CPA Trendlines Podcasts

This milestone episode proves that accountants can change lives—and legacies—every single day.The DisruptorsWith Liz FarrIn its milestone 100th episode, The Disruptors podcast pulls out all the stops with a powerful conversation featuring Paul Dunn, a four-time TEDx speaker, accounting innovator, and co-founder of the global giving platform B1G1. A true visionary, Dunn has spent decades redefining what it means to be an accountant—and his message to the profession is as bold and inspiring as ever. MORE PODCASTS and VIDEOS: Jacob Schroeder: AI Won't Replace Accountants—But It Will Reveal Who's Replaceable | Ditching Corporate America: The Bold Story Behind PBS Accounting's Rapid Rise | Jean Zick: Happy Team = Happy Clients | Breslin & Greathead: Be a Client Advocate | Dominic Piscopo: Clear Pay=Bargaining Power | Debbie Kilsheimer: Stop Thinking Small | Dave Kersting: Collaborate with Co-Firming | Ashley Francis: AI's a Partner, Not a Replacement | Richard Roppa-Roberts: Collaboration Over Competition “If you're in a sea of sameness, you're not serving anyone,” Dunn tells host Liz Farr. “We need to move from 'standard' to 'stand out' because we 'stand for' something that is bigger than ourselves.”That “something bigger” is impact.According to Dunn, the key to differentiating an accounting firm isn't just writing a purpose statement—it's living one. Too often, he says, firms get bogged down creating long-winded declarations no one remembers. The real transformation comes when a firm becomes truly impact-driven.“What if you turned that around... and you became impact-driven, and you're able to say as a result, this month, look at what we did. We created these impacts in the community.”

 With 40% discounts and zero clawbacks, this credit is turning heads—and raising eyebrows. The Concierge CPAWith Jackie MeyerFor CPA TrendlinesIn this episode, Dr. Jackie Meyer interviews Chad Koebnick, VP of Specialized Tax Services at Nepsis, about the innovative Tribal Tax Credit. More Jackie MeyerThey discuss the mechanics of the credit, its origins, and the skepticism surrounding it. Chad explains the due diligence required for tax professionals and taxpayers, the process of claiming the credits, and common misconceptions. The conversation also touches on the future of tax advisory services and best practices for tax professionals in navigating this new landscape. 

It's time to abandon outdated models and rethink everything.Accounting Influencerswith Rob BrownThe accounting profession is standing at a critical juncture. In a powerhouse panel for the Accounting Influencers Podcast, three industry leaders—David Osborne, CEO of Conga and former Caseware chief; Tom Hood, EVP of Business Engagement and Growth at the AICPA; and Katie Thomas, owner and founder of Leaders Online—called for a radical reimagining of how the profession recruits, retains, and empowers talent.More Rob BrownHood doesn't mince words. “Technology has always been the biggest driver of change in our profession,” he says, pointing to generative AI as both a threat and a massive opportunity. Yet, he warns, “We're hearing parents tell students not to go into accounting because it's going away. I actually happen to think the exact opposite.”Hood also zeroes in on what he calls the “moose in the room”-- the profession's leaky talent pipeline. “Pay has not kept up, and we keep talking to students about how hard accounting is. That culture doesn't resonate with this generation.”

Firms with client experience programs see 19% higher growth rates, according to ClearlyRated study. Gear Up for GrowthWith Jean CaragherFor CPA TrendlinesCreating a truly differentiated client experience can be the key to standing out in a profession defined by trust, service, and technical excellence. That's the message from Mitchell Reno, director of client experience at Rehmann, in this episode of Gear Up for Growth, hosted by Jean Caragher, president of Capstone Marketing.  Gear Up for Growth spotlights the best strategies for smart and effficient growth in today's competitive landscape. More Gear Up for Growth here. | More Jean Caragher here | Get her best-selling handbook, The 90-Day Marketing Plan for CPA Firms, here | More CPA Trendlines videos and podcasts here Drawing on more than two decades of marketing and advisory experience—including 14 years as Rehmann's chief marketing and sales officer—Reno discusses how client experience, when strategically engineered, becomes not only a competitive differentiator but a catalyst for firm-wide growth and innovation.“Client experience is not just good service,” Reno says. “It's the sum total of every touchpoint a client has with your firm—from onboarding to billing to final delivery—and what they think and feel about all those moments.”

Learn how to protect your time, energy, and sanity in a world of nonstop pings. Accounting ARCWith Liz Mason, Byron Patrick, and Donny ShimamotoCenter for Accounting TransformationIn a profession that's long celebrated overwork as a rite of passage, the Accounting ARC podcast team flips the script. In a recent episode, hosts Liz Mason, CPA; Donny Shimamoto, CPA.CITP, CGMA; and Byron Patrick, CPA.CITP, CGMA, unpack the art—and science—of setting boundaries in the accounting profession. Their message: Boundaries aren't barriers to productivity. They're a foundation for it. MORE Accounting ARC: The Ultimate Business Hack You're Probably Ignoring | Resilience, Real Talk, and the Road to Mental Wellness | Blockchain Could Still Reshape Accounting | What Gen Z Wants from Business | Firm Differentiation Depends Upon Client Service | Ron Baker: Surviving Tariff Turmoil | Are We Ready for the Hidden Risks of AI in Accounting? | The Research Imperative: Why Data Drives Accounting Success | How Coaching Can Unlock Professional Success | Demystifying Accounting Governance |  Top 10 Red Flags to Watch for in Accounting Offices | Jeremy Dubow: Private Equity as a Catalyst for Growth | Break the Burnout Cycle in Accounting | Accounting in Transition: 2024 Reflections & the Road Ahead “Burnout is essentially professional depression,” says Mason, CEO of High Rock Accounting. “When you're constantly triggered and overwhelmed, it's likely because your personal boundaries are being violated—and you haven't defined or communicated them.” The trio tackles misconceptions head-on. While social media has sparked a “boundary backlash” culture—where some workers interpret boundaries as blanket refusals—they caution that healthy boundaries aren't a free pass to underperform. 

High-net-worth clients are urged to act before the estate tax exemption expires in 2025.Quick Tax TipWith Art WernerCPE TodayA key provision of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) is approaching its expiration date—and Art Werner, J.D., M.S. Tax, is sounding the alarm for advisors and their wealthy clients.In the latest episode of the Quick Tax Tip podcast, Werner explains that the temporarily doubled estate and gift tax exemption, enacted under the TCJA, is set to sunset on December 31, 2025. “This creates a lot of uncertainty,” says Werner. “We're hearing all kinds of things from Congress—maybe an extension, maybe making it permanent, or even letting it die completely. Some are even calling for the estate tax to be repealed. Others want a much higher, even confiscatory, rate.” Click here for more Art WernerWith so much political volatility, Werner urges tax professionals to proactively plan for the possibility that the exemption could be drastically reduced—or eliminated altogether.The TCJA effectively doubled the lifetime estate and gift tax exemption to nearly $13 million per individual (over $25 million for married couples) in 2024. Without Congressional action, this amount could fall by half at the end of 2025.

