Podcast appearances and mentions of blake oliver

What happens when AI decides who gets promoted and who gets fired? Blake and David dive into the shocking reality that 60% of managers now use AI for HR decisions, with over 20% letting algorithms make final calls without human oversight. They explore a Stanford study revealing that tax preparers are the #1 profession seeking automation, but only for basic calendar scheduling. Plus, discover why young Americans now rank health over wealth as their top measure of success, and how this generational shift is reshaping talent recruitment in accounting.SponsorsCloud Accountant Staffing - http://accountingpodcast.promo/casKeeper - http://accountingpodcast.promo/keeperChapters(01:27) - Tax Prom: The Must-Attend Event (04:15) - AI in HR: Promotions and Firings (08:48) - AI in the Workplace: Automation and Worker Preferences (13:32) - AI Adoption and Security Concerns (18:21) - AI Training and Education in Firms (24:01) - Armanino's New AI-Powered Data Warehouse (33:07) - The Annoying Know-It-All Employee (33:18) - The Perfect AI Assistant (35:48) - Young People's Values on Success (38:55) - Global Perspectives on Success (41:23) - The Talent Shortage in Accounting (43:10) - Unlimited PTO and Burnout (46:53) - Tariffs Update (50:42) - The Big Beautiful Bill (01:03:52) - IRS Staffing Cuts and Refund Delays (01:08:26) - Conclusion and CPE Information  Show Notes  Half of Managers Use AI To Determine Who Gets Promoted and Firedhttps://www.resumebuilder.com/half-of-managers-use-ai-to-determine-who-gets-promoted-and-fired/Future of Work with AI Agentshttps://futureofwork.saltlab.stanford.edu/Future of Work with AI Agents: Auditing Automation and Augmentation Potential across the U.S. Workforce https://arxiv.org/abs/2506.06576 What workers really want from artificial intelligence https://hai.stanford.edu/news/what-workers-really-want-from-artificial-intelligence Big 4 Firm Discovers That Bragging About AI Efficiencies Leads Clients to Expect a Discounthttps://www.goingconcern.com/big-4-firm-discovers-that-bragging-about-ai-efficiencies-leads-clients-to-expect-a-discount/ Monday Morning Accounting News Brief: PwC Clients Ask For an AI Discount; Big 4 Firms Losing Hundreds of Partners https://www.goingconcern.com/monday-morning-accounting-news-brief-pwc-clients-ask-for-an-ai-discount-big-4-firms-losing-hundreds-of-partners-6-30-25/ Armanino planning data warehouse service, used AI for development https://www.accountingtoday.com/news/armanino-planning-data-warehouse-service-used-ai-to-help-development Bolt's millennial founder has just ‘killed' its unlimited PTO perk because it was actually causing burnout https://fortune.com/2025/07/02/bolt-millennial-founder-ceo-ryan-breslow-killed-unlimited-pto-burnout-mandatory-four-weeks-paid-vacation-fintech-startup/ Agentic Misalignment: AI Agents in Corporate Environmentshttps://www.anthropic.com/research/agentic-misalignment Relationships, health and financial stability are the defining priorities for Gen Z, according to new EY survey https://www.ey.com/en_gl/newsroom/2025/05/relationships-health-and-financial-stability-are-the-defining-priorities-for-gen-z-according-to-new-ey-survey 2025 Technology Perceptions Survey https://www.intapp.com/2025-tech-perceptions-survey/ Trust, attitudes and use of artificial intelligence https://kpmg.com/us/en/articles/2025/trust-attitudes-and-use-of-artificial-intelligence.html Tax Foundation Tax Prom 2025 https://taxprom.comNeed CPE?Get CPE for listening to podcasts with Earmark: https://earmarkcpe.comSubscribe to the Earmark Podcast: https://podcast.earmarkcpe.comGet in TouchThanks for listening and the great reviews! We appreciate you! Follow and tweet @BlakeTOliver and @DavidLeary. Find us on Facebook and Instagram. If you like what you hear, please do us a favor and write a review on Apple Podcasts or Podchaser. Call us and leave a voicemail; maybe we'll play it on the show. DIAL (202) 695-1040.SponsorshipsAre you interested in sponsoring The Accounting Podcast? For details, read the prospectus.Need Accounting Conference Info? Check out our new website - accountingconferences.comLimited edition shirts, stickers, and other necessitiesTeePublic Store: http://cloudacctpod.link/merchSubscribeApple Podcasts: http://cloudacctpod.link/ApplePodcastsYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheAccountingPodcastSpotify: http://cloudacctpod.link/SpotifyPodchaser: http://cloudacctpod.link/podchaserStitcher: http://cloudacctpod.link/StitcherOvercast: http://cloudacctpod.link/OvercastClassifiedsREFRAME 2025 - http://accountingpodcast.promo/reframe2025Want to get the word out about your newsletter, webinar, party, Facebo...

What happens when a homeless 21-year-old musician transforms into a financial leader negotiating $20 billion deals at Google? Devon Coombs shares his remarkable journey from living in his car after his recording studio failed to becoming an ASC 606 revenue recognition expert who helped shape multibillion-dollar cloud contracts. You'll discover how he leveraged technical accounting expertise to leapfrog traditional career paths, why he cold-called a thousand controllers as a first-year auditor, and his predictions for how AI will transform accountants into "orchestrators" rather than individual contributors. Plus, learn why he's leaving Google to build a consulting practice focused on helping the profession adapt to an AI-driven future.Chapters(00:54) - Devon's Early Struggles and Music Industry Journey (02:59) - Transition to Accounting and Education (04:52) - Challenges and Lessons from the Recording Studio (06:58) - Impact of Automation and AI on Careers (12:59) - Devon's Path to Success in Accounting (17:59) - Early Career at Deloitte and Winning Business (22:45) - Transition to Smaller Firm and ASC 606 Insights (25:36) - Deep Dive into ASC 606 (28:06) - Becoming an Expert in ASC 606 (31:13) - Transition to Google and Work-Life Balance (34:18) - Negotiating Billion-Dollar Deals at Google (37:45) - The Role of AI in Accounting (48:20) - Leaving Google for Principal Consulting Group (51:49) - Conclusion and Future Collaborations Sign up to get free CPE for listening to this podcasthttps://earmarkcpe.comhttps://earmark.app/Download the Earmark CPE App Apple: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/earmark-cpe/id1562599728Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.earmarkcpe.appConnect with Our Guest, Devon CoombsLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/devoncoombs/Website: https://www.devoncoombs.com/Connect with Blake Oliver, CPALinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/blaketoliverTwitter: https://twitter.com/blaketoliver/

What happens when AI agents promise to transform accounting but create more cognitive burden than productivity gains? Blake and David explore the reality behind the AI agent hype as QuickBooks, Digits, and Big Four firms launch their "digital teammates." They also dig into Xero's massive $2.5 billion acquisition of Melio and what it means for the payments landscape. You'll learn why managing AI agents might be like managing offshore contractors—you wake up to work that's 80% done but everyone has questions. Plus, they discuss how external investors are reshaping the profession, why traditional CPA protections might go the way of car dealership laws, and the ongoing problems with audit quality enforcement despite millions in PCAOB fines.Sponsors Cloud Accountant Staffing - http://accountingpodcast.promo/cas Human at Scale - http://accountingpodcast.promo/humanChapters(00:00) - Introduction and Welcome (00:42) - David's Return and Big News (01:01) - The Acquisition of Emilio by Xero (01:33) - Implications of the Acquisition (04:52) - David's Journey with Bill Pay Solutions (06:42) - Emilio's Unique Features and Market Impact (10:47) - Xero's New Features and Updates (20:56) - QuickBooks AI Agents: A Game Changer? (31:21) - Digits AI Agents and Their Potential (36:59) - Big Firms Investing in AI (39:48) - Managing AI Agents: The New Workforce (41:09) - Cognitive Load and Productivity Limits (42:45) - Infinite Workdays and AI's Role (44:48) - AI in Accounting: Potential and Pitfalls (46:30) - AI Spending Trends and Future Outlook (47:18) - Building AI Workflows and Multi-Agent Systems (50:40) - Big Four and AI Integration (52:11) - AI-Powered Pricing and Payment Solutions (58:06) - VC-Backed AI Rollups in Accounting (01:01:47) - Regulatory Challenges and Industry Changes (01:09:10) - Audit Quality and PCAOB Fines (01:18:51) - Conclusion and CPE Information  Show NotesXero to acquire Melio, a leading US SMB bill pay solution, to accelerate global growth https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/xero-to-acquire-melio-a-leading-us-smb-bill-pay-solution-to-accelerate-global-growth-302490268.htmlNew Zealand's Xero to buy US fintech Melio for up to $3 billion | Reutershttps://www.reuters.com/legal/transactional/australia-listed-xero-acquire-fintech-melio-over-25-billion-deal-2025-06-24/Intuit Introduces Ground-Breaking Virtual Team of AI Agents to Fuel Growth for Businesses https://investors.intuit.com/news-events/press-releases/detail/1258/intuit-introduces-ground-breaking-virtual-team-of-ai-agents-to-fuel-growth-for-businessesIntuit debuts AI agents for QuickBooks | Accounting Today https://www.accountingtoday.com/news/intuit-debuts-ai-agents-for-quickbooksHow AI is improving accounting efficiency – without replacing jobs | Stanford Report https://news.stanford.edu/stories/2025/06/ai-accounting-bookkeeping-benefits-jobsAI Is Reshaping Accounting Jobs by Doing the "Boring" Stuff | Stanford Graduate School of Business https://www.gsb.stanford.edu/insights/ai-reshaping-accounting-jobs-doing-boring-stuffPCAOB fines Deloitte, PwC, EY Netherlands member firms for exam misconduct | Accounting Todayhttps://www.accountingtoday.com/news/pcaob-fines-deloitte-pwc-ey-netherlands-member-firms-for-exam-misconductPCAOB Imposes Fines Totaling $8.5 Million on Netherlands Member Firms of Deloitte, PwC, and EY After Widespread Exam Misconduct https://pcaobus.org/news-events/news-releases/news-release-detail/pcaob-imposes-fines-totaling--8.5-million-on-netherlands-member-firms-of-deloitte--pwc--and-ey-after-widespread-exam-misconductHow an Accounting Change Hit Store Prices - UCLA Anderson Review https://anderson-review.ucla.edu/how-an-accounting-change-hit-store-pricesNeed CPE?Get CPE for listening to podcasts with Earmark: https://earmarkcpe.comSubscribe to the Earmark Podcast: https://podcast.earmarkcpe.comGet in TouchThanks for listening and the great reviews! We appreciate you! Follow and tweet @BlakeTOliver and @DavidLeary. Find us on Facebook and Instagram. If you like what you hear, please do us a favor and write a review on Apple Podcasts or Podchaser. Call us and leave a voicemail; maybe we'll play it on the show. DIAL (202) 695-1040.SponsorshipsAre you interested in sponsoring The Accounting Podcast? For details, read the prospectus.Need Accounting Conference Info? Check out our new website - accountingconferences.comLimited edition shirts, stickers, and other necessitiesTeePublic Store: http://cloudacctpod.link/merchSubscribeApple Podcasts: http://cloudacctpod.link/ApplePodcastsYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheAccountingPodcastSpotify: http://cloudacctpod.link/SpotifyPodchaser: http://cloudacctpod.link/podchaserStitcher: http://cloudacctpod.link/StitcherOvercast: http://cloudacctpod.link/OvercastClassifiedsREFRAME 2025 -

Small businesses offering 401(k) plans see 40% lower employee turnover in the first year, yet only 10% receive benefits guidance from their accountants. Justin Kurn explains how Dark Horse CPAs identifies the right triggers, such as growing staff or high turnover, to initiate benefits conversations. Meanwhile, Julia Miller from Gusto breaks down how accountants can help clients navigate the cost and complexity of offering health insurance, retirement plans, and other benefits. The conversation reveals how positioning yourself as a benefits advisor can double or triple your fees while helping clients attract better talent and reduce costly employee churn.Learn more about Gusto https://gusto.com/product/benefitsChapters(00:56) - Meet Our Guests (01:26) - The Growth Story: Dark Horse CPAs' Success (02:04) - Advisory First Approach: Transforming Client Relationships (03:38) - Gusto's Role in Benefits: An Overview (07:37) - Challenges and Solutions: Small Businesses Offering Benefits (10:25) - The Cost and Complexity of Benefits: Breaking It Down (15:00) - Advisory Conversations: Identifying Client Needs (19:23) - Gusto's Support for Accountants: Tools and Resources (25:43) - Affordability and Competitive Advantage (26:40) - Partnering with Gusto for Benefits (28:19) - Gusto's Software Solutions (29:12) - Client Experiences with Gusto (29:52) - Gusto's User-Friendly Platform (39:10) - Implementation and Timeline (47:42) - Increasing Revenue through Advisory Services (49:52) - Conclusion and Final Thoughts Sign up to get free CPE for listening to this podcasthttps://earmarkcpe.comhttps://earmark.app/Download the Earmark CPE App Apple: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/earmark-cpe/id1562599728Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.earmarkcpe.appConnect with Our Guests:Julia MillerLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julia-g-millerJustin KurnLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/justinkurnWebsite: https://darkhorse.cpa/justin-kurn-cro/Connect with Blake Oliver, CPALinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/blaketoliverTwitter: https://twitter.com/blaketoliver/

What happens when 19 states simultaneously abandon the 150-hour CPA requirement while tariffs create unprecedented uncertainty for CFOs? Blake and CFO.com reporter Adam Zaki explore the rapid transformation of CPA licensure—from New York's recent changes to the coordinated state-by-state rollout that followed Barry Melancon's AICPA retirement. You'll discover how political and economic volatility is driving demand for accounting services, why the PCAOB may disappear in the Senate's tax bill, and how AI is reshaping audit teams while raising questions about the future value of CPAs. Plus, insights on navigating everything from reciprocal tariffs to the SEC's new chief accountant.Sponsors Cloud Accountant Staffing - http://accountingpodcast.promo/cas Human at Scale - http://accountingpodcast.promo/humanChapters(01:38) - Tariffs and Their Impact on CFOs (03:19) - Supreme Court and Tariff Legalities (05:47) - Economic Impact of Tariffs and Inflation (08:09) - Geopolitical Conflicts and Economic Uncertainty (11:17) - Federal Reserve and Economic Policies (18:51) - CPA Pipeline and 150 Hour Rule Changes (33:08) - Chief Accountant at the SEC (40:11) - Smart Moves by Congress: Nonprofit Pay Scales (40:44) - The Impact of Budget Cuts on PCAOB (41:34) - Challenges in Government Oversight (42:02) - Senate's Big Bill: Key Changes and Controversies (46:25) - Tax Implications and Political Dynamics (52:42) - Business Deductions and Higher Education (55:40) - AI in Accounting: Transforming the Big Four (57:37) - The Future of Accounting Education (01:02:10) - AI's Role in Auditing and the Future Workforce (01:05:19) - The Impact of Automation on Jobs and Society (01:15:48) - Concluding Thoughts and Future Outlook  Show NotesSupreme Court Challenge to Trump Tariffs by Toy Companies https://www.reuters.com/legal/supreme-court-trump-tariffs-toy-companies-challengeConsumer Price Index Impact of Current Tariffs https://www.bls.gov/news.release/cpi.nr0.htmNew York State CPA Licensure Reform Legislation https://www.nysscpa.org/news/publications/the-trusted-professional/article/new-york-cpa-licensure-reform-passes-legislaturePennsylvania CPA Pathway Bill Senate Approval https://www.picpa.org/articles/advocacy/cpa-pathway-legislation-senate-approvalMaine CPA Exam Requirements Change https://www.maine.gov/pfr/professionallicensing/professions/accountants/cpa-exam-requirementsCFO.com State-by-State CPA Licensure Tracker https://www.cfo.com/news/cpa-licensure-changes-state-tracker-2025Kurt Hoel Appointed SEC Chief Accountant https://www.sec.gov/news/press-release/2025-89AICPA Barry Melancon Retirement Impact Analysis https://www.journalofaccountancy.com/news/2025/01/melancon-retirement-cpa-pipeline-changesSenate Modifications to Big Beautiful Bill https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/1/actionsAvalara 2025 Accountants Confidence Report https://www.avalara.com/us/en/resources/reports/2025-accountants-confidence-reportPCAOB Elimination Implications Analysis https://www.pcaobus.org/oversight/inspections/implications-elimination-analysisKPMG Clara AI Audit Platform Interview https://www.cfo.com/news/kpmg-thomas-mackenzie-clara-ai-audit-interviewPwC USA Tax Leader Agentic AI Implementation https://www.cfo.com/news/pwc-tax-agentic-ai-implementation-2025Bill.com Small Business Paperless Survey 2030 https://www.bill.com/resources/small-business-paperless-2030-surveyUniversal Technical Institute CFO Interview https://www.cfo.com/news/uti-cfo-future-higher-education-interviewNeed CPE?Get CPE for listening to podcasts with Earmark: https://earmarkcpe.comSubscribe to the Earmark Podcast: https://podcast.earmarkcpe.comLearn more about Adam Zaki: Website: https://www.cfo.com/editors/azaki/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamzakinycGet in TouchThanks for listening and the great reviews! We appreciate you! Follow and tweet @BlakeTOliver and @DavidLeary. Find us on Facebook and Instagram. If you like what you hear, please do us a favor and write a review on Apple Podcasts or Podchaser. Call us and leave a voicemail; maybe we'll play it on the show. DIAL (202) 695-1040.SponsorshipsAre you interested in sponsoring The Accounting Podcast? For details, read the prospectus.Need Accounting Conference Info? Check out our new website - accountingconferences.comLimited edition shirts, stickers, and other necessitiesTeePublic Store: http://cloudacctpod.link/merchSubscribeApple Podcasts: http://cloudacctpod.link/ApplePodcastsYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheAccountingPodcastSpotify: http://cloudacctpod.link/SpotifyPodchaser: http://clo...

