Episode 7

full
Published on:

24th Aug 2021

We have guests ๐ŸŽ‰ And technical difficulties ๐Ÿ˜•

We have our first guests! We also have our first major technical difficulties.

Weโ€™re delighted to be joined on the show by Brian Lang and Mike Chawner, two CPAs out of Austin Texas who are former colleagues and former business partners. They share with us their journey from starting their firm together through to later dissolving the partnership and going their separate ways.

As Brian and Mike will attest both have learned a lot, have been able to gain clarity on what it is that they want out of their business and importantly, have remained friends and continue to refer business to each other when they know itโ€™s a good fit.

We did have technical difficulties and lost one of the feeds half way through (unbeknown to us at the time) so weโ€™ll need to get the guys back on to finish where they left off. Despite this, there are some great insight from the Brian and Mike that we didnโ€™t want you to miss out.

Youโ€™ll also hear from Jovie the Jack Russell who is not doing well with a bunch of deliveries during the episode.

If you'd like outside help on this process or have questions about anything discussed in this episode, please do get in touch.

Penny Breslin - LinkedIn | @PennyB57

Damien Greathead - LinkedIn | @Damien_GH

Show artwork for It's not Just the Numbers

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

Because the future of accounting isnโ€™t just about compliance.

Itโ€™s about strategy.
Itโ€™s about relationships.
Itโ€™s about systems.
Itโ€™s about leadership.
And ultimately, itโ€™s not just the numbers.

A Beyond Numbers podcast.

About your hosts

Penny Breslin

Profile picture for Penny Breslin
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 firmโ€™s workflow, to technology selection, and assisting in the on-boarding of the firmโ€™s clients, Penny works with her clients to maximize the benefits of a paperless and cloud-based firm.

Damien Greathead

Profile picture for Damien Greathead
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.