Sarah is back, and she has a story to tell! Fresh off an unexpected keynote at the Kudo Digital Accounting Conference in Kosovo, Sarah shares what it was like to present to a sold-out crowd on working with US-based accounting firms, complete with surprise keynote status, a massive curved screen, live translators, and an audience that was fully present and phone-free. Lynda and Steve dig into the cultural differences, the energy of a young and engaged crowd, and why going global is more relevant than ever for accounting professionals. A fun, candid episode you won't want to miss. 00:24 Sarah Returns and Kosovo Trip 00:52 Keynote Surprise and Tech Hiccups 02:37 Conference Highlights and Leaders 04:00 Cultural Differences and Translation 05:31 Audience Reactions and Etiquette 08:01 Sold Out Crowd and Media Coverage 09:53 Travel Notes and Local Impressions 10:46 Next Year Plans and Sign Off 🔔 Subscribe for weekly episodes covering law firm bookkeeping, legal tech, and accounting practice tips. 📩 Have a question or topic idea? Email us at [email protected] 🧑‍💼 Join the Accountants Law Lab Mastermind: accountantslawlab.com 🌐 Visit us at accountantslawpod.com Accountants Law Pod is hosted by Lynda Artesani, Sarah Prevost, and Steve Libhart and directed/produced by Teaira Burge and The Proper Trust. Music by ComaStudio from Pixabay - Edited by audiovideo_uk D Disclaimer: The content presented in this podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as legal, financial, or professional advice.

Here are the updated versions without em dashes: Spotify Description Trust accounting is one of the most compliance-heavy areas in legal bookkeeping, and post-tax season is exactly the right time to audit where things stand. In this episode, Lynda and Steve dig into the common traps law firms fall into with their IOLTA and trust accounts: timing issues with Clio Pay and e-checks, commingling funds (intentional or not), the danger of moving money before it clears, and why switching bank accounts doesn't fix underlying reconciliation problems. They cover the three-way reconciliation that every firm should be doing (bank, billing software, accounting system), how to structure your chart of accounts with proper sub-accounts and a trust suspense account, and what to expect and do if the bar's attorney regulation counsel comes knocking for an audit. Whether you're new to legal accounting or doing a post-tax-season cleanup, this episode is packed with practical guidance on protecting both your clients and your license. Topics covered: IOLTA trust accounting, Clio Pay timing, three-way reconciliation, chart of accounts setup, QuickBooks Online, bar compliance, trust audits, personal injury disbursements, and more. 00:53 Trust Accounting Reset 01:28 Tax Return Reporting 02:27 One File vs Two 03:46 Bar Rules First 05:15 Clio Pay Timing Risks 07:31 PI Checks and Disbursements 11:21 Client Loans and Compliance 13:14 Choosing Legal Software 15:20 Clio vs LeanLaw Workflows 16:09 Spotting Date Errors 16:35 Retainers and Payments 17:30 Three Way Reconciliation 17:59 Account Bucketing Setup 19:06 QuickBooks Lock Feature 20:41 Trust Suspense Accounts 21:53 Reconciliation Misconceptions 22:59 Avoiding Commingling 24:43 Handling Trust Audits 25:53 Cleanup and Opening Balances 28:06 Outsourced Help and Notes 🌐 Website: accountantslawpod.com 💬 Community: accountantslawlab.com 📩 Contact: [email protected] Disclaimer: The content presented in this podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as legal, financial, or professional advice.

