Best Damien Greathead Podcasts (2024)

1
Smart Ways to Streamline Your Accounting Firm 44:19

3M ago44:19

44:19

Are your accounting firm's processes truly optimized, or are you considering automation as a quick fix to deeper workflow issues? In this episode, hosts Damien Greathead and Penny Breslin are joined by Korey Cournoyer to explore the world of automation within accounting firms. They discuss the importance of process documentation, the benefits of st…

1
Outsourcing Your Accounting: Tips and Strategies 42:52

3M ago42:52

42:52

Are your accounting firm's processes truly optimized, or are you considering outsourcing as a quick fix to deeper workflow issues? In this episode, hosts Damien Greathead and Penny Breslin delve into the topic of outsourcing within the accounting industry. They discuss the challenges firms face with staffing shortages, the increasing client demand …

1
Podcast Marketing: Why Do It? 40:00

5M ago40:00

40:00

Are you maximizing your firm's potential by effectively marketing your services, even when you're swamped with work? In this episode of "Strategy and the Virtual Controller," Penny Breslin interviews Damien Greathead about marketing for accounting firms. They discuss the importance of maintaining an updated and specific website, effective client co…

1
Data-Driven Advisory Success with James Childress 43:53

6M ago43:53

43:53

Are you leveraging data effectively to close the gap between your business goals and your current performance? In this episode, co-hosts Damien Greathead and Penny Breslin interview James Childress, a former CPA who transitioned his firm to focus exclusively on advisory services. James shares his journey from a traditional CPA firm to specializing …

1
Navigating Cyber Threats with Christophe Reglat 47:15

7M ago47:15

47:15

In this episode, hosts Damien Greathead and Penny Breslin delve into cybersecurity within the realm of CPA operations with guest Christophe Reglat. Christophe discusses his extensive background in managing data centers and the evolution of cybersecurity, particularly focusing on the challenges CPAs face. The conversation covers the importance of co…

1
Transforming Accounting: Embracing Change for Sustained Success 32:38

8M ago32:38

32:38

Are your accounting practices ready for the transformative wave of technology, or are you stuck in the compliance grind? In this episode, hosts Damien Greathead and Penny Breslin discuss the importance of transformation in accounting firms. They touch on the continuous nature of tax season, the challenges firms face in adopting new technology, and …

1
Balancing the Books and Life: Transforming Your Accounting Practice for Joy and Profit with Amanda Gascoigne 44:16

8M ago44:16

44:16

Have you ever wondered how to transform the endless busy season into a well-balanced, profitable practice? This episode features an enlightening conversation with Amanda Gascoigne, who shares her insights on creating a more balanced and profitable accounting practice. The discussion covers the importance of selecting ideal clients, the benefits of …

1
Strategic Journey to Dext with Rachel Fisch 48:08

9M ago48:08

48:08

Damien Greathead, alongside co-host Penny Breslin, welcomes Rachel Fisch for an insightful episode that delves into the nuances of modern accounting practices, leveraging technology for growth, and the journey of niche specialization. The discussion covers Rachel's extensive background in the accounting industry, from her early days of recognizing …

1
Symptoms Versus Causes 39:07

9M ago39:07

39:07

Ever wondered how tackling the root causes of business problems instead of just the symptoms can transform your efficiency, especially during the hectic tax season? Hosts Damien Greathead and Penny Breslin discuss the crucial topic of identifying and addressing the symptoms and root causes of problems in a business process, especially in the accoun…

1
Maximizing Efficiency: The Power of Daily Standups 46:17

10M ago46:17

46:17

How does the implementation of a daily stand-up meeting empower team members, and what role does continuous learning and training play in maintaining quality service in a rapidly evolving work environment? In this episode, Damien and Penny delve into the power of daily stand-up meetings with the team of S&N Financial in Chennai, India. The team dis…

1
Strategizing in the Digital Age: Insights from Damien and Penny 35:47

10M ago35:47

35:47

Are you curious about how technology is transforming the accounting profession and what skills are now essential for success in this evolving landscape? In this episode, co-hosts Damian Gracehead and Penny Breslin discuss the impact of bots on accounting, the importance of human review in automation, and how keen learners can help keep professional…

1
Global Perspectives in Accounting and Advisory 37:06

11M ago37:06

37:06

Explore the dynamic world of accounting and advisory services in today’s episode with Damien Greathead and Penny Breslin! In this episode, Damien and Penny delve into the intricacies of virtual controller services, discussing the evolving role of accountants in today's digital landscape. They share their experiences from QuickBooks Connect in Las V…

