In this episode of The New F*Word, host Colin Hewitt speaks with Jo Wood, Co-founder of The 6 Figure Bookkeeper and Hey Monika, about the evolving role of bookkeepers in modern business. Jo shares how she grew The 6 Figure Bookkeeper from 60 Facebook members to 28000, sold her multi-six-figure practice to prove bookkeeping businesses can be valuable assets, and co-founder Hey Monika, an AI-driven training platform giving bookkeepers real-world experience in a safe space.

What You’ll Learn:

* How to leverage AI and automation while maintaining valuable human insights in bookkeeping

* Why building a tech stack is crucial for modern bookkeeping

* How bookkeepers can transition from traditional services to higher-value advisory roles

* Why confidence, not just technical knowledge, is key to successful financial advisory

* How to create effective partnerships between bookkeepers, accountants, and fractional CFOs

* Why embracing technology education and practical experience platforms like Hey Monica are reshaping professional development

Jo Wood is a pioneering figure in modern bookkeeping and financial education, known for co-founding The 6 Figure Bookkeeper. With a background in auditing and virtual FD services, she has grown a community of over 28000 bookkeepers and accountants while successfully building and selling her own multi-six-figure bookkeeping practice, Jo Wood Virtual FD Ltd. Jo is transforming the bookkeeping industry through innovative solutions, like HeyMonica, an AI-powered platform that provides practical experience for aspiring financial professionals.

Episode Resources:

* Jo Wood on LinkedIn

* The 6 Figure Bookkeeper Website

* Hey Monika Website

* Bookkeeping Business From Home Podcast

* The Bookkeeper Rises Book

* Colin Hewitt on LinkedIn

* Float Cash Flow Forecasting Website

Most finance professionals (e.g. accountants and fCFOs) are still relying on outdated marketing tactics: generic websites, vague messaging, and a hope that referrals will carry the business.

However, as Karen Reyburn shares, that approach no longer works.

In this episode of The New F*Word, I sit down with Karen to chat about what really works when it comes to marketing for accountants and fractional CFOs. Karen shares practical insights on defining your audience, crafting compelling stories, and evolving your marketing as services change.

Here are the main takeaways from this episode:

* Boring marketing is bad for business. If your firm sounds like every other one, clients can't choose you. Make it human. Make it real.

* Talk less. Listen more. Ask therapist-style questions: "How are things really?" Then build your messaging around what people actually say.

* Get specific. The narrower your niche, the stronger your pull. Broad messaging attracts no one. Great marketing divides.

* Done is better than perfect. You don’t need the perfect brand before you start showing up. Just start.

* Creativity isn’t optional anymore. Whether you’re a fractional CFO or firm owner, your creative mindset is now a business asset.

Listen now on Apple, Spotify, and YouTube.

This episode is brought to you by Float, the cash flow forecasting software trusted by thousands of Modern Finance Leaders and businesses. Whether you're a growing company or a fractional CFO, Float is a cash flow forecasting tool that provides finance professionals with daily cash visibility for the businesses they serve and helps them manage and plan cash flow for any scenario they might face.

Laura Linden, founder of Feisty FD, shares her journey from accidental finance expert to guiding female entrepreneurs to multimillion-pound exits. With 12 years of experience, she reveals key insights on avoiding valuation pitfalls, the critical role of historical cash flows, and why due diligence matters. She also highlights the value of corporate finance advisors and how gender influences risk-taking, aiming to empower women in business.

Inspired by her daughter’s fearless spirit, Laura is dedicated to making finance accessible. She’s working on a book and app to boost women’s confidence with numbers. As AI transforms the industry, Laura stays ahead, offering practical advice on adapting and thriving. This episode is a clear, no-nonsense guide to mastering your business’s finances and unlocking its full potential.

Adam Sher, CFO at Vero Capital, shares his journey from Big Four accounting to scaling tech ventures. He empowers Series Seed to Series A startups by streamlining financial operations and investor communications. His insights on SaaS metrics and valuations are invaluable for CFOs helping founders navigating growth.

We explore small business challenges, from tariffs to global supply chain disruptions. Adam’s candid reflections on his own startup failures, paired with actionable strategies for managing churn and rising costs, offer founders clear, practical guidance to thrive in turbulent times.

Wondering how to tame your startup’s financial chaos? I’m with Ciarán O’Donnell, fractional CFO and Own Your Numbers founder, who equips startups with the financial savvy to grow. We uncover how to spot cash flow traps, decode KPIs, and why EBITDA isn’t just jargon—it could shape your business’s exit value.

Packed with wild stories and actionable insights, we explore how a part-time finance expert turns confusion into clarity without the hefty price tag. Whether you’re buried in spreadsheets or just want to boost your financial know-how, this episode’s got the spark you need.

Curious about ditching a cushy corporate finance gig for the wild ride of a fractional CFO business? I sat down with Kat Willem-Kent, a trailblazer who traded a top firm for Fractional Finance, growing it from a one-woman show to a seven-strong team with HR disruption in her sights. Over lunch in London, she sparked the idea and mapped it out in a sunny Paddington square. Kat’s story is raw—bold leaps, scaling chaos, and balancing family life, all spiked with energy healing and manifestation.

In this episode, she dishes on recruiting CFOs, managing client demands, and her killer tech stack (Xero, Fathom, Float). Beyond numbers, Kat’s driven by purpose, blending personal growth with big plans. Our conversation is punchy, real, and loaded with insights for entrepreneurs, finance nerds, or anyone hungry for a fresh take on business.

This episode’s a bit different, I’m trying something new by bringing on not one, but two guests — Michael Spyrou and Tim Johnson, co-founders of Axcelera.

I’ve been really curious about how the role of the fractional CFO is evolving, and these two are right at the forefront. Axcelera is a group of CFOs with a fresh approach—combining strategic financial planning with smart tech to help growing businesses thrive.

Michael’s got over 20 years of finance experience across multiple countries and sectors. His focus? Helping SMEs get a grip on their numbers and make confident decisions. Tim’s background is in banking and entrepreneurship—he’s founded multiple businesses and even ran call centres in the Caribbean. Together, they’ve built something pretty special.

In this chat, we get into:

* Why the fractional CFO is so key for scaling businesses

* The importance of delivering insight, not just information

* How tech is transforming the finance function

* What founders really need from their CFO

If you’re running a business or advising one, this is well worth a listen.