Rewind : Selling Accounting Services 2.0 w/ Debra Angilletta
Building the Premier Accounting Firm
Release Date: 04/11/2026
Building the Premier Accounting Firm
Welcome to another episode of Building the Premier Accounting Firm with host Roger Knecht. Today, Roger sits down with Tim Brackney to discuss how to build a premier accounting firm, focusing on private equity strategies, firm valuation, and the importance of a clear North Star vision. Learn how Springline Advisory identifies top-tier middle-market advisory businesses by evaluating economic, strategic, and cultural fits, and why a people-first approach is key to success. In This Episode: 00:00 Welcome & Guest Introduction 01:12 Tim’s Journey to Springline 03:19 Springline’s Goal &...
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Thank you for joining us for another episode of Building the Premier Accounting Firm. Today, host Roger Knecht and David Waite discuss the evolving accounting profession, focusing on how education must adapt to prepare students for a world with AI and changing job roles. They explore the shift from traditional accounting tasks to advisory services and critical thinking. Episode Navigation: 00:00 Welcome and Introduction 01:02 David’s Accounting Journey 06:53 The Limited Scope of Accounting Education 11:35 The Need for Educational Reform 15:37 Introducing Bookkeeping into Academia 20:01...
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Join us as we revisit this conversation from 2022! In this episode of Building the Premier Accounting Firm, you’ll learn what you need to do with your online presence to get people to find you and act, to call or book an appointment to meet with you. We all hear it, again and again, there are things we need to have a profitable and effective online presence: Search Engine Optimization (SEO) Writing Content Blogging But what does this all mean and what do we need to do to be relevant and found online. Roger and Kelly have an in-depth conversation that we all need to hear to leverage...
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Roger Knecht and Wes Towers discuss effective marketing strategies for accounting firms, focusing on local presence, niche marketing, and leveraging AI for content creation. Learn how to transform random marketing acts into deliberate growth engines and enhance your firm’s visibility and client acquisition. In This Episode: 00:00 Introduction to Marketing for Accountants 02:52 Leveraging Local Presence and Niching 06:47 Outcome-Focused Marketing Messaging 09:52 Google Business Profile and Reviews 14:11 Marketing Rhythm and Content Creation 19:51 AI in Marketing and Human Connection 26:25...
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Welcome to another episode of Building the Premier Accounting Firm. Today, Roger Knecht and Duane Deason, a seasoned CPA and cost management expert, discuss how accounting firms can provide invaluable cost management services to their clients. This episode explores strategies for optimizing business efficiency, increasing profitability, and leveraging financial data for sustained growth, moving beyond traditional accounting into an advisory role. In This Episode: 00:00 Introduction to Cost Management 02:54 Cost Management for Accountants 06:14 Rethinking Cost Management Strategies 09:29...
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Join us this Wednesday for a new episode where Roger discusses AI and Cashflow with Duane Deason
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Join us as we revisit this conversation from 2022! Accounting & bookkeeping is made up of processes and systems, prime to be automated. But what and how is the million-dollar question. Well, this is a conversation with someone committed to using technology and Artificial Intelligence (AI) to do just that. This is a conversation with the founder of such a company. Listen in as Roger has Moshe share his story and give some insights into the process of leveraging technology to help the accounting profession. Automation and accuracy are our friends! It removes the pain points...
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In today’s episode of Building the Premier Accounting Firm, Roger Knecht and Jonathan Stark discuss the pitfalls of hourly billing and the significant benefits of shifting to value-based pricing for accounting firms. Learn how to transform your business model, increase profitability, and build stronger client relationships by focusing on client outcomes rather than billable hours. This episode offers practical strategies for making this critical transition and leveraging your expertise effectively. In This Episode: 00:00 Introduction to the Podcast 01:21 The Problem with Hourly Billing 03:31...
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Join us this Wednesday for a new episode where Roger discusses the mindset around pricing with Jonathan Stark.
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Listen as two expert salespeople share their insights; the key elements needed to close the deal and get the clients you deserve. Debra and Roger offer actionable steps that any accounting professional can take to comfortably use to get the next new client. This is an energetic conversation that you are sure to enjoy and use to improve your sales processes. Get ready to take some good notes on topics ranging from: Identifying and using your Inside Voice – your inner voice Sales make the work go round, consider it first things first when it comes to your business. Sales are the...
info_outlineThis is an energetic conversation that you are sure to enjoy and use to improve your sales processes. Get ready to take some good notes on topics ranging from:
- Identifying and using your Inside Voice – your inner voice
- Sales make the work go round, consider it first things first when it comes to your business. Sales are the things that makes money move, why? Because “nothing happens until you make a sale”!
- How to use ROI, Return to Investment when making an offer? Listen to Debra as she shares a role play example that you don’t want to miss.
- Does your offer make sense, for example would you buy from yourself and is the offer related to the desired outcome that the potential client stated?
- Are you ready to play the confidence game and extend the “no-brainer-offer”
- What are the 3 common objections and what are they really? Buying Signs!
- What can you do to creating trust or build rapport and why is it important?
- And so much more 😊
This is a fast-paced discussion that you may find yourself pausing or even rewinding to take good notes and apply in your business.
In the end, anyone and everyone can be comfortable offering their services with confidence. Selling doesn’t need to be scary.
So, sit back, listen in, and enjoy this conversation with Debra and Roger.
Your Host: Roger Knecht, president of Universal Accounting Center
Our Guest: Debra Angilletta
Debra works with Accountants & Bookkeepers who want clients to see their value, charge more for their services, but are struggling with sales calls. "Sales Mastery" is her personal (and proven!) online e-course that shows you how to become more consultative so that you can become the go-to-expert and get the right clients to easily say "YES" to your offer. Spending the last 30 years in the sales trenches having over 20,000 sales calls, she knows EXACTLY what works (and what doesn't!) when it comes to showing your value vs talk about it. Debra is still active in the sales trenches - closing business for her company as well as other multi-million-dollar companies which include Profit First Professionals and Nemo Media Group.
Sponsors:
- Helping accounting professionals confidently and competently offer quality accounting services to get paid what they are worth.
Offers:
Take advantage of Debra’s offer to receive the "6 Secret Questions To Close More Sales + Get Paid Your Worth" This is a tool you want to have at the ready to help you get the clients you deserve.
Get a FREE copy of this book all accounting professionals should use to become the Business First Responder that Roger mentioned. This is a must have addition to every accountant’s library to provide to have the premier accounting business today:
- “Red to BLACK in 30 days – A small business accountant’s guide to QUICK turnarounds” – the how-to-guide e-book for accounting professionals
Be sure to also check out the additional training available to help Sell with Confidence as you apply Strategic Selling principles in your business.
Lastly, Debra and Roger also mentioned their work with Profit First Professionals which is based on the book by Mike Michalowicz, Profit First. Learn more what you can do to offer CFO related advisory services as a Profit & Growth Expert using the Universal Business Builder engagement process.
For Additional FREE Resources for accounting professionals check out this collection HERE!
Be sure to join us for GrowCon, the LIVE event for accounting professionals to work ON their business. This is a conference you don’t want to miss.
Remember this, Accounting Success IS Universal.
Listen to our next episode and be sure to subscribe.
For more information on how you can apply these principles in your business please visit us at www.universalaccountingschool.com or call us at 801.265.3777