Episode 61

full
Published on:

28th Jul 2023

Carving Out Time To Achieve Anticipated Results

Why do you need to keep tasks easy to understand? In this episode of Strategy and the Virtual Controller, Damien, and Penny tackle the importance of taking a step back before implementing any technology or workflow changes. They discuss how to set up an anticipatory set that will help employees work more efficiently and effectively, reduce misunderstandings, and minimize write-offs due to incorrect processes.

The conversation covers how COVID has impacted internships and new workers coming out of college who may lack experience in executing tasks.


Tune in as Damien and Penny as they stress the need to make sure that tasks are easy to understand and complete in order to ensure successful outcomes!


[00:00 - 01:20] Opening Segment

  • Damien and Penny discuss accounting, client accounting services, virtual accounting, and virtual controller services
  • Helping practitioners build intentional businesses and avoid mistakes


[01:21 - 13:50] Avoid Tax Write-Offs Through Anticipatory Set

  • They share their advice on taking a step back and making sure there’s a mutual understanding of objectives and outcomes before rushing to a solution
  • Anticipatory set:
  • Define title
  • Define objectives
  • Define what learners should learn


[13:51 - 36:33] Carving Out Time To Achieve Anticipated Results

  • Remote workers and new employees may not have experience of internships due to COVID
  • The anticipatory set is the objective, which includes the tasks, the trial balance, and the objectives of the trial balance
  • Objectives is what we should achieve, whereas anticipatory set is the result that we anticipate to happen
  • It’s important to consider what client the client see on their side of the app, as it may be different than what you see


[36:34 - 40:10] Closing Segment

  • Tune in as Damien and Penny share why you need to make sure that tasks are easy to understand and complete in order to ensure successful outcomes!


Tweetable Quotes

“I did not define both ends of it and you would think, well, why should I? Well, because she's a valuable employee and I don't need to constantly berate her because of my lack of communication.” - Penny Breslin


“The client's coming to you because of your accounting and tax expertise. And so a great way in which you can demonstrate your accounting and tax expertise is just to get them better organized and tell them how you want them to submit information.” – Damien Greathead


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Websites: https://moneypennyllc.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/damiengreathead/

Twitter: @Damien_GH

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/penny-breslin-0228b81/

Twitter: @pennyb57

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About the Podcast

It's not Just the Numbers
Focused on CAS, this accounting podcast helps firm owners build their accounting and bookkeeping business with intention
It’s Not Just the Numbers is a podcast for accounting firm owners, leaders, and professionals building modern firms beyond compliance.

Hosted by Damien Greathead and Penny Breslin, the show explores what it really takes to create a sustainable, advisory-driven accounting practice in a profession undergoing rapid change. From technology, systems, workflow, and pricing strategy to leadership, client experience, staffing, and the future role of the accountant — this podcast goes beyond the spreadsheets and into the real conversations shaping the profession.

Each episode features practical insights, honest discussions, and lessons from firm owners, industry experts, technology leaders, and operators working at the forefront of modern accounting.

Whether you’re building a Client Advisory Services (CAS) practice, refining your operations, navigating AI and automation, or simply trying to build a better firm, It’s Not Just the Numbers delivers thoughtful conversations grounded in real-world experience.

Because the future of accounting isn’t just about compliance.

It’s about strategy.
It’s about relationships.
It’s about systems.
It’s about leadership.
And ultimately, it’s not just the numbers.

A Beyond Numbers podcast.

About your hosts

Penny Breslin

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Penny Breslin is the founder of MoneyPenny, a consulting firm specializing in helping accounting firms and other businesses embrace the power of technology to simplify their operations and increase their profit margins.

Drawing on her years of experience and her knowledge of what it takes to run a successful business, Penny oversees the development of back office processes for her client firms. From the initial evaluation of the firm’s workflow, to technology selection, and assisting in the on-boarding of the firm’s clients, Penny works with her clients to maximize the benefits of a paperless and cloud-based firm.

Damien Greathead

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Damien has been working in the accounting industry for more than 15 years. In addition to getting his hands dirty preparing tax returns and doing bookkeeping, but the bulk of his experience comes from consulting to both accounting firms and the technology companies that serve the industry.

He set up 2020 Group USA which was a membership group for small and medium sized accounting firms and then went on to set up Receipt Bank (now Dext) in North America.

He regularly speaks to industry bodies on technology, marketing and change management.