Setting Goals and Intentions: A Practical Guide For Bookkeepers 

When one year ends and another begins, there is always an inevitable task playing on the mind of business owners like yourself… setting goals and intentions. 

Every bookkeeper wants to have a great year ahead. But we know there have been years where the goals you set just weren’t practical or aligned with the way your business runs. 

That can make it disappointing when you get to the end of the year without achieving those carefully planned goals and intentions. 

How can you avoid that from happening this year? 

Well, we’ve put together 7 ways you can make deliberate decisions about how to move your practice forward this year. Here they are! 

How To Set Practical Goals And Intentions For The Year Ahead 

1: Start With Your Why (Not Your To-Do List) 

It is very tempting to set your goals and intentions based on what you think you should do. Grow revenue, hire staff, or complete more professional development, anyone? 

Instead, consider your why and ask yourself questions like: 

• What do I want my business to feel like in 2026? 

• What kind of clients do I want to work with? 

• What work brings me energy? What drains it? 

• What lifestyle or balance am I aiming for? 

Knowing the answers to these questions will help you create goals that are aligned with your values and will ensure your work continues to be rewarding. 

Action: Write down three words that describe the kind of year you want to have - it could be anything like ‘calm’, ‘profitable’, ‘streamlined’ or ‘connected’. Use these words during your goal setting (and throughout the year) to guide you. 

2: Set Intentions, Then Build The Goals 

An intention is the direction you want your business to take; a goal is the map to get there. Firstly, you want to set an intention and then develop a goal around it. 

For example: 

• Intention: I want to build stronger client relationships 
  Goal: Introduce quarterly check-ins for my top 20 clients 

• Intention: I want to stop feeling so frantic and overwhelmed 
  Goal: Automate simple tasks in my business and set task reminders in my calendar 

• Intention: I want to strengthen my team communication 
  Goal: Implement a weekly huddle via video call and more lengthy monthly catch-ups 

Action: Consider what your top three intentions might be for 2026 and think about the goals that could help you achieve them. 

3: Identify What Did And Didn’t Work In 2025 

This task pops up on every goal setting list! But there is a reason for that; reviewing is an important step to prevent you from making the same mistakes twice. Before you plan your goals and intentions for 2026, reflect on the year that just took place.  

Think about: 

• Which clients were great to work with? 

• Which services were profitable or surprisingly time-consuming? 

• Did your systems support you or frustrate you? 

• Did your team communicate well, especially if remote? 

Action: List 3 things to continue, 3 things to stop, and 3 things to start in 2026. 

4: Consider Your Wellness When Setting Goals 

The goals and intentions you set should support your wellbeing, not fight it. The solution to avoiding overwhelm is: 

• Keep your annual goals broad. 

• Break them into quarterly focus areas. 

• Limit yourself to 3–5 priorities each quarter. 

• Measure your progress in momentum rather than perfection 

As bookkeepers, we frequently work in high-pressure environments, so structuring your goals in this way makes them more manageable, protecting your energy and mental health. 

Action: Think about the areas you would like to focus on each quarter. 

5: Make It Easy For Your Team To Connect 

If you have a team, you all want to work towards the same goals and intentions. Whether your team is partly or fully remote, clear communication is key. Goals can quickly become scattered when everyone works in different locations. 

These are some ways you can create team alignment: 

• Hold a virtual or in-person goal-setting session as a team. 

• Share your overarching intentions so the whole team knows what their focus should be. 

• Set team goals and personal development goals separately. 

• Document everything for the team in one shared space. 

Action: Create a shared space to track your business goals and celebrate wins. You can use a tool like Trello, Asana, Notion or Teams for this.  

6: Include Professional Development 

Professional development is a key part of keeping your skills sharp and your practice current. Instead of professional development being a task you must complete, why not incorporate it into your goals to strengthen your business? 

These are some considerations: 

• What gaps exist in your skills or your team’s? 

• What new tools or software could you adopt? 

• What ICNZB events or training should be booked early? 

• Which team members could be ready for new responsibilities? 

Action: Set a learning intention, then choose 3-4 training opportunities that align with it. 

7: Consider Client Fit and Expectations 

Do you dread receiving comms from a particular client, or spend half your day doing all the extra things a client has requested? You are going to fix this in 2026 by creating great client alignment.  

Your wellbeing and job satisfaction all hinge on working with clients who value your expertise, respect your processes, communicate well, and stick within your boundaries. It is perfectly acceptable to shape your client list based on the people you enjoy working with. 

Client alignment is invaluable and you can create it by: 

• Reviewing your existing client list. 

• Identifying your ideal client traits. 

• Updating your onboarding and engagement letters to set the right expectations upfront. 

• Consider releasing clients who consistently create stress or debt. 

Action: Create a ‘client criteria checklist’ that you can assess new inquiries against. Note your red flags and be strict with the clients you take on. 

Making 2026 Great 

Setting goals and intentions for 2026 doesn’t have to be about making grand commitments. It should be about choosing focuses that support your wellbeing and strengthen your business.  

The great news is that the ICNZB is here to support your journey this year. We have a wonderful community, helpful resources, empowering events and the professional recognition you deserve. With us by your side, you’ll never have to plan alone. 

Find out more about becoming an ICNZB member here.