One Step Better Podcast

Every accounting firm has a client they should have said no to. Most of them took it anyway because the money looked good, the sales conversation went well, or somebody convinced themselves they could make it work.Mike and Matt have been there. Listen to them get honest about what actually makes a good client, where the lines are, and why even the best criteria in the world doesn't stop you from talking yourself into the wrong ones.In this episode:ICP vs. acceptable client and why blurring that line when you're growing fast will cost youWhat "healthy fear of the IRS" actually looks like in a real prospect meetingThe criteria that matters more than industry or revenue sizeThe sales team loves them, the service team can't stand them problemWhy saying yes to a startup client might be the worst thing you can do for themWhat it actually feels like when half your revenue disappears in 24 hours💬 Got a topic you want us to tackle? Drop a comment, send us a message, or share this episode with a firm owner who needs to hear it.🎙 Want to be a guest? We're opening the show up to firm owners who want to talk shop. Reach out and let's talk.Connect with us: Matt Patrick on LinkedIn → https://hubs.la/Q04fKVdQ0 Mike Shaeffer on LinkedIn → https://hubs.la/Q04fKVdX0 patrickaccounting.comTired of struggling to find qualified accountants for your firm? Check out Cloud Accountant Staffing's candidate portal. Full of pre-vetted offshore accounting candidates ready to interview as soon as tomorrow → https://portal.cloudaccountantstaffing.com/register?p=MatthewPatrick

Most small business owners say they want to grow, but their habits tell a different story.From spending money out of boredom, to hiring reactively, to holding on to tasks that should’ve been off your plate months ago… these are the mindsets, systems, and habits that quietly slow you down.In this episode of the One Step Better Business Podcast, Matt and Mike get real about what accountability actually looks like and how honest reflection can be the difference between spinning your wheels and making real progress.Highlights include:The power of starting from "no" to protect your timeWhy therapy spending costs more than you realizeHow to hire with intention instead of panicWhy delegation is about focus, not controlHow to stop tolerating the problems draining your energy Subscribe for weekly episodes on leadership, growth, and building a business you’re proud of.

Do your financials feel off, confusing, or just plain useless for making decisions? You might be using the wrong accounting method for what you're trying to accomplish.In this episode, Matt and Mike walk through what cash basis and accrual accounting actually mean, why it affects your decision-making (not just your tax bill), and how to know if you're on the right method.Learn why your numbers might swing wildly month to month, how to get financial statements that actually help you make decisions, and why reporting one way for insights and another way for taxes is perfectly legal (and smart). 👀 Learn which method fits you: https://hubs.la/Q03XzYtd0

Most restaurant owners don’t get into the business for the spreadsheets. But ignoring the math is exactly how good places go under.In this episode of the One Step Better Podcast, Mike and Matt unpack what really causes margin problems in restaurants. From portion control to overstaffing out of fear, they walk through the hard choices owners have to make to actually turn a profit.Here’s what we get into:The #1 labor mistake that’s blowing your payrollWhat your POS data should be telling you about portion control and price creepWhy “menu engineering” isn’t just a buzzword but the difference between breaking even and going brokeHow third-party delivery apps can destroy your margins if you’re not carefulThe truth about food inventory trackingThe emotional decisions owners make that hurt the business mostIf you want to stop guessing why your bank account isn’t matching your sales, and start running your restaurant like a business, this episode will give you the clarity and the tools to move ahead.Subscribe so you never miss the insights, mindset shifts, and real numbers that help you build a more profitable business.Keep learning → https://patrickaccounting.com/learning-center

Hiring home care workers and classifying them as 1099 contractors? That decision isn't just about what's easier or what the agency down the street is doing.If you're setting the schedule, assigning the work, and expecting specific people to show up, that's probably not a contractor.In this episode, we explain how misclassifying your team can lead to real problems with the IRS and Department of Labor. You'll learn what the ABC Test actually looks at, how home healthcare agencies get it wrong, and what to do before your next hire.If you're treating home care workers as 1099 contractors, run them through our classification test: https://www.whirks.com/1099-vs-w2-assesment

You’ve got bookkeeping. You’ve got reports.But the numbers still don’t tell you anything useful.This episode is for business owners who’ve hit that moment of “Wait… I’m running a real business now, and I don’t actually know what’s going on.”We’ll talk through the key metrics that matter, the difference between bookkeeping and financial clarity, and why your accountant should be helping you make better decisions by explaining what your numbers actually mean instead of just sending over reports you don’t understand.If you’ve ever looked at your P&L and thought, this isn’t helpful, that’s a sign you’ve outgrown basic bookkeeping.See how we help small business owners get clarity at every stage:https://patrickaccounting.com/blog/patrick-accounting-client-journey