How to Protect Your Firm from Service Creep (and Stop Saying Yes to Everything)

If you’ve ever caught yourself saying “yes” to one more client favor — knowing it won’t make it to the invoice — this episode is for you.

Host Lee Reams II, founder of CountingWorks PRO, and co-host Rebekah Barton break down one of the most common profit leaks in accounting and advisory firms: service creep.

They’ll walk you through:

What service creep actually looks like (and why it’s so easy to miss)
Why even seasoned pros struggle to say no
How to set better boundaries with clear engagement letters and proposals
Polite, ready-to-use scripts for out-of-scope client requests
Simple automation tools that protect your time and margins

You’ll also learn how modern firms are using digital proposals, client intake, and automated engagement renewals to turn scope creep into structured, billable work — without awkward client conversations.

Key takeaway: Saying “no” isn’t the goal — saying “yes” the right way is.Quotes & Data Mentioned:

89% of firms have avoided scope conversations (Ignition Scope Creep Survey)
Firms lose roughly $85,000 a year in unbilled work (Libeo Survey)
Up to 20% of revenue disappears through service creep (ScopeKeeper Advisory Report)

If you’re ready to protect your profit, empower your team, and create a firm that values your expertise — this episode is a must-listen.

The Growth Minded Accountant — helping accounting and advisory professionals grow smarter, stronger, and more profitable.

Transcript

We know that everyone digests information differently. That’s why we’re now sharing the full transcript of each episode of The Growth Minded Accountant right here on the CountingWorks PRO blog. Whether you’re short on time, like to scan and highlight, or simply prefer reading over listening, you can catch up on every conversation at your own pace.

Each week, we cover topics that matter most to tax and accounting professionals—from AI and automation to marketing strategies, firm growth, and client relationships. Scroll down to read the full episode, or subscribe to the podcast to listen on the go.