Your paralegal is great at their job. That is exactly why they should not be doing your books. In this episode of Accountants Law Pod, Lynda and Steve make the case for why assigning bookkeeping to your paralegal is one of the costliest mistakes a law firm can make. From trust account disasters and reconciliation nightmares to payroll privacy risks and bar audit exposure, they break down the real consequences of this all-too-common decision and what to do instead. If you are a paralegal currently doing the books, maybe share this one with your boss... 02:20 Why Paralegals Shouldn't Bookkeep 03:15 Real World Bookkeeping Horror 05:22 Reconciliation and Cleanup Risks 08:24 Payroll Privacy Pitfalls 11:30 Software Integrations Gone Wrong 14:26 Segregation of Duties Matters 18:28 Trust Accounting Audit Readiness 21:11 War Stories From Law Firms 24:51 Key Takeaways and Next Steps 🔔 Subscribe for weekly episodes on legal accounting, trust accounting, law firm bookkeeping, and growing a compliant and profitable law practice. 👉 Join the Accountants Law Lab Mastermind: accountantslawlab.com 🌐 Visit us at: accountantslawpod.com 📧 Submit a topic or question: [email protected] Accountants Law Pod is hosted by Lynda Artesani, Sarah Prevost, and Steve Libhart and directed/produced by Teaira Burge and The Proper Trust. Music by ComaStudio from Pixabay - Edited by audiovideo_uk Disclaimer: The content presented in this podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as legal, financial, or professional advice.

The future of legal accounting is moving fast and AI is at the center of it. In this episode of Accountants Law Pod, we take an honest and sometimes hilarious look at where AI is actually delivering in legal and accounting workflows, where it is falling short, and what it means for the future of the profession. From trust accounting and docketing to bank feeds, client billing, and the very real risk of skill atrophy, this is a grounded and candid conversation about what is coming and how to stay ahead of it. 🔔 Subscribe for weekly episodes on legal accounting, trust accounting, AI in legal tech, law firm bookkeeping, and growing a legal accounting practice. 👉 Join the Accountants Law Lab Mastermind: accountantslawlab.com 🌐 Visit us at: accountantslawpod.com 📧 Submit a topic or question: [email protected] 01:02 AI Takes Center Stage 02:06 Tesla AI Reality Check 03:18 Automation Myths and Trust Recs 04:35 Prompting and App Ecosystems 06:03 QuickBooks AI Skepticism 07:18 Reconciliation Limits and Nuance 09:04 Banks Security and Shifting 10:13 AI in Attorney Billing 12:58 Tool Skills and Hiring Future 15:37 Advisors to Validators 16:18 Multi Business Valuation 17:11 Real Time Accounting 17:31 Legal Data Complexity 18:49 Compliance and Cyber Risk 20:05 Keeping Human Skills 21:40 AI for Firm Operations 23:12 Meeting Analysis Insights 24:42 Curiosity and Marketing 26:20 Frontier With Foundations 28:37 Industry and Banking Shifts Accountants Law Pod is hosted by Lynda Artesani, Sarah Prevost, and Steve Libhart and directed/produced by Teaira Burge and The Proper Trust. Music by ComaStudio from Pixabay - Edited by audiovideo_uk Disclaimer: The content presented in this podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as legal, financial, or professional advice.

Whether you are an attorney managing your own books or a bookkeeper supporting law firms, the same costly mistakes show up again and again. In this episode of Accountants Law Pod, we break down the most common legal accounting errors they encounter, from unbalanced trust accounts and uncollected AR to bonus checks that bypass payroll and chart of accounts setups that create more problems than they solve. If you want to protect your firm, your license, and your bottom line, this one is worth your full attention. 00:46 Common Trust Accounting Errors 01:39 Reconciling Trust Accounts 02:05 Tracking Trust by Client 03:07 Spreadsheets vs Real Ledgers 04:03 Choosing Legal Billing Software 06:58 Advanced Client Costs Basics 08:12 Hybrid Methods and IRS Rules 10:26 Workflows and Timekeeping 12:36 Year End Chaos and Tax Pain 13:48 Undeposited Funds Chaos 14:34 Benefits That Don’t Fit 15:25 AR Piling Up 17:01 Weekly Reporting Rhythm 18:17 Trust Compliance Reality 22:49 Chart of Accounts Clarity 23:51 Bonus Checks Payroll Trap 25:06 Docketing and Fee Risks Be sure to subscribe for more episodes! Find us on YouTube as well! If you have questions, topic requests, or guest suggestions you can email us at [email protected] or send us a message through our website, www.accountantslawpod.com If you want to join us in the Accountants Law Lab, visit our website at www.accountantslawlab.com to sign up! Accountants Law Pod is hosted by Lynda Artesani, Sarah Prevost, and Steve Libhart and directed/produced by Teaira Burge and The Proper Trust. Music by ComaStudio from Pixabay - Edited by audiovideo_uk Disclaimer: The content presented in this podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as legal, financial, or professional advice.

