Why does financial literacy feel so intimidating? How finding the right accountant can make it all click

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Oh hey, it's Denzel again.
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I've always been a words person.
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I can unpack how people use language to communicate for hours.
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But ask me about finances and spreadsheets, and my brain goes dial up internet mode.
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For a long time, I thought that meant I wasn't a numbers person.
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But recently it kind of dawned on me that money has its own kind of language.
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And I wish I could say that I realized this all on my own.
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But truthfully, it was a conversation with the CEO of Herd, Andrew Reason, that sparked this.
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Andrew is a certified numbers person.
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I mean, he co-founded an accounting platform.
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But even he was quick to admit that when it comes to talking about finances, it's really easy to get lost in the weeds.
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Not only is there a lot of big words, but there's also this weird shame when you don't understand everything.
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Money is funny, isn't it?
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It affects everything we do: our security, our sense of freedom, our stress levels.
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And yet, we rarely talk about it.
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And when we can't talk about it, we can't learn it.
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And then we end up just nodding along to words like deductions and retained earnings without really understanding what they mean for us personally.
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But like any language, it can be learned and it can be translated.
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You just need the right teacher.
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When I personally started working with different accountants, there was something that really set the good ones apart.
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They didn't throw numbers at me.
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They paused.
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They asked questions.
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And they took something abstract and made it personal.
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They translated it into my language.
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And that made a big difference for me.
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So if this sounds like you, I wanted to share a few things this words person, me, has picked up while learning to speak money.
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Don't be afraid to ask questions, even if they seem silly.
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The right professional won't make you feel small for asking.
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Plus, you'll be able to tell a lot about how they work based on their answers and the way that they give them.
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Look for translators, not performers.
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In my opinion, the best accountants or advisors don't try to impress you.
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They help you understand.
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And if you leave a meeting feeling smarter, not smaller, you've found your person.
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Request things in writing.
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For anyone who learns best by reading, like me, having written notes or summaries helps you absorb the meaning long after the conversation ends.
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And I think just seeing things broken down visually brings more clarity.
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And finally, look out for people who go above and beyond.
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The pros who think one step ahead are the ones who make the learning process so much easier.
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Seek out the ones who share the extra tip, explain in overlooked detail, and provide examples that are specific to your life.
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So, yes, understanding money talk for clinics can be tough.
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But when you really think about it, financial systems are just another kind of story.
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It's just that sometimes stories are written in a language you don't understand yet.
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And honestly, I love that.
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Because it means I don't have to stop being a words person.
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I just have to learn a new language.
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So what about you?
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Was there something that made the money side of your business click?
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If yes, or if you have anything else to share, drop me a line at frontdesk at jane.app.
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Until next time, you've got this.