1
How to Build a Business with Intention ft. Dawn W. Brolin, CPA, CFE and More! Live at QuickBooks Connect in Las Vegas 43:59

11M ago43:59

43:59

How are today's accounting firms harnessing technology and AI to enhance efficiency and streamline operations? What are the cutting-edge trends in cloud-based accounting, and how can these strategies be effectively implemented in your firm? Welcome back to Strategy and the Virtual Controller! Penny Breslin and Damien Greathead dive into cloud accou…

1
CAS, what does it take? With Jan Haugo 48:06

12M ago48:06

48:06

Are you having trouble navigating the complexities of integrating Client Accounting Services (CAS) into your accounting practice? In this episode, Damien and Penny have on Jan Haugo to dive deep into the journey of adopting CAS. They explore how this isn't just about embracing new technology but fundamentally evolving your business model to align w…

1
The Future of Accounting and Revolutionizing Tax Filing with AI 47:29

1y ago47:29

47:29

How is the rise of AI and advanced technology reshaping the landscape of accounting? In this episode, Damien and Penny sit down with Jody Padar. Sharing her journey, Jody detailed her transition from joining her father's traditional firm to establishing her brand, "the Radical CPA", leveraging cutting-edge tech. She talks about April, an AI-powered…

1
Expert Cybersecurity Tips for Accountants 50:04

1y ago50:04

50:04

Phishing emails are common nowadays. How aware are you of these threats? Do you know the magnitude of what these hackers can do? This episode of the podcast Strategy in the Virtual Controller dives into the story of Andrew Lassise, IT for tax professionals & bookkeepers at Rush Tech / Tech 4 Accountants. Andrew provides insight into common cyber th…

1
Reinventing the Traditional Accounting Firm 30:48

1y ago30:48

30:48

What are the new perspectives in technology in relation to the current financial landscape? In this episode of Strategy and the Virtual Controller, Damien and Penny discuss how accountants and financial planners are adapting to the current financial landscape in the midst of the pandemic. They share their experiences from a conference they attended…

1
How to Implement an Effective Training Program 36:55

1y ago36:55

36:55

Why is it important to be trained when working with AI-driven solutions? In this episode of Strategy and the Virtual Controller, Damien and Penny discuss their recent getaways and how they managed to get back to work after taking a break. They talk about the importance of training when working with AI-driven solutions. They highlight why training i…

1
Carving Out Time To Achieve Anticipated Results 40:11

1+ y ago40:11

40:11

Why do you need to keep tasks easy to understand? In this episode of Strategy and the Virtual Controller, Damien, and Penny tackle the importance of taking a step back before implementing any technology or workflow changes. They discuss how to set up an anticipatory set that will help employees work more efficiently and effectively, reduce misunder…

1
“Scaling New Heights” With AI Technology 36:42

1+ y ago36:42

36:42

In this episode, Damien and Penny discuss the importance of leveraging AI to build more intentional businesses, allowing accountants to focus on building relationships and providing value-added services. The conversation covers topics such as managing data, automating processes, making predictions based on prior history, the need for standardized b…

1
Streamline Your Workflow And Organize Chaos 35:39

1+ y ago35:39

35:39

In this episode, Damien and Penny explore how accounting firms and bookkeepers can use workflow, AI, and technology to build their business with intentionality, help their clients better understand their business, and deliver value to them, as well as create a great workplace for their team. The conversation focuses on the benefits of workflow, suc…

1
Enhancing Efficiency With AI Automation 40:55

1+ y ago40:55

40:55

In this episode, Damien and Penny explore the changing job environment due to the increasing use of AI in accounting and tax processes. They share their experiences with Carbon, an AI-powered workflow tool that some of their clients are using. The conversation dives into the potential of AI to automate tasks in the accounting process, such as check…

1
Exploring The Frontier Of Artificial Intelligence 28:21

1+ y ago28:21

28:21

In this episode, Damien and Penny discuss the potential of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to revolutionize tax season. From simplifying bookkeeping processes to improving communication between businesses and their clients, they explore how AI is transforming the way accounting teams work and how it can help reduce time spent waiting for client respon…

1
Setting Clear Expectations with Clients 36:07

1+ y ago36:07

36:07

In this episode, Damien and Penny share their experiences working with accounting firms around the world and provide valuable insights on how to avoid dropped balls and miscommunications with clients. They emphasize the importance of intentionally building businesses in the accounting and bookkeeping industry. The conversation today highlights sett…