“I am begging firms: do not let go of your DEI&B initiatives. It is a mistake.” MOVE Like ThisWith Bonnie Buol RuszcykFor CPA TrendlinesIn a wide-ranging and deeply personal conversation on the Move Like This podcast, Sandra Wiley, president of Boomer Consulting, shares powerful insights about the evolving culture of the accounting profession and what firms must do to thrive in 2025 and beyond. From building inclusive workplaces to solving the talent crisis, Wiley emphasizes one central idea: firms that embrace change, empathy, and innovation will outlast those that cling to the status quo. More MOVEWiley, a longtime leader in public accounting consulting, outlines Boomer Consulting's growth from a tech-focused firm to a holistic advisor in five key operational areas: leadership, talent, growth, technology, and process. These “back office” functions, she explained, are often overlooked in CPA firms, yet they're critical to long-term sustainability. Through consulting, training, peer communities, and the Boomer Knowledge Network, Wiley and her team are helping firms modernize how they work and who they are. 

Use AI to work smarter and connect deeper.The DisruptorsWith Liz FarrJacob Schroeder, founder of Ascend Consulting, is clear-eyed about artificial intelligence. He doesn't see it as a silver bullet or a threat. Instead, he sees it as a catalyst that helps accountants get back to what matters most: being human.“AI is not the solution. It's a tool,” Schroeder says. “If you're trying to make AI the solution, you're going about it wrong.” MORE PODCASTS and VIDEOS: Ditching Corporate America: The Bold Story Behind PBS Accounting's Rapid Rise | Jean Zick: Happy Team = Happy Clients | Breslin & Greathead: Be a Client Advocate | Dominic Piscopo: Clear Pay=Bargaining Power | Debbie Kilsheimer: Stop Thinking Small | Dave Kersting: Collaborate with Co-Firming | Ashley Francis: AI's a Partner, Not a Replacement | Richard Roppa-Roberts: Collaboration Over Competition | Ira Rosenbloom: M&A Numbers Are Easy - Culture Fit Is Hard | Roman Villard: Ditch the Suit & Shine | Instead of chasing efficiency for efficiency's sake, Ascend uses AI to free up time for meaningful conversations and thoughtful, strategic guidance.By embedding QuickBooks data directly into client emails, for instance, Schroeder's team ensures that every communication is efficient and infused with empathy and relevance.“Suddenly, now your response can be more human.”Ascend's model is built around what Schroeder calls holistic advisory, a blend of business and personal financial strategy that reflects the full picture of a client's life.“We help build a better future for you, your business, and your family. It's about helping people create value—not just crunch numbers.”

As the first woman CEO of PICPA, Cryder shares how she's tackling the CPA pipeline crisis and why it's time to re-evaluate long-standing licensure rules. Accounting Influencerswith Rob BrownIn this episode of Accounting Influencers, Jen Cryder, CPA, CEO of the Pennsylvania Institute of Certified Public Accountants (PICPA), opens up about her unexpected path to leadership, the challenges shaping the accounting profession today, and why she believes this is one of the most exciting times to be a CPA.More Rob BrownWith oversight of 20,000 accounting and finance professionals, Cryder is not just a figurehead—she's a force behind reshaping the profession's image and strategy. From the CPA pipeline crisis to questions about the 150-hour rule, she addresses head-on the systemic changes needed to secure the future of the profession.“The perception remains that accounting is boring work. It couldn't be farther from the truth,” says Cryder. She believes the profession suffers from an image problem impacting student enrollment and career choice, especially as finance and tech roles compete for top talent.

Stop billing. Start thrilling.Gear Up for Growth With Jean CaragherFor CPA TrendlinesIn a persuasive new episode of Gear Up for Growth, powered by CPA Trendlines, Paul Dunn – four-time TEDx speaker, cofounder of B1G1, and longtime champion of transformational leadership in the accounting profession – delivered a clear call to action for firm leaders: Ditch the billable hour and lead with purpose. Gear Up for Growth spotlights the best strategies for smart and efficient growth in today's competitive landscape. More Gear Up for Growth here | More Jean Caragher here | Get her best-selling handbook, The 90-Day Marketing Plan for CPA Firms, here | More CPA Trendlines videos and podcasts here Speaking with host Jean Caragher, president of Capstone Marketing, Dunn emphasizes that the profession's future lies not in tracking time but in creating lasting client outcomes and standing for something greater than profit. “It's not about the inputs. It's about the outcomes,” Dunn says. “When your vision becomes more powerful than your memories, your future becomes more powerful than your past.” More than 20 years after coauthoring The Firm of the Future, Dunn remains a fierce critic of time-based billing. He points to recent studies showing firms are beginning to move away from six-minute increments, but progress remains slow. 

Turn communication breakdowns into trust-building moments. Transformation TalksWith Donny ShimamotoCenter for Accounting TransformationIn the latest episode of Transformation Talks, host Donny Shimamoto, CPA.CITP, CGMA, leads a powerful discussion on “assumed discrimination”—the cultural collisions that happen when others project bias onto someone's words or actions. MORE TRANSFORMATION TALKSJoining him are Arianna Campbell, COO of Boomer Consulting; Ed Kless, co-founder of THRESHOLD and co-host of The Soul of Enterprise; and Amy Welch, APR, CAE, mission advocacy strategist with the Center for Accounting Transformation and SVP/executive producer for CPA Trendlines. The episode begins by reframing how we talk. “Discussion” implies conflict, while “dialogue” is about listening. “The origin of ‘discussion' is literally ‘to strike,'” says Kless. “But dialogue means ‘twin telling.' That shift in mindset is everything.” 

The retirement planning hack can be a secret weapon for tax-free growth.Quick Tax TipWith Art WernerCPE TodayWhen most people hear “HSA,” they think of medical expenses and high-deductible health plans. But in the latest episode of Quick Tax Tip, tax educator and attorney Art Werner urges tax professionals—and their clients—to look deeper.Click here for more Art WernerIn his signature style, Werner reframes the Health Savings Account (HSA) as one of the most underrated retirement planning tools available today.“I don't look at the HSA as a way to pay for medical bills,” says Werner. “I look at it as a disguised retirement plan.”Many taxpayers—and even some practitioners—limit their view of the HSA to a reimbursement vehicle for immediate out-of-pocket costs. But Werner explains that this account can function much like a Roth IRA, offering triple-tax benefits: contributions are tax-deductible, growth is tax-free, and qualified withdrawals for medical expenses are also tax-free.Here's the twist: You don't have to take reimbursements immediately.

After years in corporate roles, Samantha Hallburn created a firm where people come before profits—and business thrives because of it.The DisruptorsWith Liz FarrSamantha Hallburn, founder of PBS Accounting and Tax, didn't set out to be an accountant. After a progression through sales, marketing, HR, PR, and a stint as ops manager for a telecom company, she was working in banking. Her business owner clients needed loans, but when she asked for financials, “they had no idea what I was even talking about,” she recalls.   MORE PODCASTS and VIDEOS: Jean Zick: Happy Team = Happy Clients | Breslin & Greathead: Be a Client Advocate | Dominic Piscopo: Clear Pay=Bargaining Power | Debbie Kilsheimer: Stop Thinking Small | Dave Kersting: Collaborate with Co-Firming | Ashley Francis: AI's a Partner, Not a Replacement | Richard Roppa-Roberts: Collaboration Over Competition | Ira Rosenbloom: M&A Numbers Are Easy - Culture Fit Is Hard | Roman Villard: Ditch the Suit & Shine | Monique Swansen: Align Firm Values with Services | Tina McGill: How to Create Lasting Client Impact | Stefan van Duyvendijk: Develop Operational Mindset | Steve Evans: Why Traditional Hiring Methods Fail Instead of turning them away, she offered to help. “I started helping my banking clients by going to their offices on my lunch break, after work, before work, on the weekends, days off to help them be able to get me what I needed.” After one particularly bad day in the corporate world, she decided to “roll the dice” and create a full-time venture.  “I absolutely had no idea what I was really getting into, and that it was just going to be this snowball. And we grew so fast because there was such a need and such a demand,” Hallburn says.  She built her firm “to be the antithesis of everything I hated about corporate America, and one of the things I did hate was that you were just a number, your real life didn't matter,” she says. The very name of her firm, PBS, stands for People – Business – Service.

