking to building repeatable workflows as she hired a small remote, part-time team.

To connect with Lauren visit her firms website:

https://www.dozierfinancialservices.com/

or follow her on your platform of choice:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauren-dozier-9301878a

https://www.instagram.com/dozier.financial.services.llc

https://www.facebook.com/people/Dozier-Financial-Services-LLC/61562940217553/

If you would like to connect with us visit:

https://sagaaccounting.com/

or to appear on the show, fill out a guest application:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeoshMXYliGh_4tU3OrHw2EjsVwZu3k8KbPi8fRMTCVjca1ig/viewform?usp=sharing&ouid=102990742476444666854

]]>11f9baae-027e-4042-92bf-9c6ec4688a3aTue, 06 Jan 2026 15:00:00 GMT<p>In this episode, Nick talks with Lauren Dozier, founder of Dozier Financial Services, about going from a corporate finance background to building a bookkeeping firm that evolved into controllership style work and full back-office support. Lauren walks through how her service offering expanded as clients needed more than clean books, what “decision-ready” reporting looks like in practice, and how she thinks about scope as the back office gets more complex. They also get into payroll, why it became a consistent pain point, and how shifting tools and delegating specialized payroll work improved both client experience and delivery. Plus, a practical look at operations, from early scrappy task tracking to building repeatable workflows as she hired a small remote, part-time team.<br /><br />To connect with Lauren visit her firms website:<br /><br /><a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.dozierfinancialservices.com/" target="_blank">https://www.dozierfinancialservices.com/</a><br /><br />or follow her on your platform of choice:<br /><br /><a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauren-dozier-9301878a" target="_blank">https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauren-dozier-9301878a</a><br /><br /><a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.instagram.com/dozier.financial.services.llc" target="_blank">https://www.instagram.com/dozier.financial.services.llc</a><br /><br /><a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.facebook.com/people/Dozier-Financial-Services-LLC/61562940217553/" target="_blank">https://www.facebook.com/people/Dozier-Financial-Services-LLC/61562940217553/</a><br /><br />If you would like to connect with us visit:<br /><br /><a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://sagaaccounting.com/" target="_blank">https://sagaaccounting.com/</a><br /><br />or to appear on the show, fill out a guest application:<br /><br /><a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeoshMXYliGh_4tU3OrHw2EjsVwZu3k8KbPi8fRMTCVjca1ig/viewform?usp=sharing&amp;ouid=102990742476444666854" target="_blank">https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeoshMXYliGh_4tU3OrHw2EjsVwZu3k8KbPi8fRMTCVjca1ig/viewform?usp=sharing&amp;ouid=102990742476444666854</a></p>no01:29:554 - Lauren Dozier - Building a Part-Time, Fully Remote Team Offering Controllership Servicesfull<![CDATA[3 - Don Leavitt - Building a Highly Specialized Solo Tax Firm ]]>In this episode, Nick talks with Don Leavitt, founder of ArrowCPA, about building a solo firm that’s tax-first, subscription-based, and intentionally small. Don walks through his winding path into accounting, what finally pushed him to go out on his own, and how he structured monthly tax advisory so he can deliver real planning without living in the “billable hour” hamster wheel. They also get into niching (including gas stations and convenience stores), keeping the client list lean, and the trade-offs that come with customer concentration. Plus, a quick detour into Don’s track-day hobby and why it oddly parallels with running a firm.

To connect with Don visit his firms website:

arrowcpa.co

or follow him on your platform of choice:

LinkedIn

Facebook

If you would like to connect with us visit:

https://sagaaccounting.com/

or to appear on the show, fill out a guest application:

Guest Application

]]>005cb12b-258b-4cc2-9f76-50271e59973bWed, 31 Dec 2025 15:00:00 GMT<p>In this episode, Nick talks with Don Leavitt, founder of ArrowCPA, about building a solo firm that’s tax-first, subscription-based, and intentionally small. Don walks through his winding path into accounting, what finally pushed him to go out on his own, and how he structured monthly tax advisory so he can deliver real planning without living in the “billable hour” hamster wheel. They also get into niching (including gas stations and convenience stores), keeping the client list lean, and the trade-offs that come with customer concentration. Plus, a quick detour into Don’s track-day hobby and why it oddly parallels with running a firm.</p><p></p><p>To connect with Don visit his firms website:</p><p><a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://arrowcpa.co/" target="_blank">arrowcpa.co</a></p><p></p><p>or follow him on your platform of choice:</p><p><a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/arrow-cpa-pc/" target="_blank">LinkedIn</a></p><p><a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.facebook.com/p/Arrow-CPA-PC-61559830180376/" target="_blank">Facebook</a></p><p></p><p>If you would like to connect with us visit:</p><p><a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://sagaaccounting.com/" target="_blank"><b>https://sagaaccounting.com/</b></a></p><p></p><p>or to appear on the show, fill out a guest application:</p><p><a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeoshMXYliGh_4tU3OrHw2EjsVwZu3k8KbPi8fRMTCVjca1ig/viewform?usp=sharing&amp;ouid=102990742476444666854" target="_blank">Guest Application</a></p><p></p>no01:32:333 - Don Leavitt - Building a Highly Specialized Solo Tax Firm full<![CDATA[2 - Katrina Kowalski - From Big Accounting to Building a Lifestyle Flexible Firm that Scales]]>On this episode, Nick chats with Katrina Kowalski, a New Hampshire-based CPA and owner of OnPoint Tax & Consulting. Katrina shares her path from traditional public accounting, starting at Arthur Andersen to eventually launching a practice that gives her (and her team) real flexibility. Katrina and her partner run a seven-person, all-women team of working moms, largely virtual, with clear boundaries and systems to keep tax season sane.

