Why An Indie Accounting /Bookkeeping Podcast is Not Boring!

Try to stay awake. I'm going to be discussing accounting and bookkeeping. Come on now. I see your eyes closing! What I love about this indie podcast is that it faces its perceived weaknesses head on (accounting is boooring!) and inverts them into a strength. 

Here's creator/host Paul Rosenblum: "If you’ve ever felt stuck in the digits, this show brings your business personality to the forefront. We go beyond spreadsheets to talk about the relationships that make businesses thrive—between bookkeepers, clients, accountants, and financial professionals."

The Not Boring, Boring Bookkeeping and Small Business Podcast explores the human side of bookkeeping and business. The show's creator/host, Paul Rosenblum, is a New York-based bookkeeper with over 30 years of experience and decades teaching QuickBooks. This podcast is for bookkeepers and small business owners who know business is about more than just numbers.

 Paul Rosenblum is a surprisingly upbeat, witty, and engaging host. I know that sounds like the proverbial left-handed compliment. Accountants and bookkeepers are typed as boring. Rosenblum has a knack for narrative and clearly knows his bookkeeping stuff.

 Rosenblum insists: "Tax prep starts now — not later. Getting your deductions organized early can save stress, time, and money when tax season rolls around."

The podcast's marketing says: "Our resident Bookkeeping Mensch, Paul Rosenblum, knows that whether you're a W-2 employee or running your own business, knowing what to track now will keep your books in top shape — and your future self will thank you."

In a recent episode -- How to Do Bookkeeping for Etsy, eBay, and Online Side Hustles (Fees, Inventory & Taxes) -- Rosenblum answers a listener question about how online sellers should actually handle bookkeeping, especially when platform reports, fees, and inventory start to blur together at tax time. He breaks down what really needs to be tracked, what doesn’t, and how to keep your books clean without turning your side hustle into a full-time accounting project, because spreadsheets should help you sleep better, not keep you up at night.

It's a show that timely and pertinent since so many people do have these side hustles.

In the show's first episode in April 2022, Rosenblum explains 'Startup Expenses', and how should they be entered into a bookkeeping system as expenses or another category. What I did not realize is how important they are to a professional set of books as you're starting your business before your first sale.

Since it's tax time now, Rosenblum's 2023 episode -- Organizing Your Tax Records -- is especially pertinent. In the show, Rosenblum reminds us: "Remember, the IRS requirement is to retain readable receipts for seven years. But how? In order to show you, I'll explain how I've used both a paper and digital filing system to stay IRS organized. Keeping meticulous record-keeping can help you avoid issues during audits. You may think that you don’t have time to keep your business records this organized BUT not making the time can cost you a lot, both in time and money."

  The Not Boring, Boring Bookkeeping and Small Business Podcast is another example of the underlying strength of podcasting. What TV shows or movies have bookkeeping how-to's and training sessions? Sure, YouTube does, but none as entertaining and in-depth as this podcast.

Kudos to Paul Rosenblum for making a potentially sleep-inducing subject into a topic that is relevant, lively, and informative.