“We're afraid to communicate, we're afraid to speak up.” The Concierge CPAWith Jackie MeyerFor CPA TrendlinesIn a profession known for long hours and technical precision, Amy Vetter, CPA.CITP, CGMA, CSP, RYT, offers a refreshing message.There's more to success than climbing the traditional career ladder.More Jackie MeyerThe founder of the B3 Method Institute joins Jackie Meyer on The Concierge CPA to share her journey from audit partner to yogi and mindful tech advisor—challenging firm owners to prioritize purpose and personal well-being.“Once I made partner, I thought I'd feel happier,” Vetter says. “But success without alignment isn't really success.”Vetter's career began traditionally—Big Four audit work, a stint in tax, and an early partnership. But as she juggled young children and mounting burnout, she realized something was missing.“I had pushed down the creative, intuitive parts of myself,” she explains. “So I started a journey to bring those back—through yoga, reflection, and eventually, the creation of the B3 Method.”

"This is your chance to make a real difference."Accounting Influencerswith Rob BrownMillions of accountants and bookkeepers are stuck in a cycle of overwork, undercharging, and undervaluation. In this episode of the Accounting Influencers podcast, Adam Lean, CEO and co-founder of TheCFOProject.com, delivers a wake-up call: The compliance model is broken—and the profession must change course to remain relevant.More Rob BrownLean explains that for most clients, every accountant “looks the same.” They expect the books to be done and the taxes to be filed, and they rarely see the difference between high-quality and mediocre service. This makes it nearly impossible for accountants to raise prices or grow sustainably.“Your clients don't understand how to evaluate your work,” Lean says. “So they see you as interchangeable. That's the trap.”To earn more, accountants often take on more clients or work longer hours—neither of which leads to long-term career satisfaction or better client outcomes. And because software tools and tech companies now offer “automated accounting,” competition is intensifying.

PE doesn't have to strip your culture.With Jean CaragherFor CPA TrendlinesOn a recent episode of Gear Up for Growth, powered by CPA Trendlines, Aprio CEO Richard Kopelman offered a behind-the-scenes look at what's powering his firm's remarkable trajectory—from a traditional CPA firm to a diversified advisory powerhouse. In conversation with Jean Caragher, president of Capstone Marketing, Kopelman credited Aprio's sustained momentum to two key drivers: a relentlessly reinforced culture and a bold leap into private equity. Gear Up for Growth spotlights the best strategies for smart and efficient growth in today's competitive landscape. More Gear Up for Growth here | More Jean Caragher here | Get her best-selling handbook, The 90-Day Marketing Plan for CPA Firms, here | More CPA Trendlines videos and podcasts here Since stepping into the CEO role in 2013, Kopelman has steered Aprio into the ranks of the top 25 U.S. accounting firms. At the heart of that rise? A set of “31 Fundamentals” that shape everything from team interactions to client engagements.

“Leaders should model respect, not just expect it.” Accounting ARCWith Liz Mason, Byron Patrick, and Donny ShimamotoCenter for Accounting TransformationIn the age of digital disruption and hybrid work, professional etiquette often feels like an afterthought. But in the latest episode of Accounting ARC, hosts Liz Mason, CPA; Donny Shimamoto, CPA.CITP, CGMA; and Byron Patrick, CPA.CITP, CGMA, argue the opposite: manners are more relevant—and strategic—than ever.  MORE Accounting ARC: Resilience, Real Talk, and the Road to Mental Wellness | Blockchain Could Still Reshape Accounting | What Gen Z Wants from Business | Firm Differentiation Depends Upon Client Service | Ron Baker: Surviving Tariff Turmoil | Are We Ready for the Hidden Risks of AI in Accounting? | The Research Imperative: Why Data Drives Accounting Success | How Coaching Can Unlock Professional Success | Demystifying Accounting Governance | Top 10 Red Flags to Watch for in Accounting Offices | Jeremy Dubow: Private Equity as a Catalyst for Growth “Manners make a difference,” says Patrick, CEO of VERIFYiQ and co-founder of TB Academy. “They impact hiring, client service, team dynamics—everything.” 

Treat cryptocurrencies like the next dot-com bubble.Quick Tax TipWith Art WernerCPE TodayAs cryptocurrencies continue to infiltrate everyday investment portfolios and client conversations, seasoned tax educator and CPA Art Werner offers a stark warning to practitioners: “Crypto concerns me—and I think it should concern accountants.” Click here for more Art WernerIn a recent episode of Quick Tax Tips with Art Werner, the well-respected tax advisor and educator peels back the hype to expose the risks tax professionals and their clients face when navigating the unpredictable world of digital currency. With over 20,000 cryptocurrencies in existence globally and little regulation governing many of them, Werner believes the speculative nature of crypto investments resembles past financial manias—with potentially devastating consequences.

“The real question isn't whether a firm is diverse enough. It's whether the people in that firm feel like they truly belong there.” MOVE Like ThisWith Bonnie Buol RuszcykFor CPA TrendlinesIn this episode of MOVE Like This, host Bonnie Buol Ruszczyk and guest Donny Shimamoto, CPA.CITP, CGMA, explore the complex landscape of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in the accounting profession, specifically in the current political climate.Shimamoto, founder and managing director of IntrapriseTechKnowlogies LLC and founder and inspiration architect for the Center for Accounting Transformation, shares insights into the challenges faced by underrepresented professionals, drawing from his personal experiences as an Asian male in leadership roles. They discuss the persistent barriers that prevent women and people of color from advancing to top leadership positions despite making up a significant portion of accounting graduates.  More MOVEThe discussion delves into the current political climate surrounding DEI efforts, acknowledging the pushback and misconceptions about diversity initiatives. Shimamoto emphasizes that these efforts are not about quotas or tokenism but about creating genuine opportunities and a sense of belonging for all professionals. The conversation highlights the importance of moving beyond mere inclusion to fostering an environment where every team member feels they truly belong and can contribute meaningfully.  

