Hey! I'd love to hear your thoughts, send me a voice note.

What tools does a CPA use to run a small accounting firm?

On the Small Business Solutions Podcast (SBSPod), Nelson Gray talks with accountant and fractional CFO Evan Badzik about the software he uses for bookkeeping, tax prep, invoicing, and a simple online presence.

Evan runs Basic Accounting and Tax Services. He uses QuickBooks and Xero for monthly accounting, Intuit ProConnect for tax returns, Excel for tracking work, Wix for his website and invoicing, and Gmail plus Google Calendar to stay organized.

In this episode, we discuss:

• The core tools a solo CPA uses for client work and running the firm
• QuickBooks and Xero for monthly bookkeeping
• Intuit ProConnect for tax preparation
• Why he works in the client’s accounting software instead of forcing one system
• Using Wix for a website, domain, and invoices
• How billing, payments, and bookkeeping can spread across four platforms
• Choosing the best tool for one need, then getting locked into subscriptions
• Using the slower tax season to improve processes
• Tracking clients, deliverables, and follow-up without a complex CRM
• Posting on Facebook and LinkedIn so the right clients can find him

If you want a clear look at small business accounting software and how a working CPA actually uses it, this episode breaks down the stack in plain language.

Subscribe to SBSPod for practical tools and systems for small business owners.

Go solve problems, and I’ll see you in the next episode.

#SBSPod #SmallBusinessSolutions #CPATools

Hey! I'd love to hear your thoughts, send me a voice note.

What is a fractional CFO for a small business, and when do you actually need one?

On the Small Business Solutions Podcast (SBSPod), Nelson Gray talks with accountant and fractional CFO Evan Badzik about cash flow, taxes, and financial decisions for owners who cannot hire a full-time CFO.

Evan runs Basic Accounting and Tax Services. After 12 years in corporate accounting, tax, and finance, he started his own firm about a year and a half ago. He provides monthly accounting, small business tax preparation, tax strategy, IRS representation, and selective fractional CFO work.

In this episode, we discuss:

• What a fractional CFO is and how the role differs from a bookkeeper or tax preparer
• The two types of small businesses that usually need a fractional CFO: cash-flow problems and growth
• How a fractional CFO helps owners manage cash flow, books, taxes, and decisions
• Why profitable companies can still struggle with cash
• Balancing work in the business and work on the business as a solo operator
• Finding accounting clients through referrals and relationships instead of ads
• Misconceptions about accountants and tax professionals
• Using AI for tax research, and why the taxpayer is still accountable for the return

If you are looking for a fractional CFO, a small business accountant, or a clearer system for cash flow and taxes, this episode explains the role in practical terms.

Subscribe to SBSPod for practical tools and systems for small business owners.

Go solve problems, and I’ll see you in the next episode.

#SBSPod #SmallBusinessSolutions #FractionalCFO #SmallBiz

Hey! I'd love to hear your thoughts, send me a voice note.

Is keeping your software up to date really worth the time?

In this solo episode of the Small Business Solutions Podcast (SBSPod), Nelson Gray explains why software patching is one of the simplest and most effective ways to protect your small business from cyberattacks, security vulnerabilities, and costly downtime.

Many business owners ask, "If it isn't broken, why fix it?" Nelson breaks down why that mindset can leave your business exposed, how hackers take advantage of outdated software, and why compatibility issues can disrupt everything from payment systems to everyday business operations.

You'll also learn practical, low-cost strategies for managing updates across multiple computers, why updating your phone is just as important as updating your PC, and how to safely roll out updates without disrupting your business.

In this episode you'll learn:

• Why small businesses are frequent cyberattack targets

• How unpatched software creates security risks

• Why software updates improve compatibility and reliability

• A simple monthly patch management routine

• Tips for testing updates before deploying them to every device

• A free tool that can help automate software updates for small businesses

Whether you're managing one computer or a growing team, this episode provides practical IT advice that can help reduce risk and keep your business running smoothly.

Subscribe to SBSPod for practical technology and business solutions designed specifically for small business owners.

#SBSPod #SmallBiz #PatchManagement