Nancy McClelland - Celebrating Authenticity and Building Community in Accounting

Meet Nancy!

In this episode, Nancy McClelland, also known as the Dancing Accountant, shares her inspiring journey from music education to becoming a passionate advocate for community, authenticity, and collaboration in the accounting world. Nancy discusses how embracing her unique personality has attracted her ideal clients and fostered a vibrant company culture. We explore her insights on building trust, leveraging personal strengths, and creating environments where professionals thrive both personally and professionally.

Main Topics:

- Nancy’s unconventional path from music education to accounting, and how mentorship shaped her career

- The importance of authenticity and embracing quirks to attract the right clients

- How to build a strong, human-centered company culture in remote and hybrid teams

- The significance of asking for what you want and building your opportunities proactively

- The impact of community involvement and personal branding in business growth

Timestamps:

00:00 - Introduction to Nancy McClelland and her unique background

00:45 - Nancy’s move from music education to accounting and mentorship

01:38 - How Nancy's environment in Mexico supports her health and work-life balance

03:07 - Navigating remote work and the pandemic’s impact on her business

04:19 - Building company culture and maintaining team connection remotely

12:14 - Nancy’s journey to becoming an accountant and her early influences

13:02 - The role of mentorship in Nancy’s career path

16:19 - How Nancy’s community efforts support bookkeepers and CPAs

17:04 - The challenges and joys of starting her own firm

20:36 - Balancing work, life, and health through intentional choices

22:09 - Building a business that aligns with personal passions and strengths

27:12 - The importance of community support and local engagement

32:16 - The value of hiring strategically and focusing on your strengths

37:42 - How personal passions can foster better client relationships

41:11 - The importance of collaboration between bookkeepers and tax professionals

44:01 - Nancy’s "She Counts" podcast: creating a safe space for women in accounting

49:14 - Advice for new entrants: be true to yourself and take proactive steps

Connect with Nancy:

Personal LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/nancy-mcclelland-cpa/

She Counts Podcast - https://shecounts.show/

Ask an Accountant - https://www.thedancingaccountant.com/ask-a-cpa-landing/