Accountants Law Pod™

Hosted by Lynda Artesani, Sarah Prevost, and Steven Libhart

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168

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Aug 2026

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August 13, 202646 min

Financial Cents Updates with Shahram Zarshenas

Shahram Zarshenas from Financial Cents joins Lynda, Sarah, and Steven for a deep dive into what's new in practice management software, and how AI is reshaping the way accounting and bookkeeping firms operate. They cover major product updates like automated file renaming, month end close automation, document tagging, and the upcoming profit and loss and cash flow reporting features. The conversation also explores Xero's growing presence in the market, why QuickBooks is losing favor with some firms, and how AI is shifting practice management from a system of record to a system of action. Plus, a candid look at how firm owners are already using AI tools like Claude in their own workflows. A must listen for any accounting or bookkeeping professional trying to figure out where AI fits into their practice. 00:55 Meet Shahram from Financial Cents 01:33 Awards Culture And Support 02:49 Why Financial Cents Works 05:10 AI Supercharging Development 06:31 Document Tags Time Saver 08:30 Client Portal View Mode 09:34 Month End Close Reports 10:54 WorkflowCon Highlights 14:15 Xero Integration Outlook 20:05 Ledger Ecosystems And AI Tools 22:50 Financial Reports Preview 23:38 P&L Collaboration Notes 25:08 AI Powered File Renaming 26:37 Effortless AI For Firms 28:38 Validate Rename Route Files 31:34 Creative AI Use Cases 37:32 Smart Intake Roadmap 39:33 System Of Action Future 43:19 Hiring Creativity With AI 🔔 Subscribe for weekly episodes covering law firm bookkeeping, legal tech, and accounting practice tips. 📩 Have a question or topic idea? Email us at info@accountantslawpod.com 🧑‍💼 Join the Accountants Law Lab Mastermind: accountantslawlab.com 🌐 Visit us at accountantslawpod.com Accountants Law Pod is hosted by Lynda Artesani, Sarah Prevost, and Steve Libhart and directed, produced, and edited by Teaira Burge and The Proper Trust. Music by ComaStudio from Pixabay Disclaimer: The content presented in this podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as legal, financial, or professional advice. The stories we share from the field are meant to educate, never to shame. We have deep respect for attorneys and the complexity of running a firm, and we recognize that many of the mistakes we discuss happen simply because no one ever explained the rules.

August 6, 202624 min

Dear Attorney, Stop Using Zelle as a Payment Type

Zelle is fast, convenient, and wildly popular. It is also one of the most dangerous payment platforms an attorney can use for client transactions. In this episode Steve Libhart and Sarah Prevost break down exactly why peer-to-peer payment platforms like Zelle create serious compliance exposure for law firms, from the commingling of funds when payments land in the wrong account, to the complete absence of dispute resolution when something goes wrong. They share real personal experiences with P2P payment scams, walk through the scenarios where Zelle becomes a compliance nightmare, and explain why so many state bars are actively warning attorneys away from it. A short but important episode for every attorney and legal bookkeeper who has ever seen Zelle appear on a client invoice. 00:51 Why Zelle Is Risky 02:40 Trust Account Pitfalls 04:50 No Disputes and Hacks 09:18 Compliance and Audit Trouble 11:22 Why Firms Still Use It 14:15 Client Expectations and Agreements 20:49 Scams and Real World Fraud 🔔 Subscribe for weekly episodes covering law firm bookkeeping, legal compliance, and accounting practice tips. 📩 Have a question or topic idea? Email us at info@accountantslawpod.com 🧑‍💼 Join the Accountants Law Lab Mastermind: accountantslawlab.com 🌐 Visit us at accountantslawpod.com Has your firm ever had a client try to pay via Zelle? Drop it in the comments. 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. The stories we share from the field are meant to educate, never to shame. We have deep respect for attorneys and the complexity of running a firm, and we recognize that many of the mistakes we discuss happen simply because no one ever explained the rules.

July 30, 202623 min

Holding the Weight of Someone Else’s Compliance on Your Shoulders

Holding the weight of someone else's compliance is one of the heaviest parts of legal bookkeeping, and in this episode Lynda Artesani, Sarah Prevost, and Steven Libhart get real about what that actually looks like in practice. From attorneys who earned their fees but were too afraid to move the money, to the moment you realize a client is using trust funds as a cushion, to Steve's own experience having to take action against someone he genuinely liked and respected, this is the honest conversation about trust accounting compliance that nobody else is having. The team covers how to say no with care, when to walk away, what to do when you spot something that looks wrong, and why having another set of eyes on the trust account is not optional. One of their most personal and important episodes yet. 01:10 Carrying Compliance Weight 01:44 When Advice Gets Ignored 02:19 Fear of Moving Earned Funds 04:24 Trust Accounting Mindset 07:04 Settlement Timing and Fraud 08:11 Education and Audit Readiness 10:30 Records and Validation Systems 14:35 State Rules and Timing Nuances 16:26 The Penny Problem 18:00 Spotting Misuse and Disengaging 19:46 Fixing Mistakes and Adding Oversight 20:49 Wins That Help Attorneys Sleep 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. The stories we share from the field are meant to educate, never to shame. We have deep respect for attorneys and the complexity of running a firm, and we recognize that many of the mistakes we discuss happen simply because no one ever explained the rules.