What if the foundation of financial accounting is fundamentally flawed? Tom Selling, author of The Accounting Onion blog, argues that historical cost accounting creates a "truth in labeling problem" that allows management to manipulate earnings while failing to capture economic reality. Through compelling examples from oil and gas, pharmaceuticals, and subscription businesses, he explains why value creation often occurs years before GAAP recognizes a single dollar of revenue. You'll discover how a $2 change in expected cash flows can trigger a $400,000 impairment loss, why the FASB shifted focus from earnings to balance sheets, and how current corporate governance essentially lets management "grade their own papers." This conversation challenges core assumptions about what accounting should measure and offers a provocative vision for reform.Chapters(01:21) - The Myth of Honest Financial Accounting (02:28) - Management Gaming the System (03:22) - Historical Cost Accounting Explained (05:44) - Examples of Manipulation and the Enron Scandal (09:16) - Impairment and Depreciation Issues (13:26) - Alternatives to Historical Cost Accounting (20:59) - The Disconnect in Value Recognition (25:08) - R&D Expenses and Unrecognized Assets (25:39) - Challenges in Valuation and Accounting (27:08) - Measuring Assets and Liabilities (28:09) - Industry-Specific Accounting Limitations (31:08) - The Role of Transparency in Accounting (34:12) - Subscription Businesses and Revenue Recognition (44:22) - The Problem with Estimates and Auditing (48:18) - Conclusion and Summary Sign up to get free CPE for listening to this podcasthttps://earmarkcpe.comhttps://earmark.app/Download the Earmark CPE App Apple: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/earmark-cpe/id1562599728Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.earmarkcpe.appConnect with Our Guest, Tom SellingThe Accounting Onion: http://accountingonion.comConnect with Blake Oliver, CPALinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/blaketoliverTwitter: https://twitter.com/blaketoliver/

What happens when venture capitalists spend billions on AI but need customers to buy it? In this episode, Blake and David explore how investment firms are now purchasing accounting firms to force-feed AI adoption, comparing it to Pepsi buying restaurants to sell more soda. They also dig into the massive gap between AI promises and reality, questioning bold claims that 80% of tax prep is now automated while basic bookkeeping tools still make obvious errors. You'll learn about the AICPA's surprising neutrality on eliminating the PCAOB, Billy Long's confirmation as IRS commissioner despite his controversial past, and why accountant optimism has plummeted 58 points in just four months. Plus, discover how Miley Cyrus hid drug purchases from her accountant and why audit reports get downloaded only 30 times despite millions of investors.SponsorsOnPay - http://accountingpodcast.promo/onpayRelay - http://accountingpodcast.promo/relay Keeper - http://accountingpodcast.promo/keeperPayhawk - http://accountingpodcast.promo/payhawkChapters(00:57) - Updates from AICPA Engage (01:45) - AI in Accounting: Hype vs Reality (03:38) - The Future of the PCAOB (13:52) - The Role of Technology in Accounting (29:15) - Miley Cyrus' Financial Deception (29:56) - Miley Cyrus' Vintage Clothing Purchases (30:32) - Accountant's Responsibility in Client Purchases (32:11) - Billy Long Confirmed as IRS Commissioner (33:03) - Controversial Tribal Tax Credits (36:51) - Elon Musk's Opposition to the Big Beautiful Bill (46:06) - Accounting Firms' Optimism and AI Adoption (49:29) - Conclusion and Sponsor Messages  Show NotesCPAacademy 2025 AI and Accounting Report https://www.cpaacademy.org/resources/ai-accounting-report-2025How to Reimagine Audit Quality Beyond the PCAOB https://www.cpajournal.com/2025/01/15/reimagining-audit-quality-beyond-pcaob/Inflow Survey: 70% of US Businesses Open to Switching Audit Firms https://www.inflowaudit.com/resources/audit-firm-switching-survey-2025Gian Porzio LinkedIn Post on Tribal Tax Credit Investigation https://www.linkedin.com/posts/gianporzio_tribal-tax-credits-investigation-billy-longEconomist-YouGov Poll on Big Beautiful Bill Public Opinion https://www.economist.com/graphic-detail/2025/06/13/americans-support-musk-criticism-trump-tax-billCBO Analysis of Big Beautiful Bill Wealth Transfer Effects https://www.cbo.gov/publication/61234Avalara 2025 Accountants Confidence Report https://www.avalara.com/us/en/resources/reports/2025-accountants-confidence-report.htmlCenter for Audit Quality Audit Partner Pulse Survey https://www.thecaq.org/audit-partner-pulse-survey-2025European Business Travel to US Drops 25% in April https://www.businesstravelnews.com/Management/European-Business-Travel-US-Drops-Tariff-ConcernsXero 2025 State of the Industry Report https://www.xero.com/us/resources/small-business-insights/state-of-industry-report-2025/Indiana CPA Society Survey on Firm Headcount Predictions https://www.incpas.org/resources/surveys/firm-headcount-predictions-2025BDO $1 Billion AI Strategy Investment Announcement https://www.bdo.com/insights/business-financial-advisory/technology/bdo-ai-strategy-investmentRSM $1 Billion AI Investment Plan https://rsmus.com/insights/rsm-ai-investment-strategy-2025Create Professional Alliance CPA $500 Million Investment Plan https://www.createprofessionalalliance.com/investment-strategyThrive Capital $1 Billion OpenAI Investment Details https://www.techcrunch.com/2024/08/15/thrive-capital-openai-investment-billionGeneral Catalyst Accrual AI Startup and Accounting Firm Acquisitions https://www.generalcatalyst.com/portfolio/accrual-ai-accounting-vertical-integrationNeed CPE?Get CPE for listening to podcasts with Earmark: https://earmarkcpe.comSubscribe to the Earmark Podcast: https://podcast.earmarkcpe.comGet in TouchThanks for listening and the great reviews! We appreciate you! Follow and tweet @BlakeTOliver and @DavidLeary. Find us on Facebook and Instagram. If you like what you hear, please do us a favor and write a review on Apple Podcasts or Podchaser. Call us and leave a voicemail; maybe we'll play it on the show. DIAL (202) 695-1040.SponsorshipsAre you interested in sponsoring The Accounting Podcast? For details, read the prospectus.Need Accounting Conference Info? Check out our new website - accountingconferences.comLimited edition shirts, stickers, and other necessitiesTeePublic Store: http://cloudacctpod.link/merchSubscribeApple Podcasts: http://cloudacctpod.link/ApplePodcastsYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheAccountingPodcastSpotify: http://cl...

Live from the Sage Future conference in Atlanta, Aaron Harris, CTO of Sage, joins Blake and David to explain why he wants to completely eliminate the financial close rather than just make it faster. Harris breaks down the three waves of AI transformation in accounting—from task-based automation to generative AI to fully autonomous agents—and reveals how Sage is building custom language models trained specifically on accounting principles with the AICPA. He also discusses the psychology of trust between CFOs and AI systems, introduces Sage's new AI transparency labels, and explains why his company is taking a more cautious approach than competitors like Intuit when deploying autonomous agents.Meet Our Guest, Aaron Harris, CTO, SageLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aaron-harris-7407b2/Website: https://www.sageintacct.com/leadership/aaron-harrisX: https://x.com/AaronRHarrisLearn more about Sagehttps://www.sage.com/Need CPE?Get CPE for listening to podcasts with Earmark: https://earmarkcpe.comSubscribe to the Earmark Podcast: https://podcast.earmarkcpe.comGet in TouchThanks for listening and the great reviews! We appreciate you! Follow and tweet @BlakeTOliver and @DavidLeary. Find us on Facebook and Instagram. If you like what you hear, please do us a favor and write a review on Apple Podcasts or Podchaser. Call us and leave a voicemail; maybe we'll play it on the show. DIAL (202) 695-1040.SponsorshipsAre you interested in sponsoring The Accounting Podcast? For details, read the prospectus.Need Accounting Conference Info? Check out our new website - accountingconferences.comLimited edition shirts, stickers, and other necessitiesTeePublic Store: http://cloudacctpod.link/merchSubscribeApple Podcasts: http://cloudacctpod.link/ApplePodcastsYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheAccountingPodcastSpotify: http://cloudacctpod.link/SpotifyPodchaser: http://cloudacctpod.link/podchaserStitcher: http://cloudacctpod.link/StitcherOvercast: http://cloudacctpod.link/OvercastClassifiedsWant to get the word out about your newsletter, webinar, party, Facebook group, podcast, e-book, job posting, or that fancy Excel macro you just created? Let the listeners of The Accounting Podcast know by running a classified ad. Go here to create your classified ad: https://cloudacctpod.link/RunClassifiedAdTranscriptsThe full transcript for this episode is available by clicking on the Transcript tab at the top of this page

Blake and David return from Sage Future 2025 with insights into how AI is reshaping accounting—from eliminating the financial close to real-world use cases. They also cover Elon Musk and Donald Trump's public breakup, the latest in Deel's corporate spying allegations, Deloitte's unapologetically intense work-life balance ad, and a billion-dollar “AI” startup that turned out to be powered by humans.SponsorsOnPay - http://accountingpodcast.promo/onpayKeeper - http://accountingpodcast.promo/keeperTeamUp - http://accountingpodcast.promo/teamup Payhawk - http://accountingpodcast.promo/payhawkChapters(00:00) - Welcome to The Accounting Podcast (01:02) - AI in Accounting: Real-World Examples (05:08) - Sage Intacct Roadmap and AI Innovations (12:02) - AI's Impact on Accounting Jobs (18:33) - AI in Auditing: Tools and Trends (26:54) - Internal Audit and AI Adoption (32:36) - Elon Musk and Donald Trump Fallout (35:43) - Impact of Tariffs and Political Alliances (37:03) - Rippling vs. Deel: Allegations and Legal Battles (40:45) - Deloitte's Work-Life Balance Ad Controversy (43:10) - Accounting Profession's Retention and Salary Issues (46:43) - CPA Title Removal Debate (49:23) - 150-Hour Rule and Master's Degree Debate (52:56) - Trump-Musk Fallout and Its Implications (01:01:07) - Alliant Group and IRS Commissioner Controversy (01:05:14) - AI Startup Fraud Exposed (01:07:08) - Conclusion and Announcements  Show NotesComing soon!Need CPE?Get CPE for listening to podcasts with Earmark: https://earmarkcpe.comSubscribe to the Earmark Podcast: https://podcast.earmarkcpe.comGet in TouchThanks for listening and the great reviews! We appreciate you! Follow and tweet @BlakeTOliver and @DavidLeary. Find us on Facebook and Instagram. If you like what you hear, please do us a favor and write a review on Apple Podcasts or Podchaser. Call us and leave a voicemail; maybe we'll play it on the show. DIAL (202) 695-1040.SponsorshipsAre you interested in sponsoring The Accounting Podcast? For details, read the prospectus.Need Accounting Conference Info? Check out our new website - accountingconferences.comLimited edition shirts, stickers, and other necessitiesTeePublic Store: http://cloudacctpod.link/merchSubscribeApple Podcasts: http://cloudacctpod.link/ApplePodcastsYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheAccountingPodcastSpotify: http://cloudacctpod.link/SpotifyPodchaser: http://cloudacctpod.link/podchaserStitcher: http://cloudacctpod.link/StitcherOvercast: http://cloudacctpod.link/OvercastClassifiedsREFRAME 2025 - http://accountingpodcast.promo/reframe2025Want to get the word out about your newsletter, webinar, party, Facebook group, podcast, e-book, job posting, or that fancy Excel macro you just created? Let the listeners of The Accounting Podcast know by running a classified ad. Go here to create your classified ad: https://cloudacctpod.link/RunClassifiedAdTranscriptsThe full transcript for this episode is available by clicking on the Transcript tab at the top of this page

Earmark Media Presents a bonus episode of Earmark Podcast:  What happens when Congress votes to eliminate the watchdog that's overseen public company audits for two decades? In this episode, Blake Oliver sits down with three leading accounting academics—Maureen McNichols from Stanford, Nemit Shroff from MIT, and Daniel Aobdia from Penn State—to examine the research behind the PCAOB's effectiveness and what elimination could mean for audit quality. You'll discover why companies with clean audit inspections can raise capital more easily, how the infamous "40% deficiency rate" actually works, and why these researchers believe dismantling the PCAOB could undermine trust in U.S. capital markets. The conversation reveals the hidden economics of audit oversight and explains why there hasn't been a major public company fraud since Enron and WorldCom.Chapters(00:00) - Welcome to the Show (01:10) - Meet the Experts (02:59) - Discussion on PCAOB's Elimination (08:17) - Research Insights on PCAOB's Effectiveness (20:11) - Deficiency Rates and Audit Quality (24:50) - Economic Impact of Fraud and PCAOB's Role (25:20) - Regulatory Model of the PCAOB (25:59) - Incentive Structure and Audit Quality (26:59) - Inspection Deficiency Rates (28:54) - Restatement Rates vs. Deficiency Rates (30:23) - Auditor-Client Relationship Tensions (31:42) - Documentation Issues in Audits (35:15) - Effectiveness of PCAOB Inspections (37:49) - Impact of PCAOB on Financial Reporting Quality (40:33) - Potential Elimination of the PCAOB (44:00) - Conclusion and Final Thoughts Sign up to get free CPE for listening to this podcasthttps://earmarkcpe.comhttps://earmark.app/Download the Earmark CPE App Apple: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/earmark-cpe/id1562599728Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.earmarkcpe.appConnect with Our Guests:Maureen McNicholshttps://www.gsb.stanford.edu/faculty-research/faculty/maureen-mcnicholsNemit Shroffhttps://mitsloan.mit.edu/faculty/directory/nemit-shroffDaniel Aobdiahttps://directory.smeal.psu.edu/dza5396Connect with Blake Oliver, CPALinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/blaketoliverTwitter: https://twitter.com/blaketoliver/

What happens when a major newspaper publishes a summer reading list where only five of the 15 books actually exist? Blake and David explore this real example of AI-generated content gone wrong and what it means for accounting professionals who increasingly rely on automated tools. They break down QuickBooks' latest price increases, demonstrate how AI can now build complex consolidation spreadsheets in minutes, and discuss why Excel skills still outrank AI knowledge in finance hiring. Plus, they examine the legal challenges facing Trump's tariff policies, alternative CPA pathway expansion, and hear from accounting student Jason Farley about the dangerous gap between classroom education and real-world cloud accounting practice.SponsorsPayhawk - http://accountingpodcast.promo/payhawkKeeper - http://accountingpodcast.promo/keeper REFRAME 2025 - http://accountingpodcast.promo/reframe2025 TeamUp - http://accountingpodcast.promo/teamupChapters(00:48) - Summer Reading List Mishap (02:52) - AI and the Future of Fact-Checking (05:27) - AI Video Generators and Fake News (08:20) - QuickBooks and AI Pricing Debate (09:16) - Elon Musk and Government Efficiency (10:41) - The Big Beautiful Bill and Its Implications (18:29) - Tariffs and Trade Wars (39:48) - Excel vs AI in Finance (42:42) - The Rise of Excel: A Brief History (43:44) - Introducing Perplexity AI: A Versatile Tool (53:56) - Alternative CPA Pathways and Legislative Changes (55:07) - The Role of the PCAOB in Audit Quality (59:25) - Controversies Surrounding IRS Commissioner Nominee Billy Long (01:03:59) - The Future of Accounting Internships and Outsourcing (01:20:20) - Perplexity's Onboarding Process: Results and Insights (01:24:38) - Upcoming Conferences and Closing Remarks  Show NotesChicago Sun-Times fake summer reading list article https://www.chicagosuntimes.com/fake-summer-reading-list-2025South Carolina passes alternative CPA pathway legislation https://www.scstatehouse.gov/cpa-pathway-legislation-2025New Jersey alternative CPA pathway bill https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/bills/cpa-alternative-pathway-2025Oregon CPA licensure reform legislation https://www.oregonlegislature.gov/cpa-pathway-reform-2025Minnesota CPA education requirements change https://www.revisor.mn.gov/cpa-education-requirements-2025Illinois CPA pathway legislation https://www.ilga.gov/cpa-pathway-bill-2025Trump tariffs constitutional challenge court ruling https://www.reuters.com/legal/trump-tariffs-constitutional-challenge-2025Court of International Trade blocks global tariffs https://www.cit.uscourts.gov/trump-tariffs-ruling-2025International Emergency Economic Powers Act tariff authority https://www.treasury.gov/ieepa-tariff-authority-analysisPCAOB elimination provision in tax bill https://www.congress.gov/bill/pcaob-elimination-provisionBilly Long IRS Commissioner confirmation hearing https://www.finance.senate.gov/billy-long-confirmation-hearingBilly Long tribal tax credits promotion controversy https://www.irs.gov/tribal-tax-credits-fraud-warningFederal Tax Updates podcast with Danny Werfel https://federaltaxupdates.com/danny-werfel-interviewSolutions Magazine Excel vs AI survey https://solutionsmagazine.com/excel-ai-finance-survey-2025Microsoft Excel 40th anniversary analysis https://www.technologylab.com/excel-40-years-anniversaryQuickBooks pricing increases for AI features https://quickbooks.intuit.com/pricing-changes-ai-features-2025Puzzle AI accounting platform pricing https://puzzle.io/pricingDigits AI bookkeeping service costs https://digits.com/pricing-plansUplink AI bookkeeping pricing structure https://uplink.com/ai-bookkeeping-pricingAltman Dublin AI accounting company funding https://altman.ie/series-a-funding-announcementPerplexity Labs spreadsheet creation feature https://labs.perplexity.ai/spreadsheet-toolsMicrosoft Office bundling strategy vs Lotus 123https://www.computerhistory.org/excel-lotus-competitionMeet our Guest, Chayton FarleeLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chaytonfarlee/Need CPE?Get CPE for listening to podcasts with Earmark: https://earmarkcpe.comSubscribe to the Earmark Podcast: https://podcast.earmarkcpe.comGet in TouchThanks for listening and the great reviews! We appreciate you! Follow and tweet @BlakeTOliver and @DavidLeary. Find us on Facebook and Instagram. If you like what you hear, please do us a favor and write a review on Apple Podcasts or Podchaser. Call us and leave a voicemail; maybe we'll play it on the show. DIAL (202) 695-1040.SponsorshipsAre you interested in sponsoring The Accounting Podcast? For details, read the prospectus.Need Accounting Conference Info? Check out our new website -