Flexible schedules, remote culture, and ‘durable skills' are reshaping the accounting profession.The DisruptorsWith Liz FarrThe traditional accounting firm model is under pressure—and The Disruptors podcast is highlighting the pioneers who are rewriting the rules. In this episode, host Liz Farr talks with Jean Zick, CEO and co-founder of Juna Financial, about how she's building a different kind of accounting firm: remote, people-first, and future-ready. MORE PODCASTS and VIDEOS: Breslin & Greathead: Be a Client Advocate | Dominic Piscopo: Clear Pay=Bargaining Power | Debbie Kilsheimer: Stop Thinking Small | Dave Kersting: Collaborate with Co-Firming | Ashley Francis: AI's a Partner, Not a Replacement | Richard Roppa-Roberts: Collaboration Over Competition | Ira Rosenbloom: M&A Numbers Are Easy - Culture Fit Is Hard | Roman Villard: Ditch the Suit & Shine | Monique Swansen: Align Firm Values with Services | Tina McGill: How to Create Lasting Client Impact | Stefan van Duyvendijk: Develop Operational Mindset | Steve Evans: Why Traditional Hiring Methods Fail | Roger Knecht: Can You Be an Accountrepreneur? “We wanted to create a company we would have wanted to work for earlier in our careers,” says Zick, who launched Juna in 2016 to fill what she saw as a gap in the market: companies paying CFO-level fees for basic bookkeeping tasks. “Every company deserves great accounting, no matter their size.”

"If you're not putting your clients into retirement plans, you're missing one of the biggest value-adds in tax advisory."The Concierge CPAWith Jackie MeyerFor CPA TrendlinesIn a recent episode of The Concierge CPA, host Dr. Jackie Meyer welcomes back David Podell, CEO and founder of Business Benefits Consultants, for a deep-dive on retirement strategies that are often overlooked by small business owners, CPAs, and even seasoned financial professionals.More Jackie MeyerKicking off with sharp-witted tax news, Meyer touches on IRS free file expansions, refund reductions, and the hiring of thousands of new auditors—before jumping into a topic that directly connects tax strategy to future financial health: retirement planning.Podell, with more than two decades of experience designing retirement plans, returns to emphasize a crucial point: "If you're not putting your clients into retirement plans, you're missing one of the biggest value-adds in tax advisory."

Global accounting leaders call for mindset shifts, better storytelling, and a redefined brand.Accounting Influencerswith Rob BrownIn this edition of Accounting Influencers, four of the profession's most prominent voices gather for a candid discussion on the challenges and opportunities facing the accounting world. From evolving business models to deep talent shortages, the conversation explores how firms must adapt—or risk irrelevance.The panel includes Randy Johnston, co-founder of K2 Enterprises and a long-time tech strategist for CPAs; Trevor Greenway, CEO of Interval, a software firm helping accountants uncover real-time advisory opportunities; Harry Blum, managing partner at RSM Canada; and Jennifer O'Carroll, CEO of ERP vendor HansaWorld and former tax advisor.More Rob Brown“The knowledge is there,” says Greenway. “The question is—do firms have the people and bandwidth to act on it?” He warns that while accountants understand the changes required—like the shift to advisory services and the adoption of AI—the labor shortage is the primary obstacle.Blum agrees, calling today's environment “an experiment in change management,” where firms have never had more opportunity but also never faced more complexity. “The mindset shift needed to transform is the biggest challenge,” he says.

Stop drifting and start leading.Gear Up for Growth With Jean CaragherFor CPA TrendlinesIn a high-stress profession like accounting, intentional growth isn't just helpful—it's necessary. In this episode of Gear Up For Growth, business coach and author Matt Criss joins host Jean Caragher to share how accountants can build resilience, reflection, and renewed purpose by growing with intention.Gear Up for Growth spotlights the best strategies for smart and efficient growth in today's competitive landscape. More Gear Up for Growth here | More Jean Caragher here | Get her best-selling handbook, The 90-Day Marketing Plan for CPA Firms, here | More CPA Trendlines videos and podcasts hereAs the author of Conscious Growth, Moss Adams executive Criss brings decades of insight and a refreshing perspective: that growth shouldn't be accidental. In this inspiring conversation, Criss dives deep into the principles behind his book and shares how CPAs and firm leaders can grow consciously—not just to advance their careers but to lead more fulfilling lives.

From mindful walking to redefining worth, this conversation reveals what it really takes to thrive. Accounting ARCWith Arpan GrewalCenter for Accounting TransformationIn the latest Student-Led Conversations episode of Accounting ARC, high school business student Arpan Grewal steps in as guest host for a raw, reflective episode centered on mental health and resilience. In conversation with Jina Etienne, CPA, CGMA, CDE, CEO of Etienne Consulting; Rafael Casas, senior consultant with Workday; and Kiera Speed, inspiration logistician for the Center for Accounting Transformation, the episode marks a powerful contribution to Mental Health Awareness Month.  MORE Accounting ARC: Blockchain Could Still Reshape Accounting | What Gen Z Wants from Business | Firm Differentiation Depends Upon Client Service | Ron Baker: Surviving Tariff Turmoil | Are We Ready for the Hidden Risks of AI in Accounting? | The Research Imperative: Why Data Drives Accounting Success | How Coaching Can Unlock Professional Success | Demystifying Accounting Governance |  Top 10 Red Flags to Watch for in Accounting Offices | Jeremy Dubow: Private Equity as a Catalyst for Growth | Break the Burnout Cycle in Accounting | Accounting in Transition: 2024 Reflections & the Road Ahead | Ron Baker: Visions for the Accounting Profession | “Mental health is something we all struggle with, whether we're students or seasoned professionals,” says Grewal. “It's not talked about enough, especially in accounting.” 

Small businesses face a storm of tax pressures, but trusted advisors can offer calm amid the chaos.Quick Tax TipWith Art WernerCPE TodayIn the latest episode of Quick Tax Tip, Art Werner delivers an insightful update for small and midsized business (SMB) owners — many of whom are feeling overwhelmed by a growing list of tax and regulatory pressures.Click here for more Art Werner“I think that a number of small businesses are a little scared,” Werner says, pointing to the combination of federal, state, and local tax compliance as a mounting source of stress. “They're trying to coordinate this all… but more importantly, they look at all this as being just ancillary to why they're in business.”According to Werner, business owners don't launch companies to become tax experts. They do it to pursue a vision — to offer a product, provide a service, and ultimately earn a living. But the growing complexity of tax obligations has become a distracting burden.

Provide clients with actionable information they can use to move their businesses forward. The DisruptorsWith Liz FarrBack in 2013, before CAS became part of the accounting vernacular, Penny Breslin and Damien Greathead taught a roomful of accountants how to do what Breslin called bookkeeping and back office support, or BOS. “We had 200 accountants sitting in the room wanting to know how to grow this part of their business,” Greathead recalls. Cloud-based accounting tools like Xero and QuickBooks Online were just entering the U.S. market, and the two recognized an opportunity for firms. MORE PODCASTS and VIDEOS: Dominic Piscopo: Clear Pay=Bargaining Power | Debbie Kilsheimer: Stop Thinking Small | Dave Kersting: Collaborate with Co-Firming | Ashley Francis: AI's a Partner, Not a Replacement | Richard Roppa-Roberts: Collaboration Over Competition | Ira Rosenbloom: M&A Numbers Are Easy - Culture Fit Is Hard | Roman Villard: Ditch the Suit & Shine | Monique Swansen: Align Firm Values with Services | Tina McGill: How to Create Lasting Client Impact | Stefan van Duyvendijk: Develop Operational Mindset | Out of that seminar emerged a book, which was recently updated to create the current handbook, It's Not Just the Numbers [full disclosure: Liz Farr served as editor]. The handbook's title reflects a fundamental truth about client relationships that many accountants overlook. As Greathead explains, “It's about what your client wants. And more often than not, the client doesn't care about the numbers. The client cares about the story that sits underneath the numbers.”

