CPA Conversations podcast

How to Pass the CPA Exam Faster By Jim DeLuccia Bob Gayhardt, business development manager for UWorld, provides high-level tips on passing the CPA Exam. Gayhardt stresses the importance of identifying strengths and weaknesses of subject material and why it's important to avoid overthinking during the study process. Megan Burke, Gayhardt's colleague at UWorld, also wrote about these tips for CPA Now.    

Matthew May, founder and vice president of sales and marketing for Acuity CFO Online Bookkeeping Accounting and Business Tax, joins us to talk small-business compliance with standards and regulations. In particular, May stresses the role CPAs can play in making the process easier.  

The research and development (R&D) tax credit is available to many organizations to help reduce their tax liability and overall financial expenditures. Unfortunately, many organizations don't know everything they need to know to fully take advantage of the credit. To help educate these organizations, as well as the CPAs who represent them, we spoke with Ashley Chikes, director of operations for R&D experts EPSA USA, about steps CPAs can take when advising a client about the R&D credit, the ins and outs of the Pennsylvania R&D credit, and more.   To read full transcript, click here.

Kathy Brunner, founder, CEO, and president of Acumen Analytics, joins us to explore the basics of blockchain. She sheds light on the four different types of blockchain networks, how blockchain is currently being applied in business environments, opportunities for CPAs, and more. To read full transcript, click here.  

In a wide-ranging discussion about professional ethics, “Ethics Sage” Steven Mintz, professor emeritus with California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo, Calif., highlights professional and personal behavior that would be considered injurious to the profession. Mintz also touches on how the current societal landscape can challenge CPA ethics as well as the positives and negatives of the AICPA Code of Professional Conduct.   To read the full transcript, click here.

In this episode of CPA Conversations, Jonathan Zigman, senior CPA content developer for UWorld LLC, provides an update on the current status of CPA Exam and the CPA Evolution initiative. He touches on what the CPA Exam is now and what the AICPA and NASBA hope it will become, the immediate benefits of the new proposed model, the advantages for would-be CPAs looking to move into specializations, and much more.   To read the transcript, click here.

Accounting work, like so many other fields of business, has been drastically changed by the coronavirus pandemic. Many CPAs are working from home and seeing no measurable drop in their productivity and efficiency. However, when it comes to auditing, John Mulcahy of FMC Corporation in Philadelphia says there is no substitute for working in tandem with your client in their office. In this podcast, get more details on the primary benefits of in-person auditing, why issues get overblown when auditing remotely, and more.   To read the full transcript, click here.

Eighteen months after the release of the Paycheck Protection Program, it is fair to say the program has been generally successful. However, one giant drawback is its susceptibility to fraud. According to our guest, Allison Greenfield of Forensic Resolutions Inc., the fraud is widespread enough to raise red flags. Get her view on who is responsible for monitoring for PPP fraud, why time lags may be preventing us from getting a full picture of the deception, and more in this CPA Conversations podcast.   To read full transcript, click here.

In a look behind his feature for the winter 2022 Pennsylvania CPA Journal, Mike De Stefano, chief financial officer for RKL in Lancaster, Pa., discusses how CFOs can better engage colleagues on financial details via a management discussion and analysis, or MD&A, report. He explores the sorts of illuminating information that should go into an MD&A: financial, nonfinancial, and more. To read the full transcript, click here.

Nicholas Ring, controller at Pine Ridge Construction Management in Williamsport, Pa., joins us to discuss how COVID-19 has challenged governments and government CPAs, how you define transparency as it relates to government CPAs, and more. This podcast complements his column in the winter 2022 Pennsylvania CPA Journal. To Read the Full Transcript, Click Here.

Nothing can be more injurious to a CPA firm's reputation – not to mention its bank account – than a client introducing a large malpractice claim. Based on her article for the Journal of Accountancy by Sarah Ference, CPA, risk control director for the accountants program at CNA Insurance, explores the signs that a large malpractice claim could be on the horizon as well as potential damages that can take place if the situation is not handled in a brisk manner. To read the full transcript, click here.

The accounting internship is one of the many aspects of the CPA experience that has been changed dramatically by COVID-19. Still, it remains a great way to set a would-be CPA's career on the path to success, whether it is conducted virtually or in-person. Get tips for ensuring an internship becomes a full-time offer and learn about skills that can be acquired during an internship from our guests, Eryn Conard and Tara Heller of Baker Tilly US LLP.   To read the transcript, click here.

Joseph Ragan, professor of accounting and Edward G. Sutula chair in accounting at Saint Joseph's University Erivan K. Haub School of Business, joins us to talk sustainability reporting and environmental, social, and governance measures. Specifically, he details why businesses are looking at these issues more closely, the specific role CPAs have to play in conservation efforts, and what colleges and universities need to do to prepare students for these changes in the business world.   To view the transcript, click here.