1
Regularly Reviewing Your Tech Stack for Business Growth and Success 36:46

1+ y ago36:46

36:46

In this episode, Damien and Penny dive deep into the importance of organizational structure, service mix, and team building for accountants and bookkeepers who seek to build intentional businesses. They share their experience with new hires who bring fresh ideas and perspectives to the table, emphasizing the importance of surrounding oneself with c…

1
Unlocking Valuable Relationships And Opportunities In The Accounting Industry 30:14

1+ y ago30:14

30:14

In this episode, Damien and Penny discuss the impact of tax season on their workload, with the bookkeeping team being busier than usual. They stress the importance of vetting potential clients before taking them on, including reviewing their website and understanding their specific needs. This helps them provide tailor-made services that meet each …

1
Navigating The Challenges Of Outsourcing 34:00

1+ y ago34:00

34:00

In this episode, Damien and Penny discuss their recent travels and their experiences with outsourcing and hiring employees. They share their stories of exploring different cultures, meeting new people, and experiencing new things. They emphasize the importance of proper organization and onboarding processes when it comes to hiring employees or outs…

1
Growth And Transformation Through Technology and Coaching 36:53

1+ y ago36:53

36:53

In this episode, Damien and Penny discuss how accounting and bookkeeping firms have been impacted by the pandemic. They discuss Penny’s recent trip to Chennai and how people are shifting towards remote work, businesses have had to adjust to a high rate of turnover, and schools have been on Zoom for two years. They delve into gender inequality and u…

1
Special Episode: Celebrate International Women's Day 41:21

1+ y ago41:21

41:21

We have a treat for you for our 51st episode. You may have heard Penny talk about her business partners Nirmala and Sharmila who run the accounting firm in Chennai, India. With Penny in Chennai, we figured it was a great opportunity to chat with them to learn about what inspired them to take the entrepreneurial leap and start their own accounting f…

1
Say (YES to saying) No to new clients** 35:34

1+ y ago35:34

35:34

We're trying to keep it positive here at Strategy & the Virtual Controller, and today we're discussing saying no to new clients at this time of the year. Of course there's new business to be won at this time of year, but are you set up to onboard clients and get the work done successfully? If not, then just say no. Most firms will fall into this ca…

1
Live in Las Vegas 54:19

2y ago54:19

54:19

Saturday Special! Today's episode comes to you 'live' from last year's QuickBooks Connect. We were lucky enough to get 8+ attendees in the room to discuss their thoughts not only on the return of QuickBooks Connect to live and in person, but also what's happening in their firm, common challenges and how they're tackling them. It was a great session…

1
It's time to say yes 39:05

2y ago39:05

39:05

Happy new year! Will it be new year new you? Or will it be same old same old. We're back with a new episode of Strategy and the Virtual Controller and today we're talking about saying no to things that don't align with your vision for your business. But instead of the negative, let's turn it into a positive and focus on what we're saying yes to. Ye…

1
No need to wait until January 45:20

2y ago45:20

45:20

There's no need to wait until January to start specific tasks in the year-end process. It's the start of December, so why not start communicating with your clients about what's coming up. Whether it's W9s for the 1099 process or just helping your clients get better organized, we discuss tactics that will help firms get better prepared for a less st…

1
Capturing the context in a remote world 45:20

2y ago45:20

45:20

In this episode we discuss how firms can better leverage technology to not only move tasks around the office, but also move knowledge around the firm. Regardless of where your team works - virtually, physically or likely a blend of both - you need to be able to capture all of the small conversations, the small tidbits that are critical to getting t…

1
Marketing is not a dirty word! 40:44

2y ago40:44

40:44

In this episode of the tax season pre-season mini-series we talk marketing! A lot of accountants don’t like to talk about marketing, Penny included. However, you can easily reframe marketing to communicating. How are you communicating with your clients? What’s the comms plan to get them organized before the year-end? What are the frequently asked q…

1
Tax season pre-season 41:07

2y ago41:07

41:07

It's the time of year again - the tax season pre-season. You've now got a small window of opportunity to make changes in your business to create a better, smoother tax season. You can't change everything, so what are 2-3 things you will focus on? This episode kicks off the pre-season, and over the next few episodes we'll be deep diving into key are…

1
Getting specific: MFA for a virtual workforce 33:53

2y ago33:53

33:53

In this episode we get super specific and talk tools. We've had a bunch of emails come in from listeners asking about how to work with multi factor authentication (MFA) for all the different apps in and accounting tech stack. We talk about tools in Penny's workflow namely yodel.io which is is VoIP company that has a bunch of integrations including …