What happens when Congress votes to eliminate the watchdog that's overseen public company audits for two decades? In this episode, Blake Oliver sits down with three leading accounting academics—Maureen McNichols from Stanford, Nemit Shroff from MIT, and Daniel Aobdia from Penn State—to examine the research behind the PCAOB's effectiveness and what elimination could mean for audit quality. You'll discover why companies with clean audit inspections can raise capital more easily, how the infamous "40% deficiency rate" actually works, and why these researchers believe dismantling the PCAOB could undermine trust in U.S. capital markets. The conversation reveals the hidden economics of audit oversight and explains why there hasn't been a major public company fraud since Enron and WorldCom.Chapters(00:49) - Legislation Impact on Audit Oversight (01:10) - Meet the Experts (02:59) - Discussion on PCAOB's Elimination (08:17) - Research Insights on PCAOB's Effectiveness (20:11) - Deficiency Rates and Audit Quality (24:50) - Economic Impact of Fraud and PCAOB's Role (25:20) - Regulatory Model of the PCAOB (25:59) - Incentive Structure and Audit Quality (26:59) - Inspection Deficiency Rates (28:54) - Restatement Rates vs. Deficiency Rates (30:23) - Auditor-Client Relationship Tensions (31:42) - Documentation Issues in Audits (35:15) - Effectiveness of PCAOB Inspections (37:49) - Impact of PCAOB on Financial Reporting Quality (40:33) - Potential Elimination of the PCAOB (44:00) - Conclusion and Final Thoughts Sign up to get free CPE for listening to this podcasthttps://earmarkcpe.comhttps://earmark.app/Download the Earmark CPE App Apple: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/earmark-cpe/id1562599728Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.earmarkcpe.appConnect with Our Guests:Maureen McNichols https://www.gsb.stanford.edu/faculty-research/faculty/maureen-mcnicholsNemit Shroffhttps://mitsloan.mit.edu/faculty/directory/nemit-shroffDaniel Aobdia https://directory.smeal.psu.edu/dza5396Connect with Blake Oliver, CPALinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/blaketoliverTwitter: https://twitter.com/blaketoliver/

How close are we to expense reports that create themselves? In this crossover episode recorded live at Emburse in Motion, Blake Oliver explores real-world AI implementation with Adriana Carpenter, CFO of Emburse, and Olga Pavlova from PizzaExpress. Discover how PizzaExpress manages 350+ restaurant locations using AI to automatically flag policy violations and detect hidden SaaS subscriptions buried in expense reports. You'll learn specific strategies for vendor consolidation that deliver immediate cost savings, plus hear Adriana's vision for AI agents that guide employees through policy compliance in real time. From keyword detection that prevents VAT errors to mobile-first expense reporting that's "quarters away, not years away," this episode reveals practical automation wins you can implement today.Meet Our Guests:Adriana CarpenterCFO, EmburseLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adriana-carpenter-487507a/Learn more about Embursehttps://www.emburse.com/company/about-emburseOlga Pavlova-Grebliauske FCCALinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/olga-pavlova-grebliauske-fcca-8a625470/Need CPE?Get CPE for listening to podcasts with Earmark: https://earmarkcpe.comSubscribe to the Earmark Podcast: https://podcast.earmarkcpe.comGet in TouchThanks for listening and the great reviews! We appreciate you! Follow and tweet @BlakeTOliver and @DavidLeary. Find us on Facebook and Instagram. If you like what you hear, please do us a favor and write a review on Apple Podcasts or Podchaser. Call us and leave a voicemail; maybe we'll play it on the show. DIAL (202) 695-1040.SponsorshipsAre you interested in sponsoring The Accounting Podcast? For details, read the prospectus.Need Accounting Conference Info? Check out our new website - accountingconferences.comLimited edition shirts, stickers, and other necessitiesTeePublic Store: http://cloudacctpod.link/merchSubscribeApple Podcasts: http://cloudacctpod.link/ApplePodcastsYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheAccountingPodcastSpotify: http://cloudacctpod.link/SpotifyPodchaser: http://cloudacctpod.link/podchaserStitcher: http://cloudacctpod.link/StitcherOvercast: http://cloudacctpod.link/OvercastClassifiedsWant to get the word out about your newsletter, webinar, party, Facebook group, podcast, e-book, job posting, or that fancy Excel macro you just created? Let the listeners of The Accounting Podcast know by running a classified ad. Go here to create your classified ad: https://cloudacctpod.link/RunClassifiedAdTranscriptsThe full transcript for this episode is available by clicking on the Transcript tab at the top of this page

What happens when Congress passes a $3.8 trillion deficit-increasing bill by just one vote while promising fiscal responsibility? Blake and David break down the "Big Beautiful Bill" and reveal who really benefits—spoiler alert: it's not the middle class or the national debt. They explore QuickBooks' aggressive new AI agents rollout with price hikes up to 17%, examine why Tesla's CPA CFO earned $139 million in one year, and uncover how tariff-stressed businesses are weaponizing invoice rejections to manage cash flow. You'll discover why the time-based billing model is fundamentally broken in accounting, learn about the emerging "Next 12" tier of accounting firms, and understand why partners work the most hours while achieving only 6.9/10 job satisfaction.Sponsors Relay - http://accountingpodcast.promo/relayTeamUp - http://accountingpodcast.promo/teamup REFRAME 2025 - http://accountingpodcast.promo/reframe2025 Payhawk - http://accountingpodcast.promo/payhawkChapters(00:44) - The Big Beautiful Bill Act Overview (03:13) - Public Perception and Survey Insights (04:51) - Tax Implications and Specific Provisions (19:24) - National Debt Concerns (29:35) - QuickBooks AI Agents and Price Increases (32:52) - AI and Automation in Accounting (33:52) - Intuit's Earnings and Stock Performance (34:53) - Price Increases for QuickBooks Products (36:53) - AI Agents and QuickBooks Plans (38:01) - Impact of AI on Accounting Apps (38:56) - Intuit Enterprise and Accountants' Role (39:28) - Reframe 2025 Conference (42:40) - Big Four Transparency and Work Hours (48:18) - Tariffs and Invoice Rejections (54:52) - Big Four vs. Next 12 Accounting Firms (01:00:48) - Conclusion and CPE Information  Show NotesDo Americans Support Trump's 'Big, Beautiful' Budget Package? What Poll Found Before it Passed in House https://www.cpapracticeadvisor.com/2025/05/22/do-americans-support-trumps-big-beautiful-budget-package-what-poll-found-before-it-passed-in-house/161567/ Tesla CFO earns staggering $139 million compensation package https://www.foxbusiness.com/markets/tesla-cfo-earns-staggering-139-million-compensation-package Tesla Exec Receives Record Pay Package, Highest Paid CFO https://www.entrepreneur.com/business-news/tesla-exec-receives-record-pay-package-highest-paid-cfo/491938 Tesla CFO Vaibhav Taneja draws record $139 million salary https://americanbazaaronline.com/2025/05/21/tesla-cfo-vaibhav-taneja-draws-record-139-million-salary-462881/ Big 4 Transparency - Awards Season https://big4transparency.beehiiv.com/p/big-4-transparency-awards-season Tariffs & Trade Uncertainty Creates Invoice Rejections Surge https://procurementmag.com/news/tariffs-trade-uncertainty-creates-invoice-rejections-surgeInvoice rejection spike suggests tactic's use as tariff buffer, study says https://www.cfodive.com/news/invoice-rejection-spike-suggests-tactics-use-as-tariff-buffer-study-says/748528/ Art of Accounting: Analysis of Top 100 Firms data https://www.accountingtoday.com/opinion/art-of-accounting-analysis-of-top-100-firms-data The corporate work week grows even longer https://www.cfo.com/news/the-corporate-work-week-grows-even-longer-survey-microsoft-reclaim-ai-/748628/ Need CPE?Get CPE for listening to podcasts with Earmark: https://earmarkcpe.comSubscribe to the Earmark Podcast: https://podcast.earmarkcpe.comGet in TouchThanks for listening and the great reviews! We appreciate you! Follow and tweet @BlakeTOliver and @DavidLeary. Find us on Facebook and Instagram. If you like what you hear, please do us a favor and write a review on Apple Podcasts or Podchaser. Call us and leave a voicemail; maybe we'll play it on the show. DIAL (202) 695-1040.SponsorshipsAre you interested in sponsoring the Cloud Accounting Podcast? For details, read the prospectus.Need Accounting Conference Info? Check out our new website - accountingconferences.comLimited edition shirts, stickers, and other necessitiesTeePublic Store: http://cloudacctpod.link/merchSubscribeApple Podcasts: http://cloudacctpod.link/ApplePodcastsYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheAccountingPodcastSpotify: http://cloudacctpod.link/SpotifyPodchaser: http://cloudacctpod.link/podchaserStitcher: http://cloudacctpod.link/StitcherOvercast: http://cloudacctpod.link/OvercastClassifiedsREFRAME 2025 - http://accountingpodcast.promo/reframe2025Want to get the word out about your newsletter, webinar, party, Facebook group, podcast, e-book, job posting, or that fancy Excel macro you just created? Let the listeners of The Accounting Podcast know by running...

What if private equity could transform accounting firms without sacrificing their independence? David Wurtzbacher, founder of Ascend, shares how his "anti-rollup" model allows firms to maintain their identities while accessing enterprise-level resources. Discover why transitioning firm leaders from client work to true CEO roles unlocks explosive growth, and how employee equity ownership creates alignment across organizations. With CPAs needing to be 2.7 times more productive by 2035, David reveals practical strategies for talent acquisition, business development, and technology that are helping mid-sized firms not just survive but thrive in an increasingly complex profession.Chapters(01:07) - Understanding Ascend's Vision (01:59) - Challenges in Public Accounting (08:24) - Lessons from the Dental Industry (17:13) - Ascend's Approach to Firm Integration (17:53) - Leadership and Culture in Accounting Firms (24:02) - Case Study: Transforming Firm Leadership (27:45) - Overcoming Overwhelm: Delegating Client Relationships (28:36) - The Importance of Carving Out Thinking Time (29:20) - Focusing on One Thing at a Time (29:53) - Talent Strategy and Acquisition Challenges (31:10) - Building an Irresistible Offer for Candidates (34:13) - Equity and Ownership in Ascend (37:17) - Business Development and Marketing Strategies (45:13) - The Role of Technology and AI in Accounting (50:36) - Conclusion and Contact Information Sign up to get free CPE for listening to this podcasthttps://earmarkcpe.comhttps://earmark.app/Download the Earmark CPE App Apple: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/earmark-cpe/id1562599728Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.earmarkcpe.appConnect with Our Guest, David WurtzbacherLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidwurtzbacher/Learn more about AscendWebsite: https://www.ascendtogether.com/Connect with Blake Oliver, CPALinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/blaketoliverTwitter: https://twitter.com/blaketoliver/

Could the Pope be on the hook for US taxes? As the first American elected Pope, Leo XIV faces an unusual conundrum under US citizenship rules. Meanwhile, Intuit's controversial new API pricing has developers reeling, and Hector Garcia joins the conversation to explain why this "tariff" threatens the entire QuickBooks ecosystem. Blake and David also examine how companies use foreign trade zones to dodge Trump's tariffs, unpack the AICPA's new CPA licensure model, and reveal shocking numbers on government fraud that could approach $1 trillion annually. Plus, discover why 99.99% of Trump Memecoin buyers lost money while just 58 wallets walked away with billions.Sponsors REFRAME 2025 - http://accountingpodcast.promo/reframe2025 TeamUp - http://accountingpodcast.promo/teamupBluevine - http://accountingpodcast.promo/bluevine (Bluevine is a financial technology company, not a bank. Banking Services provided by Coastal Community Bank, Member FDIC.) Payhawk - http://accountingpodcast.promo/payhawkChapters(01:54) - South Carolina State Treasurer Ousted (04:04) - Deal CEO Relocates Amid Lawsuit (05:28) - Live Stream Interactions (07:29) - Introducing Hector Garcia and Reframe (08:19) - Intuit Developer Program Changes (09:53) - Discussion on API Charges and Developer Impact (16:37) - Speculations and Theories on Intuit's Strategy (28:56) - Reframe Conference Details (31:30) - Trump's Tariffs and Foreign Trade Zones (33:52) - Introduction to Free Trade Zones (34:42) - Arizona's Dominance in Free Trade Zones (37:41) - Legal Challenges to Trump's Tariffs (40:29) - Intuit's Political Maneuvering (44:53) - New CPA Licensure Model (57:43) - Fraud and Government Inefficiencies (01:06:27) - Closing Remarks and New Podcasts  Show NotesSouth Carolina Senate votes to remove state treasurer over $1.8 billion accounting error https://www.thestate.com/news/politics-government/article287284067.htmlDeal CEO Alex Bouaziz relocates to Dubai amid Rippling lawsuit https://techcrunch.com/2024/04/15/deal-ceo-alex-bouaziz-has-relocated-to-dubai-amid-the-rippling-lawsuit/Rippling raises $450 million at $16.8 billion valuation https://techcrunch.com/2024/04/16/rippling-raises-450m-at-16-8b-valuation/AICPA and NASBA release model legislation for new CPA licensure pathway https://www.journalofaccountancy.com/news/2024/apr/aicpa-nasba-release-model-legislation-new-cpa-licensure-pathway.htmlFlorida Institute of CPAs successfully pauses bill to eliminate licensing boards https://www.ficpa.org/article/ficpa-advocacy-update-on-house-bill-639American Pope Leo XIV may need to file US tax returns https://www.cnbc.com/2024/04/23/american-pope-leo-xiv-may-need-to-file-us-tax-returns.htmlForeign Trade Zones become tariff shelters amid Trump's trade policies https://www.wsj.com/economy/tariffs/foreign-trade-zones-become-tariff-shelters-for-small-firms-a5e81093Federal court questions constitutionality of Trump's Liberation Day tariffs https://www.reuters.com/legal/us-trade-court-questions-legality-biden-tariffs-2024-04-17/Elon Musk stepping aside at DOGE while work continues through 2026 https://www.axios.com/2024/04/22/elon-musk-stepping-aside-doge-juneIRS fails to meet improper payment rate goals for refundable tax credits https://www.treasury.gov/tigta/auditreports/2024reports/202440032fr.pdfCriminal groups stealing up to $1 trillion from US government programs https://www.nbcnews.com/business/economy/hackers-stealing-us-government-money-rcna15002499.99% of Trump Memecoin buyers lost money while 58 wallets made over $10 million each https://www.chainalysis.com/reports/trump-memecoin-analysis-2024/Intuit's record lobbying spending and Republican support to eliminate IRS Direct File https://www.opensecrets.org/news/2024/04/intuit-turbotax-parent-spends-record-on-lobbying-amid-direct-file-rollout/Intuit Developer Program Changes https://developer.intuit.com/app/developer/homepageNeed CPE?Get CPE for listening to podcasts with Earmark: https://earmarkcpe.comSubscribe to the Earmark Podcast: https://podcast.earmarkcpe.comGet in TouchThanks for listening and the great reviews! We appreciate you! Follow and tweet @BlakeTOliver and @DavidLeary. Find us on Facebook and Instagram. If you like what you hear, please do us a favor and write a review on Apple Podcasts or Podchaser. Call us and leave a voicemail; maybe we'll play it on the show. DIAL (202) 695-1040.SponsorshipsAre you interested in sponsoring the Cloud Accounting Podcast? For details, read the prospectus.Need Accounting Conference Info? Check out our new website - accountingconferences.comLimited edition shirts, stickers, and other necessitiesTeePublic Store: http://cloudacctpod.link/merchSubscribeApple Podcasts: http://cloudacctpod.link/ApplePodcastsYouTube:

What if your firm could cut its tech stack in half while delivering faster results to clients? In this episode, Blake and David explore the consolidation revolution in accounting software as practice management tools secure massive funding rounds. They also break down how private equity is reshaping the profession's business model, with some firms now prohibiting CPAs from using their credentials in email signatures. Plus, discover why a proposed Florida bill eliminating the Board of Accountancy could have nationwide implications for licensed professionals. Learn why shorter turnaround times—not lower prices—might be your most cost-effective path to happier clients in today's AI-transformed landscape.SponsorsOnPay - http://accountingpodcast.promo/onpayRelay - http://accountingpodcast.promo/relayREFRAME 2025 - http://accountingpodcast.promo/reframe2025 Payhawk - http://accountingpodcast.promo/payhawkChapters(01:14) - Today's Topics Overview (03:53) - Travel Stories and Observations (05:14) - Conference Highlights and Industry Insights (16:50) - Florida CPA Threat and Licensing Issues (21:21) - Private Equity in Accounting Firms (39:39) - IRS Workforce Reduction Update (44:04) - IRS and ICE Data Sharing Agreement (45:42) - Proposed Bill to Regulate Tax Preparers (47:37) - Americans' Perception of Tax Fairness (52:16) - Improving Client Satisfaction in Tax Services (01:01:36) - Consolidation in Accounting Tech: Xero and Bill.com (01:03:43) - Gusto Expands into AR and AP (01:12:02) - The Impact of AI on Accounting Jobs  Show NotesFirms with AI report higher per-employee revenue vs others https://www.accountingtoday.com/news/firms-with-ai-report-higher-per-employee-revenue-vs-others50% of finance teams still take over a week to close the books https://www.cfo.com/news/50-of-finance-take-week-to-close-books-ledge-month-end-close-time-cfo-three-day-close-myth-/746085/Shorter Turnaround Equals Happier Tax Clients https://www.cpatrendlines.com/2025/05/shorter-turnaround-equals-happier-tax-clients/Less than half of Americans believe federal income taxes are fair, Gallup poll finds https://news.gallup.com/poll/taxes-fairness-poll-2025.aspxFlorida bill threatens to eliminate Board of Accountancyhttps://www.goingconcern.com/florida-bill-threatens-to-eliminate-board-of-accountancy/13 regional accounting firms unite under Sorin brand backed by private equity https://www.accountingtoday.com/news/13-regional-accounting-firms-unite-under-sorin-brandBennett Thrasher rejects private equity, champions independence https://www.accountingtoday.com/news/bennett-thrasher-rejects-private-equity-champions-independenceInterest in accounting rising among students, CAQ survey finds https://www.thecaq.org/accounting-interest-students-survey-2025/Treasury to stop issuing and accepting paper checks effective September 30, 2025 https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/paper-checks-phase-out-2025IRS and ICE reach agreement to share immigrants' tax information https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/information-sharing-agreement-ice-2025Bill to regulate tax preparers introduced in Congress https://www.congress.gov/bill/tax-preparer-regulation-2025Canopy raises $70 million Series C for practice management software https://www.canopytax.com/blog/70-million-series-c-funding-2025Thoma Bravo invests $100 million in HubSync for accounting technology growthhttps://www.hubsync.com/news/thoma-bravo-investment-100-millionXero and Bill forming alliance for embedded bill pay in the US https://www.xero.com/blog/2025/05/bill-partnership-announcement/Melio to embed payments for AR and AP inside Gusto https://www.melio.com/blog/melio-gusto-partnership-2025Need CPE?Get CPE for listening to podcasts with Earmark: https://earmarkcpe.comSubscribe to the Earmark Podcast: https://podcast.earmarkcpe.comGet in TouchThanks for listening and the great reviews! We appreciate you! Follow and tweet @BlakeTOliver and @DavidLeary. Find us on Facebook and Instagram. If you like what you hear, please do us a favor and write a review on Apple Podcasts or Podchaser. Call us and leave a voicemail; maybe we'll play it on the show. DIAL (202) 695-1040.SponsorshipsAre you interested in sponsoring the Cloud Accounting Podcast? For details, read the prospectus.Need Accounting Conference Info? Check out our new website - accountingconferences.comLimited edition shirts, stickers, and other necessitiesTeePublic Store: http://cloudacctpod.link/merchSubscribeApple Podcasts: http://cloudacctpod.link/ApplePodcastsYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheAccountingPodcastSpotify: http://cloudacctpod.link/SpotifyPodchaser:

