Five Common Pitfalls and How to Overcome Them

man walking across marble floor with large holes in it

Transitioning isn’t always smooth sailing.

By Jackie Meyer

When I made the decision to shift from a compliance-heavy firm to an advisory-first firm focused on delivering measurable ROI, I wish I could say it was seamless. It wasn’t. This kind of transformation brings new opportunities, but it also brings challenges – some that you can anticipate, and others that take you by surprise. The key to success isn’t avoiding challenges altogether (that’s impossible); it’s learning to navigate them when they arise.

MORE: Will Your Success be Incremental or Exceptional? | Your Balanced Millionaire Journey Begins Now | How to Cultivate Holistic Wealth | Five Hard-Earned Lessons from Exiting an Accounting Firm | It’s Never Too Early to Plan Your Exit Strategy | Beyond Blocking: More Time Management Strategies | Reclaim Your Hours with Time Management and Productivity Hacks | How to Bring Core Values into Your Accounting Firm | Ten Key Guidelines for Accounting Staff | Hiring Strategies for Your Dream Team | The AI Revolution: Embracing Artificial Intelligence in Your Practice
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In this article, I want to help you understand the common pitfalls that can derail your progress and the practical steps you can take to overcome them. Whether it’s dealing with clients who are stuck in the old model, learning to price confidently or avoiding burnout, there are solutions to keep you moving forward.
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Four Practical Case Studies of Real Advisory Success

woman and man meeting in office; chart on his laptop screen

And four lessons learned.

By Jackie Meyer

You’ve already heard the story of one of my first high-net-worth clients – an executive preparing their own tax return, making costly errors and ultimately turning to me for help. Let’s revisit this example with a deeper dive into the transformation and outcomes.

MORE: Your Balanced Millionaire Journey Begins Now | How to Cultivate Holistic Wealth | Five Hard-Earned Lessons from Exiting an Accounting Firm | It’s Never Too Early to Plan Your Exit Strategy | Beyond Blocking: More Time Management Strategies | Reclaim Your Hours with Time Management and Productivity Hacks | Master the ROI Method: Price for Value, Not Time
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Case Study 1: From $150,000 in Tax Savings to 1,400 Percent ROI

The Situation: This client was an executive with a complex financial situation, including private equity investments that generated dozens of K-1s. When I initially reviewed his self-prepared return, I found that he had misclassified a capital gain sale as royalty income, which led to an overstatement of income by hundreds of thousands of dollars. In 2012, I charged him an hourly rate of $150 to amend the return and correct the mistake. This simple fix saved him $150,000 in taxes.
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Your Balanced Millionaire Journey Begins Now

Woman pulls pack storm page and reveals sunset.

How to bring it all together.

By Jackie Meyer

This is is the beginning of your revolution. You’ve journeyed with me through the trenches of hourly billing, felt the weight of burnout, and witnessed the exhilarating transformation to a seven-figure advisory firm built on my terms.

MORE: How to Cultivate Holistic Wealth | Five Hard-Earned Lessons from Exiting an Accounting Firm | Reclaim Your Hours with Time Management and Productivity Hacks | Hiring Strategies for Your Dream Team | Streamline Your Operations with Systems and Processes | From Compliance to Advisory: Shifting the Value Proposition | How I Became an Accidental Entrepreneur
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But this story, this blueprint, it was never truly about me. It was always about you, about the spark within you waiting to ignite. You’ve seen me go from an exhausted CPA, trading time for dollars, to an empowered entrepreneur, crafting a life where work supports my dreams, not suffocates them. And now, it’s your turn to step into that power.
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How to Cultivate Holistic Wealth

Calm balanced businessman sitting outdoors on bench in Yoga lotus pose meditating, with office building and blue sky in background

A deep dive into the SHiFT framework.

By Jackie Meyer

Success is often defined in dollar signs and business metrics, but as a seasoned advisor you know that true wealth extends far beyond the financial statement. After all, what’s the point of a seven-figure firm if your health is in shambles, your relationships are strained, or you have no time to enjoy life?

MORE: Five Hard-Earned Lessons from Exiting an Accounting Firm | It’s Never Too Early to Plan Your Exit Strategy | Beyond Blocking: More Time Management Strategies | Reclaim Your Hours with Time Management and Productivity Hacks | Hiring Strategies for Your Dream Team | Streamline Your Operations with Systems and Processes | From Compliance to Advisory: Shifting the Value Proposition | How I Became an Accidental Entrepreneur | Build a Seven-Figure Firm in Four Hours a Week
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In this article, we’re going to zoom out and look at the whole picture of what it means to be a “Balanced Millionaire.” This is about cultivating holistic wealth across all areas of life, using the SHiFT Framework – Social, Health, Financial, Time. These are the four pillars of holistic wealth and well-being that support a truly balanced and fulfilling life for a high-achieving professional.
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Five Hard-Earned Lessons from Exiting an Accounting Firm

Or “what I wish I knew earlier.”

By Jackie Meyer

Having gone through the process of selling clients and eventually an entire firm, I gathered some invaluable lessons. If you ever consider selling part or all of your practice, keep these in mind:

MORE: It’s Never Too Early to Plan Your Exit Strategy | Beyond Blocking: More Time Management Strategies | Ten Key Guidelines for Accounting Staff | Leverage Technology for Growth | Master the ROI Method: Price for Value, Not Time | How I Became an Accidental Entrepreneur | Build a Seven-Figure Firm in Four Hours a Week
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  • Always Have a Retention Clause: If you sell clients or your firm, include a clause in the sale agreement that protects you if clients don’t stick around.

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