Many of us have heard horror stories from accountants about their experience working in the industry - the long hours, being under-compensated, the high costs of completing accounting accreditations ... It’s no wonder the pipleline of accounting professions is dwindling and experienced accountants are leaving the profession altogether. Or is it?In this episode, Liz Kolar brings more than 35 years of accounting and professional education experience to the table as she joins Keila to provide her perspective on the shortage of accountants and what firms are doing to address it. Tune in to learn why Liz thinks the best time to become a CPA is NOW! KEY POINTS:Liz Kolar’s unique industry perspective When did the decline of accountant candidates begin?Why are candidates NOT choosing accounting Is there a CPA pipeline crisis?What are firms doing to make accounting more desirable? QUOTABLES:“The feedback we're getting, it’s a very complex issue. It's not one issue we can resolve, and everybody will come back. There are multiple factors. And they're all quite concerning.” - Liz Kolar GUEST RESOURCES:Liz Kolarsurgent.comLinkedIn | linkedin.com/in/lizkolar RESOURCES:Like what you’re hearing? Check out Little Fish Accounting at: www.littlefishaccounting.comLearn more about Little Fish’s suite of services and get access to new goodies by signing up for our newsletter: mailchi.mp/littlefishaccounting/socialFollow Little Fish Accounting on social media!IG | instagram.com/littlefishaccounting   The Fish Food Podcast is edited by Instapodcasts (visit at instapodcasts.com)

You landed a million dollar project, but the money will only come later. So how much do you have right now to cover expenses incurred before that check clears? Because it’s not just about how much you’re bringing in but the amount of money coming in on time for the amount that has to go out.  So in this episode, Keila talks cash flow - why it’s important, what you need to pay attention to, and the pitfalls she sees many entrepreneurs fall into. An episode not to be missed for all small businesses with ebbs and flows working on a project or launch basis. KEY POINTS:Why your small business needs a cushion Double counting sales and outstanding invoices How Little Fish strategizes cash flow QUOTABLES:“So what does all of this mean? Well, cash is king.” - Keila    RESOURCES:Like what you’re hearing? Check out Little Fish Accounting at: www.littlefishaccounting.comLearn more about Little Fish’s suite of services and get access to new goodies by signing up for our newsletter: mailchi.mp/littlefishaccounting/socialFollow Little Fish Accounting on social media!IG | instagram.com/littlefishaccountingThe Fish Food Podcast is edited by Instapodcasts (visit at instapodcasts.com)

Inclusion strategist, certified coach, speaker, and author Amber Cabral is back to discuss what it means to build a business that not only feels successful to you but also feels like a business you actually want to run.  Tune in as Amber shares her journey from solopreneur to realizing she couldn’t do it all on her own and had to grow, all while keeping the heart of her business alive. And how she decided that the impact, culture, and legacy of her small business was worth more than the “big dollars.” KEY POINTS:The journey from solopreneur to business ownerIdentifying your “enough” number The impact and culture of intentionally small businesses “How much is the money worth?”Why you need to get clear about what you love doing in your businessQUOTABLES: “The bigger you get, the harder it is to translate the heart of the mission.” “Figure out early if you're building a business and want to work in your field or building a business you want to sell.”  GUEST RESOURCES: Amber Cabral Ambercabral.com www.cabralconsultingllc.com IG | instagram.com/bamcabral LinkedIn | linkedin.com/in/ambercabral  RESOURCES:Like what you’re hearing? Check out Little Fish Accounting at: www.littlefishaccounting.comLearn more about Little Fish’s suite of services and get access to new goodies by signing up for our newsletter: mailchi.mp/littlefishaccounting/socialFollow Little Fish Accounting on social media!IG | instagram.com/littlefishaccountingThe Fish Food Podcast is edited by Instapodcasts (visit at instapodcasts.com)