What once was seen as a tax loophole is now becoming a mainstream strategy for business continuity—if done right.The Concierge CPAWith Jackie MeyerFor CPA TrendlinesThe world of business risk has changed drastically since 1986, and so has the way innovative entrepreneurs protect themselves. In a recent episode of The Concierge CPA, host Dr. Jackie Meyer sits down with Van Carlson, founder and CEO of SRA 831(b) Admin, to demystify one of the most misunderstood tools in modern financial planning: the 831(b) captive.More Jackie MeyerAt its core, the 831(b) tax code allows business owners to form small insurance companies to self-insure specific risks. But as Carlson explains, “It's not just about taxes—it's about protecting your business from the risks no one else will cover.”Originally created during the 1986 Tax Reform Act to help farmers and businesses insure against unique or underwritten risks, the 831(b) structure has evolved into a modern enterprise risk solution. And for Carlson, who's led audits and compliance for hundreds of captives, this is not a loophole—it's a legitimate strategy. “We embolden business owners through innovative risk management,” he says. “And the risks they face now—cybersecurity, supply chain failure, brand damage—are unlike anything we saw in the 1980s.”

“Diversity is about building bigger tables, not just filling seats.”Accounting Influencerswith Rob BrownAs past chair of AICPA and CIMA, Okorie Ramsey represented nearly 700,000 members worldwide. But in his view, leadership isn't about wielding power—it's about partnership, innovation, and service to the public. More Rob BrownIn a wide-ranging conversation on the Accounting Influencers podcast, Ramsey reflects on his tenure, the profession's most significant challenges, and what excites him most about the future.“It's a huge role,” Ramsey says, “but it's also a wonderful opportunity."Ramsey challenges the perception of accounting as static or resistant to change. While he acknowledges that legacy systems and outdated incentive structures persist—particularly in large firms—he sees momentum building. “If organizations are not utilizing technology to advance how they do their work, they will go by the way of the dinosaur,” he warns.

Strategic thinking, curiosity, and innovation can turn traditional marketing roles into firm leadership opportunities.Gear Up for Growth With Jean CaragherFor CPA TrendlinesIn a special episode of Gear Up For Growth, host Jean Caragher hands the mic to guest facilitator Sarah Dobek, president of Inovautus Consulting, to lead an inspiring conversation about career opportunities in accounting marketing.Joining the panel are four powerhouse leaders whose diverse journeys showcase just how far the profession has evolved:Gear Up for Growth spotlights the best strategies for smart and efficient growth in today's competitive landscape. More Gear Up for Growth here | More Jean Caragher here | Get her best-selling handbook, The 90-Day Marketing Plan for CPA Firms, here | More CPA Trendlines videos and podcasts here Julie Tucek, Marketing Director at Legacy Professionals; Eric Majchrzak, CEO of BeachFleischman; Carrie Steffen, Co-founder and President of The Whetstone Group, Recently announced as the next CEO of the Iowa Society of CPAs; and Jamie Thomas, Principal, Growth and Marketing at BDO USA Together, they offer a behind-the-scenes look at how accounting marketing has transformed from simple communications and event planning to a strategic, growth-driving powerhouse within firms—and where it's heading next.

Technologies like AI and Web3 could eventually unlock blockchain's full potential. Accounting ARCWith Liz Mason, Byron Patrick, and Donny ShimamotoCenter for Accounting TransformationIs blockchain dead? In a thought-provoking Accounting ARC, hosts Liz Mason, CPA, and Donny Shimamoto, CPA.CITP, CGMA; and Byron Patrick, CPA.CITP, CGMA; tackle the pressing question and brainstorm other blockchain applications. The short answer is no—but the landscape has changed. MORE Accounting ARC: What Gen Z Wants from Business | Firm Differentiation Depends Upon Client Service | Ron Baker: Surviving Tariff Turmoil | Are We Ready for the Hidden Risks of AI in Accounting? | The Research Imperative: Why Data Drives Accounting Success | How Coaching Can Unlock Professional Success | Demystifying Accounting Governance |  Top 10 Red Flags to Watch for in Accounting Offices | Jeremy Dubow: Private Equity as a Catalyst for Growth | Break the Burnout Cycle in Accounting | Accounting in Transition: 2024 Reflections & the Road Ahead | Ron Baker: Visions for the Accounting Profession | Angie Grissom: Next Gen Inspo for Accountants | Does Accounting Belong in STEM? |When blockchain first entered mainstream conversation, it was hailed as a transformative tool capable of revolutionizing financial reporting, auditing, and recordkeeping. However, according to Mason, CEO of High Rock Accounting, the execution challenges are enormous.

Mental load includes the invisible cognitive effort that goes into even the smallest tasks—and it's constant.MOVE Like ThisWith Bonnie Buol RuszcykFor CPA TrendlinesIn the latest episode of MOVE Like This, Tricia Bencich, Inclusion and Social Responsibility Associate Director at Moss Adams, returns to the show to tackle a topic that resonated deeply with attendees of the 2024 MOVE Mini Summit: mental load. With more than 1,000 attendees at her session alone, it's clear that the idea of “invisible labor” is striking a chord, especially with women in the workplace.More MOVEMental load, Bencich explains, isn't just about the physical tasks we perform but the cognitive effort involved in managing them. It's not driving to the soccer game; it's remembering the cleats, checking the weather, packing snacks, ensuring the uniforms are clean, and being an emotionally available parent – all before the car leaves the driveway. It's this invisible, persistent, often unnoticed thinking and planning that women disproportionately carry. And, as she emphasizes, “Mental load affects everyone, but research shows women continue to shoulder more of it, even if their partners work less or not at all.”

Despite uncertainties, accountants have an opportunity to lead clients with confidence, expertise, and a forward-looking strategy.Quick Tax TipWith Art WernerCPE TodayIn the latest episode of Quick Tax Tip, seasoned tax expert Art Werner brings a refreshing perspective: optimism.Click here for more Art WernerEven amid constant regulatory changes, economic fluctuations, and the looming possibility of new tax legislation, Werner argues that tax professionals have never been better positioned to help clients navigate complexity—and thrive.“I'm inherently an optimist, so I hope it's contagious,” Werner says. His optimism is grounded not in wishful thinking but in the growing role accountants, CPAs, enrolled agents, and attorneys play in guiding clients through an increasingly complicated financial landscape. “Clients are looking toward their professionals to guide them down a path,” Werner explains, emphasizing that individuals and business owners need experts more than ever to make informed decisions.

