From their biggest business regrets to the systems they wish they had in place sooner, this candid conversation dives into the power of SOPs, mentorship, and goal setting for legal accounting professionals.

Whether you're a solo bookkeeper or growing a firm, this episode is packed with hard-earned insights you won’t want to miss.

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02:12 Biggest Business Regrets
03:57 Reflecting on Business Experiences
08:26 Documenting SOPs and Workflow Challenges
11:27 AI and Future of Accounting
13:31 Learning from Business Regrets
14:27 Embracing the Journey Together
15:02 Handling Regrets in Business Decisions
20:25 The Importance of Mentorship
24:18 Navigating Business Challenges
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If you have questions, topic requests, or guest suggestions you can email us at info@accountantslawpod.com or send us a message through our website, www.accountantslawpod.com

If you want to join us in the Accountants Law Lab, visit our website at www.accountantslawlab.com to sign up!

If you want to follow along with Steve’s airstream adventures, as well as Accountants Law Pod updates, be sure to follow us on instagram at Accountants Law Pod.

Accountants Law Pod is hosted by Lynda Artesani, Sarah Prevost, and Steve Libhart and directed/produced by Teaira Burge and The Proper Trust. Music by ComaStudio from Pixabay - Edited by audiovideo_uk

Disclaimer: The content presented in this podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as legal, financial, or professional advice.

In this episode we break down one of the most misunderstood areas in legal accounting: accounts receivable (AR) retainers vs. trust retainers.

From compliance risks to workflow bottlenecks, they explore the key differences, common mistakes, and best practices for handling each type of retainer—so you can stay audit-ready and aligned with legal ethics rules.

If you’ve ever second-guessed where that client deposit belongs—this episode is for you.

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01:00 Accounts Receivable Retainers vs Trust Retainers
01:55 Software and Workflow Challenges
03:08 Practical Tips and Manual Work
05:48 Jurisdictional Differences and Regulations
06:20 Explaining Retainers to Clients
14:26 Billing Models and Compliance
16:36 Deciding on Client File Priorities
17:35 Subscription Methods for Better Cash Flow
18:03 Prepaid Services and Liabilities
19:01 Complexities of Accounts Receivable
20:17 Reconciling Financial Discrepancies
22:44 Best Practices for Managing Client Funds
24:14 Challenges with Bank Feeds and Real-Time Balances
26:36 Ensuring Accurate Billing and Trust Management
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Find us on YouTube as well!

If you have questions, topic requests, or guest suggestions you can email us at info@accountantslawpod.com or send us a message through our website, www.accountantslawpod.com

If you want to join us in the Accountants Law Lab, visit our website at www.accountantslawlab.com to sign up!

If you want to follow along with Steve’s airstream adventures, as well as Accountants Law Pod updates, be sure to follow us on instagram at Accountants Law Pod.

Accountants Law Pod is hosted by Lynda Artesani, Sarah Prevost, and Steve Libhart and directed/produced by Teaira Burge and The Proper Trust. Music by ComaStudio from Pixabay - Edited by audiovideo_uk

Disclaimer: The content presented in this podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as legal, financial, or professional advice.

🎉 Episode 100

In this milestone 100th episode of the Accountants Law Pod, our hosts share their top tips for effective IOLTA bookkeeping and trust account management. From using tools like Clio and LeanLaw to nailing three-way reconciliations, they cover the must-know strategies to stay compliant and audit-ready.

Whether you're an attorney or a bookkeeper, this episode is packed with insights on avoiding common trust accounting pitfalls, understanding state regulations, and maintaining monthly financial transparency.

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01:37 Top Tips for IOLTA Bookkeeping
02:29 Choosing the Right Software
04:11 Trust Account Management
07:27 Common Pitfalls and Best Practices
17:43 Personal Injury Law Firms and Trust Accounts
20:57 Navigating Trust Laws for New Attorneys
21:09 Preferred Trust Account Banks
21:36 Challenges in Setting Up IOLTA Trust Accounts
22:12 Impact of Regulatory Changes on Attorneys
23:20 The Importance of Transparency in Trust Accounting
24:07 The Role of Bookkeepers in Compliance
26:52 Government Changes Affecting Mail and Payments
27:32 Embracing Technology in Law Firms
30:52 Celebrating 100 Episodes
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Find us on YouTube as well!

If you have questions, topic requests, or guest suggestions you can email us at info@accountantslawpod.com or send us a message through our website, www.accountantslawpod.com

If you want to join us in the Accountants Law Lab, visit our website at www.accountantslawlab.com to sign up!

If you want to follow along with Steve’s airstream adventures, as well as Accountants Law Pod updates, be sure to follow us on instagram at Accountants Law Pod.