1
W is for workflow 39:47

2y ago39:47

39:47

There are many ways to define a workflow, but, put simply, it’s the organization of work so you can see how it should move from one stage to the next. Today's episode we discuss key elements to consider when it comes to workflow. Most firms have recognized the importance of workflow software, but few have it fully implemented, let alone reaping the…

1
Who’s driving this bus anyway? 36:51

2y ago36:51

36:51

We discuss two interesting conversations this week. Both with practitioners that are struggling to find people. Coincidently the firm is also struggling with going paperless and scared to introduce new technology to clients. Unfortunately the pre-Covid excuse of my clients won’t do that just doesn’t fly. So the question is who or ‘what’ is driving …

1
Change will cause tension (and that's OK) 34:59

2y ago34:59

34:59

In this episode we discuss an interesting article about change and understanding that change will cause tension, and that's OK. In fact the author contends it's required and uses the analogy of rope requiring tension to perform its key task - pulling something/hanging something etc. We also discuss the importance of getting out of the way to allow …

1
When to call a turkey a turkey 31:20

2y ago31:20

31:20

Too many times it's happened when we've ignored our gut, broken our own rules and taken on a client that we didn't feel quite right about. In this episode we discuss moving clients on or being forthright and saying no to a new client that you know doesn't quite fit. And no surprises, but the sooner you make the call the better. To ask us any questi…

1
Onsite visit, in the trenches 45:52

2+ y ago45:52

45:52

We've got something special for you in this episode You might remember Rachel Siegel from a previous episode sharing how she has been building her firm. In this episode Penny and Rachel head into a firm that wants to better focus on their clients throughout the year rather than just tax season. Penny and Rachel really dig into the firm and it sound…

1
Where are all the good accounting grads? 36:33

2+ y ago36:33

36:33

According to the AICPA record numbers of students are graduating with accounting degrees, but accounting firms at graduate job fairs aren't seeing these candidates. In this episode we discuss what might be causing this dearth of graduate talent for public accounting firms. A common theme throughout this podcast has been that same as last year (or S…

1
Every Firm Needs a 'Beth' 38:03

2+ y ago38:03

38:03

As you start to build your CAS (or is it CAAS?) one of the things you'll need to think about is your organizational structure. Typical accounting and bookkeeping firms grow by adding more accountants and bookkeepers, however what we've found, for your CAS business to grow you'll need a different skill set in your next hire. We've named this person …

1
Is it CAS or CAAS? What's it matter? 36:44

2+ y ago36:44

36:44

So what is it? Client Accounting Services? Client Advisory Services? Or Client Accounting and Advisory Services? And does it matter? Well yes, because you have to be very clear to your clients as to what services you're providing and to your team what tasks need to be completed to deliver on your promise to clients. Without proper definition these …

1
On the road again - key lessons from recent conferences 42:58

2+ y ago42:58

42:58

We've been on the road and in today's episode we share our insights picked up from AICPA's Engage Conference in Las Vegas, and Scaling New Heights and BKX in Orlando. Were you at any of the conferences? What were your key take aways? Plus we've seen a number of apps close their doors as funding dries up and we share some questions you should be ask…

1
Can technologists be taught accounting 35:26

2+ y ago35:26

35:26

An interesting article on Accounting Today asked the question do you train accountants on tech, or technologists in accounting? Ultimately where we landed was agreeing with Geni Whitehouse who said hire the attitude and train for what you need. The old way of building an accounting firm was to hire more accountants and bookkeepers, but what we know…

1
Conferences IRL 35:59

2+ y ago35:59

35:59

Today's episode we catch up following a few weeks of being on the road and attending conferences in real life again. We talk through the AccountingWeb Summit in San Diego and Intuit's Get Connected conference in Sydney. Not surprisingly, themes were consistent across both conferences - What's the new normal for the workplace? How AI and automation …

1
When Tech Goes Down... 36:08

2+ y ago36:08

36:08

Early on when talking to accountants and bookkeepers about the cloud, we always got the question, well what happens when the internet goes down... Thankfully our look into the crystal ball proved successful (big gamble) and the internet got better and better, and faster and faster, meaning we got fewer of these types questions. And what happened th…

1
We Don't Have All Your Answers 36:08

2+ y ago36:08

36:08

Thank you to everyone who has dropped us an email, or connected with us on LinkedIn - keep your emails coming in! That being said we've had a couple of questions from listeners looking for all the answers - a blueprint of sorts to follow. However when we've dug a little deeper in conversations with these folks, one thing is particularly apparent - …

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