The more offers you have, the more money you will make, right? WRONG! While it may sound counterintuitive, in this episode, Keila discusses why reducing the number of offerings you provide can amplify and exceed your previous profit and revenue targets. Take Little Fish for example, who doubled their revenue in just two years after eliminating their buffet of services! So tune in and find out if narrowing your service offerings is right for you and how you can get paid more to do less.  KEY POINTS:Why you may want to offer fewer servicesHow narrowing down can save on costsWhat to consider when cutting your list of services“All money ain’t good money.”QUOTABLES:“When you slow down how many services you offer, or actually just streamline down to a lower number of services, you really have the opportunity to make those better.” - Keila Hill-Trawick “It's hard to be an expert in your field that can provide value to clients when your hands are in a bunch of different buckets. So start looking at your suite of services and ask yourself, could we do less for more?” - Keila Hill-Trawick  RESOURCES:Like what you’re hearing? Check out Little Fish Accounting at: www.littlefishaccounting.comLearn more about Little Fish’s suite of services and get access to new goodies by signing up for our newsletter: mailchi.mp/littlefishaccounting/socialFollow Little Fish Accounting on social media!IG | instagram.com/littlefishaccountingThe Fish Food Podcast is edited by Instapodcasts (visit at instapodcasts.com)

In this special episode, Keila invites her first guest of the season - Natasha Pierre! A social media manager turned video marketing coach, speaker, podcaster, and creator, Natasha helps clients who struggle with strategy and confidence when it comes to content creation. Through her signature group programs and educational content, she helps clients build their brand with a confident video marketing strategy that ultimately grows their business, community, and impact simultaneously.  Tune in as Natasha shares her own entrepreneurial journey, from the loneliness that comes with growth to walking away from a lucrative business in order to protect her peace.  So lean in and don’t miss this conversation on burnout, boundaries, and fitting your business into your life rather than fitting your life into your business. KEY POINTS:Natasha’s journey from entrepreneur to coach and creator The struggle to find balance while growing Staying intentionally and experimentally small What does “enough” feel like for you?Trusting your gut and learning to say noSetting the foundation for the life you want to live  QUOTABLES: “It's this place where we can still innovate, still have ideas, and still say yes to things. Where I feel really excited, but not compromise well-being and stress and overwhelm.” - Natasha Pierre “Be honest with yourself when something needs to go or when something's no longer a good fit. Even when that was what you thought was going to be it. It's hard, but it's worth trusting that instinct or that nudge.” - Natasha Pierre  GUEST RESOURCES: Natasha Pierreshinewithnatasha.comIG | instagram.com/shinewithnatashaListen to The Shine Online Podcast on all major streaming platforms!link.chtbl.com/shineonline  RESOURCES:Like what you’re hearing? Check out Little Fish Accounting at: www.littlefishaccounting.comFollow Little Fish Accounting on social media!IG | instagram.com/littlefishaccountingThe Fish Food Podcast is edited by Instapodcasts (visit at instapodcasts.com)

Today is a special day in our little corner of the world as it is the 100th episode of Fish Food! And what better time to honor this labor of love than Little Fish’s 5-year anniversary!Tune in as Keila shares some insight on Little Fish’s growth, where they started, where they are now, and what we can expect in the future. Plus, a little bonus from members of the Little Fish team that you don’t typically hear from!So lean in and join Keila and Little Fish’s journey of pivots, changes, and figuring out how they can best serve you and their clients! KEY POINTS:- Why entrepreneurship is not what Keila thought it was!- How Little Fish was born - What brought Kelia success in the beginning? And now?- “Nobody can make it out here alone.”- Growing, niching down, and rebranding - Building company culture and training your management muscles QUOTABLES:“Entrepreneurship is not what I thought it was going to be, in good ways and challenging ways. Everyone talks about the freedom, and the space, and the money. But there's also the fear, and the management, and the constant changes of being a startup.” - Keila Hill-Trawick“I wanted to be more than an accounting firm. We are a safe space. I want to be an advisory firm that gives support, that allows you to take a deep breath and know that everything is going to be okay.” - Keila Hill-Trawick RESOURCES:Like what you’re hearing? Check out Little Fish Accounting at: www.littlefishaccounting.comFollow Little Fish Accounting on social media!IG | instagram.com/littlefishaccounting   The Fish Food Podcast is edited by Instapodcasts (visit at instapodcasts.com)