Accountants Law Pod is hosted by Lynda Artesani, Sarah Prevost, and Steve Libhart and directed/produced by Teaira Burge and The Proper Trust. Music by ComaStudio from Pixabay - Edited by audiovideo_uk

Disclaimer: The content presented in this podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as legal, financial, or professional advice.

In today's episode we dive headfirst into the real-world financial struggles that accounting professionals and law firms face every day—from cash flow crunches and high overhead costs to late client payments and clunky billing systems.

If you're tired of spinning your wheels financially and ready for practical advice (with a side of humor), this episode is your roadmap to clarity, control, and growth.

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02:39 Financial Challenges Discussion
04:30 Client Stories and Financial Visibility
06:01 Law Firms and Financial Management
12:45 AI and Job Market Insights
13:40 Productivity and Expense Management
18:00 Billing Practices in Law Firms
19:47 Challenges in Personal Injury Law
23:12 Leveraging Technology in Legal Practice
24:06 The Value of Outsourcing Financial Tasks
28:25 Importance of Tracking Billable and Non-Billable Time
30:42 Effective Use of Consultants and Coaches
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Find us on Spotify and YouTube as well!

If you have questions, topic requests, or guest suggestions you can email us at info@accountantslawpod.com or send us a message through our website, www.accountantslawpod.com

If you want to join us in the Accountants Law Lab, visit our website at www.accountantslawlab.com to sign up!

If you want to follow along with Steve’s airstream adventures, as well as Accountants Law Pod updates, be sure to follow us on instagram at Accountants Law Pod.

Accountants Law Pod is hosted by Lynda Artesani, Sarah Prevost, and Steve Libhart and directed/produced by Teaira Burge and The Proper Trust. Music by ComaStudio from Pixabay - Edited by audiovideo_uk

Disclaimer: The content presented in this podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as legal, financial, or professional advice.

Join us as we unpack the ever-evolving world of tax and regulatory changes—specifically for attorneys and law firms.

Tune in as they explore key tax planning strategies for law firms, including:

Payroll taxes and reasonable compensation for attorneys
Retirement plan considerations and how to choose the right one
The benefits and challenges of transitioning from LLC to S Corp
Why bookkeeping firms play a crucial role in proactive tax planning
Managing advanced client costs and staying compliant
Improving law firm cash flow management through strategic decisions

Whether you're an attorney running your own practice or a financial professional supporting law firms, this episode offers actionable insights to help you stay ahead of the curve.

Subscribe and listen in to strengthen your firm’s financial foundation and future-proof your strategy.

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00:33 Discussing Tax and Regulatory Changes
02:35 Payroll Taxes and Reasonable Salary
06:01 Entity Structure and Tax Implications
09:50 Client Communication and Involvement
10:35 Advisory Role and Tax Planning
13:52 Quarterly Estimates and Compliance
14:43 Starting the Conversation: Tax Returns and Action Items
14:54 Challenges in Obtaining Tax Returns
15:21 Educating Clients on Financial Matters
15:55 Respect and Appreciation in the Financial Profession
17:11 The Role of Tax Professionals and CPAs
18:29 Tailored Tax Services and Recommendations
19:19 Cost Receivables in Law Firm Books
22:24 Advanced Client Costs and Accounting Methods
27:11 The Impact of Bad Financial Advice on Social Media
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Find us on YouTube as well!

If you have questions, topic requests, or guest suggestions you can email us at info@accountantslawpod.com or send us a message through our website, www.accountantslawpod.com

If you want to join us in the Accountants Law Lab, visit our website at www.accountantslawlab.com to sign up!

If you want to follow along with Steve’s airstream adventures, as well as Accountants Law Pod updates, be sure to follow us on instagram at Accountants Law Pod.

Accountants Law Pod is hosted by Lynda Artesani, Sarah Prevost, and Steve Libhart and directed/produced by Teaira Burge and The Proper Trust. Music by ComaStudio from Pixabay - Edited by audiovideo_uk

Disclaimer: The content presented in this podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as legal, financial, or professional advice.

Join Sarah, Steve, and Lynda as they tackle the intimidating world of audits—specifically for law firms!

From tax audits to bar audits, we’ll uncover the sneaky pitfalls that can land you in hot water. Tune in for expert tips on managing trust accounts, the art of proper documentation, and why three-way bank reconciliations are your best friends.