On this episode Joe speaks with Heather about how to maximize your return on investment from conferences by attending with intention, identifying clear learning goals, and planning connections in advance. They dive into the “three threes” approach—three skills to learn, three tools to explore, and three people to meet—and emphasize the importance of self-awareness, authenticity, and pacing to make the most of any event. Link mentioned in the show: The Accounting Cornerstone Foundation Unveils Accounting Conference Scholarships TV and Movie Quote: Heather quoted Battlestar Galactica Joe quoted Much Ado about Nothing Book of the Week: Immunity to Change by Robert Kegan and Lisa Laskow Lahey Favorite Social Posts: Heather mentioned Melissa Miller Furgeson on LinkedIn Joe mentioned Blake Oliver on X/Twitter The Woodard Report Article of the Week: Top 21 Lessons from Serving on Conference Speaker Committees by Nancy McClelland Thank you to our show sponsor, Bill, your financial operations platform. Bill is the intelligent way to create and pay bills, send invoices, manage expenses, control budgets and access the credit your business needs to grow all in one platform. Learn more about the show and our sponsors at Woodard.com/podcast

Could AI create a $20 trillion professional services earthquake? In this episode, Blake and David dive into the data showing that AI firms generate $45,000 more revenue per employee than non-adopters. You'll discover how AI is reshaping traditional accounting and what Claude's new ability to connect with your Gmail and calendar means for productivity. They also demonstrate how indistinguishable AI-cloned voices have become, sharing practical tips to protect yourself and clients from increasingly sophisticated voice scams. Plus, hear why the "impossible" US customs broker exam (with its shocking 4% pass rate) might offer accountants a lucrative alternative career path as tariff disputes heat up.SponsorsOnPay - http://accountingpodcast.promo/onpay Bluevine - http://accountingpodcast.promo/bluevine (Bluevine is a financial technology company, not a bank. Banking Services provided by Coastal Community Bank, Member FDIC.)   Reframe - http://accountingpodcast.promo/reframe2025 Payhawk - http://accountingpodcast.promo/payhawkChapters(00:37) - The Impact of AI on Accounting Firms (02:04) - Voice AI Scams and Protection Tips (03:34) - Legislative Updates and Industry News (05:44) - Live Stream Shoutouts and Sponsor Acknowledgements (06:50) - AI in Accounting: Revenue and Efficiency Insights (14:01) - AI Voice Cloning Demonstration (16:29) - Protecting Against AI Voice Scams (24:12) - AI's Impact on Work and Productivity (32:32) - AI in Tax and Accounting Firms (38:19) - Success in Contract Drafting (38:43) - Starbucks' Automation Reversal (41:07) - AI and Productivity Gains (53:58) - The Great Legacy Extinction (01:08:58) - The Impossible Tariff Test (01:13:09) - Private Equity in Accounting Firms (01:16:03) - Conclusion and CPE Credits  Show NotesFirms with AI report higher per-employee revenue vs othershttps://www.accountingtoday.com/news/firms-with-ai-report-higher-per-employee-revenue-vs-othersNine Ways to Protect Yourself from 'Impostor' Voice Scams https://www.magzter.com/stories/newspaper/The-Wall-Street-Journal/NINE-WAYS-TO-PROTECT-YOURSELF-FROM-IMPOSTOR-VOICE-SCAMSDanish study challenges claims about AI disrupting the labor market https://getcoai.com/news/danish-study-challenges-claims-about-ai-disrupting-the-labor-market/50% of finance teams still take over a week to close the books https://www.cfo.com/news/50-of-finance-take-week-to-close-books-ledge-month-end-close-time-cfo-three-day-close-myth-/746085/The Great Legacy Extinction: AI's $20T Takeover of Professional Services https://www.venrock.com/insights/insights-technology/the-great-legacy-extinction-ais-20t-takeover-of-professional-services/What Do You Think of the New PwC Logo? https://www.cpapracticeadvisor.com/2025/04/30/what-do-you-think-of-the-new-pwc-logo/159946/Big Four accounting firm PwC to slash about 1,500 jobs in the US https://www.reuters.com/sustainability/accounting-firm-pwc-cut-1500-us-jobs-ft-reports-2025-05-05/How are different accounting firms using AI? https://tax.thomsonreuters.com/blog/how-do-different-accounting-firms-use-ai/Customs Broker License Exam (CBLE)https://www.cbp.gov/trade/programs-administration/customs-brokers/license-examination-notice-examinationNeed CPE?Get CPE for listening to podcasts with Earmark: https://earmarkcpe.comSubscribe to the Earmark Podcast: https://podcast.earmarkcpe.comGet in TouchThanks for listening and the great reviews! We appreciate you! Follow and tweet @BlakeTOliver and @DavidLeary. Find us on Facebook and Instagram. If you like what you hear, please do us a favor and write a review on Apple Podcasts or Podchaser. Call us and leave a voicemail; maybe we'll play it on the show. DIAL (202) 695-1040.SponsorshipsAre you interested in sponsoring the Cloud Accounting Podcast? For details, read the prospectus.Need Accounting Conference Info? Check out our new website - accountingconferences.comLimited edition shirts, stickers, and other necessitiesTeePublic Store: http://cloudacctpod.link/merchSubscribeApple Podcasts: http://cloudacctpod.link/ApplePodcastsYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheAccountingPodcastSpotify: http://cloudacctpod.link/SpotifyPodchaser: http://cloudacctpod.link/podchaserStitcher: http://cloudacctpod.link/StitcherOvercast: http://cloudacctpod.link/OvercastClassifiedsREFRAME 2025 - http://accountingpodcast.promo/reframe2025Want to get the word out about your newsletter, webinar, party, Facebook group, podcast, e-book, job posting, or that fancy Excel macro you just created? Let the listeners of The Accounting Podcast know by running a classified ad. Go here to create your classified ad: https://cloudacctpod.link/RunClassifiedAdTranscriptsThe full transcript for this episode is ...

Could you spend years earning your CPA license only to be told you can't use it? In this episode, Mark Koziel, president of the AICPA, joins Blake and David to discuss the shocking trend of firms prohibiting CPAs from identifying themselves as such in emails, on business cards, and even on LinkedIn. Blake and David also explore the economic uncertainty created by Trump's tariff policies, with major corporations cutting costs and delaying investments. Plus, learn about Republican plans to eliminate the PCAOB, the wave of states creating alternative CPA pathways, and why Ramp could become the federal government's spend management platform.SponsorsOnPay - http://accountingpodcast.promo/onpayBluevine - http://accountingpodcast.promo/bluevine (Bluevine is a financial technology company, not a bank. Banking Services provided by Coastal Community Bank, Member FDIC.) Cloud Accountant Staffing - http://accountingpodcast.promo/casRoboDebit - http://accountingpodcast.promo/robodebitChapters(01:13) - Top News Stories of the Week (04:18) - Ramp's Ambitious Federal Government Plans (14:04) - Republican Plans to Scrap PCAOB (17:56) - Impact of Tariffs on Major Corporations (28:45) - IRS Leadership Changes (32:31) - Private Equity's New Accounting Firm (36:03) - CPA Pipeline Updates: Tennessee, Texas, and Indiana (37:46) - Republicans and the Millionaire Tax Idea (40:20) - Interview with Mark Koziel: CPA Title Controversy (01:06:36) - Fun Facts: The Cost of Replacing the Pope (01:08:43) - Earn Free CPE on Earmark  Show NotesTrump Team Eyes Politically Connected Startup to Overhaul $700 Billion Government Payments Programhttps://www.propublica.org/article/trump-peter-thiel-ramp-gsa-smartpay-expense-payment-system Big 4 Alum Start Their Own Thing Hoping Clients Want Something Different and Conflict-Freehttps://www.goingconcern.com/big-4-alum-start-their-own-thing-hoping-clients-want-something-different-and-conflict-free/ Texas passes CPA law as push to lower licensure barrier gains steamhttps://www.cfodive.com/news/broadening-cpa-licensure-paths-marching-beyond-150-hour-rule-accounting-talent-shortage/745282/ Draft bill would eliminate PCAOBhttps://www.accountingtoday.com/news/draft-bill-would-eliminate-pcaob-empower-sec Why The IRS Went Through 4 Acting Commissioners In 3 Monthshttps://abovethelaw.com/2025/04/why-the-irs-went-through-4-acting-commissioners-in-3-months/ 'Hard no': Millionaire tax hike proposal has House Republicans dividedhttps://www.foxnews.com/politics/hard-no-millionaire-tax-hike-proposal-has-house-republicans-divided Tariffs and global trade: The economic impact on businesshttps://www.mckinsey.com/capabilities/geopolitics/our-insights/tariffs-and-global-trade-the-economic-impact-on-business Firms with AI report higher per-employee revenuehttps://www.accountingtoday.com/news/firms-with-ai-report-higher-per-employee-revenue-vs-others The mysterious donor who paid for Pope Francis' funeralhttps://en.ara.cat/misc/the-mysterious-donor-who-paid-for-pope-francis-funeral_1_5357026.htmlNeed CPE?Get CPE for listening to podcasts with Earmark: https://earmarkcpe.comSubscribe to the Earmark Podcast: https://podcast.earmarkcpe.comGet in TouchThanks for listening and the great reviews! We appreciate you! Follow and tweet @BlakeTOliver and @DavidLeary. Find us on Facebook and Instagram. If you like what you hear, please do us a favor and write a review on Apple Podcasts or Podchaser. Call us and leave a voicemail; maybe we'll play it on the show. DIAL (202) 695-1040.SponsorshipsAre you interested in sponsoring the Cloud Accounting Podcast? For details, read the prospectus.Need Accounting Conference Info? Check out our new website - accountingconferences.comLimited edition shirts, stickers, and other necessitiesTeePublic Store: http://cloudacctpod.link/merchSubscribeApple Podcasts: http://cloudacctpod.link/ApplePodcastsYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheAccountingPodcastSpotify: http://cloudacctpod.link/SpotifyPodchaser: http://cloudacctpod.link/podchaserStitcher: http://cloudacctpod.link/StitcherOvercast: http://cloudacctpod.link/OvercastClassifiedsREFRAME 2025 - http://accountingpodcast.promo/reframe2025Want to get the word out about your newsletter, webinar, party, Facebook group, podcast, e-book, job posting, or that fancy Excel macro you just created? Let the listeners of The Accounting Podcast know by running a classified ad. Go here to create your classified ad: https://cloudacctpod.link/RunClassifiedAdTranscriptsThe full transcript for this episode is available by clicking on the Transcript tab at the top o...

What happens after the ink dries on an accounting firm acquisition? Michael Ly and Ashley Rhoden reveal why many buyers overinvest in the purchase but underinvest in the crucial integration phase. Drawing from their hard-won experiences—both successful and unsuccessful—they walk through how to develop a comprehensive 100-day integration plan that begins during due diligence. You'll learn why keeping key employees is the difference between retaining and losing clients, how to effectively communicate changes to minimize disruption, and when to choose between a full roll-up versus platform approach. Whether you're considering an acquisition or have one in progress, this practical roadmap helps you navigate the complexities of merging firms.Chapters(00:51) - Meet the Guests: Michael and Ashley (02:41) - Michael's Integration Experiences (07:16) - Ashley's Integration Insights (09:39) - The Importance of Due Diligence (17:49) - Managing Change and Communication (20:47) - Employee Integration Strategies (23:33) - Key Employees and Leadership Buy-In (24:52) - HR and Payroll Integration (26:18) - Communication Plans and Financial Operations (29:30) - Access to Financial Systems and IT Considerations (34:37) - Communication Strategies (37:54) - Seller Involvement Post-Acquisition (41:33) - Integration Approaches: Full Rollup vs. Platform (47:10) - Conclusion and Final Thoughts Sign up to get free CPE for listening to this podcasthttps://earmarkcpe.comhttps://earmark.app/Download the Earmark CPE App Apple: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/earmark-cpe/id1562599728Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.earmarkcpe.appConnect with Our Guests: Michael LyLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelly/ Website: https://www.reconciled.com/Ashley RhodenLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashleyrhodenmba/Website: https://highrock.coConnect with Blake Oliver, CPALinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/blaketoliverTwitter: https://twitter.com/blaketoliver/

Could AI be doing a day's work in just minutes for accountants? In this episode, Blake and David explore how accounting technology is revolutionizing traditional workflows, from Xero's new AI protocol that connects chatbots directly to accounting data, to Google's game-changing "I" function in Sheets that lets you analyze data with natural language. You'll discover why deep research tools might replace entire teams of analysts and why revealing your AI usage might actually hurt your professional reputation. Plus, hear about unusual recession indicators (men's underwear sales are down!), what Americans consider financial success versus reality, and why accountants everywhere are buzzing about Baker Tilly's merger with Moss Adams. Whether you're curious about automating journal entries or simply wondering if you should disclose your AI wizardry, this episode delivers practical insights for the modern finance professional.SponsorsPayhawk - http://accountingpodcast.promo/payhawkRelay - http://accountingpodcast.promo/relayCloud Accountant Staffing - http://accountingpodcast.promo/casRoboDebit - http://accountingpodcast.promo/robodebitChapters(00:00) - Introduction and Podcast Overview (00:39) - App News and Intuit Updates (07:53) - Intuit's AI and Bitcoin Controversy (11:10) - Xero Innovations (20:16) - Paychex Acquires Paycor (21:11) - Flowcast's AI Agents (25:17) - Pipe Acquires Glean AI (26:28) - Google Sheets AI Formula (34:30) - Google Agent Space (42:29) - AI's Impact on High-Level Jobs (43:12) - Testing AI with Investment Analysis (44:25) - Mother Road Brewery Investment Evaluation (49:31) - Canva's New Sheets Feature (54:31) - Google's Monopoly and Data Breach News (58:22) - AI Disclosure in the Workplace (01:05:51) - Mega Merger of Accounting Firms (01:11:26) - Signs of a Recession (01:17:45) - Upcoming Events and CPE Opportunities  Show NotesAccelerating Money Innovation with Deserve Technology Platform and Talenthttps://www.intuit.com/blog/news-social/accelerating-money-innovation-with-deserve-technology-platform-and-talent/ WARNING: Quickbooks Checkinghttps://quickbooks.intuit.com/learn-support/en-us/banking/warning-quickbooks-checking/00/1516063 Green Dot considers sale as CEO exitshttps://www.paymentsdive.com/news/green-dot-citi-strategic-review-sale-ceo-exit-gresham/742096/ Intuit Enterprise Suite Spring update features more efficient multi-entity accounting, enhanced reporting, and morehttps://quickbooks.intuit.com/r/enterprise/intuit-enterprise-suite-spring-2025-release-notes/ Strive targets Intuit for Bitcoin buys after orange-pilling GameStophttps://cointelegraph.com/news/strive-targets-intuit-bitcoin-buys-after-gamestop Xero Rolls Out New "Reconcile Period" Featurehttps://insightfulaccountant.com/accounting-tech/general-ledger/xero-rolls-out-new-reconcile-period-feature/ Xero introduces new Model Context Protocol server for smarter accountinghttps://devblog.xero.com/xero-introduces-new-model-context-protocol-server-for-smarter-accounting-4d195ccaeda5 Paychex Acquires Paycor in $4.1 Billion Dealhttps://www.pymnts.com/acquisitions/2025/paychex-acquires-paycor-in-4-1-billion-deal/ Introducing FloQast AI Agents: Revolutionizing Accounting Automationhttps://www.floqast.com/blog/introducing-floqast-ai-agents-revolutionizing-accounting-automation Pipe Acquires Glean.ai to Add Spend Management to Suite of Embedded Financial Solutionshttps://pipe.com/resources/press-releases/pipe-acquires-glean-ai-to-add-spend-management-to-suite-of-embedded-financial-solutions​Google Sheets Introduces AI-Powered =AI() Formula for Enhanced Productivity​https://yourstory.com/2025/04/google-sheets-ai-formula-gemini Scale enterprise search and agent adoption with Google Agentspacehttps://cloud.google.com/blog/products/ai-machine-learning/google-agentspace-enables-the-agent-driven-enterprise Sarah Friar's LinkedIn Post … https://www.linkedin.com/posts/sarah-friar_what-an-ai-powered-finance-function-of-the-activity-7259765674506399744-IKQD OpenAI CFO Sarah Friar: We are building a lot of IP down into the data center layerhttps://www.cnbc.com/video/2025/03/20/openai-cfo-sarah-friar-we-are-building-a-lot-of-ip-down-into-the-data-center-layer.html Introducing Visual Suite 2.0: Productivity, meet creativityhttps://www.canva.com/newsroom/news/canva-create-2025/ Department of Justice Prevails in Landmark Antitrust Case Against Googlehttps://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/department-justice-prevails-landmark-antitrust-case-against-google Dark Web Digest – Lessons Learned from the Wolters Kluwer Data Breachhttps://www.purevpn.com/blog/dark-web-digest-issue-4-wolters-kluwer/ New HEC Paris research suggests that shadow adoption of ChatGPT could benefit employees but not the firmshttps://www.hec.edu/en/news-room/new-hec-p...