Today Keila brings you the last in her “Beyond the Numbers” series, a deeper look into why numbers themselves aren’t necessarily good or bad. And how the story behind the numbers is what we really need in order to make decisions for our business that not only make the most sense but also build a life and business that we can be proud of. Taxes seem to be every entrepreneur's favorite topic, from the fear around them to how to do them right to ways they affect our business. So today, Keila goes beyond the flat monetary amount and explores what taxes reveal about your business, what they don't tell you, and how you can use them to make strategic decisions about your future.   KEY POINTS:Why the real tax work is done throughout the year How do taxes work?Preparing your taxes and getting a refund QUOTABLES:“You want to make decisions based not just on taxes but at least taking into account that all of the money that you make won't actually belong to you.” RESOURCES:Like what you’re hearing? Check out Little Fish Accounting at: www.littlefishaccounting.comFollow Little Fish Accounting on social media!IG | instagram.com/littlefishaccountingThe Fish Food Podcast is edited by Instapodcasts (visit at instapodcasts.com)

In this episode, Keila continues her “Beyond the Numbers” series, a deeper look into why numbers themselves aren’t necessarily good or bad. And how the story behind the numbers is what we really need in order to make decisions for our business that not only make the most sense but also build a life and business that we can be proud of.Tune in today as Keila talks budgets and forecasts and how they can help you make some quick decisions about the direction you want to go with your business and whether to make any changes to what you’re offering or how you’re offering it.  KEY POINTS:- What is a budget and how do we make one?- Why a zero-based budget may work for you- Forecast - where are you trending to end up?- How to use your budget and forecast to “mind the gap” QUOTABLES:“It does nobody any good to set goals that are too high for what you're actually able to achieve and then just feel like you're missing them every time. Remember, a budget is less of a goal and more of a plan.” RESOURCES:Like what you’re hearing? Check out Little Fish Accounting at: www.littlefishaccounting.comFollow Little Fish Accounting on social media!IG | instagram.com/littlefishaccounting    The Fish Food Podcast is edited by Instapodcasts (visit at instapodcasts.com)

In this episode, Keila continues her “Beyond the Numbers” series, a deeper look into why numbers themselves aren’t necessarily good or bad. And how the story behind the numbers is what we really need in order to make decisions for our business that not only make the most sense but also build a life and business that we can be proud of.Tune in today as Keila talks balance sheets! From what's included on the balance sheet to a breakdown of what those accounts mean, dive into what you can learn from your balance sheet and how you can use it to make strategic decisions for your company. KEY POINTS:- What is a balance sheet?- How many accounts does your business need?- Accounts receivable versus Accrued receivable - Breaking down assets and liabilities- Do your reconciliations! QUOTABLES:“So you might be wondering, now that I have this balance sheet, and I've looked at it, I've opened it, how does it help me to make strategic decisions? Well, the first is cash on hand.” RESOURCES:Like what you’re hearing? Check out Little Fish Accounting at: www.littlefishaccounting.comFollow Little Fish Accounting on social media!IG | instagram.com/littlefishaccounting   The Fish Food Podcast is edited by Instapodcasts (visit at instapodcasts.com)

In this episode, Keila is excited to bring you the first of her “Beyond the Numbers” series, a deeper look into why numbers themselves aren’t necessarily good or bad. And while they don’t mean anything as a standalone, the story behind the numbers is what we really need to know in order to make decisions for our business that not only make the most sense but also build a life and business that we can be proud of.So tune in as Keila dives into profit and loss statements and why it is the foundational piece of helping you make the best strategic decisions about your business. Find the common deductible expenses spreadsheet mentioned in this episode here: drive.google.com/file/d/1gzoqJvta260ESLGwXv0jLfzBcuzKXgu_/view?usp=sharing KEY POINTS:- What is a profit and loss statement?- Breaking down revenue, expenses, and deductibles- How often should we be bookkeeping?- Explicit versus implicit data- “Don’t get too focused on the number itself” QUOTABLES:“The whole point of your profit and loss and all of your financial statements is to tell you a story. It's not enough to just look at a number; you really want to know what the numbers are trying to tell you.” RESOURCES:Like what you’re hearing? Check out Little Fish Accounting at: www.littlefishaccounting.comFollow Little Fish Accounting on social media!IG | instagram.com/littlefishaccounting  The Fish Food Podcast is edited by Instapodcasts (visit at instapodcasts.com)

