Episode Details
Back to Episodes
Sponsored Podcast (Counsel CPAs): CPA for Law Firms: Emil Abedian on Legal Bookkeeping, IOLTA, & CLIO Setup
Description
If you're searching for a trusted CPA for law firms, this episode with Emil Abedian is the resource you've been looking for.
Founder of Council CPAs & Advisors, Emil specializes in working exclusively with law firms, offering tailored financial strategies that go beyond compliance and into meaningful growth.
In this conversation, we dive deep into how Emil helps legal professionals overcome their most pressing challenges — from bookkeeping for lawyers to IOLTA reconciliation, CLIO setup, and shifting from an attorney mindset to a business growth mindset.
👉 Whether you're a solo practitioner or run a firm with hundreds of employees, Emil shares insight on how to:
Fix unreliable financial systems
Leverage a flat fee billing model for better client relationships
Use AI in accounting to reduce inefficiencies
Build a strategic partnership with your CPA to unlock real business value
If you’ve been asking:
How do I find a CPA that understands law firms?
Why is my cash flow unpredictable?
How do I avoid costly IOLTA mistakes?
Can I scale without losing control of my finances?
✅ This episode has the answers, with wisdom from a CPA who’s helped law firms grow from startup to 200+ employees. You’ll walk away with actionable tips, mindset shifts, and systems that actually work — all delivered by someone who lives and breathes legal accounting.
00:00 - Intro and Emil Abedian’s background
01:50 - Why Emil works exclusively with law firms
03:10 - Transforming CPA relationships into business partnerships
05:00 - The #1 financial issue holding law firms back
06:45 - Mindset shift: from lawyer to business owner
08:30 - The importance of accurate data for growth
10:00 - IOLTA trust account reconciliation explained
12:00 - How Council CPAs helps with CLIO setup & billing
14:10 - The rise of flat fee billing for law firms
16:00 - AI in accounting: threat or opportunity?
18:20 - Strategic partnerships that drive legal growth
20:00 - Success stories and who Emil works with
21:40 - How to connect with Emil Abedian
To check out the YouTube (video podcast), visit: https://www.youtube.com/@drchrisloomdphd
Disclaimer: Not advice. Educational purposes only. Not an endorsement for or against. Results not vetted. Views of the guests do not represent those of the host or show.
Click here to join PodMatch (the "AirBNB" of Podcasting): https://www.joinpodmatch.com/drchrisloomdphd
We couldn’t do it without the support of our listeners. To help support the show:
CashApp- https://cash.app/$drchrisloomdphd
Venmo- https://account.venmo.com/u/Chris-Loo-4
Spotify- https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/christopher-loo/support