July 23, 202623 min

Clio + QuickBooks Integration

Should you connect Clio to QuickBooks or keep them separate? Lynda Artesani, Sarah Prevost, and Steven Libhart settle the debate once and for all. In this episode the team shares real stories from files gone wrong, walks through the most common integration mistakes and how to avoid them, and makes a passionate case for why connecting the two systems is almost always the right move. From duplicate entries and one-way sync quirks to audit logs, undeposited funds, and the right way to set it all up before you flip the switch, this is the practical, no-fluff guide to the Clio and QuickBooks integration every legal bookkeeper needs to hear. 02:09 Why Integrate Clio 02:34 Integration Risks Setup 03:14 Revenue and AR Benefits 05:16 Audit Trail and Locks 07:10 Duplicates One Way Sync 09:25 Trust Clearing Account 11:48 Partial Integration Controls 13:22 Pro Tips Mapping Limits 14:50 Advanced Use Cases 18:25 Switching and Setup Checklist 20:47 Underutilized Software Mindset 🔔 Subscribe for weekly episodes covering law firm bookkeeping, legal tech, and accounting practice tips. 📩 Have a question or topic idea? Email us at info@accountantslawpod.com 🧑‍💼 Join the Accountants Law Lab Mastermind: accountantslawlab.com 🌐 Visit us at accountantslawpod.com Are you connected or disconnected? Drop a comment and tell us why! 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. The stories we share from the field are meant to educate, never to shame. We have deep respect for attorneys and the complexity of running a firm, and we recognize that many of the mistakes we discuss happen simply because no one ever explained the rules.

July 16, 202624 min

The Anti-DIY Chart of Accounts: How to Build it Right

Building a law firm's chart of accounts by leaving QuickBooks or Xero on default settings almost never works, and it usually creates a mess someone else has to clean up later. In this episode, Lynda Artesani, Sarah Prevost, and Steven Libhart break down why the default chart of accounts (built for contractors, not law firms) falls short, and what a proper setup actually looks like. They cover separating operating accounts from IOLTA/trust accounts, common naming mistakes that confuse tax preparers, the $2,500 fixed asset rule and why it trips people up, handling attorney compensation versus distributions, avoiding accounts that expose employee names, and why housekeeping your chart of accounts once a year (hint: now is a great time) keeps your books usable instead of unmanageable. If you've ever looked at a law firm's profit and loss and had no idea where to look, this conversation is for you. 01:20 Why Default COA Fails 02:03 Separate IOLTA and Operating 03:56 Align Books With Tax Return 05:48 Common DIY COA Mistakes 06:59 Estimated Taxes and Equity 07:40 Fixed Assets and Thresholds 10:34 Marketing Buckets and KPIs 14:00 Cost of Sales and Client Costs 16:05 Housekeeping and Subaccounts 18:34 Payroll and Bank Feed Pitfalls 22:47 When to Stop DIY Have a question or topic you want covered on a future episode? Email info@accountantslawpod.com or reach out through accountantslawpod.com. Join the Accountants Law Lab Mastermind at accountantslawlab.com. 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. The stories we share from the field are meant to educate, never to shame. We have deep respect for attorneys and the complexity of running a firm, and we recognize that many of the mistakes we discuss happen simply because no one ever explained the rules.

July 9, 202622 min

Dear Attorney, Your Bookkeeper Deserves A Vacation (Everything is Going To Be Fine)

Lynda is back after a trip to California that ended with a broken shoulder and a great story, and the team is diving into two topics that the community has been asking about. First up: Dear Attorney, Your Bookkeeper Deserves a Vacation. Lynda, Sarah, and Steve talk about why every bookkeeper needs time off, how to set up coverage so nothing falls through the cracks, and why they actually added vacation language to their engagement letters. Then the team tackles a listener question from their legal software showdown episode: what about Caret Legal, TimeSolv, and Rocket Matter? The hosts share their honest takes on all-in-one versus integrated systems, the real cost of a data migration gone wrong, and why support quality matters more than any feature list when you are locked into a platform. 01:37 Why Bookkeepers Need Breaks 05:45 Coverage Plans and SOPs 08:18 Setting Client Expectations 11:42 Legal Software Question 15:35 All in One vs Integrations 18:55 Support and Switching Costs 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. The stories we share from the field are meant to educate, never to shame. We have deep respect for attorneys and the complexity of running a firm, and we recognize that many of the mistakes we discuss happen simply because no one ever explained the rules.

