Everything You’re Too Scared To Ask Your Accountant

If you’re building a business, freelancing, starting a side hustle, or feel anxious about managing money, this episode is for you. This week on Reclaiming Bossy, I’m joined by accountant, founder and creator Emily Vass to ungatekeep the financial side of running a business and answer all the questions you are too scared to ask. This is the conversation I wish someone had sat me down and explained earlier as it would have saved me so much money, time energy and unnecessary stress. Today We talk about: ● How to financially prepare before starting a business ● Creating personal and business runways ● Budgeting when your income changes every month ● Taxes, VAT, dividends and paying yourself properly ● Revenue vs profit (and why they’re not the same thing) ● How to confidently price your services ● Managing money anxiety as a founder ● Knowing when to hire an accountant ● Building a profitable business sustainably ● The emotional side of money and self-worth ● Why founders often undercharge TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 Introduction 01:05 Meet accountant & founder Emily Vass 01:28 Finance jargon explained simply 02:34 Leaving corporate to start a business 03:40 Creating a financial runway before quitting your job 05:16 Business runways, money pots & burn rate explained 06:59 Overcoming money anxiety as a founder 07:38 How to budget when your income changes every month 09:43 Revenue vs actual profit 10:24 When should founders start paying themselves? 11:40 When to hire an accountant 13:24 How to organise your business finances properly 14:24 Taxes every founder needs to understand 15:26 Corporation tax, VAT & dividends explained 17:07 Capital gains tax & long-term planning 17:47 Salary vs dividends explained 18:59 Pension contributions & tax efficiency 21:49 Managing salary + dividends while living in London 25:39 Why founders undercharge 27:33 How to price your services properly 29:38 Calculating your freelance day rate 35:21 Money shame, confidence & founder anxiety 39:42 Reclaiming the word “bossy” as a founder Connect with Emily: Instagram & TikTok: @emilyvass Website: nourishedaccounting.com BUILD YOUR BOLDEST + BOSSIEST LIFE/ CAREER Bossy Behind the Scenes: Essays, reflections, resources and all the behind-the-scenes of building a bold, bossy life. ⁠https://substack.com/@bossybehindthescenes⁠ WORK WITH ME Creator/Founder Office Hours: Bring me your ideas, questions or whatever you’re stuck on, and we’ll turn it into a plan. ⁠https://calendly.com/maahika/mentoring?back=1⁠ Founders + brands: Work with me on storytelling, personal branding, content and strategy through Empower Sounds Media. Book a Strategy Session : ⁠https://calendly.com/maahika/branding-strategy-session?back=1&month=2026-07⁠ Book a discovery call : ⁠https://calendly.com/maahika/discovery-call?back=1⁠ Join the next personal branding sprint : ⁠https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeNPFNgdt02CyvYsb6n9i8kmvEJRxQDmTwOVusTxII_tMoJ7Q/viewform?usp=header⁠ Follow The Podcast/ Connect With Me Podcast Instagram: @reclaimingbossy Podcast TikTok: @reclaimingbossy My Instagram: @maahika.s My TikTok: @maahika.s Collaborations + enquiries: [email protected]