If you’ve ever heard of LEDES billing and thought, “How hard can it be?”… this episode might just save you from a full-blown billing meltdown. In this episode of Accountants Law Pod, we dive into the surprisingly complex (and often frustrating) world of legal electronic billing. From rejected invoices over a single misplaced comma to navigating strict code sets, budgets, and insurance requirements - LEDES billing is truly its own beast. We break down: What LEDES billing actually is (and why it exists) Why it’s more common in larger firms and insurance work The hidden layers: budgets, approvals, and negotiations Common mistakes that can get your invoices rejected The reality of managing receivables, appeals, and follow-ups Why strong workflows (and patience) are non-negotiable How AI tools are helping, and where they’re still falling short Whether you’re a bookkeeper, legal accountant, or firm owner, this episode gives you a real-world look at what it takes to handle LEDES billing and whether it’s a service you actually want to offer. Because in this line of work… precision isn’t optional. 03:16 What Is LEDES Billing 04:31 Codes Formats Rejections 06:05 Budgets Approvals Write Downs 08:59 Workflow Teams Micro Niche 12:13 Code Sets And Support 13:41 Tools Hubdoc Vs QuickBooks 17:46 Pricing Client Intake Tips Be sure to subscribe for more episodes! Find us on YouTube as well! If you have questions, topic requests, or guest suggestions you can email us at [email protected] or send us a message through our website, www.accountantslawpod.com If you want to join us in the Accountants Law Lab, visit our website at www.accountantslawlab.com to sign up! Accountants Law Pod is hosted by Lynda Artesani, Sarah Prevost, and Steve Libhart and directed/produced by Teaira Burge and The Proper Trust. Music by ComaStudio from Pixabay - Edited by audiovideo_uk Disclaimer: The content presented in this podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as legal, financial, or professional advice.

What happens when your bookkeeper or accountant quits without notice? In this episode of Accountants Law Pod, Linda, Sarah, and Steve dig into one of the most stressful situations a law firm can face: losing the person who manages the books, trust account, payroll, billing, and financial workflows with no transition plan in place. They discuss the immediate risks to law firms, including trust account exposure, payroll disruptions, lost access to software and banking systems, broken workflows, and the danger of not having proper SOPs, offboarding processes, or oversight in place. They also explore why this role is far more valuable than many firms realize, why legal accounting should be treated as a strategic relationship rather than a low-cost transaction, and how law firm owners can protect themselves before a crisis happens. If you are an attorney, law firm owner, legal bookkeeper, or legal accountant, this episode is a powerful reminder to build systems before you need them. 01:17 Why They Quit 03:10 Immediate Access Lockdown 04:54 First Financial Triage 05:32 Fraud Warning Story 08:19 Controls And Transparency 10:53 Offboarding And Benefits 11:30 Get Outside Help Fast 11:56 Check Your Admin Ownership 12:22 Process Audit And Next Steps 13:08 Lock Down Bank Access 13:58 Stabilize Billing Cash Flow 14:39 Outsourcing Mindset Shift 15:50 Reconstruct After Sudden Exit 16:28 SOPs Data Security Risks 18:39 Regain Records Start Fresh 19:31 Backup Plans Extra Eyes 22:04 Owner Communication Lines 23:26 Value Over Cheap Tools Be sure to subscribe for more episodes! Find us on YouTube as well! If you have questions, topic requests, or guest suggestions you can email us at [email protected] or send us a message through our website, www.accountantslawpod.com If you want to join us in the Accountants Law Lab, visit our website at www.accountantslawlab.com to sign up! Accountants Law Pod is hosted by Lynda Artesani, Sarah Prevost, and Steve Libhart and directed/produced by Teaira Burge and The Proper Trust. Music by ComaStudio from Pixabay - Edited by audiovideo_uk Disclaimer: The content presented in this podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as legal, financial, or professional advice.