"If you can't afford fair salaries, it's time to fix your machine—not squeeze your people."The DisruptorsWith Liz FarrLike many accountants, Dominic Piscopo, the founder of Big4Transparency.com, was frustrated by the lack of transparency in salary data. “I'd found it really, really frustrating trying to get good quality data on what to expect, looking ahead for my salary,” Piscopo explains. Before creating the platform, Piscopo discovered his firm offered the lowest starting salaries in his city. By gathering compensation data from peers and presenting it to leadership, he secured “a little bit under a 10% pay bump” for his entire cohort. MORE PODCASTS and VIDEOS: Debbie Kilsheimer: Stop Thinking Small | Dave Kersting: Collaborate with Co-Firming | Ashley Francis: AI's a Partner, Not a Replacement | Richard Roppa-Roberts: Collaboration Over Competition | Ira Rosenbloom: M&A Numbers Are Easy - Culture Fit Is Hard | Roman Villard: Ditch the Suit & Shine | Monique Swansen: Align Firm Values with Services | Tina McGill: How to Create Lasting Client Impact | Stefan van Duyvendijk: Develop Operational Mindset | Steve Evans: Why Traditional Hiring Methods Fail | Roger Knecht: Can You Be an Accountrepreneur? | Beth Whitworth: Focus on Outcomes Not Hours |Mike Sylvester: Learn to Say No | Salim Omar: Identify Your Client's $100,000 Problem “Data is so powerful,” he says. “If you can advocate for yourself and show real objective numbers, then it becomes a real conversation, versus just like, ‘Oh, my employee is throwing a fit.'”What began as a simple spreadsheet shared on Reddit “went really, really viral, kind of right away,” confirming a significant need in the accounting community.

Pivotal incentives, like cost segregation studies and energy credits, can revolutionize accounting firm service models.The Concierge CPAWith Jackie MeyerFor CPA TrendlinesIn the latest episode of The Concierge CPA, host Dr. Jackie Meyer sits down with Heidi Henderson, executive vice president of Engineered Tax Services (ETS), to discuss elevating accounting practices through specialty tax incentives and advisory partnerships.More Jackie MeyerHenderson, a self-proclaimed “reformed accountant,” shares her journey from traditional accounting roles into strategic consulting, where she now helps CPAs and their clients unlock substantial tax savings through advanced planning techniques. From leveraging cost segregation studies for real estate owners to navigating lucrative energy credits like 45L and 179D, Henderson explains how accountants can tap into specialized knowledge to deliver high-value results—and why firms must shift beyond compliance work. 

"Your top clients are your competitors' top prospects. Are you showing up as their trusted advisor?" Accounting Influencerswith Rob BrownHow well-equipped is the accounting profession to handle rapid technological advancements and a changing workforce? Are firms ready to embrace the future or stuck in outdated models?  More Rob BrownRob Brown hosts an expert panel featuring Angie Grissom, co-owner of The Rainmaker Companies; Itamar Jobani, CEO of PayEM; Todd Robinson, director of practice engagement at Woodard; and James Hickey, chief "cat herder" at Herding Cats; to discuss the future of the accounting profession. The conversation explores critical challenges facing accountants today, such as adapting to technological changes, AI integration, talent retention, and shifting towards a more advisory-based role. The panel shares their unique insights on how firms must navigate cultural shifts, embrace leadership, and rethink their traditional business models to stay competitive.

Uncover growth hidden in plain sight.Gear Up for Growth With Jean CaragherFor CPA TrendlinesIn the latest Gear Up for Growth, host Jean Caragher, president of Capstone Marketing, sits down with Wade Clark, associate director-sales programs at Moss Adams and author of "Simplifying Complex Sales." Their conversation delivers two critical messages for CPAs and firm leaders: the necessity of consistent account development and the strategic use of the Four Catalysts to uncover new opportunities.  Gear Up for Growth spotlights the best strategies for smart and efficient growth in today's competitive landscape. More Gear Up for Growth every Friday here | More Jean Caragher here | Get her best-selling handbook, The 90-Day Marketing Plan for CPA Firms, here | More CPA Trendlines videos and podcasts here “Account development is the Achilles' heel of many firms,” Clark says. “But by focusing on consistent outreach and meaningful dialogue with clients and prospects, CPAs can create natural momentum that leads to growth, even when market conditions change.” 

The future is watching.Accounting ARCWith Arpan GrewalCenter for Accounting TransformationIn the latest Student Led Conversations episode of Accounting ARC, high school student Arpan Grewal hosts a dynamic dialogue with ESG Advisory senior manager Tiffany Huey from BPM, showing how accounting is becoming a surprising tool for tackling global challenges like climate change and social equity.MORE Accounting ARC: Firm Differentiation Depends Upon Client Service | Ron Baker: Surviving Tariff Turmoil | Are We Ready for the Hidden Risks of AI in Accounting? | The Research Imperative: Why Data Drives Accounting Success | How Coaching Can Unlock Professional Success | Demystifying Accounting Governance | Top 10 Red Flags to Watch for in Accounting Offices | Jeremy Dubow: Private Equity as a Catalyst for Growth | Break the Burnout Cycle in Accounting | Accounting in Transition: 2024 Reflections & the Road Ahead | Ron Baker: Visions for the Accounting Profession |Huey, who transitioned from nonprofit work into ESG consulting, now leads BPM's ESG advisory practice. “I wanted to understand how systems work,” she says. “How do businesses make decisions, and how can we make those decisions more values-aligned?”The conversation illuminates how ESG—environmental, social, and governance frameworks—requires more than balance sheets. “You can't fix what you don't track,” Huey says, stressing the power of data in holding companies accountable. “ESG makes companies show their receipts.”

Start with proactive planning instead of reactive reporting.Quick Tax TipWith Art WernerCPE TodayAs tax season winds down and the dust settles, many CPAs are eager for a breather. But in the latest Quick Tax Tip with Art Werner podcast, the seasoned tax educator offers a powerful—and timely—reminder: now is not the time to coast. Instead, it's the perfect opportunity to pivot from tax historian to tax strategist.Click here for more Art WernerDrawing on decades of experience and his trademark candor, Werner explains how the very tax returns just filed can be the launchpad for a more impactful advisory relationship with clients. "What I would look at," he begins, "is the tax return you just prepared—and use that as a script."

"Too often, we're stepping over dollars to pick up pennies."The DisruptorsWith Liz FarrBy age 25, Debbie Kilsheimer was already disrupting the traditional accounting mindset. At her first job, she questioned why clients were billed by the hour when speed and efficiency weren't rewarded.“The smarter I get, the more efficient I become, the less you make,” she told her boss. “I don't understand that. Plus, the clients don't know what anything will cost—so they're afraid to call.”MORE PODCASTS and VIDEOS: Dave Kersting: Collaborate with Co-Firming | Ashley Francis: AI's a Partner, Not a Replacement | Richard Roppa-Roberts: Collaboration Over Competition | Ira Rosenbloom: M&A Numbers Are Easy - Culture Fit Is Hard | Roman Villard: Ditch the Suit & Shine | Monique Swansen: Align Firm Values with Services | Tina McGill: How to Create Lasting Client Impact | Stefan van Duyvendijk: Develop Operational Mindset | Steve Evans: Why Traditional Hiring Methods Fail | Roger Knecht: Can You Be an Accountrepreneur? | Beth Whitworth: Focus on Outcomes Not Hours Her suggestion to switch to flat-rate pricing was met with disbelief, but she knew she was onto something. Two decades later, Kilsheimer and her husband, Hal, run a million-dollar firm built on premium service, not time sheets.“I'm going to be Starbucks. I'm going to be Louis Vuitton,” she says. “I'm going to be the most expensive accountant they talk to—and I'm going to deliver on that promise.”