More money does not protect your reputation. More money doesn’t necessarily cover all the new expenses that come with it. More money often means more complications and changes. So is more money really more problems? Tune in as your host gets real about why the pursuit of money is not enough. And if you got it, how do you keep it? How do you make more money, create a team, build a business, and keep your sanity as well as your profit? KEY POINTS:Is manifestation a trap?More money, more problems?Why you need an analysis of your businessDon’t confuse your worth with how much you make! What do you want and why?QUOTABLES: “More money doesn't automatically lead to more confidence. The more you make, the more hurdles you're going to jump into, the more changes you're going to have to make.”  “Just know that the money itself isn't the goal. The decisions, the feelings, the power on the other side? Absolutely. But it's a journey to get there.”  RESOURCES:Like what you’re hearing? Check out Little Fish Accounting at: www.littlefishaccounting.comFollow Little Fish Accounting on social media!IG | instagram.com/littlefishaccountingThe Fish Food Podcast is edited by Instapodcasts (visit at instapodcasts.com)More money does not protect your reputation. More money doesn’t necessarily cover all the new expenses that come with it. More money often means more complications and changes. So is more money really more problems? Tune in as your host gets real about why the pursuit of money is not enough. And if you got it, how do you keep it? How do you make more money, create a team, build a business, and keep your sanity as well as your profit? KEY POINTS:Is manifestation a trap?More money, more problems?Why you need an analysis of your businessDon’t confuse your worth with how much you make! What do you want and why?QUOTABLES: “More money doesn't automatically lead to more confidence. The more you make, the more hurdles you're going to jump into, the more changes you're going to have to make.”  “Just know that the money itself isn't the goal. The decisions, the feelings, the power on the other side? Absolutely. But it's a journey to get there.”  RESOURCES:Like what you’re hearing? Check out Little Fish Accounting at: www.littlefishaccounting.comFollow Little Fish Accounting on social media!IG | instagram.com/littlefishaccountingThe Fish Food Podcast is edited by Instapodcasts (visit at instapodcasts.com)

Your business is going to grow and change and mold. What you started at the very beginning is not going to be the same in 2 years, 5 years, and 10 years. So what then? It’s around this time that you start trying to make decisions about whether you should just burn the whole situation down or maybe just do something different. So in this episode, your host breaks down the difference and shares the things you need to think about when you're trying to determine if you should start over or make a pivot. KEY POINTS:- Do you like what you’re doing?- The first step to consider before breaking, rebuilding, or pivoting - Where are you making and spending your money?- How much energy do you have?- What to ask yourself before making any changes QUOTABLES:“You got a couple years under your belt, you've been doing it, you've got some processes, it feels good. But inevitably, something is going to break." RESOURCES:Like what you’re hearing? Check out Little Fish Accounting at: www.littlefishaccounting.comFollow Little Fish Accounting on social media!IG | instagram.com/littlefishaccounting   The Fish Food Podcast is edited by Instapodcasts (visit at instapodcasts.com)

While your host isn’t necessarily a fan of the consistent pursuit of growth, she also doesn’t believe you have to go at it alone! If you want to avoid burnout and breakdowns, you need to delegate! Even if you’re staying small, you need a strong team behind you in order to serve clients in the exact manner you want. So in this episode, Keila helps you decide when it’s time to hire help and the steps you should take to do so.  KEY POINTS:- How do you know when it's time to develop a team?- Invest in automations first!- Task doers versus process owners - What is the most important thing for you to hire for? QUOTABLES:“Most people wait way too long to hire. It’s out of desperation. By the time you are hiring somebody you are in a place where you're like, I just need your help. And the reality is, by the time you do that, it's generally too late.” RESOURCES:Like what you’re hearing? Check out Little Fish Accounting at: www.littlefishaccounting.comFollow Little Fish Accounting on social media!IG | instagram.com/littlefishaccounting  The Fish Food Podcast is edited by Instapodcasts (visit at instapodcasts.com)

