Two and a half years ago I was sitting where you are.

Working for someone else.

Trying to reach 2,000 billable hours for the year. (And finding pride in that)

A desperate hope for the opportunity at partner.

Not really digging the amount of hours required from my job – I specifically remember someone using the term “9 to 5 job” and I just chuckled uncontrollably for a couple minutes at the sheer notion of that job existing in the accounting industry.

Since then – I created my accounting firm that is currently generating around $30,000 month in recurring monthly fees.

I have a remote office, one full time staff member and a couple part-time staffers.

I can work when I want to (typically 9-5), where I want to (sometimes coffee shops, the lake, or the beach), and how and who I want to work with. (only the most amazing clients in the world)

This blog intends to help others create what I’ve created.

If you know me – I’m nothing special.  I’m sure you can create what I’ve created, too.

This is hopefully going to be the blog I wanted to have read before starting my firm but didn’t exist.

I’ve made a lot of mistakes along the way but from those mistakes I’ve learned some lessons that have helped me double my business’s revenue in the past few months.  I want to help others avoid that two year long learning curve with this blog.

Two and a half years ago I left my manager position with a local CPA firm that just wasn’t fulfilling what I needed from my career on a personal level.

I had a wife, a month old daughter, and quite a bit of trepid anticipation on where the next steps in my life would take myself and my family.

I felt about 50% crazy and about 50% confident but I wasn’t sure which half would overtake the other in either the near or long term.

I set out to create a business that would give me a work-life balance – something most traditional firms haven’t quite yet figured out how to offer their employees or owners. (Regardless of what they claim)

I thought I could figure out a way to build a practice where I could:

• Feel more satisfaction in helping my clients.
• Work when I want to.
• Work where I want to.
• Provide for my family.
• Provide for others.

I’m proud to say that I’ve created that business. You’re never really “finished” building a business per say, but I’ve built out what I theorized could be accomplished.

The best part is that you can too.

Continue reading “The Start of My Journey into Owning a Niche Accounting and CPA Firm” »