Optimizing the client experience is the real key to growth and profitability.The Concierge CPAWith Jackie MeyerFor CPA TrendlinesOn a recent episode of The Concierge CPA, Liscio founder and CEO Chris Farrell joins host Jackie Meyer to challenge the conventional wisdom about workflow systems in accounting. His core message? Firms don't just need better systems—they need a client-first approach to technology."Most of the problems firms are facing stem from one thing," said Farrell, a CPA and veteran software innovator. "You're always waiting on the client."More Jackie MeyerFarrell knows both sides of the equation: as a former Arthur Andersen accountant and CFO, and as a serial entrepreneur who's spent 15 years building tools specifically for accountants. With Liscio, a client experience platform, he's tackling a key pain point: fragmented communication. “When clients don't know where to send documents or how to respond, the firm grinds to a halt.”Farrell argues that accounting technology has historically focused on optimizing firm-side operations—tax software, practice management tools, document handling—but has neglected the user experience for clients. That, he says, is the real productivity roadblock.

“A bad process is a bad process, whether a person or a piece of technology is doing it.”Accounting Influencerswith Rob BrownChange is inevitable, but learning to navigate transformation effectively is the key to long-term success for finance and accounting professionals. On the latest episode of the Accounting Influencers podcast, change expert Hannah Munro shares her insights on how firms and finance leaders can embrace change and drive it forward to enhance efficiency, adaptability, and business impact. More Accounting Influencers with Rob Brown here "What's also very interesting is that change is getting faster," says Munro, managing director at itas Solutions and host of the CFO 4.0 podcast. "The pace of change is accelerating, and that volatility and uncertainty are driving the need for finance professionals to step up and elevate their role."Munro emphasizes that transformation is not a one-time event but a journey. "If you feel like it's something short term that you're going to suffer through and then never have to change again, you are probably living in the wrong century."

“Accounting isn't a ‘fake it till you make it' job."MOVE Like ThisWith Bonnie Buol RuszcykFor CPA TrendlinesIn a recent episode of Move Like This, Ashley Kostos, sales manager at Accountests, joined host Bonnie Buol Ruszczyk to explore how data-driven assessments are helping accounting firms hire smarter, retain top talent, and create clearer career paths. With ongoing staffing shortages and high turnover across the industry, testing may be the tool firms didn't know they needed.More MOVEAccountests, founded by a former PwC partner and a psychometric testing expert, offers skills, ability, and personality assessments specifically designed for the accounting profession. These tools help employers move past resume claims and polished interviews to evaluate real-world competencies, including things like understanding financial statements, tax knowledge, and software fluency. “Accounting isn't a ‘fake it till you make it' job,” Kostos emphasizes. “You need to know how to do the work.”

Raising the bar on client service doesn't mean sacrificing all your time.  Accounting ARCWith Liz Mason, Byron Patrick, and Donny ShimamotoCenter for Accounting TransformationTechnology has changed how firms operate, but relationships—and setting clear expectations—remain central to client satisfaction. In a recent episode of Accounting ARC, co-hosts Liz Mason, CPA; Byron Patrick, CPA.CITP, CGMA; and Donny Shimamoto, CPA.CITP, CGMA, tackled a pressing issue: how the accounting profession can evolve to deliver better client service in the digital age. MORE Accounting ARC: Ron Baker: Surviving Tariff Turbulence | Crypto, Cash, or Chaos? The Fallout of an IRS-Free America | Is Agentic AI a Game Changer or Game Ender? | Kelly Mann: Thriving Against All Odds | Are We Ready for the Hidden Risks of AI in Accounting? | The Research Imperative: Why Data Drives Accounting Success | How Coaching Can Unlock Professional Success | Demystifying Accounting Governance | Top 10 Red Flags to Watch for in Accounting Offices | Jeremy Dubow: Private Equity as a Catalyst for Growth | Break the Burnout Cycle in Accounting | Accounting in Transition: 2024 Reflections & the Road Ahead | Ron Baker: Visions for the Accounting Profession | Angie Grissom: Next Gen Inspo for Accountants | Does Accounting Belong in STEM? “Client service is the number one reason we hear clients are looking for a new CPA firm,” says Mason, founder and CEO of High Rock Accounting. “We need to get back to the roots of our profession—deep relationships and great communication.” 

Without the right strategy, even the best intentions can go to waste. Quick Tax TipWith Art WernerCPE TodayCharitable giving can be a powerful tool for clients seeking tax advantages and for ensuring their donations are used wisely. Yet, many clients—and even some professionals—remain unaware of one of the most accessible vehicles for achieving these goals: donor-advised funds.Click here for more Art Werner“The average client has no idea that a donor-advised fund exists,” Werner says. “And if I, as a professional, am not aware of a technique, I probably won't use it — not because I'm afraid of it, but because I'm ignorant of the ability to utilize it.”A donor-advised fund is a simple yet powerful charitable planning tool. It allows an individual to make a significant charitable contribution upfront, claim an immediate tax deduction, and then distribute the funds to charities over time. This approach provides flexibility and greater oversight of how donations are ultimately used.

Expand capabilities, boost client satisfaction, and build thriving businesses—without sacrificing independence.The DisruptorsWith Liz FarrDave Kersting, founder and CEO of Capovario, is disrupting the status quo firm structure by introducing co-firming. While he and Tanya Schulte, owner of The Profit Constructors, started on the co-firming path in a contractor-subcontractor relationship, they quickly realized they wanted more. “...we want to win together, and we want to lose together,” Kersting recalls. MORE PODCASTS and VIDEOS: Ashley Francis: AI's a Partner, Not a Replacement | Richard Roppa-Roberts: Collaboration Over Competition | Ira Rosenbloom: M&A Numbers Are Easy - Culture Fit Is Hard | Roman Villard: Ditch the Suit & Shine | Monique Swansen: Align Firm Values with Services | Tina McGill: How to Create Lasting Client Impact | Stefan van Duyvendijk: Develop Operational Mindset | Steve Evans: Why Traditional Hiring Methods Fail | Roger Knecht: Can You Be an Accountrepreneur? | Beth Whitworth: Focus on Outcomes Not Hours |Mike Sylvester: Learn to Say No | Salim Omar: Identify Your Client's $100,000 Problem | Jackie Meyer: Earn More with Fewer Clients | Jack Fleherty: Don't Be a 'Yes' Person Co-firming brings multiple specialized firms together to serve clients collaboratively rather than competitively. As Kersting explains, “What the client gets out of that is experts in the field, all working on the same client to make that client's journey better. Again, it's winning together, losing together.”This model isn't about subcontracting work but creating a unified team of specialists. With 11 firms now working together, “We kind of do look at ourselves as like this big super firm, a super firm, that we're all team. We're all one big, ginormous team,” says Kersting.

