In this episode of the Thoughtful Entrepreneur, your host Josh Elledge speaks to  Content Creator & Marketing Strategist of Universal Accounting Center, Roger Knecht. Universal Accounting Center, under the leadership of Roger Knecht, has been a beacon of support for accounting professionals since 1979. The center offers training and support for both budding and established accounting professionals. Their mission is to transform accountants into "accounting preneurs," equipping them with the entrepreneurial mindset and skills necessary to run a successful accounting business. The center recognizes that many accountants lack marketing, selling, and pricing training. To address this, they guide professionals to help navigate acquiring and retaining clients. Their approach is not just about crunching numbers; it's about empowering accountants to offer valuable advice and insights to their clients. One of the critical points Roger emphasized during our conversation was the importance of communication between accountants and business owners. He noted that there needs to be more clarity between what business owners expect from their accountants and what accountants provide. Universal Accounting Center aims to bridge this gap by giving accounting professionals a voice and encouraging them to offer valuable advice and insights to their clients. Roger also touched on industry trends, noting the increasing focus on cloud technology and the integration of AI interfaces within accounting platforms such as QuickBooks, Xero, and Sage. He emphasized that these tools are meant to assist accounting professionals in their work, not replace them.

Key Points from the Episode:

• Universal Accounting Center: training and support for accounting professionals
• Goal: help accounting professionals become "accounting preneurs"
• Importance of communication between accountants and business owners
• Evolution of Universal Accounting Center from physical campuses to online platform
• Industry trends: focus on cloud technology and AI integration in accounting platforms
• AI tools in accounting: meant to assist, not replace professionals
• Core areas of focus for accounting professionals: bookkeeping and accounting, tax preparation and planning, CFO and advisory work
• Universal Accounting Center website, universalaccounting.com, offers free resources and courses

About Roger Knecht:

Roger Knecht is the esteemed president of Universal Accounting, a renowned institution providing comprehensive training, certifications, coaching, and support to over 40,000 accounting professionals since its establishment in 1979. With over two decades of experience, Roger has personally guided thousands of accounting professionals in initiating and expanding highly profitable businesses. His private firm has earned prestigious accolades, listed in the INC 500 and Utah 100. Additionally, Roger hosts the influential "Building the Premier Accounting Firm" podcast, where he has conducted insightful interviews with industry experts such as Joe Woodard, Mike Michalowicz, Scott Zarret, and John Warillow. Furthermore, he co-authors two essential guides for accountants: "Red to BLACK," a comprehensive how-to guide, and "In the BLACK," outlining nine principles to ensure business profitability. Roger Knecht's contributions have significantly impacted the accounting profession, making him a respected figure in the industry.

About Universal Accounting Center:

Since its establishment in 1979, Universal Accounting Center has been a leading institution specializing in transforming individuals into Profit Experts™ for their organizations. The center offers a range of accounting-based products and services, crafting powerful training materials for accounting, bookkeeping, and tax preparation professionals. Their flagship programs, including the Professional Bookkeeper Program, Professional Tax Preparer Program, and Quickbooks setup and support programs, equip students with essential skills. Universal Accounting provides a comprehensive learning experience through seminars, interactive tutorial software, training guides, personal coaching, and pre-packaged marketing programs. Students receive proven business models, enabling them to start their ventures or enhance their existing businesses for financial security and profitability. The founder and CEO, Allen Bostrom, a respected author of business books like "In the Black" and "Red to Black in 30 Days," is also a sought-after speaker at industry and business events. Universal Accounting Center's dedication to empowering professionals has established it as a reputable institution in the accounting industry.

Tweetable Moments:

3:04 - “It's almost like a don't ask, don't tell philosophy. I'll provide you the financials and if you've got questions, ask me and I'll tell you a few things.” 9:24 - “ Learn the prompts, ask questions, engage with AI and see what insights you could gain from the interface.”

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Links Mentioned in this Episode:

Want to learn more? Check out Universal Accounting Center at https://universalaccountingschool.com/ Check out Universal Accounting Center on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/company/universal-accounting/ Check out Universal Accounting Center on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/universalaccountingschool Check out Universal Accounting Center on Twitter at https://twitter.com/universalacct Check out Roger Knecht on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/rogerknecht/ Check out Roger Knecht on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/rogerknecht/ Don’t forget to subscribe to The Thoughtful Entrepreneur and thank you for listening. Tune in next time!

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