To connect with Katrina visit her firms website:

https://onpointnh.com/

or follow her on LinkedIn:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/katrina-kowalski-cpa-a269011

If you would like to connect with us visit:

https://sagaaccounting.com/

or to appear on the show, fill out a guest application:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeoshMXYliGh_4tU3OrHw2EjsVwZu3k8KbPi8fRMTCVjca1ig/viewform?usp=sharing&ouid=102990742476444666854

Chapters

  • 00:00 Client Planning Calls and Client Niching
  • 36:31 Client Relationships and Experience
  • 43:42 Partnership Structures and Agreements
  • 53:02 Practice Management and Client Success Role
  • 01:03:48 Book Recommendations and Hobbies
]]>85c18f8b-021b-4327-bb6e-0d7a8676d315Wed, 24 Dec 2025 15:00:00 GMT<p>On this episode, Nick chats with Katrina Kowalski, a New Hampshire-based CPA and owner of OnPoint Tax &amp; Consulting. Katrina shares her path from traditional public accounting, starting at Arthur Andersen to eventually launching a practice that gives her (and her team) real flexibility. Katrina and her partner run a seven-person, all-women team of working moms, largely virtual, with clear boundaries and systems to keep tax season sane.</p><p></p><p>To connect with Katrina visit her firms website:</p><p><a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://onpointnh.com/" target="_blank">https://onpointnh.com/</a></p><p></p><p>or follow her on LinkedIn:</p><p><a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/katrina-kowalski-cpa-a269011" target="_blank">https://www.linkedin.com/in/katrina-kowalski-cpa-a269011</a></p><p></p><p>If you would like to connect with us visit:</p><p><a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://sagaaccounting.com/" target="_blank"><b>https://sagaaccounting.com/</b></a></p><p></p><p>or to appear on the show, fill out a guest application:</p><p><a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeoshMXYliGh_4tU3OrHw2EjsVwZu3k8KbPi8fRMTCVjca1ig/viewform?usp=sharing&amp;ouid=102990742476444666854" target="_blank">https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeoshMXYliGh_4tU3OrHw2EjsVwZu3k8KbPi8fRMTCVjca1ig/viewform?usp=sharing&amp;ouid=102990742476444666854</a></p><p></p><p></p><p>Chapters</p><ul><li>00:00 Client Planning Calls and Client Niching</li><li>36:31 Client Relationships and Experience</li><li>43:42 Partnership Structures and Agreements</li><li>53:02 Practice Management and Client Success Role</li><li>01:03:48 Book Recommendations and Hobbies</li></ul>no01:12:212 - Katrina Kowalski - From Big Accounting to Building a Lifestyle Flexible Firm that Scalesfull<![CDATA[1 - Mourgan Reed-Cintron - Tranquil Transactions: Building a Wellness-Focused Firm]]>Welcome to the Between 2 Firms podcast, a show centered around conversations between business owners in the accounting industry.

In this first episode, we give an introduction to ourselves and have a great conversation with Mourgan Reed-Cintron, a CPA, Registered Yoga Teacher, and owner of Tranquil Transactions CPA PLLC. We hope you enjoy listening and feel free to get in touch with us if there is anything you would like to hear us discuss, or if you would like to appear on the program.

To connect with Mourgan visit her firms website:

https://www.tranquiltransactions.cpa/

or follow her on your favored platform:

https://www.instagram.com/tranquiltransactions

https://www.facebook.com/tranquiltransactions/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/tranquil-transactions-cpa-pllc

If you would like to connect with us visit:

https://sagaaccounting.com/

or to appear on the show, fill out a guest application:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeoshMXYliGh_4tU3OrHw2EjsVwZu3k8KbPi8fRMTCVjca1ig/viewform?usp=sharing&ouid=102990742476444666854

]]>4af67ac3-5697-49e3-82ab-96dbdd71ab40Wed, 17 Dec 2025 15:36:55 GMT<p>Welcome to the Between 2 Firms podcast, a show centered around conversations between business owners in the accounting industry.</p><p></p><p>In this first episode, we give an introduction to ourselves and have a great conversation with Mourgan Reed-Cintron, a CPA, Registered Yoga Teacher, and owner of Tranquil Transactions CPA PLLC. We hope you enjoy listening and feel free to get in touch with us if there is anything you would like to hear us discuss, or if you would like to appear on the program.</p><p></p><p>To connect with Mourgan visit her firms website:</p><p><a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.tranquiltransactions.cpa/" target="_blank">https://www.tranquiltransactions.cpa/</a></p><p></p><p>or follow her on your favored platform:</p><p><a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.instagram.com/tranquiltransactions" target="_blank">https://www.instagram.com/tranquiltransactions</a></p><p><a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.facebook.com/tranquiltransactions/" target="_blank">https://www.facebook.com/tranquiltransactions/</a></p><p><a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/tranquil-transactions-cpa-pllc" target="_blank">https://www.linkedin.com/company/tranquil-transactions-cpa-pllc</a></p><p></p><p>If you would like to connect with us visit:</p><p><a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://sagaaccounting.com/" target="_blank">https://sagaaccounting.com/</a></p><p></p><p>or to appear on the show, fill out a guest application:</p><p><a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeoshMXYliGh_4tU3OrHw2EjsVwZu3k8KbPi8fRMTCVjca1ig/viewform?usp=sharing&amp;ouid=102990742476444666854" target="_blank">https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeoshMXYliGh_4tU3OrHw2EjsVwZu3k8KbPi8fRMTCVjca1ig/viewform?usp=sharing&amp;ouid=102990742476444666854</a></p>no01:32:021 - Mourgan Reed-Cintron - Tranquil Transactions: Building a Wellness-Focused Firmfull