We didn’t start businesses to feel trapped by them. But the bigger we get, the more complex, involved, and expensive they tend to be. So in this episode, your host asks you to start questioning growth. Do you really want to scale? Or do you just want the fame, attention, cash, and clients behind it?If you want to get paid, create a life you enjoy, and dump the constant chase for more, this podcast is for you!  KEY POINTS:- What is a micro-business?- The biggest mistake when starting a business- Do you really want to scale? - What is your enough?- 4 ways for a small business to stay small QUOTABLES:“If you don't determine what is enough for you, what is the place at which you're like, ‘I'm good, we could just ride this out for a little bit’, you may end up on this continuous hamster wheel of just going after things simply for the sake of growth.” RESOURCES:Like what you’re hearing? Check out Little Fish Accounting at: www.littlefishaccounting.comFollow Little Fish Accounting on social media!IG | instagram.com/littlefishaccounting   The Fish Food Podcast is edited by Instapodcasts (visit at instapodcasts.com)

Welcome to the new version of the Fish Food Podcast, now on audio and video, making it even easier for you to get the accounting and tax advice you need!While we are here to talk making money, keeping as much of it as you possibly can, and tracking it appropriately for taxes, in this episode, host Keila Hill-Trawick answers some common questions about herself and Little Fish Accounting.From why Keila decided to leave corporate to who can benefit from her services, lean in and learn why Little Fish Accounting and the Fish Food Podcast are your new true partners in finance. KEY POINTS:- The inspiration behind Little Fish Accounting- What makes Little Fish Accounting stand out?- How does Little Fish Accounting help entrepreneurs?- Why is Keila Hill-Trawick so passionate about her work?- The biggest myths about financial experts QUOTABLES:“One of the reasons that I knew I could be good at it is because I care. And I know that kind of sounds cliche, but I realized that a lot of people that were in what are essentially ‘done for you’ service industries are so focused on the task that they're not thinking about the experience.” RESOURCES:Like what you’re hearing? Check out Little Fish Accounting at: www.littlefishaccounting.comFollow Little Fish Accounting on social media!IG | instagram.com/littlefishaccounting   The Fish Food Podcast is edited by Instapodcasts (visit at instapodcasts.com)

A podcast for entrepreneurs who started working for themselves to build companies that grow into thriving businesses, The Fish Food Podcast is here to provide bite-sized accounting and entrepreneurship advice in 20 minutes or less. With host and CPA Keila Hill-Trawick, tune in as each episode presents easily digestible tips and tricks for small business owners, from start-ups to established companies. So whether you're acting as your own accountant or looking for a new one, the Fish Food Podcast is for you!  RESOURCES:Like what you’re hearing? Check out Little Fish Accounting at: www.littlefishaccounting.comFollow Little Fish Accounting on social media!IG | instagram.com/littlefishaccounting    The Fish Food Podcast is edited by Instapodcasts (visit at instapodcasts.com)

Wondering what it’s like to work with a tax professional? In this episode, I continue last week's conversation about how to prepare for a stress-free tax season and invite Kenya Todd, our account manager, to lay out what it's like to work with Little Fish. Not only do we lay out what our year-round service, Tax Prep Suite, entails, but we also interview one of our clients, Nix Avant-Brown, about her experience with this service. In the interview, Nix tells us how using Tax Prep Suite helped her go from feeling beat down and completely financially disorganized to being motivated about taking control of her business finances by asking for help. Before wrapping up the episode with details on how you can sign up for Tax Prep Suite, I also answer a couple more specific tax questions.If you haven't already, check out part one of this conversation for everything you need to prepare for end-of-the-year taxes.Looking for tips, insights, and support with all your accounting needs? Then head over to  Fish Food Resource Hub! If you're ready to outsource your Accounting and/or Tax prep needs, then contact us at podcasts@littlefishaccounting.comFind us online:Website: www.littlefishaccounting.comInstagram:www.instagram.com/littlefishaccountingFacebook: www.facebook.com/littlefishacctg