What happens when a trade war meets bureaucratic red tape? In this episode, Blake and David dive into the explosive impact of 145% tariffs on Chinese goods and what it means for American businesses' bottom lines. Through real-world examples—from small retailers to tech giants like Apple—they break down how these policies could devastate supply chains and force difficult decisions for companies caught in the crossfire.Meanwhile, the Department of Government Efficiency is shaking up the IRS, transforming a login button change from a 103-day project into a 71-minute fix. But that's not all: CPAs at private equity-owned firms are now being told to remove their credentials from email signatures and LinkedIn profiles. Tune in to understand how these seemingly separate issues reflect larger battles over professional identity, government efficiency, and America's economic future.SponsorsCloud Accountant Staffing - http://accountingpodcast.promo/casBluevine - http://accountingpodcast.promo/bluevine (Bluevine is a financial technology company, not a bank. Banking Services provided by Coastal Community Bank, Member FDIC.) Chapters(01:40) - Weekly News Roundup (03:03) - IRS Updates and Controversies (03:59) - Private Equity and CPA Titles (05:08) - Government Efficiency and IRS Hackathon (18:46) - Tariffs and Trade Wars (27:57) - Impact of Tariffs on Businesses (46:33) - Economic Impact of Tariffs and Debt (47:26) - Trump Administration's Strategic Challenges (48:14) - Job Loss Projections Due to Tariffs (51:09) - China's Economic Transformation and Future (54:43) - Human Impact of US-China Trade Policies (58:48) - IRS Sharing Tax Information with Homeland Security (01:03:06) - Private Equity's Influence on CPA Firms (01:16:29) - Shopify's AI Hiring Policy (01:29:25) - Conclusion and Announcements  Show NotesDepartment of Government Efficiency – X posting on re-engineering a 103-day projecthttps://x.com/DOGE/status/1910067646827057152DOGE plans now reportedly include an IRS ‘hackathon'https://www.theverge.com/news/644327/musk-doge-irs-hackathon-taxpayer-data-transfer-cloudIRS Workers Get Final Chance to Take Deferred Resignation Offerhttps://www.cpapracticeadvisor.com/2025/04/07/irs-workers-get-final-chance-to-take-deferred-resignation-offer/158668/Appeals Court Clears Path for Trump to Resume Firing ...https://www.nytimes.com/2025/04/09/us/politics/trump-federal-workers-firing.htmlElon Musk Secretly Working to Rewrite the Social Security Codebase Using AIhttps://futurism.com/elon-musk-rewriting-social-security-code-aiPentagon hits Accenture, Booz Allen and Deloitte with contract cancellationshttps://www.nextgov.com/acquisition/2025/04/pentagon-hits-accenture-booz-allen-and-deloitte-contract-cancellations/404525/?oref=ng-homepage-riverHere's the iPhone. Here's the iPhone With Tariffs.https://www.wsj.com/tech/personal-tech/iphone-apple-tariffs-china-bb20c7a3Between tariffs and survival, American business owners are doing alarming mathhttps://www.npr.org/2025/04/07/nx-s1-5352833/trump-tariffs-china-manufacturing-businessesAt Home Group, Stung by Trade War, Explores Bankruptcyhttps://www.wsj.com/articles/at-home-group-stung-by-trade-war-explores-bankruptcy-853b9a83How Much Revenue Can Tariffs Really Raise for the Federal Government?https://taxfoundation.org/research/all/federal/universal-tariff-revenue-estimates/IRS agrees to share tax information of undocumented immigrants with Icehttps://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/apr/08/irs-ice-tax-dataActing IRS commissioner resigning after agency reaches data-sharing deal with immigration authoritieshttps://www.cnn.com/2025/04/08/politics/melanie-krause-acting-irs-commissioner-resigning/index.htmlAccounting firm that sold out to private equity is now requiring CPAs that work for them to stop using "CPA" on their personal LinkedIn and in email signatureshttps://www.reddit.com/r/Accounting/comments/1jx2338/accounting_firm_that_sold_out_to_private_equity/?rdt=47047Shopify CEO: No new hires, unless you prove AI can't do the jobhttps://thehill.com/policy/technology/5239841-shopify-ceo-ai-first-hiringKPMG's new AI bot has cut interview scheduling time by almost 60% and saved more than 1,000 hours for the talent acquisition teamhttps://finance.yahoo.com/news/kpmg-ai-bot-cut-interview-121831887.htmlNeed CPE?Get CPE for listening to podcasts with Earmark: https://earmarkcpe.comSubscribe to the Earmark Podcast: https://podcast.earmarkcpe.comGet in TouchThanks for listening and the great reviews! We appreciate you! Follow and tweet @BlakeTOliver and @DavidLeary. Find us on Facebook and Instagram. If you like what you hear, please do us a favor and write a review on Apple Podcasts or Podchaser. Call us and leave a voicemail; maybe we'll play it on the show. DIAL (202) 695-1040.SponsorshipsAre you interested in sponsoring the Cloud Accounting Podcast? For details, read the prospectus.Need Accounting Conference Info? Check out our new website -

What if the solution to accounting's talent shortage has been hiding in plain sight? In this episode, Navy veteran Mark Steinhoff reveals how the precision required to maintain life support systems on submarines directly translates to accounting excellence. Having managed critical oxygen systems hundreds of feet underwater, Mark now applies that same meticulous attention to detail as an accountant for a water utility. With the profession facing a 70,000-person annual deficit while 200,000 service members transition to civilian life each year, discover how military experience with procedures, documentation, and quality assurance creates natural accounting professionals—and why veterans might be the untapped talent pool accounting desperately needs.Chapters(01:09) - Transitioning from Military to Accounting (02:37) - Similarities Between Military and Accounting (05:46) - Life on a Submarine (11:31) - How Did Working On a Sub Translate to Accounting (16:43) - The Procedure is Not Optional (20:50) - Current Role and Future Aspirations (24:30) - Exploring Career Paths in Accounting (24:53) - Transitioning from Military to Accounting (26:31) - Leveraging the GI Bill for Education (26:44) - Navigating the Pandemic and Career Decisions (28:36) - The Value of a Business Degree (29:08) - Balancing Education and Personal Life (30:53) - Gaining Practical Experience in Accounting (32:23) - Pursuing an MBA and CPA (45:24) - The Evolving Role of Accountants (47:01) - Closing Thoughts and Encouragement Sign up to get free CPE for listening to this podcasthttps://earmarkcpe.comhttps://earmark.app/Download the Earmark CPE App Apple: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/earmark-cpe/id1562599728Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.earmarkcpe.appConnect with Our Guest, Mark SteinhoffLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marknsteinhoff/Connect with Blake Oliver, CPALinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/blaketoliverTwitter: https://twitter.com/blaketoliver/

Earmark Media Presents a bonus episode of Earmark Podcast:Join Blake Oliver as he interviews Yuri Kapilovich, a CPA who's cracked the code on balancing work and life in accounting. Discover how Yuri maintains a thriving practice while working just 10-15 hours per week outside tax season and a maximum of 40 hours during crunch time. Learn actionable strategies for setting the right fees, optimizing workflows, and prioritizing fun and family without sacrificing success. Yuri will share his insights on transforming accounting from a grueling profession into an enjoyable and rewarding career. This webinar will equip you with practical tools to revolutionize your work-life balance and rediscover the joy in accounting. Don't miss this opportunity to make your career more fulfilling and efficient!(Originally recorded on December 4, 2024, on Earmark Webinars+)Meet Our Guest, Yuri KapilovichLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ykapilovich/Learn more about The Fun CPAhttps://www.thefuncpa.co/Need CPE?Get CPE for listening to podcasts with Earmark: https://earmarkcpe.comSubscribe to the Earmark Podcast: https://podcast.earmarkcpe.comGet in TouchThanks for listening and the great reviews! We appreciate you! Follow and tweet @BlakeTOliver and @DavidLeary. Find us on Facebook and Instagram. If you like what you hear, please do us a favor and write a review on Apple Podcasts or Podchaser. Call us and leave a voicemail; maybe we'll play it on the show. DIAL (202) 695-1040.SponsorshipsAre you interested in sponsoring the Cloud Accounting Podcast? For details, read the prospectus.Need Accounting Conference Info? Check out our new website - accountingconferences.comLimited edition shirts, stickers, and other necessitiesTeePublic Store: http://cloudacctpod.link/merchSubscribeApple Podcasts: http://cloudacctpod.link/ApplePodcastsYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheAccountingPodcastSpotify: http://cloudacctpod.link/SpotifyPodchaser: http://cloudacctpod.link/podchaserStitcher: http://cloudacctpod.link/StitcherOvercast: http://cloudacctpod.link/OvercastClassifiedsWant to get the word out about your newsletter, webinar, party, Facebook group, podcast, e-book, job posting, or that fancy Excel macro you just created? Let the listeners of The Accounting Podcast know by running a classified ad. Go here to create your classified ad: https://cloudacctpod.link/RunClassifiedAdTranscriptsThe full transcript for this episode is available by clicking on the Transcript tab at the top of this page

Could AI-generated fake receipts upend expense reporting as we know it? In this eye-opening episode, Blake and David demonstrate live how easy it's becoming to create convincing financial documents with AI—from receipts to audit opinions. They break down why Trump's new "reciprocal" tariffs aren't what they seem (complete with meaningless Greek symbols) and how they're already triggering market turbulence. You'll also learn why the federal government is ending paper checks by September, potentially saving hundreds of millions while reducing fraud by 16x. Plus, discover why Signal might be the most secure messaging option for your sensitive client communications. Whether you're concerned about fraud detection, economic impacts on your clients, or evolving professional standards, this episode delivers practical insights for navigating today's rapidly changing landscape.SponsorsCloud Accountant Staffing - http://accountingpodcast.promo/casBluevine - http://accountingpodcast.promo/bluevine (Bluevine is a financial technology company, not a bank. Banking Services provided by Coastal Community Bank, Member FDIC.)Chapters(02:49) - Implications of AI-Generated Receipts (05:23) - Sponsor Acknowledgements and Livestream Interaction (06:15) - Deep Dive into Trump's Tariffs (09:27) - Economic Impact of Tariffs (22:57) - Creating Fake Receipts with AI (37:01) - Signal App and Secure Communication for Accountants (42:22) - Corporate Espionage and Fraud Cases (47:23) - Generating a Fake Audit Report with AI (52:19) - Discussing Douglas Edelman's Tax Evasion (56:33) - Deloitte Layoffs Due to Federal Crackdown (01:00:14) - Mandating Electronic Federal Tax Transactions (01:10:08) - IRS and ICE Coordination on Unauthorized Immigrants (01:13:34) - Alternative Pathways to Becoming a CPA (01:20:24) - Critique of Big Four Accounting Firms (01:28:01) - Upcoming Events and New Content on Earmark  Show NotesChatGPT's new image generator is really good at faking receiptshttps://techcrunch.com/2025/03/31/chatgpts-new-image-generator-is-really-good-at-faking-receipts/ Markets Swing Wildly After Trump Holds His Ground on Tariff Planhttps://www.wsj.com/livecoverage/stock-market-trump-tariffs-trade-war-04-07-25 Trump's Reciprocal Tariff Calculations Are Nonsense, Will Punish Mutually Beneficial Tradehttps://taxfoundation.org/blog/trump-reciprocal-tariffs-calculations/ Stellantis to temporarily lay off 900 US workers as tariffs bitehttps://www.reuters.com/business/autos-transportation/stellantis-says-will-temporarily-lay-off-900-us-workers-following-tariff-2025-04-03 Modernizing Payments To and From America's Bank Accounthttps://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/03/modernizing-payments-to-and-from-americas-bank-account/ The Trump Administration Accidentally Texted Me Its War Planshttps://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2025/03/trump-administration-accidentally-texted-me-its-war-plans/682151/ @parkerconrad Tweet: Rippling sued @Deel today … https://x.com/parkerconrad/status/1901615179718406276 Scoop: Fashion startup accuses founder of misconduct, after raising $534 millionhttps://www.axios.com/2025/03/31/scoop-caastle-founder-hunsicker-misconduct​The $7 Billion Defense Contractor Who Became One of America's Biggest Alleged Tax Cheatshttps://www.wsj.com/us-news/law/douglas-edelman-alleged-tax-fraud-who-ee65ea61 Deloitte is planning layoffs after a federal crackdown on consulting contractshttps://finance.yahoo.com/news/deloitte-planning-layoffs-federal-crackdown-063253531.html DOGE's private contract crackdown has eliminated more than 120 Deloitte contracts—more than twice the amount of any other consultancyhttps://fortune.com/2025/04/03/doge-private-contract-crackdown-deloitte-consultancies/ Probationary IRS workers will be back to work before Tax Day: Trial Balancehttps://www.cfo.com/news/probationary-irs-workers-will-be-back-to-work-before-tax-day-trial-balance/744419/IRS sharing info with ICE would put illegal immigrants between 'rock and a hard place': experthttps://www.yahoo.com/news/irs-sharing-ice-put-illegal-130026839.html Georgia, Indiana join growing band of states to pass CPA licensure lawshttps://www.cfodive.com/news/georgia-joins-growing-band-states-pass-cpa-licensure-laws-accounting-talent-shortage/744384/ I Quit my Big 4 Accounting Job to Fry Chicken and Will Never Go Back …https://www.businessinsider.com/quit-big-four-accounting-fry-chicken-never-go-back-2025-4 Local firm slashes staff starting salarieshttps://www.accountingtoday.com/opinion/local-firm-slashes-staff-starting-salariesNeed CPE?Get CPE for listening to podcasts with Earmark: https://earmarkcpe.comSubscribe to the Earmark Podcast: https://podcast.earmarkcpe.comGet in TouchThanks for listening and the great reviews! We appreciate you! Follow and tweet @BlakeTOliver and @DavidLeary. Find us on Facebook and Instagram. If you like what you hear, please do us a fa...

What happens when tax enforcement weakens? With 17% of millennials considering skipping their tax filing altogether, Blake and David dig into how IRS budget cuts might impact compliance and revenue. They analyze fascinating survey data revealing what taxpayers truly value when choosing between professional preparation and free options like Direct File. Plus, discover the accounting scandal forcing Financial Times to retract its Tesla analysis, exposing how GAAP complexity confounds even financial experts. You'll also learn why three major US cities face billion-dollar budget holes and the disturbing revelation that duplicate Medicaid payments are costing taxpayers billions—all while Tether still can't produce an audit after ten years of promises.Sponsors Bluevine - http://accountingpodcast.promo/bluevine (Bluevine is a financial technology company, not a bank. Banking Services provided by Coastal Community Bank, Member FDIC.)    RightWorks- http://accountingpodcast.promo/rightnow2025Chapters(00:00) - Introduction and Podcast Overview (00:42) - Top Stories of the Week (02:27) - Sponsor Messages and Event Announcements (04:52) - Interview with Christina Ho on PCAOB (07:57) - Discussion on IRS Cuts and Tax Compliance (19:44) - Survey on IRS Direct File (28:21) - AI's Impact on Tax Professionals (29:14) - Discrepancies in Tax Software Results (30:08) - Public Opinion on Tax Filing Services (31:23) - Challenges for Tax Professionals (32:39) - LA's Budget Crisis (36:24) - Federal Government Spending Issues (37:28) - Medicaid Duplicate Payments Scandal (45:55) - Tether's Audit Controversy (50:38) - Tesla's Financial Discrepancies (56:16) - Big Four Transparency Rankings (58:07) - Conclusion and Farewell  Show NotesTax Revenue Could Drop by 10 Percent Amid Turmoil at IRShttps://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2025/03/22/irs-tax-revenue-loss-federal-budget/ Survey: Some Americans Might Roll the Dice on Not Filing Their Taxes This Year Due to IRS Job Cutshttps://www.cpapracticeadvisor.com/2025/03/26/survey-some-americans-might-roll-the-dice-on-not-filing-their-taxes-this-year-due-to-irs-job-cuts/157877/ Most Americans Are Interested in Using IRS Direct File to Prepare and File Their Taxeshttps://taxpolicycenter.org/briefs/most-americans-are-interested-using-irs-direct-file-prepare-and-file-their-taxes TurboTax vs Free Tax USA: A Shocking Price Comparison https://www.tiktok.com/@carolinesadventure/video/7482613418801859870 Survey: 91% of Americans Think Filing Taxes Should Be Freehttps://www.cpapracticeadvisor.com/2025/03/11/survey-91-of-americans-think-filing-taxes-should-be-free/157176/ Why you should think twice before claiming an income-tax extension. ‘This is not the year to do your normal procrastinating.'https://www.marketwatch.com/story/why-you-should-think-twice-before-claiming-an-income-tax-extension-this-is-not-the-year-to-do-your-normal-procrastinating-89937e0d LA Faces $1 Billion Budget Hole, Warns of Thousands of Layoffshttps://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-03-20/la-faces-1-billion-budget-hole-warning-thousands-of-layoffs WSJ investigation: Medicaid paid health insurers billions by covering the same patients twicehttps://www.risehealth.org/insights-articles/wsj-investigation-medicaid-paid-health-insurers-billions-by-covering-the-same-patients-twice/ Tether seeks Big Four firm for its first full financial audit — Reporthttps://cointelegraph.com/news/stablecoin-issuer-tether-big-four-firm-full-reserve-audit-report Financial Times retracts report on Tesla's alleged shady accountinghttps://www.teslarati.com/financial-times-retracts-report-tesla-shady-accounting/ The Big 4 Transparency Accounting Awardshttps://big4transparency.beehiiv.com/p/the-big-4-transparency-accounting-awards Need CPE?Get CPE for listening to podcasts with Earmark: https://earmarkcpe.comSubscribe to the Earmark Podcast: https://podcast.earmarkcpe.comGet in TouchThanks for listening and the great reviews! We appreciate you! Follow and tweet @BlakeTOliver and @DavidLeary. Find us on Facebook and Instagram. If you like what you hear, please do us a favor and write a review on Apple Podcasts or Podchaser. Call us and leave a voicemail; maybe we'll play it on the show. DIAL (202) 695-1040.SponsorshipsAre you interested in sponsoring the Cloud Accounting Podcast? For details, read the prospectus.Need Accounting Conference Info? Check out our new website - accountingconferences.comLimited edition shirts, stickers, and other necessitiesTeePublic Store: http://cloudacctpod.link/merchSubscribeApple Podcasts: http://cloudacctpod.link/ApplePodcastsYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheAccountingPodcastSpotify:

What if the numbers we use to measure audit quality are fundamentally flawed? PCAOB Board Member Christina Ho reveals why the headline-grabbing 46% deficiency rate in public company audits deserves serious scrutiny. In this candid conversation, Ho explains why smaller audit firms face disproportionate regulatory burdens, how the PCAOB's inspection approach may distort quality metrics, and why less than 5% of "deficient" audits result in incorrect opinions. She also shares her experience of being publicly criticized by Senator Elizabeth Warren for challenging the status quo. Whether you're an auditor, investor, or financial professional, this insider perspective will transform how you interpret future audit quality statistics.Chapters(00:58) - Explaining the PCAOB (01:59) - Inspection and Enforcement Programs (03:53) - Sampling and Inspection Frequency (05:58) - Challenges for Smaller Audit Firms (10:50) - State of Audit Quality (14:03) - Deficiency Rates and Their Implications (31:34) - PCAOB's Role and Accountability (37:11) - Has the PCAOB Improved Audit Quality? (49:23) - Public Dispute with Senators (54:32) - Conclusion and Final Thoughts Sign up to get free CPE for listening to this podcasthttps://earmarkcpe.comhttps://earmark.app/Download the Earmark CPE App Apple: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/earmark-cpe/id1562599728Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.earmarkcpe.appConnect with Our Guest, Christina Hohttps://pcaobus.org/about/the-board/board-bios/christina-hoConnect with Blake Oliver, CPALinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/blaketoliverTwitter: https://twitter.com/blaketoliver/

