In this From the Trenches episode, Josh Peterson sits down with Doug Johnston (Stonewall Finance) for a grounded, operator-relevant conversation about what “financial maturity” really looks like inside an MSP. Doug shares how he entered the MSP ecosystem after working in large corporate finance environments—then quickly learned that the value isn’t just closing the books, it’s using clean numbers to influence decisions. Along the way, Josh and Doug connect the dots between trustworthy financials, business resiliency, and leadership accountability—themes that sit at the core of the Vision operating system and how mature MSPs build repeatable execution.
The discussion walks through the practical realities that MSP owners feel every day: messy books that delay progress, the “guardrails” of MSP financial targets (and when they apply or don’t), and why budgeting/forecasting becomes powerful only when it’s tied to a clear goal and actually used. Doug also explains the difference between an accountant, a CPA, and specialized tax expertise—and why sales tax and M&A due diligence are two areas where discipline, documentation, and clean reporting matter more than clever shortcuts. If you’re thinking about operational scaling, higher-quality reporting, or eventual exit readiness, this episode frames the real work: establish clean baseline data, create a usable forecast, and build the habits that make buyers (and owners) trust the story your numbers tell.
For MSP leaders looking to strengthen execution and long-term performance, explore related resources from Bering McKinley: the impact of MSP service-level agreements (SLAs) on pricing structure, embracing the undeniable need for a dispatcher, and strategies for sustainable MSP growth.
Return to the BMK Vision Podcast main page →
Doug Johnston is a CPA and MSP finance professional who helps service businesses improve financial maturity through cleaner reporting, practical forecasting, and decision-ready financial insight. With experience across large corporate environments and PE-backed MSP operations, Doug brings an operator-focused approach to budgeting, tax planning coordination, and M&A readiness.
🌐 Connect with Doug on LinkedIn →
🌐 Visit Stonewall Finance →
Josh Peterson is the CEO of Bering McKinley and host of the BMK Vision Podcast. Through the From the Trenches series, Josh speaks candidly with MSP owners and operators about growth, execution, and the realities of building sustainable service businesses.
🔗 Connect with Josh on LinkedIn →