The Financial Systems for Trades Business Owners to Build the Right Foundation with April Sackfield

In this episode of the HVAC Know It All Business Edition Podcast, co-hosts Gary McCreadie and Furman Haynes of WorkHero discuss the essential but often overlooked side of running an HVAC business's financials with April Sackfield, Director of Operations at NumberConstruct and Fiscal Management Group, who brings a wealth of knowledge on business finance and systems tailored for service-based companies. The focus is on empowering technicians and small business owners with the tools and understanding they need to successfully transition from the field into entrepreneurship. April supports HVAC business owners in optimizing their operations for profitability and growth. Her practical advice is drawn from real-world experiences and deep industry insight.

Expect to Learn

- How aspiring HVAC business owners can prepare financially before launching their company.

- The pros and cons of "rage quitting" versus planned business exits.

- The importance of field service management (FSM) software and how it supports accurate job costing.

- Common mistakes with accounting software like QuickBooks and how to avoid them.

- Strategies for setting up flat rate pricing systems that reflect actual job complexity and labor costs.

Episode Breakdown with Timestamps

[00:00:00] – Introduction

[00:00:55] – Preparing to Start an HVAC Business

[00:02:58] – "Rage Quitting" vs. Strategic Business Exit

[00:06:51] – Tools and Software for Job Costing

[00:10:01] – Flat Rate Pricing vs. Time and Materials

[00:15:14] – Managing Job Data and Technician Tracking

[00:18:30] – Common FSM and Accounting Software Pitfalls

[00:21:04] – Personnel & Bookkeeping Best Practices

[00:23:38] – The Role of Automation & AI in Accounting

Follow Gary McCreadie:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gary-mccreadie-38217a77/

Website: https://www.hvacknowitall.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/HVAC-Know-It-All-2/61569643061429/

Follow April Sackfield on:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aprilsackfield/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/april.sackfield/?hl=en

Follow NumberConstruct on:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/NumberConstruct/61560939563809/#

Website: https://numbercon.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/numbercon

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/number.con/?hl=en

Follow Fiscal Management Group on:

Website: https://www.fiscalaccounting.ca/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/fiscalmanagementgroup/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fiscalmanagement/

Follow Furman Haynes:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/furmanhaynes/

WorkHero: https://www.linkedin.com/company/workherohvac/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/workhero__/