Explore the rising threat of national debt, future tax hikes, and how Americans can prepare.The Concierge CPAWith Jackie MeyerFor CPA TrendlinesThe U.S. is hurtling toward an economic reckoning, and most Americans are dangerously unprepared. That's the warning delivered in the latest episode of The Concierge CPA podcast, where host Jackie Meyer sits down with financial planning expert David Spence, CPA, CFP, CLU, PFS, to unpack how today's economic decisions could impact tomorrow's taxpayers.More Jackie MeyerSpence's message is clear: history shows that skyrocketing national debt leads to one inevitable outcome—higher taxes. "After World War II, with debt at 120% of GDP, top tax rates soared to 94%," Spence explains. "Today, we're at 130% of GDP, and we're already paying massive interest on our debt—more than we spend on defense."Given these realities, Spence argues it's critical for Americans to shift their focus toward tax-free income sources. Strategies such as Roth IRAs, Health Savings Accounts (HSAs), and Life Insurance Retirement Plans (LIRPs) could become lifelines in a future where traditional retirement accounts might be heavily taxed.

“If you think change is hard, try not changing and see what happens.”Accounting Influencerswith Rob BrownIn part one of this Accounting Influencers podcast, special guest Hannah Munro, managing director of transformation consultancy with ITAS and host of the CFO 4.0 podcast, joins the conversation to unpack the realities of change and transformation in today's volatile world. More Accounting Influencers with Rob Brown here Munro makes one thing clear: change is no longer a future event to plan for—it is the present reality.“Transformation is a journey, not a one-step process,” Munro says. “It's about becoming comfortable in that VUCA environment—volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous—and building a skill set to navigate it.”The conversation kicks off by acknowledging just how fast change is accelerating. Munro points to the explosive growth of technologies like artificial intelligence, automation, and machine learning.“It's not just that things are changing—it's that the change itself is speeding up,” she explains. “Six months ago, no one was talking about ChatGPT. Now it's passing bar exams and accounting qualifications.”For finance professionals, that pace of change means one thing: roles are evolving rapidly. Traditional tasks like data entry, reconciliations, and basic reporting are being automated. Munro warns that anything transactional is at risk.

Hall of Fame leaders share the lessons, mistakes, and trends shaping the future of firm growth.Gear Up For GrowthWith Jean CaragherFor CPA TrendlinesIn a special episode of Gear Up for Growth, four Hall of Fame members from the Association for Accounting Marketing (AAM) reunite to reflect on how accounting marketing evolves—and to deliver advice for today's growth leaders.Host Jean Caragher, president of Capstone Marketing, is joined by Brian Falony, retired accounting marketing executive; Allan Koltin, CEO of Koltin Consulting Group and facilitator; Mitchell Reno, principal and director of client experience at Rehmann; and Michelle River, CEO of Fore, LLC.  Gear Up for Growth spotlights the best strategies for smart and efficient growth in today's competitive landscape. More Gear Up for Growth every Friday here | More Jean Caragher here | Get her best-selling handbook, The 90-Day Marketing Plan for CPA Firms, here | More CPA Trendlines videos and podcasts here Together, they look back at how the profession has transformed over 35 years—and look ahead to what firms must do to survive and thrive in a radically different marketplace.The conversation opens with reflections on the early days of accounting marketing, when firm growth largely depended on partner relationships and marketing was often misunderstood. Falony recalls launching marketing strategies before the internet even existed, while Caragher shares her early efforts to win buy-in from skeptical partners who viewed marketing with suspicion.

Shaky markets. Panicky clients. Accountants, it's your time to shine.  Accounting ARCWith Liz MasonCenter for Accounting TransformationPresident Donald Trump's tariff announcement has sent shockwaves through the business community—and accountants are on the frontlines of the fallout. In the latest Accounting ARC podcast, Liz Mason, CPA, and Ron Baker, CPA (inactive), analyze the implications of Trump's decision to impose a 10% blanket tariff on all imports, alongside a dramatic 54% tariff on goods from China.  MORE Accounting ARC: Crypto, Cash, or Chaos? The Fallout of an IRS-Free America | Is Agentic AI a Game Changer or Game Ender? | Kelly Mann: Thriving Against All Odds | Are We Ready for the Hidden Risks of AI in Accounting? | The Research Imperative: Why Data Drives Accounting Success | How Coaching Can Unlock Professional Success | Demystifying Accounting Governance |  Top 10 Red Flags to Watch for in Accounting Offices | Jeremy Dubow: Private Equity as a Catalyst for Growth | Break the Burnout Cycle in Accounting | Accounting in Transition: 2024 Reflections & the Road Ahead "Tariffs are taxes—plain and simple," says Mason, CEO of  High Rock Accounting. "And businesses need to prepare for those costs to flow straight to consumers." The decision, justified under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, aims to curb the U.S. trade deficit. Yet Baker, founder of the VeraSage Institute and radio co-host of the www.VoiceAmerica.com show: The Soul of Enterprise: Business in the Knowledge Economy, warns of potential unintended consequences. “Protectionism historically leads to retaliation, and that's bad news for everyone,” he notes. 

Unlock the full value of charitable contributions with one of the tax code's most underused tools.Quick Tax TipWith Art WernerCPE TodayWhat if you could give more, support your favorite causes for years to come, and still walk away with a sizable tax deduction—all in one smart move?Click here for more Art WernerThat's the opportunity donor-advised funds (DAFs) present, and the latest Quick Tax Tip brings clarity to a concept many donors and advisors overlook.“A donor-advised fund, by itself, is a charity,” Werner explains. “But the contribution we make to it is deductible within IRS limits—and what's really nice is you can lump your giving up front and spread it out over time.”For donors who no longer itemize due to the increased standard deduction post-TCJA, this opens the door to reclaiming lost tax benefits. Instead of giving $5,000 a year and missing out on deductions, you could contribute $50,000 in one year to a DAF—claim your deduction—then direct that money to charities over a decade.

The real value of accounting isn't in the numbers but in the conversations we're not having.The DisruptorsWith Liz FarrLiz Scott, like many other Disruptors, prefers keeping her firm small. “I did try and grow my firm to this million-dollar firm. And I found myself in a spot where I was managing 10 team members, and that's all that I had time for,” she recalls. “So I wasn't able to do the thing that I actually really love, which is the tech development. I love that piece.”MORE PODCASTS and VIDEOS: Ashley Francis: AI's a Partner, Not a Replacement | Richard Roppa-Roberts: Collaboration Over Competition | Ira Rosenbloom: M&A Numbers Are Easy - Culture Fit Is Hard | Roman Villard: Ditch the Suit & Shine | Monique Swansen: Align Firm Values with Services | Tina McGill: How to Create Lasting Client Impact | Stefan van Duyvendijk: Develop Operational Mindset | Steve Evans: Why Traditional Hiring Methods Fail | Roger Knecht: Can You Be an Accountrepreneur? | Beth Whitworth: Focus on Outcomes Not Hours |Mike Sylvester: Learn to Say No | Salim Omar: Identify Your Client's $100,000 Problem | Jackie Meyer: Earn More with Fewer Clients | Jack Fleherty: Don't Be a 'Yes' Person | Greg Adams: From Finance to Storytelling | The DisruptorsHer firm, Accounting Lifeline, serves as an incubator across various industries and technologies so she and her team can test different apps. At the same time, the consulting side of her business, Liz Scott Training and Consulting, dives in deeper to spend time testing apps and giving feedback to developers.Scott was attracted to accounting because she wanted to help other entrepreneurs in her family understand and grow their bottom lines. “If you're going to be spending time working, how do you maximize your efforts? So how can you make the most money in the least amount of time?”