Ane Ohm, cofounder and CEO of LeaseCrunch, checks in with an update on lease accounting implementation. She walks us through readiness for compliance, issues affecting debt covenants, and lease modification and concession implications. Does that all get your anxiety up? Don't worry: Ohm also looks to ease the mind of those stressed out by the approaching implementation deadline.   To read transcript, click here.

Debra S. Friedman, a labor and employment attorney with the Philadelphia law firm Cozen O'Connor, joins us to provide the latest information on OSHA guidelines related to COVID. A few items she highlighted for consideration include inquiries about vaccination status, legality and growth of mandatory vaccines, and continuing rules for masking and social distancing. To read the transcript, click here.

The evolution of the accounting profession requires new and innovative ways to teach aspects of accounting that may have previously received little exposure. One of these that is of growing importance is data visualization. Our guests – PICPA member Michael Ozlanski, associate professor and accounting department chair for Susquehanna University in Selinsgrove, Pa., and Suzanne Seymoure, associate professor of accounting at North Central College in Naperville, Ill. – have made data visualization engaging for their students and received an honor from the AICPA for their efforts. We sat with them to learn more about their approach as well as the award they received. To read the full transcript, click here.

Michael Fischer, CFP, director and wealth adviser for Round Table Wealth Management, provides an in-depth exploration of the preliminary proposal recently presented by U.S. House Democrats to fund President Joe Biden's $3.5 trillion spending package. As part of his examination, Fischer looks at the impact it could have on the tax landscape for individuals, retirees, businesses, and more. To read the full transcript, click here.

For many small and medium-sized firms, a consultation with a “high-value” firm can be a nerve-wracking experience that takes them out of their element. In this episode of CPA Conversations, Loren Fogelman, price and profit coach for Business Success Solution, provides tips on the focal points to drive home when delving into the CPA sales process. To read the full transcript, click here.

Ira Rosenbloom, chief executive officer of Optimum Strategies LLC in Spring House, Pa., joins us to examine the signs that it might be time for a CPA firm to think about a strategic merger. Among the signs he points to are weak new business, clients getting restless, and referrals beginning to run low. To read the full transcript, click here.

Kemberley Washington, CPA, a tax analyst with Forbes Advisor, joins us to discuss the monthly child tax credit. She goes in depth into who qualifies to receive it, whether taxpayers have to repay it, how eligibility is determined by the IRS, and more. To read the full transcript, click here.

In this podcast related to his column in the fall 2021 Pennsylvania CPA Journal, Barry Groebel, senior tax consultant for Herbein + Company in Reading, Pa., details his experience working on a private letter ruling request with the IRS during the height of the COVID-19 crisis. He provides context on what a private letter ruling request is, discusses how common it is for CPAs to handle such a task, and goes step-by-step into the process. To read the full transcript click here.

Dave Wagaman, emeritus professor in accounting at Kutztown University, sits down with Jerry Maginnis, retired KPMG Philadelphia office managing partner and current executive in residence for Rowan University in Glassboro, N.J., to talk about Maginnis's new book, Advice for a Successful Career in the Accounting Profession: How to Make Your Assets Greatly Exceed Your Liabilities. The book covers critical career components, such as work-life balance; diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives; and giving back to the community. To read the full transcript click here. 

While the U.S. Supreme Court did not choose to hear arguments in the case of New Hampshire v. Massachusetts, it does not mean that the disagreement between the two states will have no impact on the tax landscape. Jennifer Karpchuk, shareholder with the law firm Chamberlain Hrdlicka, joins us to discuss the background of New Hampshire v. Massachusetts, its relevance to the tax structures of Pennsylvania and Philadelphia, and the possible effects on Pennsylvania's “convenience of the employer” interpretation. To read the full transcript click here. 

The climate for mergers and acquisitions in the accounting industry was already a bit balmy before COVID-19, but the onset of the pandemic turned the temperatures up even higher. In this podcast, John Warrillow, author of The Art of Selling Your Business: Winning Strategies and Secret Hacks for Exiting on Top and president of The Value Builder System, delves into current merger and acquisition trends, the best ways for driving up the price, and determining the right time to notify your employees of a possible sale. To read the full transcript click here.

Paul McVoy, principal with KBKG, discusses research and development tax credits in Pennsylvania and at the federal level. He delves into which expenses qualify, what types of activities are excluded, and the process for claiming the credits. To read the full transcript click here.