Blake and David dive straight into the headlines, starting with the controversial IRS workforce cuts and their potential impact on tax collections. They examine corporate espionage allegations between payroll companies Rippling and Deel, including a complex web of legal battles, Russian connections, and political involvement, and go on to discuss how AI is rapidly improving at handling longer tasks. All this and much more, right now!SponsorsRightWorks- http://accountingpodcast.promo/rightnow2025Bluevine - http://accountingpodcast.promo/bluevine (Bluevine is a financial technology company, not a bank. Banking Services provided by Coastal Community Bank, Member FDIC.)  Chapters(00:31) - Exciting Stories and Headlines (03:07) - Live Stream Shoutouts (05:08) - Earmark Podcast and CPE Credits (10:56) - IRS Workforce Cuts and Tax Gap (30:13) - Rippling vs. Deel Espionage Saga (41:20) - Evolve Bank and Trust Controversies (42:39) - Rippling and Deal Lawsuit Drama (42:57) - Political Connections and Scandals (44:31) - The Future of AI in Accounting (46:36) - AI Performance and Moore's Law (50:42) - AI's Impact on Accounting Tasks (54:43) - Live Demonstration with Claude AI (01:08:27) - The Future of Accountants in an AI World (01:20:45) - Conclusion and Upcoming Events  Show Notes7,000 IRS workers ‘reinstated' — but not yet returning to workhttps://www.journalofaccountancy.com/news/2025/mar/7000-irs-workers-reinstated-but-not-yet-returning-to-work/ IRS Retreats From Some Audits as Agency Slashes Workforcehttps://www.wsj.com/politics/policy/internal-revenue-service-doge-taxes-f00ac956 Opinion | With IRS cuts, DOGE would lose far more money ...https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2025/03/13/doge-irs-cuts-tax-revenue/ Former Defense Contractor and his Wife Indicted for Evading U.S. Taxes on Profits from Selling Jet Fuel to the U.S. Militaryhttps://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-ci/j5-media-release-7-3-2024.pdf Lawsuit Alleges $12 Billion "Unicorn" Deel Cultivated Spy, Orchestrated Long-Running Trade-Secret Theft & Corporate Espionage Against Competitorhttps://www.rippling.com/blog/lawsuit-alleges-12-billion-unicorn-deel-cultivated-spy-orchestrated-long-running-trade-secret-theft-corporate-espionage-against-competitor IRS in Crisis: Tax Professionals Bear the Brunthttps://cpatrendlines.com/2019/02/26/taxpayer-advocate-lambastes-irs/ Measuring AI Ability to Complete Long Taskshttps://metr.org/blog/2025-03-19-measuring-ai-ability-to-complete-long-tasks/ Earmark Podcast – Ep. 87 - How to Use AI to Analyze Data and Draft Financial Reports in Minuteshttps://share.transistor.fm/s/c86818f5 Earmark's Screening of The Accountant 2https://www.eventbrite.com/e/screening-of-the-accountant-2-tickets-1225264421869?aff=EarmarkAppNeed CPE?Get CPE for listening to podcasts with Earmark: https://earmarkcpe.comSubscribe to the Earmark Podcast: https://podcast.earmarkcpe.comGet in TouchThanks for listening and the great reviews! We appreciate you! Follow and tweet @BlakeTOliver and @DavidLeary. Find us on Facebook and Instagram. If you like what you hear, please do us a favor and write a review on Apple Podcasts or Podchaser. Call us and leave a voicemail; maybe we'll play it on the show. DIAL (202) 695-1040.SponsorshipsAre you interested in sponsoring the Cloud Accounting Podcast? For details, read the prospectus.Need Accounting Conference Info? Check out our new website - accountingconferences.comLimited edition shirts, stickers, and other necessitiesTeePublic Store: http://cloudacctpod.link/merchSubscribeApple Podcasts: http://cloudacctpod.link/ApplePodcastsYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheAccountingPodcastSpotify: http://cloudacctpod.link/SpotifyPodchaser: http://cloudacctpod.link/podchaserStitcher: http://cloudacctpod.link/StitcherOvercast: http://cloudacctpod.link/OvercastWant to get the word out about your newsletter, webinar, party, Facebook group, podcast, e-book, job posting, or that fancy Excel macro you just created? Let the listeners of The Accounting Podcast know by running a classified ad. Go here to create your classified ad: https://cloudacctpod.link/RunClassifiedAdTranscriptsThe full transcript for this episode is available by clicking on the Transcript tab at the top of this page

In this episode, Blake Oliver interviews Nicolas Boucher, one of LinkedIn's top finance thought leaders, who demonstrates how AI tools like ChatGPT and Python can dramatically accelerate financial data analysis and reporting while maintaining confidentiality. Nicolas shows how finance professionals can create instant analyses and dashboards, integrate AI with existing systems, and automate repetitive tasks to save time and advance their careers.Chapters(00:00) - Nicolas Boucher's Journey and AI in Accounting (03:11) - Practical Applications of AI in Accounting (04:07) - Demonstration: Cohort Analysis with ChatGPT (08:56) - Challenges and Solutions with AI Tools (15:50) - Advanced Data Visualization with AI (22:52) - AI's Surprising Insight with Box Plots (25:48) - Integrating AI with Excel for Confidential Analysis (27:38) - Exploring AI Tools for Finance (28:46) - Concourse.io: Automating Monthly Financial Reports (33:04) - The Future of Finance Jobs with AI (45:02) - Nicolas Boucher's AI Resources and Community Connect with Our Guest, Nicolas Boucherhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/bouchernicolas/https://nicolasboucher.online/https://www.youtube.com/@nicolasboucherfinanceSign up to get free CPE for listening to this podcasthttps://earmarkcpe.comhttps://earmark.app/Download the Earmark CPE App Apple: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/earmark-cpe/id1562599728Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.earmarkcpe.appConnect with Blake Oliver, CPALinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/blaketoliverTwitter: https://twitter.com/blaketoliver/

Is the CPA exam fundamentally flawed? With FAR section pass rates plummeting to a 15-year low of 36% and a staggering 40-point gap between discipline section pass rates, something isn't adding up. Dr. Josh McGowan of Troy University joins Blake Oliver to dissect these troubling statistics and explore how the 2024 CPA Evolution model may be inadvertently pushing candidates toward "easier" disciplines. They tackle the growing movement to drop the 150-hour requirement and propose a provocative solution: splitting the credential into specialized tax and financial/audit pathways. Whether you're preparing for the exam or leading a firm, this conversation reveals how accounting's licensing system might finally evolve beyond its one-size-fits-all approach.Meet Our Guest, Dr. Josh McGowan, CPALinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-josh-mcgowan-cpa-503846b7/X: https://x.com/Jmcgowan3838Need CPE?Get CPE for listening to podcasts with Earmark: https://earmarkcpe.comSubscribe to the Earmark Podcast: https://podcast.earmarkcpe.comGet in TouchThanks for listening and the great reviews! We appreciate you! Follow and tweet @BlakeTOliver and @DavidLeary. Find us on Facebook and Instagram. If you like what you hear, please do us a favor and write a review on Apple Podcasts or Podchaser. Call us and leave a voicemail; maybe we'll play it on the show. DIAL (202) 695-1040.SponsorshipsAre you interested in sponsoring the Cloud Accounting Podcast? For details, read the prospectus.Need Accounting Conference Info? Check out our new website - accountingconferences.comLimited edition shirts, stickers, and other necessitiesTeePublic Store: http://cloudacctpod.link/merchSubscribeApple Podcasts: http://cloudacctpod.link/ApplePodcastsYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheAccountingPodcastSpotify: http://cloudacctpod.link/SpotifyPodchaser: http://cloudacctpod.link/podchaserStitcher: http://cloudacctpod.link/StitcherOvercast: http://cloudacctpod.link/OvercastClassifiedsWant to get the word out about your newsletter, webinar, party, Facebook group, podcast, e-book, job posting, or that fancy Excel macro you just created? Let the listeners of The Accounting Podcast know by running a classified ad. Go here to create your classified ad: https://cloudacctpod.link/RunClassifiedAdTranscriptsThe full transcript for this episode is available by clicking on the Transcript tab at the top of this page

This week on the pod: Judge orders 6 agencies (including IRS?) to rehire fired probationary workers, we dig into the tax trick Dr. Oz used to pay no Medicare taxes, AICPA in pointless talks with the IRS, Digits takes on QuickBooks with AI-powered GL, remote accounting jobs in retreat, and more!SponsorsOnPay - http://accountingpodcast.promo/onpayRelay - http://accountingpodcast.promo/relayChapters(01:29) - Listener Feedback and Criticism (02:37) - Political Discussions and Their Impact on Accounting (12:34) - IRS Workforce Cuts and Technology Issues (20:44) - Dr. Oz and the Limited Partner Tax Strategy (33:15) - Viewer Comments and AI Discussion (33:56) - Digits and AI (52:29) - Remote Accounting Jobs: Trends and Insights (58:32) - Deloitte's Audit Integrity (01:00:53) - IRS Drama: Chief Counsel Clash (01:02:03) - Podcast Wrap-Up and Listener Engagement  Show NotesDr. Mehmet Oz may have underpaid Medicare and Social Security taxes, Senate Democratic memo findshttps://www.nbcnews.com/politics/congress/dr-mehmet-oz-medicare-social-security-taxes-democrats-memo-rcna196237 DOGE proposes cutting IRS workforce by a total of nearly 20%https://www.cnn.com/2025/03/13/politics/doge-irs-workforce-cuts-downsizing/index.html Judge orders Trump administration to reinstate thousands of fired employees at VA, Defense Department and other agencieshttps://www.cnn.com/2025/03/13/politics/judge-opm-probationary-employees-fired-hearing/index.html AICPA CEO Releases Statement on IRS Services for this Tax Seasonhttps://www.aicpa-cima.com/news/article/aicpa-ceo-releases-statement-on-irs-services-for-this-tax-season Introducing Autonomous General Ledgerhttps://digits.com/blog/agl-announcement/ Building AI that Actually Works: 10 Key Lessons from Calendly's CPO and Head of UXhttps://www.saastr.com/10-key-lessons-from-calendlys-cpo-and-head-of-ux-on-building-ai-that-actually-works/ Only 9% of SMB finance teams are still working fully remotehttps://www.cfo.com/news/only-9-of-small-medium-SMB-cfos-are-still-working-fully-remote-return-to-office-strategies/740312/ Opportunity to Attract and Retain Highly Motivated Working Parents via Enhanced Flexibility, Stronger Support Systemshttps://kpmg.com/us/en/media/news/kpmg-working-parents-survey-2025.html Steak n Shake's parent company gets an adverse opinion from auditorhttps://www.expressnews.com/business/article/steaknshake-biglari-auditor-adverse-opinion-20204740.php The IRS just demoted its chief counsel who clashed with Elon Musk's DOGEhttps://fortune.com/2025/03/13/irs-chief-counsel-doge-elon-musk/Need CPE?Get CPE for listening to podcasts with Earmark: https://earmarkcpe.comSubscribe to the Earmark Podcast: https://podcast.earmarkcpe.comGet in TouchThanks for listening and the great reviews! We appreciate you! Follow and tweet @BlakeTOliver and @DavidLeary. Find us on Facebook and Instagram. If you like what you hear, please do us a favor and write a review on Apple Podcasts or Podchaser. Call us and leave a voicemail; maybe we'll play it on the show. DIAL (202) 695-1040.SponsorshipsAre you interested in sponsoring the Cloud Accounting Podcast? For details, read the prospectus.Need Accounting Conference Info? Check out our new website - accountingconferences.comLimited edition shirts, stickers, and other necessitiesTeePublic Store: http://cloudacctpod.link/merchSubscribeApple Podcasts: http://cloudacctpod.link/ApplePodcastsYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheAccountingPodcastSpotify: http://cloudacctpod.link/SpotifyPodchaser: http://cloudacctpod.link/podchaserStitcher: http://cloudacctpod.link/StitcherOvercast: http://cloudacctpod.link/OvercastWant to get the word out about your newsletter, webinar, party, Facebook group, podcast, e-book, job posting, or that fancy Excel macro you just created? Let the listeners of The Accounting Podcast know by running a classified ad. Go here to create your classified ad: https://cloudacctpod.link/RunClassifiedAdTranscriptsThe full transcript for this episode is available by clicking on the Transcript tab at the top of this page

How does a profession revitalize itself when salaries haven't budged since 2007? In this episode, Blake and David examine the shocking reality that Big Four audit associates in Chicago earn the same salary range today as they did nearly two decades ago. They also explore why accounting's value proposition has stagnated in a world where financial statements fail to capture what truly matters to modern investors, and you'll hear their take on the IRS's plan to cut 50% of its workforce, Social Security's future, and the economic impact of tariffs—including a surprising clip from Ronald Reagan himself. Plus, learn how over 30 states are now advancing legislation to eliminate the 150-hour rule that has long been blamed for declining CPA candidates.SponsorsOnPay - http://accountingpodcast.promo/onpayBluevine - http://accountingpodcast.promo/bluevine (Bluevine is a financial technology company, not a bank. Banking Services provided by Coastal Community Bank, Member FDIC.) Chapters(00:49) - BOI Reporting Requirements Halted (02:00) - Impact of BOI Reporting Suspension (05:12) - IRS Layoffs and Their Implications (11:56) - Reagan's Take on Tariffs (15:58) - Trump's Tariffs and Fentanyl Production (19:59) - OnPay Updates (24:50) - Economic Optimism Among CPAs (27:10) - Strategic Crypto Reserve (30:30) - Elon Musk on Social Security (37:49) - Earmark Webinar Highlights on CPA Licensure Changes (40:17) - Audit Associate Salary Stagnation (43:32) - CPA Supervision and Work Experience Challenges (44:48) - Audit Quality and Firm Economics (47:46) - Intangible Assets and Financial Reporting (59:03) - Expense Card Industry Updates (01:04:26) - US Debt and Economic Power  Show Notes The IRS Is Reportedly Planning to Cut Up to 45,000 Workers — Half of Its Workforcehttps://www.entrepreneur.com/business-news/irs-planning-mass-layoffs-cutting-half-of-workforce-report/487974 President Reagan's Radio Address on Free and Fair Trade on April 25, 1987https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5t5QK03KXPc Trump's Tariffs Set Off Day of Anger, Retaliation and Market Uneasehttps://www.nytimes.com/live/2025/03/04/us/tariffs-us-canada-mexico-china Domestic economic sentiment declines 20 percentage points among CPA execshttps://www.journalofaccountancy.com/news/2025/mar/domestic-economic-sentiment-declines-20-percentage-points-among-cpa-execs.html Trump signs order to establish strategic bitcoin reservehttps://www.reuters.com/technology/trump-signs-order-establish-strategic-bitcoin-reserve-white-house-crypto-czar-2025-03-07/ Fact Sheet: President Donald J. Trump Establishes the Strategic Bitcoin Reserve and U.S. Digital Asset Stockpilehttps://www.whitehouse.gov/fact-sheets/2025/03/fact-sheet-president-donald-j-trump-establishes-the-strategic-bitcoin-reserve-and-u-s-digital-asset-stockpile/ Elon Musk's Social Security Comments Called Out by Former Administratorhttps://www.newsweek.com/elon-musk-social-security-comments-ponzi-scheme-martin-omalley-2042006 85% of Americans Willing to Raise Taxes to Save Social Security, Survey Showshttps://finance.yahoo.com/news/85-americans-willing-raise-taxes-133018876.html Erica Goode's LinkedIn Post on Salary Declineshttps://www.linkedin.com/posts/erica-goode-cpa-00205616_thisindustry-icanteven-activity-7300526290778869762-hqph/ Will Debt Sink the American Empire?https://www.wsj.com/politics/policy/will-debt-sink-the-american-empire-8459096b FASB Requests Feedback Related to Intangible Assetshttps://dart.deloitte.com/USDART/home/news/all-news/2024/dec/fasb-invitation-to-comment-intangible-assets Need CPE?Get CPE for listening to podcasts with Earmark: https://earmarkcpe.comSubscribe to the Earmark Podcast: https://podcast.earmarkcpe.comGet in TouchThanks for listening and the great reviews! We appreciate you! Follow and tweet @BlakeTOliver and @DavidLeary. Find us on Facebook and Instagram. If you like what you hear, please do us a favor and write a review on Apple Podcasts or Podchaser. Call us and leave a voicemail; maybe we'll play it on the show. DIAL (202) 695-1040.SponsorshipsAre you interested in sponsoring the Cloud Accounting Podcast? For details, read the prospectus.Need Accounting Conference Info? Check out our new website - accountingconferences.comLimited edition shirts, stickers, and other necessitiesTeePublic Store: http://cloudacctpod.link/merchSubscribeApple Podcasts: http://cloudacctpod.link/ApplePodcastsYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheAccountingPodcastSpotify: http://cloudacctpod.link/SpotifyPodchaser: http://cloudacctpod.link/podchaserStitcher: http://cloudacctpod.link/StitcherOvercast:

What happens when political changes collide with tax enforcement? In this revealing conversation, former IRS revenue agent Jeff Johnson shares his firsthand account of being caught in the recent mass layoffs at the IRS. Having just completed seven months of intensive training, Jeff was among 7,000 probationary employees suddenly terminated as part of a broader federal workforce reduction initiative.Jeff pulls back the curtain on the agency's antiquated systems—including 1960s COBOL programming and cryptic green screens that revenue agents must master—and explains why these cuts could mean fewer audits of non-compliant taxpayers. You'll hear how experienced professionals who left established careers to serve at the IRS were dismissed with minimal notice and why this might be just the beginning of a much more significant reduction targeting up to half of the agency's 90,000 workforce.Meet Our Guest, Jeff JohnstonLinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/jon-jeffery-johnston-6812875Need CPE?Get CPE for listening to podcasts with Earmark: https://earmarkcpe.comSubscribe to the Earmark Podcast: https://podcast.earmarkcpe.comGet in TouchThanks for listening and the great reviews! We appreciate you! Follow and tweet @BlakeTOliver and @DavidLeary. Find us on Facebook and Instagram. If you like what you hear, please do us a favor and write a review on Apple Podcasts or Podchaser. Call us and leave a voicemail; maybe we'll play it on the show. DIAL (202) 695-1040.SponsorshipsAre you interested in sponsoring the Cloud Accounting Podcast? For details, read the prospectus.Need Accounting Conference Info? Check out our new website - accountingconferences.comLimited edition shirts, stickers, and other necessitiesTeePublic Store: http://cloudacctpod.link/merchSubscribeApple Podcasts: http://cloudacctpod.link/ApplePodcastsYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheAccountingPodcastSpotify: http://cloudacctpod.link/SpotifyPodchaser: http://cloudacctpod.link/podchaserStitcher: http://cloudacctpod.link/StitcherOvercast: http://cloudacctpod.link/OvercastClassifiedsWant to get the word out about your newsletter, webinar, party, Facebook group, podcast, e-book, job posting, or that fancy Excel macro you just created? Let the listeners of The Accounting Podcast know by running a classified ad. Go here to create your classified ad: https://cloudacctpod.link/RunClassifiedAdTranscriptsThe full transcript for this episode is available by clicking on the Transcript tab at the top of this page

What happens when the US government considers creating a cryptocurrency reserve? In this episode, Blake and David dive into Trump's surprising announcement about establishing a crypto strategic reserve and the immediate market reaction. They explore this proposal's potential consequences and skepticism, from security vulnerabilities to valuation challenges.You'll also hear about PwC Israel's $2.8 million fine for exam cheating, Connecticut's push to create alternative CPA licensure pathways, and how accounting firms are expanding into legal services. They also dissect the outcry over federal employees being asked to submit weekly accomplishment reports and break down Citigroup's jaw-dropping $81 trillion transfer error caused by poor software design.Whether you're tracking regulatory changes, interested in the evolution of professional services firms, or simply fascinated by the intersection of finance and technology, this episode delivers insights into the forces reshaping the accounting profession today.Sponsors Bluevine - http://accountingpodcast.promo/bluevine (Bluevine is a financial technology company, not a bank. Banking Services provided by Coastal Community Bank, Member FDIC.)  CPA.com - http://accountingpodcast.promo/cpaChapters(00:00) - Introduction and Welcome (00:29) - Crypto's Legitimacy and Trump's Announcement (01:44) - Crypto Market Reactions and Speculations (04:07) - Personal Updates and Hiking Adventure (05:36) - Crypto Reserve Concerns and Security Issues (08:00) - PWC Fined for Cheating Scandal (11:42) - Top Collegiate Accounting Programs (16:52) - FinCEN and Beneficial Ownership Reporting (17:59) - Fyre Festival 2 Announcement (20:46) - CPA Licensure Pathways and Reforms (25:33) - Accounting Firms Expanding into Legal Services (30:45) - Consulting Firms and Government Contracts (36:30) - Government Spending and Nonprofits (37:49) - Consulting Costs and Middlemen (40:18) - The Penny Debate (41:53) - Federal Employee Accountability (58:46) - Elon Musk's OpenAI Offer (01:03:50) - Citigroup's $81 Trillion Error (01:07:36) - Self-Driving Cars and AI (01:10:11) - Conclusion and CPE Message  Show NotesTrump names cryptocurrencies in strategic reserve, sending prices uphttps://www.reuters.com/world/us/trump-says-cryptocurrency-strategic-reserve-includes-xrp-sol-ada-2025-03-02/ Crypto's biggest hacks and heists after $1.5 billion theft from Bybithttps://www.reuters.com/technology/cybersecurity/cryptos-biggest-hacks-heists-after-15-billion-theft-bybit-2025-02-24/ PCAOB Sanctions PwC Israel for Quality Control Violations Related to Widespread Improper Answer Sharinghttps://pcaobus.org/news-events/news-releases/news-release-detail/pcaob-sanctions-pwc-israel-for-quality-control-violations-related-to-widespread-improper-answer-sharing CPA Success Index: Ranking the top collegiate accounting programshttps://www.accountingtoday.com/opinion/cpa-success-index-ranks-top-collegiate-accounting-programs FinCEN Not Issuing Fines or Penalties in Connection with Beneficial Ownership Information Reporting Deadlineshttps://www.fincen.gov/news/news-releases/fincen-not-issuing-fines-or-penalties-connection-beneficial-ownership Fyre Festival 2 tickets are on sale for up to $1.1 million after founder served prison time for defrauding investors of the first eventhttps://fortune.com/2025/02/26/fyre-festival-2-tickets-billy-mcfarland-prometheus-pass-music-lineup/ Progress: Tracking the conversation in all licensing jurisdictionshttps://www.mncpa.org/involvement/legislative/broadening-pathways-to-cpa/national/ Aprio Aims to Enter Legal Industry by Combining with Law Firm in Arizonahttps://www.cpapracticeadvisor.com/2025/02/13/aprio-aims-to-enter-legal-industry-by-combining-with-law-firm-in-arizona/156043/ McKinsey Estimates Advisor Shortage of 100,000 by 2034https://www.wealthmanagement.com/wealth-management-industry-trends/mckinsey-estimates-advisor-shortage-of-100-000-by-2034 Saudi Wealth Fund Blocks PwC from Advisory Work for One Yearhttps://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-02-28/saudi-wealth-fund-blocks-pwc-from-advisory-work-for-one-year A message from SecVA Doug Collinshttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r8Z_RkqSAzo Everyone Hates Pennies, Except This Guyhttps://www.wsj.com/business/mark-weller-penny-defender-trump-d543a9de?mod=business_lead_pos1 Federal workers get a new email demanding their accomplishmentshttps://www.npr.org/2025/03/01/g-s1-51490/federal-workers-new-email-accomplishments Fact Sheet: President Donald J. Trump Proceeds with Tariffs on Imports from Canada and Mexicohttps://www.whitehouse.gov/fact-sheets/2025/03/fact-sheet-president-donald-j-trump-proceeds-with-tariffs-on-imports-from-canada-and-mexico/ Sam Altman Rejects Elon Musk's Offer To Buy OpenAI Control—And Mocks Xhttps://www.forbes.com/sites/mollybohannon/2025/02/10/sam-altman-rejects-elon-musks-offer-to-buy-openai-control-and-mocks-x/ Former U.S. Senator Robert Menendez Sentenced To 11 Years In Prison For Bribery, Foreign Agent, And Obstruction Offenses

Join leaders from the Illinois, New York, California, Texas, Florida, and Pennsylvania state CPA societies as they explore recent and proposed CPA licensure changes. Discover the latest state-by-state updates, timelines, and resources you need to stay on track. We address the 150-hour rule, potential alternative pathways, and practical mobility and reciprocity concerns. Whether you're a student or a candidate, gain real-world guidance to confidently navigate your journey toward the CPA license.(Originally recorded on March 4, 2025, on Earmark Webinars+)Chapters(00:00) - Introduction and Earning CPE Credit (00:17) - Welcome and Overview of CPA Licensure Discussion (00:41) - The Talent Shortage in Accounting (01:04) - State Actions on CPA Licensure (01:26) - Introduction of Guest Speakers (01:59) - Overview of Changing Licensure Pathways (03:14) - Detailed Discussion on New Pathways (05:17) - State-Specific Updates on Legislation (17:57) - Addressing Common Concerns and Misconceptions (26:10) - Flexibility in Accounting Education (26:41) - Second Career Opportunities in Accounting (27:15) - Adapting to Future CPA Skills (27:53) - Challenges in Implementing Changes (28:36) - State-Based Licensing Complexities (32:21) - Efforts to Address Talent Shortage (38:14) - Unintended Consequences of Deregulation (44:10) - The Importance of State Coordination (46:42) - Future of the CPA Profession (49:02) - Improving Working Conditions in Accounting (56:11) - Next Steps for Aspiring CPAs (57:43) - Conclusion and CPE Credit Information CPE for this episode https://earmark.app/c/2268Sign up to get free CPE for listening to this podcasthttps://earmarkcpe.comhttps://earmark.app/Download the Earmark CPE App Apple: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/earmark-cpe/id1562599728Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.earmarkcpe.appConnect with Our GuestsGeoffrey Brown - https://www.linkedin.com/in/geoffrey-brown-cae-9039484Jen Cryder - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jencryderDenise Froemming - https://www.linkedin.com/in/denise-leduc-froemming-Calvin Harris Jr. - https://www.linkedin.com/in/calvinhjrJodi Ann LaFreniere Ray - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jodiannlafreniererayShelly Weir - https://www.linkedin.com/in/shellysiceloffConnect with Blake Oliver, CPALinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/blaketoliverTwitter: https://twitter.com/blaketoliver/

Billions in federal funds for nonprofits were abruptly frozen by the Trump administration, leaving organizations scrambling to stay afloat. Blake speaks with Jerilyn Dressler and Harriet "Hatsy" Cutshall from YPTC about how these freezes disrupted essential services, the complex flow of federal grants, and the rigorous compliance requirements nonprofits must meet. With a judge ordering the funds to be reinstated, they discuss what's next for nonprofits and the ongoing challenges of government funding oversight.Meet Our Guests: Jerilyn Dressler, CPA : https://www.linkedin.com/in/jerilynkeitdresslercpacfeHarriet "Hatsy" Cutshall, CPA : https://www.linkedin.com/in/hatsycutshallcpa-yptcGet in TouchThanks for listening and the great reviews! We appreciate you! Follow and tweet @BlakeTOliver and @DavidLeary. Find us on Facebook and Instagram. If you like what you hear, please do us a favor and write a review on Apple Podcasts or Podchaser. Call us and leave a voicemail; maybe we'll play it on the show. DIAL (202) 695-1040.SponsorshipsAre you interested in sponsoring the Cloud Accounting Podcast? For details, read the prospectus.Need Accounting Conference Info? Check out our new website - accountingconferences.comLimited edition shirts, stickers, and other necessitiesTeePublic Store: http://cloudacctpod.link/merchSubscribeApple Podcasts: http://cloudacctpod.link/ApplePodcastsYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheAccountingPodcastSpotify: http://cloudacctpod.link/SpotifyPodchaser: http://cloudacctpod.link/podchaserStitcher: http://cloudacctpod.link/StitcherOvercast: http://cloudacctpod.link/OvercastClassifiedsWant to get the word out about your newsletter, webinar, party, Facebook group, podcast, e-book, job posting, or that fancy Excel macro you just created? Let the listeners of The Accounting Podcast know by running a classified ad. Go here to create your classified ad: https://cloudacctpod.link/RunClassifiedAd

Dr. Jack Castonguay, CPA and Hofstra University professor, provides a critical analysis of proposed legislation to create a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve. He challenges the notion that the government should invest taxpayer money in a highly volatile, speculative asset that lacks the practical applications of traditional reserves like oil or foreign currencies. The discussion explores concerns about buying at record-high prices, the unknown identities of Bitcoin holders, and the potential risks of states allocating public funds to cryptocurrency investments.Meet Our Guest, Jack Castonguayhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/jack-castonguay-phd-cpahttps://www.hofstra.edu/faculty-staff/faculty-profile.html?id=6751Need CPE?Get CPE for listening to podcasts with Earmark: https://earmarkcpe.comSubscribe to the Earmark Podcast: https://podcast.earmarkcpe.comGet in TouchThanks for listening and the great reviews! We appreciate you! Follow and tweet @BlakeTOliver and @DavidLeary. Find us on Facebook and Instagram. If you like what you hear, please do us a favor and write a review on Apple Podcasts or Podchaser. Call us and leave a voicemail; maybe we'll play it on the show. DIAL (202) 695-1040.SponsorshipsAre you interested in sponsoring the Cloud Accounting Podcast? For details, read the prospectus.Need Accounting Conference Info? Check out our new website - accountingconferences.comLimited edition shirts, stickers, and other necessitiesTeePublic Store: http://cloudacctpod.link/merchSubscribeApple Podcasts: http://cloudacctpod.link/ApplePodcastsYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheAccountingPodcastSpotify: http://cloudacctpod.link/SpotifyPodchaser: http://cloudacctpod.link/podchaserStitcher: http://cloudacctpod.link/StitcherOvercast: http://cloudacctpod.link/OvercastClassifiedsWant to get the word out about your newsletter, webinar, party, Facebook group, podcast, e-book, job posting, or that fancy Excel macro you just created? Let the listeners of The Accounting Podcast know by running a classified ad. Go here to create your classified ad: https://cloudacctpod.link/RunClassifiedAd

This episode originally appeared on the Earmark Podcast. Listen and subscribe at https://podcast.earmarkcpe.com.Erica Goode, CPA, reveals how she built a thriving $200K accounting firm working just 15 hours a week. Discover the power of niching, efficient processes, and work-life balance in this candid discussion. Erica will share her journey from corporate burnout to entrepreneurial success, offering practical insights on pricing strategies, time management, and building authority in your niche. Whether you're considering starting your own firm or optimizing your existing practice, this webinar will inspire and equip you to reimagine what's possible in your accounting career.Get CPE for this episode here: https://www.earmark.app/c/1802Show NotesThe 15-Hour Accounting eBook:https://mailchi.mp/ericagoode/15-hr-accountant-ebookMeet Our Guest, Erica GoodeLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erica-goode-cpa-00205616/Need CPE?Get CPE for listening to podcasts with Earmark: https://earmarkcpe.comSubscribe to the Earmark Podcast: https://podcast.earmarkcpe.comGet in TouchThanks for listening and the great reviews! We appreciate you! Follow and tweet @BlakeTOliver and @DavidLeary. Find us on Facebook and Instagram. If you like what you hear, please do us a favor and write a review on Apple Podcasts or Podchaser. Call us and leave a voicemail; maybe we'll play it on the show. DIAL (202) 695-1040.SponsorshipsAre you interested in sponsoring the Cloud Accounting Podcast? For details, read the prospectus.Need Accounting Conference Info? Check out our new website - accountingconferences.comLimited edition shirts, stickers, and other necessitiesTeePublic Store: http://cloudacctpod.link/merchSubscribeApple Podcasts: http://cloudacctpod.link/ApplePodcastsYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheAccountingPodcastSpotify: http://cloudacctpod.link/SpotifyPodchaser: http://cloudacctpod.link/podchaserStitcher: http://cloudacctpod.link/StitcherOvercast: http://cloudacctpod.link/OvercastClassifiedsWant to get the word out about your newsletter, webinar, party, Facebook group, podcast, e-book, job posting, or that fancy Excel macro you just created? Let the listeners of The Accounting Podcast know by running a classified ad. Go here to create your classified ad: https://cloudacctpod.link/RunClassifiedAdTranscriptsThe full transcript for this episode is available by clicking on the Transcript tab at the top of this page

Is the U.S. heading toward a financial cliff? In this eye-opening episode, Blake and David unpack the Government Accountability Office's sobering projection that federal debt will double the size of the economy by 2047. While exploring recent DOGE initiatives and IRS layoffs, they examine whether drastic government spending cuts are inevitable—and necessary.Meanwhile, Virginia and Tennessee join the growing movement to reform CPA licensure requirements by offering pathways that don't require 150 credit hours. Could these changes be the key to increasing diversity more effectively than corporate DEI programs?You'll also discover why the $400 million PCAOB budget might be on the chopping block, how AI research tools like Perplexity Deep Research are revolutionizing tax research, and get the latest update on the ever-shifting BOI reporting deadlines. Whether you lean left, right, or stay strictly in the debits and credits, this episode offers practical insights for navigating the changing professional landscape.SponsorsOnPay - http://accountingpodcast.promo/onpayCPA.com - http://accountingpodcast.promo/cpaBluevine - http://accountingpodcast.promo/bluevine (Bluevine is a financial technology company, not a bank. Banking Services provided by Coastal Community Bank, Member FDIC.)Chapters(02:16) - Apologies and Clarifications (04:37) - IRS Layoffs and Government Spending (05:32) - Live Stream Interactions and Sponsorships (06:47) - Federal Debt and Fiscal Health (16:58) - BOI Reporting Deadline Extension (19:05) - Deloitte's DEI Changes (23:26) - CPA Licensure Pathways (28:37) - DOGE Dividend Proposal (33:14) - Social Security and Medicare Funding Challenges (35:40) - Impact of IRS Layoffs (38:13) - Audit Rates and Tax Compliance (42:16) - Regulatory Burdens and Economic Growth (50:09) - PCAOB and Audit Quality (59:54) - AI in Tax Research (01:05:38) - Listener Engagement and Final Thoughts  Show NotesGAO-24-106987, The Nation's Fiscal Healthhttps://www.gao.gov/assets/d24106987.pdf Corporate Transparency Act Enforcement Injunction Stayed, FinCEN Extends the Beneficial Ownership Information Reporting Deadline to March 21, 2025, and Announces Intention to Revise the Reporting Rulehttps://www.sidley.com/en/insights/newsupdates/2025/02/corporate-transparency-act-enforcement-injunction-stayed Trump Demands Apple Ditch DEI After It Rejects Proposal: Here Are All The Companies Cutting Diversity Programshttps://www.forbes.com/sites/conormurray/2025/02/26/trump-demands-apple-ditch-dei-after-it-rejects-proposal-here-are-all-the-companies-cutting-diversity-programs/ Breaking down Virginia's new CPA requirements: What you need to knowhttps://www.blakeoliver.com/blog/breaking-down-virginias-new-cpa-requirements-what-you-need-to-know Virginia General Assembly passes legislation widening pathways to CPA licensure effective Jan. 1, 2026https://boa.virginia.gov/2025/02/virginia-general-assembly-passes-legislation-widening-pathways-to-cpa-licensure-effective-jan-1-2026/ Bridging the Gap: New CPA Licensure Legislation To Address the CPA Shortagehttps://www.tscpa.com/news/1490-bridging-the-gap-new-cpa-licensure-legislation-to-address-the-cpa-shortage $5,000 DOGE check? Trump backs idea to send some savings to Americanshttps://www.fox9.com/news/5000-doge-dividend-check-trump-backs-savings-americans IRS plans to lay off 7,000 probationary workers beginning Thursday, AP source sayshttps://apnews.com/article/irs-layoffs-trump-elon-musk-doge-df2b3c8d53ff9f2d276c8b29f8004dde AICPA CEO Mark Koziel on the Future of Accounting Under the Trump Administrationhttps://www.nysscpa.org/news/publications/the-trusted-professional/article/aicpa-ceo-mark-koziel-on-the-future-of-accounting-under-the-trump-administration-021225 Perplexity Unveils Deep Research: AI-Powered Tool for Advanced Analysishttps://www.infoq.com/news/2025/02/perplexity-deep-research/ TaxGPT Raises $4.6M to Build the First AI Tax Co-Pilot for Accounting and Tax Firmshttps://www.taxgpt.com/blog/taxgpt-raises-4-6m-to-build-the-first-ai-tax-co-pilot-for-accounting-and-tax-firms DeepSeek on par with GPT, Claude, Llama for accountinghttps://www.accountingtoday.com/news/deepseek-on-par-with-gpt-claude-llama-for-accounting Secure your Intuit Account and prevent lockout with extra verification methodshttps://quickbooks.intuit.com/learn-support/en-us/help-article/security-risk/verify-account-multi-factor-authentication/L2Xp0GNiT_US_en_US Need CPE?Get CPE for listening to podcasts with Earmark: https://earmarkcpe.comSubscribe to the Earmark Podcast: https://podcast.earmarkcpe.comGet in TouchThanks for listening and the great reviews! We appreciate you! Follow and tweet @BlakeTOliver and @DavidLeary. Find us on Facebook and Instagram. If you like what you hear, please do us a favor and write a review on Apple Podcasts or Podchaser. Call us and ...