Merry-almost taxes! This week I have a special episode where I'm sharing actionable steps to help you prepare for a stress-free tax season. I'm answering frequently asked questions about quarterly estimates, best practices when working with a tax professional, and what expenses you should deduct annually.In this episode, I'm sharing an overview of how taxes work and why the IRS prefers that you make an educated guess and 'pay on the go.' I'm also breaking down the different types of taxes that you need to be aware of, why staying on top of your bookkeeping will help avoid financial surprises at the end of the year, and what happens if you don't pay your quarterly taxes.Do you know the first two rules of deductible expenses? Worry not; I'm sharing what the IRS expects and why we should all be thoughtful of year-end spending versus deducting expenses just for the sake of it. Finally, I share a crucial tip for staying organized (hint: it's bookkeeping) and why honesty and transparency is vital when working with your tax preparer, especially if you want to minimize the amount of taxes you need to pay at the end of the year.Are you interested in working with Little Fish? Curious about our year-round service, the tax-prep suite? You'll want to tune in next week for part two of this conversation, where we chat with our account manager and spotlight a client success story.Looking for tips, insights, and support with all your accounting needs? Then head over to Fish Food Resource Hub! If you're ready to outsource your Accounting and/or Tax prep needs then contact us at podcasts@littlefishaccounting.comFind us online:Website: www.littlefishaccounting.comInstagram:www.instagram.com/littlefishaccountingFacebook: www.facebook.com/littlefishacctg

I’m so excited to bring you a  client spotlight episode. Ona Oghogho is the founder of Adode Media, a full-service podcast production, content, and storytelling studio for entrepreneurs and small businesses. To call Ona a “creative powerhouse” is an understatement. In addition to Adode Media, she’s also the founder of Blk Pod Creative – a global digital community for Black audio creatives, and Blk Pod Festival – an annual podcast conference where Black audio creatives come together to learn and network.She joins us today to share how she became an expert in the podcasting industry and why she ultimately decided to expand her business to encompass a full spectrum of marketing and storytelling services. She also shares her expert advice for podcasters, whether you’re a beginner, intermediate, or advanced podcaster.This is an incredibly impactful and powerful episode if you’re interested in propelling your business forward through podcasting, or for anyone who might be interested in entering the podcasting arena. Looking for tips, insights, and support with all your accounting needs? Then head over to Fish Food Resource Hub! If you're ready to outsource your Accounting and/or Tax prep needs then contact us at podcasts@littlefishaccounting.comFind us online:Website: www.littlefishaccounting.comInstagram:www.instagram.com/littlefishaccountingFacebook: www.facebook.com/littlefishacctgConnect with OnaInstagram:  https://www.instagram.com/onaoghogho/Website: www.onaoghogho.com

It seems like everyone in the business and entrepreneurship world is always moving on to new goals, and aiming for new heights.  However, I’ve always known that there was going to be a cap to Little Fish’s growth because there are sacrifices I’m not willing to make for the sake of my team and the lives that I want us to be able to lead. And that’s okay.In today’s episode, I’m talking about what it means to intentionally reject never-ending growth and how you can do so with care and intention. I talk about optimizing the way we, as a team work, in order to meet our revenue expectations without burning out and how you can too.Then, I talk about the important role numbers play in determining your team size and how much effort you’ll be putting into reaching your goals. Finally, I talk about getting honest with yourself about your goals and the life you want to live, and how change is always in the air if you want it.  This is an important conversation that isn’t discussed much in the entrepreneurial space, so tune in and join us for this discussion.Looking for tips, insights, and support with all your accounting needs? Then head over to Fish Food Resource Hub! If you're ready to outsource your Accounting and/or Tax prep needs then contact us at podcasts@littlefishaccounting.comFind us online:Website: www.littlefishaccounting.comInstagram: www.instagram.com/littlefishaccountingFacebook: www.facebook.com/littlefishacctg