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00:15 Types of Audits and Their Implications
00:44 Bar Audits and Their Consequences
02:35 Trust Account Issues and Best Practices
06:10 Handling Prior Year Transactions
07:19 Self-Reporting and State Requirements
08:51 Preparing for an Audit
13:17 Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
15:52 Handling Petty Cash
16:52 Importance of Workflow in Cash Management
17:18 Avoiding Audits with Proper Documentation
17:52 Payroll and Multi-State Compliance
20:35 Responding to Audits and Legal Obligations
23:58 Setting Up Books for New Firms
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Be sure to subscribe for more episodes!
Find us on YouTube as well!

If you have questions, topic requests, or guest suggestions you can email us at info@accountantslawpod.com or send us a message through our website, www.accountantslawpod.com

If you want to join us in the Accountants Law Lab, visit our website at www.accountantslawlab.com to sign up! If you want to follow along with Steve’s airstream adventures, as well as Accountants Law Pod updates, be sure to follow us on instagram at Accountants Law Pod.

Accountants Law Pod is hosted by Lynda Artesani, Sarah Prevost, and Steve Libhart and directed/produced by Teaira Burge and The Proper Trust. Music by ComaStudio from Pixabay - Edited by audiovideo_uk

Disclaimer: The content presented in this podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as legal, financial, or professional advice.

Conference season is almost here! The team shares their best advice on choosing the right conferences, planning effectively, and maximizing your networking opportunities.

Learn more about the Accounting Cornerstone Foundation here!

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00:37 Discussing Conference Experiences
01:13 Tips for Maximizing Conference Benefits
02:14 Personal Conference Stories
05:16 Evolving Conference Goals
07:40 Networking and Learning at Conferences
13:43 The Role of AI in Conferences
15:10 Investing in Team Growth
16:25 Bonding Over Cold Airbnb Adventures
16:59 Conference Classes and Experiences
17:06 Challenges of Attending Conferences Without Family
17:50 Highlighting the Cornerstone Accounting Foundation
19:13 The Importance of Mastermind Groups
20:31 Maximizing Your Conference Experience
21:42 Networking and Reconnecting at Conferences
23:11 Choosing the Right Conferences to Attend
25:38 Post-Conference Reflections and Tips
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Find us on YouTube as well!

If you have questions, topic requests, or guest suggestions you can email us at info@accountantslawpod.com or send us a message through our website, www.accountantslawpod.com

If you want to join us in the Accountants Law Lab, visit our website at www.accountantslawlab.com to sign up!

If you want to follow along with Steve’s airstream adventures, as well as Accountants Law Pod updates, be sure to follow us on instagram at Accountants Law Pod.

Accountants Law Pod is hosted by Lynda Artesani, Sarah Prevost, and Steve Libhart and directed/produced by Teaira Burge and The Proper Trust. Music by ComaStudio from Pixabay - Edited by audiovideo_uk

Disclaimer: The content presented in this podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as legal, financial, or professional advice.

AI and legal tech are reshaping the way law firms operate. In this episode, we explore how cutting-edge technology is revolutionizing the legal industry, making firms more efficient, profitable, and competitive.

Whether you're a tech-savvy attorney or just starting to explore AI, this episode will give you the insights you need to future-proof your firm.

As the driving force behind Paragon Tech, Jay McAllister embraces the philosophy of asking "why?" to challenge boundaries and uncover inefficiencies. Too often, businesses focus on optimizing systems that ultimately prove unnecessary.

His approach? SIMPLICITY. By prioritizing streamlined solutions, he helps organizations overcome operational challenges and transform into highly efficient powerhouses that leverage technology to do more with less.

Paragon Tech

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00:28 AI in Legal Practices
02:46 Discussion on AI Advancements
05:49 DeepSeek and AI Models
08:29 Legal Implications of AI
15:37 Open Source and AI Trust Issues
23:27 Art, Copyright, and AI
31:15 AI's Impact on Legal Workflows
33:21 Questioning AI Usage Statistics
34:14 Understanding Client AI Usage
35:44 Economic Incentives for AI Adoption
37:00 AI in Legal Tasks
41:12 Challenges and Risks of AI
45:42 Framework for Implementing AI in Law Firms
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If you have questions, topic requests, or guest suggestions you can email us at info@accountantslawpod.com or send us a message through our website, www.accountantslawpod.com

If you want to join us in the Accountants Law Lab, visit our website at www.accountantslawlab.com to sign up!

If you want to follow along with Steve’s airstream adventures, as well as Accountants Law Pod updates, be sure to follow us on instagram at Accountants Law Pod.

Accountants Law Pod is hosted by Lynda Artesani, Sarah Prevost, and Steve Libhart and directed/produced by Teaira Burge and The Proper Trust. Music by ComaStudio from Pixabay - Edited by audiovideo_uk

Disclaimer: The content presented in this podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as legal, financial, or professional advice.