Client Ledger Cleanup Hacks for Law Firms: Fixing Messy Books, Trust Issues, and IOLTA Risks Cleaning up messy law firm books can feel like solving a puzzle with missing pieces - but there’s a method to the madness. In this episode of Accountants Law Pod, we break down practical, real-world strategies for tackling client ledger cleanup in law firms. We walk through how to approach even the most chaotic books with clarity. Starting with discovery, setting expectations, and prioritizing high-risk areas like trust accounts and IOLTA compliance. In this episode, you’ll learn: How to approach legal bookkeeping cleanup like a structured puzzle Why discovery and root-cause analysis matter before making changes How to prioritize trust/IOLTA cleanup and reduce compliance risk What to do with stale balances like payroll liabilities, shareholder loans, and uncleared checks How to “follow the money” to uncover errors and inconsistencies Tips for handling data migration issues with tools like Clio and bank feeds How to use client subledgers and an “unknown client” bucket to reconcile transactions Why locking periods is critical to prevent duplicate entries When to involve tax professionals for prior-year corrections How to use checklists to scope, price, and execute cleanup projects efficiently Whether you’re a bookkeeper, accountant, or law firm owner, this episode will help you turn messy books into clean, compliant systems without opening Pandora’s box. 00:27 Why ledger cleanup matters 00:47 Closet cleanup to puzzle mindset 02:01 Selling the end picture 03:47 Start with chart of accounts 04:28 Root causes and tough questions 05:17 Trust cleanup and old balances 07:39 Stale items and clearing accounts 08:52 Data migration and rolling back 10:56 Stop the bleeding with monthly reviews 11:47 Missing credit cards and tax impact 12:34 Overpaid Tax Traps 13:37 Bank Feed Reversal Mess 14:50 Client Subledgers Strategy 16:45 Follow The Money 18:09 Undeposited Funds Explosion 20:23 Cleanup Checklists And Quotes 21:30 Set Timelines And Boundaries 22:39 Why Fix It Now 23:26 Second Eyes Not AI Be sure to subscribe for more episodes! Find us on YouTube as well! If you have questions, topic requests, or guest suggestions you can email us at [email protected] or send us a message through our website, www.accountantslawpod.com If you want to join us in the Accountants Law Lab, visit our website at www.accountantslawlab.com to sign up! Accountants Law Pod is hosted by Lynda Artesani, Sarah Prevost, and Steve Libhart and directed/produced by Teaira Burge and The Proper Trust. Music by ComaStudio from Pixabay - Edited by audiovideo_uk Disclaimer: The content presented in this podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as legal, financial, or professional advice.

With QuickBooks Desktop support ending in 2026 and growing frustration around QuickBooks Online, many law firms are asking the same question: What are the best accounting software alternatives for law firms? In this episode of Accountants Law Pod, we break down the reality of switching accounting systems and what law firms need to know before making a move. From reporting limitations and payroll issues in QuickBooks Online to the growing interest in alternatives like Xero, Clio Accounting, and MyCase, we explore the pros, cons, and risks behind each option. We also dive into how your accounting software impacts far more than bookkeeping—including financial reporting, KPIs, budgeting, compliance, trust accounting, and long-term firm growth. If you're considering moving away from QuickBooks or evaluating legal accounting software, this episode will help you make a more informed decision and avoid costly mistakes. In This Episode, We Cover: • Why QuickBooks Desktop is being phased out (2026) • Common frustrations with QuickBooks Online for law firms • Pros and cons of all-in-one tools like Clio Accounting and MyCase • Why many all-in-one legal tools lack flexibility and scalability • How software choice affects law firm growth and financial visibility • Why Xero is emerging as the strongest QuickBooks alternative • When larger firms may need more advanced accounting systems • The importance of proper chart of accounts by practice area Whether you’re a law firm owner, legal bookkeeper, CPA, or legal accounting professional, this episode will help you navigate your options and choose the right system for your firm’s future. 01:03 QBO Alternatives Setup 01:47 Desktop Sunset Reality 03:13 Clio Accounting Limits 05:15 Xero as Top Pick 07:49 All in One vs Flexibility 09:38 Why People Quit QBO 12:00 Migration Data Headaches 13:56 Timing and Adoption Risks 14:46 Still Like QuickBooks 15:24 Switching From QuickBooks 16:17 User Roles And Privacy 17:43 Hiring And Talent Pool 18:14 Stop Cheap Software Picks 19:21 Receptionist Doing Books 21:27 Entity Growth And COA 23:17 Practice Management ROI 24:41 Starting Firms Right 26:58 All In One Tradeoffs 29:14 Best Long Term Options Be sure to subscribe for more episodes! Find us on Spotify and YouTube as well! If you have questions, topic requests, or guest suggestions you can email us at [email protected] or send us a message through our website, www.accountantslawpod.com If you want to join us in the Accountants Law Lab, visit our website at www.accountantslawlab.com to sign up! Accountants Law Pod is hosted by Lynda Artesani, Sarah Prevost, and Steve Libhart and directed/produced by Teaira Burge and The Proper Trust. Music by ComaStudio from Pixabay - Edited by audiovideo_uk Disclaimer: The content presented in this podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as legal, financial, or professional advice.