July 2, 202631 min

Advisory Services 101

Advisory services are no longer optional for accountants and bookkeepers. They are the future of the profession. In this episode, Sarah Prevost and Steven Libhart dig into what it really means to be a trusted financial partner to your law firm clients in the age of AI. From beverage machines that diagnose themselves to bank transitions handled with a single phone call to a senior vice president, the conversation covers what AI can and cannot do, why human relationships and institutional knowledge are irreplaceable, and how bookkeepers and accountants can step confidently into the advisory role without being overwhelmed. Practical, honest, and genuinely fun, this one is for every accountant who has ever wondered what being a trusted advisor actually looks like in practice. 05:17 Advisory Services 101 06:55 Follow Up and Add Value 08:26 Apps and Adoption Pitfalls 11:34 KPIs Need Human Coaching 15:13 Be Included in Decisions 17:12 Bank Switch Success Story 20:53 Guiding Firm Transitions 25:22 Tool Risks and Confidentiality 28:32 Practical Steps for Advisors 🔔 Subscribe for weekly episodes covering law firm bookkeeping, legal tech, and accounting practice tips. 📩 Have a question or topic idea? Email us at info@accountantslawpod.com 🧑‍💼 Join the Accountants Law Lab Mastermind: accountantslawlab.com 🌐 Visit us at accountantslawpod.com What does being a trusted advisor look like in your practice? Drop it in the comments! 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. The stories we share from the field are meant to educate, never to shame. We have deep respect for attorneys and the complexity of running a firm, and we recognize that many of the mistakes we discuss happen simply because no one ever explained the rules.

June 25, 202621 min

If You Hate Numbers, That’s Exactly Why You Need Them

If you hate numbers, this episode is exactly for you. Sarah Prevost and Steven Libhart make the case that the attorneys and firm owners who avoid their financial reports are the ones who end up in the biggest messes, and that understanding your numbers does not require loving them. The conversation covers KPIs, AI as a financial tool and its very real limitations, partner compensation planning, labor costs, and why your firm administrator is probably making you more money than you realize. 00:31 Why Numbers Matter 01:45 Entrepreneur Mindset Shift 02:28 AI Needs Context 05:14 Garbage In Garbage Out 07:39 KPI Case Study 10:04 Finding the Real Issues 12:55 Hidden Admin Money Leaks 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.

June 18, 202616 min

Evergreen Retainer Tips

Evergreen retainers are one of the most powerful tools a law firm can use to protect cash flow and reduce accounts receivable headaches — but only when they are set up and monitored correctly. In this episode, Sarah Prevost and Steven Libhart break down exactly what evergreen retainers are, how they work, and the nuances that attorneys, bookkeepers, and accountants need to understand before putting them in place. From engagement letter requirements and bar rules to dispute management, milestone billing, and the tickler system trick. If you work with law firm clients or are an attorney managing your own billing, this one is worth a listen. 00:39 Episode Topic Evergreen Retainers 01:30 Why Evergreens Help Cashflow 04:00 Definition and Simple Example 06:07 Tracking and Tickler Systems 06:49 Client Communication and Budgets 08:46 Disputes and Reconciliation Risks 11:11 Complex Cases and Outside Costs 13:44 Tools Payments and Transparency 15:31 Wrap Up and Call to Action 🔔 Subscribe for weekly episodes covering law firm bookkeeping, legal tech, and accounting practice tips. 📩 Have a question or topic idea? Email us at info@accountantslawpod.com 🧑‍💼 Join the Accountants Law Lab Mastermind: accountantslawlab.com 🌐 Visit us at accountantslawpod.com 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.

June 11, 202629 min

The Side Spreadsheet Trap

Why do law firms still rely on side spreadsheets? In this episode, Lynda Artesani, Sarah Prevost, and Steven Libhart dig into the real reasons attorneys lean on manual spreadsheets for trust accounting, compensation tracking, and client costs, and what can go wrong when those spreadsheets are riddled with broken formulas, missing data, and no audit trail. The team also gets into data migrations gone wrong, the power of Google Sheets over Excel, MyFirmData as a reporting game-changer, and why asking the right questions at onboarding can save you weeks of cleanup work. 00:52 Why Spreadsheets Persist 02:15 Common Spreadsheet Uses 04:06 Empathy and Client Habits 09:44 Audit Trails and Google Sheets 12:40 When Spreadsheets Help 13:42 Parsing Costs and MyFirmData 17:06 Setup Data and Migration Risks 22:35 Banks Security and Vulnerabilities 25:37 Grid Paper Throwback 26:36 AI Restaurant Story 🔔 Subscribe for weekly episodes covering law firm bookkeeping, legal tech, and accounting practice tips. 📩 Have a question or topic idea? Email us at info@accountantslawpod.com 🧑‍💼 Join the Accountants Law Lab Mastermind: accountantslawlab.com 🌐 Visit us at accountantslawpod.com Have a spreadsheet story of your own? Drop it in the comments. We would love to hear it. 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.