Mike Shaeffer

Husband, Dad, and the COO of @PatrickAcct & @whirks where we help #smallbiz owners simplify their financial and people complexities.

[Mike Shaeffer @mshaeffer]

@CPATaxTeam This specifically was for Whirks so data came from isolved. We do something similar for Qount through Redshift

[Mike Shaeffer @mshaeffer]

Every month, I pull a report for partner revenue share and billing. So, I decided to build a bot to do it.
I'm a skeptic by nature and figured I'd get 80% there and then fix the rest.
Threw it in, and it came back perfect. 🤯
That was the moment I realized I'm probably not thinking big enough.
🎧 From the One Step Better pod
#OneStepBetter #AccountingFirm

[Mike Shaeffer @mshaeffer]

The thing about AI tools right now is that the work you assumed was a someday thing is already happening.
...and it's happening while you're still asking if it could.
Six months ago looked a lot different. Now, it just runs.
🎧 From the One Step Better pod
#OneStepBetter #AccountingFirm

[Mike Shaeffer @mshaeffer]

Right now, I'll let AI draft emails for me. I just don't want it sending them without me checking them.
But after it's drafted a few hundred and gotten every one right? At some point, do we stop looking?
We're not there yet. but I can see it from here.
🎧 From the One Step Better pod
#OneStepBetter #AccountingFirm

[Mike Shaeffer @mshaeffer]

Everybody wants to know if AI is going to replace the team...
but the more useful question is way smaller: Where can it just make the work you're already doing faster?
Today, not in some sci-fi future.
Start there.
🎧 From the One Step Better pod
#OneStepBetter #AccountingFirm

[Mike Shaeffer @mshaeffer]

@CPATaxTeam @AmericanAir “Executive platinum first class”…..fancy

[Mike Shaeffer @mshaeffer]

Hard to believe I have a high school senior!

[Mike Shaeffer @mshaeffer]

Whether you've got 4 people or 40, hard conversations are still hard.
And it's usually because we're dealing with people.
Matt had a more concise way of putting it. 🤣
🎧 From the One Step Better pod

[Mike Shaeffer @mshaeffer]

The math on billable work is easy.
Building leaders is way harder to put a number on.
And that gap is where a lot of owners get stuck.
🎧 From the One Step Better pod

[Mike Shaeffer @mshaeffer]

@McFrequentFlyer @Delta That’s not saying much these days

[Mike Shaeffer @mshaeffer]

I miss the days when @Delta was actually good

[Mike Shaeffer @mshaeffer]

@dereksimpson Wow, Memphis catching strays! Don’t over think it. Chant USA over and over again while holding the flag over your head

[Mike Shaeffer @mshaeffer]

@Love2Travel Yeah, this is going to be interesting

[Mike Shaeffer @mshaeffer]

Skip-level meetings can be a minefield.
You talk to someone a couple of levels down, mean well, and suddenly you've gone around their leader.
This is how I try to handle them.
🎧 From the One Step Better podcast

[Mike Shaeffer @mshaeffer]

Have you ever handed something off to one of your leaders and then had to sit on your hands and watch it go in a direction you wouldn't have picked?
The pull to jump in can be strong, but you can't undercut the person you trusted to lead.
Have an opinion. Voice it. Don't cut their legs off.

🎧 From the One Step Better pod

[Mike Shaeffer @mshaeffer]

Been a believer about this one for a while... the healthiest leadership teams I know actually go looking for small things to disagree about. I know I do. 😏
It may sound counterintuitive, but if you and your second chair agree on everything, something's probably getting left unsaid.
🎧 From the One Step Better pod

[Mike Shaeffer @mshaeffer]

Running an accounting firm tip: If you're writing the training plan the night before the new person starts, the training plan is going to be exactly as good as you'd expect.
Ask me how I know.
🎧 From the One Step Better business podcast

[Mike Shaeffer @mshaeffer]

If you've got the right people, even a rough process turns into something workable.
The wrong people on a great process just gives you a cleaner view of the problem.

🎧 From the One Step Better business podcast

[Mike Shaeffer @mshaeffer]

So you've spent years getting your accounting firm's hiring, reviews, and client handoffs working.
Then, you hit the next growth stage, and none of it works anymore.
Ever notice how solving one stage of problems just unlocks a new tier of problems?
Cool. Cool cool cool.
🎧 From the One Step Better business podcast

[Mike Shaeffer @mshaeffer]

"We're slammed, tell sales to ease up."
That's the worst advice you'll give yourself all year.
That steady flow of new work is the whole reason you get to pick your clients and raise your fees when necessary. Don't touch it.
🎧 From the One Step Better podcast

#OneStepBetter #AccountingFirmOwner