As a follow-up to a presentation at our most recent PICPA School District Conference, Jacqueline Stefkovich, EdD, JD, professor emeritus at Pennsylvania State University, joins us to discuss codes of ethics for CPA personnel working with schools and approaches for navigating ethical dilemmas. To read the full transcript click here.

In this podcast, Amy Lewis, a partner with Maher Duessel in Pittsburgh, hopes to dispel some of the fears surrounding the path to partnership held by younger accounting professionals. She addresses such worries as whether it's too stressful, how much personal time a high-level CPA might have to surrender, and, yes, how smart one has to be. To read the full transcript click here.

For mid-career CPAs experiencing feelings of burnout, it can be natural for a “grass is greener on the other side” perspective to take hold. However, there are options for professionals looking to temper burnout without heading for the exit. To discuss those options, we met with Bobbi Kelly, director-in-charge, human resources advisory, for Kreischer Miller in Horsham. To read the full transcript click here. 

James Lange, CPA, is a principal and financial adviser with Lange Financial Group LLC in Pittsburgh and author of The IRA and Retirement Plan Owner's Guide to Beating the New Death Tax. He joins us to discuss the factors leading to a higher tax environment and what CPAs can do to get their clients ready. To read the full transcript click here.

Roger Philipp, CPA, CGMA, creative chief officer of UWorld Roger CPA Review in San Francisco, joins us to talk all things CPA Exam, including when would-be CPAs know they are ready to take the exam, tips for excelling on the day of the big test, and changes to the exam in conjunction with the CPA Evolution Project. To read the full transcript click here.

According to our guest Geraldine Carter of She Thinks Big Coaching, life is too short for holding on to bad clients. In this podcast, she discusses the signs that a client is more trouble than they are worth, the detriments to CPA firms if they hold on to nonbeneficial clients, and the psychological aspects that stand in the way when a CPA firm is considering dropping an engagement. To read the full transcript click here.

Hitendra Patil, head of customer success at AccountantsWorld and a four-time member of Accounting Today's Top 100 Most Influential People in Accounting, joins us to discuss his new book, The Definitive Success Guide to Client Accounting Services. One of our most popular podcast guests, Patil covers in this episode the proper leadership mindset, the services of which clients are most in need, the guidelines for pricing client accounting services, and more. To read the full transcript click here. 

Andrew Hunzicker, founder of Dope CFO in Bend, Ore., joins us to discuss the opportunities for CPAs with regard to the expanding cannabis industry. Among the aspects he covers are the current status of marijuana legalization efforts nationwide and the misconceptions among the general public when it comes to cannabis entrepreneurs. Listen to the podcast and get more information at www.dopecfo.com and on Instagram @dopecfo1. To read the full transcript click here.

Tax credits and incentives have long been a tool for bolstering revenue for state economies. In this episode, we are joined by Jason Skrinak, founder of Pivot Strategic Consulting in Harrisburg, Pa., and a member of the PICPA Fiscal Responsibility Task Force, to discuss how credits and incentives are used in Pennsylvania, the scrutiny they will be under in a post-COVID business environment, and the steps being taken by states to ensure these stimuli are working as intended. To read the full transcript click here. 

In a preview of his presentation at the July 12-13 PICPA Not-for-Profit & Government Accounting Conference, Rick Cole, partner with BKD CPAs & Advisors, discusses the new Accounting Standards Update related to gifts-in-kind nonfinancial assets. Among other issues, he touches on how contributed nonfinancial assets are presented on financial statements and the timing of when the new ASU will go into effect. To read the full transcript click here.

Jina Etienne, speaker, trainer, and diversity and inclusion consultant with Etienne Consulting, joins us to discuss the connection between diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives and CPA firm advisory services. Specifically, she explains how advisory services thinking can improve DEI results in the areas of hiring, process improvement, and marketing. To read the full transcript click here.

In this episode, we go inside the world of CPA data analytics with Jack Castonguay, assistant professor and executive director of assurance and learning and accreditation at Hofstra University and vice president of strategic content development at KnowFully Learning Group. Castonguay shares current uses of data analytics in accounting, key skills CPA data analysts should possess, and ways to showcase these skills within your firm. To read the full transcript click here. 

It is never easy to talk to clients about raising your rates, even for those CPAs who spend every day going above and beyond to provide the best in customer service. However, it is a conversation that CPAs should approach without fear, says Loren Fogelman, price and profit coach for Business Success Solution. She discusses the reasons why CPAs fear raising their rates, how they can become more confident in having these discussions, and specific steps firms should take when upping fees. To read the full transcript click here.