How will artificial intelligence reshape the courtroom and the legal profession? In this episode, we speak with U.S. Magistrate Judge Maritza Dominguez Braswell (District of Colorado) about the rapidly evolving role of AI in courts and the broader legal industry. Judge Braswell shares insights from launching the Judicial AI Consortium, a national judges-only forum focused on responsible AI adoption in the judiciary, and discusses her AI Brief newsletter, which helps judges and court staff stay informed about emerging AI tools and risks. We explore key issues surrounding AI in legal practice, including AI hallucinations, disclosure challenges, confidentiality concerns, bias risks, and how courts are beginning to address AI-generated content in legal filings. Judge Braswell also introduces her practical “AI sandwich approach," where humans begin and end the legal work while AI supports the middle of the process, helping legal professionals use AI responsibly without compromising ethical standards. The conversation also covers: • AI risks in legal research and court filings • Ethical considerations for attorneys using AI tools • Training needs for lawyers and judges as AI adoption grows • Access-to-justice opportunities created by AI technology • The future of AI inside the courtroom For attorneys, legal professionals, and those working in the legal accounting and law firm ecosystem, this discussion offers an important perspective on how technology is changing the legal landscape and what professionals must understand to stay prepared. Learn more about the Judicial AI Consortium (JAIC) 00:46 Meet Judge Braswell 02:13 Her AI Work and Consortium 04:42 AI Brief Newsletter Audience 05:36 Courtroom AI Guidance 07:46 Disclosure and Hallucinations 10:08 Sandwich Approach Framework 11:54 Human Connection and Access 15:19 Security Risks and Job Shifts 20:57 AI in Court Live Research 23:25 Leveling the Playing Field 26:35 Teaching AI and Critical Thinking 27:59 Critical Thinking Checks 28:17 Legal Design Sprint Skills 28:56 Where to Learn AI 31:56 Personal Practice Ideas 33:17 Workplace Safety Guardrails 36:05 Small Use Cases First 36:39 Beyond Chatbots Tools 37:31 Redacting in NotebookLM 38:25 Peer Sharing and Prototyping 39:49 AI for Judges Consortium 42:28 AI Is Here to Stay 44:35 Limitations and Getting Better 46:10 Creative Family Use Stories Be sure to subscribe for more episodes! Find us on YouTube as well! If you have questions, topic requests, or guest suggestions you can email us at [email protected] or send us a message through our website, www.accountantslawpod.com If you want to join us in the Accountants Law Lab, visit our website at www.accountantslawlab.com to sign up! Accountants Law Pod is hosted by Lynda Artesani, Sarah Prevost, and Steve Libhart and directed/produced by Teaira Burge and The Proper Trust. Music by ComaStudio from Pixabay - Edited by audiovideo_uk Disclaimer: The content presented in this podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as legal, financial, or professional advice.