Among the many aspects of accounting that have been thrown upside down by the coronavirus is the employee benefit plan (EBP) audit, now largely being conducted remotely. Nancy Cox, partner at The Bonadio Group, joins us to discuss the new normal for EBP audits, including a heightened focus on data security, the impact of pandemic-related legislation, updated audit testing procedures, and more. To read the full transcript click here. 

Many factors contribute to the constant change in the accounting profession: technological innovation, evolving regulations and standards, and, yes, our current global pandemic. It is especially important for CPA firms to be prepared for change and be ready to manage it when the need for evolution comes. To discuss how best to handle change, we reached out to “The Radical CPA” Jody Padar, vice president of strategy at Botkeeper. To read the full transcript click here.

In a preview of her Careers & Lifestyles column from the summer 2021 Pennsylvania CPA Journal, Elisabeth Felten, CPA, assistant professor of business at DeSales University in Center Valley, joins us to discuss testing accommodations available to those with disabilities seeking to pass the CPA Exam. Among the aspects covered are eligibility guidelines, frequently requested accommodations, and necessary documentation. To read the full transcript click here. 

Ira Rosenbloom, chief executive officer of Optimum Strategies in Spring House, Pa., joins us to close our three-part series on the top expectations for specific personnel units of CPA firms. In this final episode Rosenbloom addresses the qualities best possessed by human resources departments. He discusses the need for leaders here to be motivational, creative, and more. To read the full transcript click here.

In this podcast, Steven G. Blum, CPA, CFE, principal with Control Risks Group in Washington, D.C., and a member of the Pennsylvania CPA Journal Editorial Board, previews his feature from the summer 2021 Pennsylvania CPA Journal. Blum offers tips for helping companies manage thorough whistleblower investigations, including having an established process in place and effectively responding to allegations. To read the full transcript click here. 

In the second of a three-part series on the expectations CPA firms should have for targeted personnel within their operations, Ira Rosenbloom, chief executive officer for Optimum Strategies in Spring House, Pa., explores the function of the CPA firm marketing professional. Rosenbloom details their need to be data and research savvy, persistent, and results-driven. To read the full transcript click here.

Bill Bergman, director of research for Truth in Accounting, joins us to discuss recent proposals by the Government Accounting Standards Board and their effect on accrual accounting. He explores the status of GASB Projects 3-20 and 3-25, whether the new proposals change the definition of accrual accounting, and how they relate to revenue recognition. To read the full transcript click here. 

In the first of a three-part series on the expectations CPA firms should have for targeted personnel within their operations, Ira Rosenbloom, chief executive officer for Optimum Strategies in Spring House, Pa., discusses the role of the CPA firm operations manager. Rosenbloom explains how an individual in this position must be analytical, proprietary, and accountable. To read the full transcript click here. 

For a CPA firm to thrive, it is a good idea to know what your would-be clients want from their trusted adviser. Hinge Research Institute recently conducted a study titled “Inside the Buyer’s Brain,” a comprehensive look at the buyer-seller relationship. Lee Frederiksen, managing partner of Hinge in Reston, Va., joins us to examine what the findings say about client service in the accounting landscape. To read the full transcript click here.

In a follow-up to their presentation at PICPA’s Technology for Public Accounting Conference, James Ruffin, manager, IS assurance and advisory services, at RKL, and Stephane Smith, human capital management consulting practice leader at RKL, discuss best practices for remote onboarding. The two highlight setting expectations for new employees and keeping them engaged once they settle in. To read the full transcript click here.

Passing the CPA Exam is an arduous process, but one with immeasurable rewards for those who achieve their goal. Organizations with staff members who attain the CPA designation also experience extensive benefits and return on investment. Therefore, it behooves organizations to help would-be CPAs on their payroll to pass the test with flying colors. Enter, CPA coaching. Erin Daiber, CEO of Well Balanced Accountants in the San Diego area, joins us to explore CPA coaching and why it is more beneficial than traditional mentoring when it comes to the CPA Exam. To read the full transcipt click here.

You know the issue you are advocating for is urgent when it ends up being the first item on a new legislature’s agenda. That’s the position the PICPA government relations team found itself in when the Paycheck Protection Program loan forgiveness provision it supported ended up becoming Act 1 of 2021 on Feb. 5. Peter Calcara, PICPA vice president of government relations, walks us through the origin story of this important, PICPA-member-driven legislative victory. To read the full transcript click here.

At the height of a busy tax season, it is understandable should a CPA experience feelings of burnout. Combine that pressure with a pandemic that has surpassed a full year, and it would be surprising if one did not go through some internal turmoil. To discuss ways for CPAs to prevent getting run down by their many responsibilities, we reached out to Loren Fogelman, price and profit coach at Business Success Solutions. For more information, feel free to check out Loren’s time management tips for busy firms. To read the full transcript click here.