Ever wondered why there's so much questionable tax advice circulating on social media? In this eye-opening episode, Blake Oliver sits down with Jasmine DiLucci, a rare triple-threat professional - attorney, CPA, and enrolled agent with nearly 500,000 YouTube subscribers.Jasmine pulls back the curtain on why tax misinformation spreads like wildfire online and reveals the number one reason tax strategies fail (even legitimate ones): poor implementation and documentation. Through her journey from taking over her parents' small practice to building a multi-million dollar firm, she shares hard-earned wisdom about scaling a tax practice and finding team members who can uphold your standards.You'll discover how Jasmine unexpectedly found that her social media presence attracted not just clients, but exceptional talent to her firm. She also provides practical insights on tax resolution work, dealing with the IRS, and resources that can help tax professionals level up their expertise. Whether you're a tax practitioner looking to grow or a business owner wanting to avoid tax pitfalls, this conversation delivers valuable takeaways that could save you thousands in an audit.SponsorMakersHub - https://earmarkcpe.promo/makershubChapters(00:00) - Introduction to Jasmine Delucci (01:07) - The Rise of Tax Misinformation (05:16) - Challenges in Tax Law and IRS Audits (08:20) - Jasmine's Practice and Clientele (12:04) - The Importance of Proper Tax Documentation (27:15) - Leveraging Social Media for Tax Education (29:42) - Inspiration from Family (30:32) - Early Exposure to Tax Profession (32:19) - Taking Over the Family Business (33:35) - Balancing Law School and Business (33:53) - Scaling the Firm (34:05) - The Power of Social Media (40:36) - Building a Strong Team (48:37) - Technology Stack (49:52) - Conclusion and Community Sign up to get free CPE for listening to this podcasthttps://earmarkcpe.comhttps://earmark.app/Download the Earmark CPE App Apple: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/earmark-cpe/id1562599728Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.earmarkcpe.appConnect with Our Guest, Jasmine DiLucciLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasminedilucci/Twitter: https://twitter.com/DiLucciCPAFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/diluccicpasInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/diluccicpaTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@diluccicpaLearn more about DiLucci CPA Firmhttps://dilucci.com/Connect with Blake Oliver, CPALinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/blaketoliverTwitter: https://twitter.com/blaketoliver/

SponsorsCPA.com - http://accountingpodcast.promo/cpaRelay - http://accountingpodcast.promo/relayCloud Accountant Staffing - http://accountingpodcast.promo/casRho - http://accountingpodcast.promo/rhoChapters(00:00) - Welcome to The Accounting Podcast (00:54) - Chaos Created by Doge (01:32) - Top Stories of the Week (02:17) - Listener Mail and Additional Topics (05:09) - Live Stream Interaction (06:42) - DOJ and Treasury Payment Freeze (17:40) - Young Engineers at DOJ (24:15) - Automation Features for Seamless Transactions (24:44) - Addressing Viewer Questions on Treasury Policies (25:34) - Debate on Federal Fund Vetting and Spending (27:57) - Government Bureaucracy and Political Battles (33:31) - The Role of Young Auditors in Government Agencies (40:38) - Adobe's Tax Tips: Helpful or Harmful? (43:54) - Final Thoughts on Government Efficiency and Partisanship  Show NotesComing soon!Need CPE?Get CPE for listening to podcasts with Earmark: https://earmarkcpe.comSubscribe to the Earmark Podcast: https://podcast.earmarkcpe.comGet in TouchThanks for listening and the great reviews! We appreciate you! Follow and tweet @BlakeTOliver and @DavidLeary. Find us on Facebook and Instagram. If you like what you hear, please do us a favor and write a review on Apple Podcasts or Podchaser. Call us and leave a voicemail; maybe we'll play it on the show. DIAL (202) 695-1040.SponsorshipsAre you interested in sponsoring the Cloud Accounting Podcast? For details, read the prospectus.Need Accounting Conference Info? Check out our new website - accountingconferences.comLimited edition shirts, stickers, and other necessitiesTeePublic Store: http://cloudacctpod.link/merchSubscribeApple Podcasts: http://cloudacctpod.link/ApplePodcastsYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheAccountingPodcastSpotify: http://cloudacctpod.link/SpotifyPodchaser: http://cloudacctpod.link/podchaserStitcher: http://cloudacctpod.link/StitcherOvercast: http://cloudacctpod.link/OvercastClassifiedsWant to get the word out about your newsletter, webinar, party, Facebook group, podcast, e-book, job posting, or that fancy Excel macro you just created? Let the listeners of The Accounting Podcast know by running a classified ad. Go here to create your classified ad: https://cloudacctpod.link/RunClassifiedAdTranscriptsThe full transcript for this episode is available by clicking on the Transcript tab at the top of this page

SponsorsOnPay - http://accountingpodcast.promo/onpayKeeper - http://accountingpodcast.promo/keeperCloud Accountant Staffing - http://accountingpodcast.promo/casRho - http://accountingpodcast.promo/rhoChapters(00:00) - Welcome to The Accounting Podcast (03:37) - Government Employee Buyout Offer Update (09:24) - Undergraduate Accounting Enrollment Surge (12:38) - Illinois Proposes New CPA Pathways (14:25) - Elon Musk and IRS Direct File Controversy (18:16) - Doge's Access to Treasury Systems (26:53) - Tax Exemption on Tips: A Double-Edged Sword (30:19) - The Hidden Costs of Automation (38:03) - AI in Accounting: Current Innovations (47:03) - BDO Lawsuit: Inflated Revenues and ESOP (50:57) - Closing Remarks and Announcements  Show NotesComing soon!Need CPE?Get CPE for listening to podcasts with Earmark: https://earmarkcpe.comSubscribe to the Earmark Podcast: https://podcast.earmarkcpe.comGet in TouchThanks for listening and the great reviews! We appreciate you! Follow and tweet @BlakeTOliver and @DavidLeary. Find us on Facebook and Instagram. If you like what you hear, please do us a favor and write a review on Apple Podcasts or Podchaser. Call us and leave a voicemail; maybe we'll play it on the show. DIAL (202) 695-1040.SponsorshipsAre you interested in sponsoring the Cloud Accounting Podcast? For details, read the prospectus.Need Accounting Conference Info? Check out our new website - accountingconferences.comLimited edition shirts, stickers, and other necessitiesTeePublic Store: http://cloudacctpod.link/merchSubscribeApple Podcasts: http://cloudacctpod.link/ApplePodcastsYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheAccountingPodcastSpotify: http://cloudacctpod.link/SpotifyPodchaser: http://cloudacctpod.link/podchaserStitcher: http://cloudacctpod.link/StitcherOvercast: http://cloudacctpod.link/OvercastClassifiedsWant to get the word out about your newsletter, webinar, party, Facebook group, podcast, e-book, job posting, or that fancy Excel macro you just created? Let the listeners of The Accounting Podcast know by running a classified ad. Go here to create your classified ad: https://cloudacctpod.link/RunClassifiedAdTranscriptsThe full transcript for this episode is available by clicking on the Transcript tab at the top of this page

Blake and David examine several significant developments, including TaxDome's data security incident, and the implications of China's DeepSeek AI model that caused Nvidia's stock to drop. They also dig into the White House's federal employee buyout offer that could impact IRS staffing levels and break down key findings from Accounting Today's 2025 Year Ahead survey about trends in remote work, tech spend, and AI adoption in accounting firms.SponsorsKeeper - http://accountingpodcast.promo/keeperCloud Accountant Staffing - http://accountingpodcast.promo/casBasil - http://accountingpodcast.promo/basilChapters(00:24) - Introduction and Episode Overview (01:41) - Listener Shoutouts and Engagement (02:31) - Sports Banter and Mood Check (03:22) - Live Stream Interaction (05:11) - TaxDome Data Incident Discussion (22:24) - White House Buyout Offer for Federal Employees (31:26) - DeepSeek AI Model and Market Impact (36:24) - Exploring Perplexity's New DeepSeek R1 Model (36:58) - Comparing Reasoning Capabilities: R1 vs. ChatGPT (38:10) - The Google Search Analogy (39:16) - Concerns Over Unverified Financial Information (40:32) - Running AI Models on Personal Hardware (41:00) - Cost Implications for Businesses Using AI (42:59) - Innovation in Large vs. Small Firms (45:33) - Reforming the IRS: A New Approach (48:36) - Addressing the Accountant Labor Shortage (49:32) - Accounting Trends for 2025 (57:00) - The Role of AI in Accounting Tools (59:56) - Frustrations with Current Accounting Software (01:05:33) - Final Thoughts  Show NotesDeepseek R1 Explained by a Retired Microsoft Engineerhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3TpcHebtxMChina's DeepSeek AI dethrones ChatGPT on App Store: Here's what you should knowhttps://www.cnbc.com/2025/01/27/chinas-deepseek-ai-tops-chatgpt-app-store-what-you-should-know.htmlTaxDome reports security incident, says no sensitive data exposedhttps://www.accountingtoday.com/news/taxdome-reports-data-breach Reporting system error official post-mortemhttps://community.taxdome.com/c/resources/reporting-system-incident-official-post-mortem-794aebba-618b-4857-8aab-debca4e644ee TaxDome Post from Caleb Jenkins' LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/posts/calebjenkins1994_so-taxdome-can-you-tell-us-more-about-activity-7288762022882594816-X9eS?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktopTrump administration offers roughly 2 million federal workers a buyout to resignhttps://www.nbcnews.com/politics/white-house/trump-administration-offer-federal-workers-buyouts-resign-rcna189661Trump suggests sending IRS agents to the borderhttps://www.yahoo.com/news/trump-suggests-sending-irs-agents-233900348.htmlAccounting in 2025: The year ahead in numbershttps://www.accountingtoday.com/list/accounting-in-2025-the-year-ahead-in-numbersTop 10 AI accounting tools every business needs in 2025https://www.accountancyage.com/2025/01/24/top-10-ai-accounting-tools-every-business-needs-in-2025/Xero's new tagline: 'Your business supercharged'https://www.accountingtoday.com/news/xero-announces-new-tagline-your-business-superchargedNeed CPE?Get CPE for listening to podcasts with Earmark: https://earmarkcpe.comSubscribe to the Earmark Podcast: https://podcast.earmarkcpe.comGet in TouchThanks for listening and the great reviews! We appreciate you! Follow and tweet @BlakeTOliver and @DavidLeary. Find us on Facebook and Instagram. If you like what you hear, please do us a favor and write a review on Apple Podcasts or Podchaser. Call us and leave a voicemail; maybe we'll play it on the show. DIAL (202) 695-1040.SponsorshipsAre you interested in sponsoring the Cloud Accounting Podcast? For details, read the prospectus.Need Accounting Conference Info? Check out our new website - accountingconferences.comLimited edition shirts, stickers, and other necessitiesTeePublic Store: http://cloudacctpod.link/merchSubscribeApple Podcasts: http://cloudacctpod.link/ApplePodcastsYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheAccountingPodcastSpotify: http://cloudacctpod.link/SpotifyPodchaser: http://cloudacctpod.link/podchaserStitcher: http://cloudacctpod.link/StitcherOvercast: http://cloudacctpod.link/OvercastClassifiedsWant to get the word out about your newsletter, webinar, party, Facebook group, podcast, e-book, job posting, or that fancy Excel macro you just created? Let the listeners of The Accounting Podcast know by running a classified ad. Go here to create your classified ad: https://cloudacctpod.link/RunClassifiedAdTranscriptsThe full transcript for this episode is available by clicking on the Transcript tab at the top of this page

Blake and David jump into the latest news, including the launch of Trump's own cryptocurrency and KPMG's expansion into legal services in Arizona, taking advantage of new rules allowing non-lawyers to own law firms. They also examine the Treasury Department's Chinese hack attack, South Carolina's $1.8 billion accounting error resolution, and Trump's proposed External Revenue Service.SponsorsRelay - http://accountingpodcast.promo/relayKeeper - http://accountingpodcast.promo/keeperTaxBandits - http://accountingpodcast.promo/taxbanditsBasil - http://accountingpodcast.promo/basilChapters(00:48) - Trump's TikTok Saga (03:35) - Live Stream and CPE Credits (04:48) - Trump's Cryptocurrency Launch (06:54) - Sage AI Data Leak Incident (12:27) - Relay Sponsorship and Banking Solutions (14:13) - Trump's Cryptocurrency Impact (28:06) - Direct File and IRS Developments (32:45) - KPMG Enters Legal Services (38:51) - Tax Bandits: Streamlining Your Tax Season (39:50) - Legal Document Automation with AI (41:04) - South Carolina's $1.8 Billion Accounting Error (45:56) - Trump's External Revenue Service Proposal (49:54) - Chinese Hackers Breach U.S. Treasury (56:51) - FDIC Sues Silicon Valley Bank Executives (01:04:39) - American Express Settles for $230 Million Over Bad Tax Advice (01:08:28) - Testing Google's Gemini Advanced for Tax Research (01:12:17) - Earn Free CPE Credits with Earmark (01:14:22) - Conclusion and Live Stream Announcement  Show NotesTikTok restores US service after Trump says “we have to save it”https://www.reuters.com/technology/tiktok-goes-dark-us-users-trump-says-save-tiktok-2025-01-19/ Donald and Melania Trump debuted meme coins, $Trump and $Melania. Here's what to know.https://www.cbsnews.com/news/donald-trump-melania-meme-coin-cryptocurrency-what-to-know/ KPMG's Bold Move: How Arizona's ABS Rules Are Reshaping the U.S. Legal Landscapehttps://lawleaders.com/kpmgs-bold-move-how-arizonas-abs-rules-are-reshaping-the-u-s-legal-landscape/ IRS Direct File set to expand availability in a dozen new states and cover wider range of tax situations for the 2025 tax filing seasonhttps://www.irs.gov/newsroom/irs-direct-file-set-to-expand-availability-in-a-dozen-new-states-and-cover-wider-range-of-tax-situations-for-the-2025-tax-filing-season Sage Copilot grounded briefly to fix AI misbehaviorhttps://www.theregister.com/2025/01/20/sage_copilot_data_issue/ FDIC sues 17 former Silicon Valley Bank executives over collapesehttps://www.cnn.com/2025/01/16/business/fdic-sues-svb-executives-directors-intl-hnk/index.htmlFDIC sues former SVB execs over bank closurehttps://bankingjournal.aba.com/2025/01/fdic-sues-former-svb-execs-over-bank-closure/ SoftBank-Backed Fish Firm Allegedly Faked Most of Its Saleshttps://finance.yahoo.com/news/softbank-backed-fish-startup-allegedly-141253969.html American Express to pay $230 million to settle US charges over deceptive sales practiceshttps://www.reuters.com/business/finance/american-express-pay-1087-mln-settle-deceptive-marketing-allegations-justice-2025-01-16/ U.S. Sanctions Chinese Cybersecurity Firm Over Treasury Hack Tied to Salt Typhoonhttps://thehackernews.com/2025/01/us-sanctions-chinese-cybersecurity-firm.html SC auditor resigns after outside audit found $1.8 billion ‘surplus' was actually an accounting errorhttps://www.wistv.com/2025/01/23/sc-auditor-resigns-after-outside-audit-found-18-billion-surplus-was-actually-an-accounting-error/Need CPE?Get CPE for listening to podcasts with Earmark: https://earmarkcpe.comSubscribe to the Earmark Podcast: https://podcast.earmarkcpe.comGet in TouchThanks for listening and the great reviews! We appreciate you! Follow and tweet @BlakeTOliver and @DavidLeary. Find us on Facebook and Instagram. If you like what you hear, please do us a favor and write a review on Apple Podcasts or Podchaser. Call us and leave a voicemail; maybe we'll play it on the show. DIAL (202) 695-1040.SponsorshipsAre you interested in sponsoring the Cloud Accounting Podcast? For details, read the prospectus.Need Accounting Conference Info? Check out our new website - accountingconferences.comLimited edition shirts, stickers, and other necessitiesTeePublic Store: http://cloudacctpod.link/merchSubscribeApple Podcasts: http://cloudacctpod.link/ApplePodcastsYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheAccountingPodcastSpotify: http://cloudacctpod.link/SpotifyPodchaser: http://cloudacctpod.link/podchaserStitcher: http://cloudacctpod.link/StitcherOvercast: http://cloudacc...

Blake and David examine Bench's bankruptcy filing, revealing fascinating details about their spending patterns and challenges with the business model. They also explore venture capital's growing interest in accounting firms, particularly focusing on AI automation claims and their potential impact on the profession, and there's a lively discussion about JP Morgan's controversial return-to-office mandate and its implications for workplace flexibility, sparked by Blake's viral tweet that garnered nearly 5 million views.SponsorsTaxBandits - http://accountingpodcast.promo/taxbanditsRelay - http://accountingpodcast.promo/relayBoomTax - http://accountingpodcast.promo/boomtaxBasil - http://accountingpodcast.promo/basilChapters(01:23) - Bench Accounting Bankruptcy Deep Dive (02:17) - Venture Capital's Interest in Accounting (02:42) - JP Morgan's Return to Office Policy (04:04) - Continuing Professional Education Credits (05:05) - Bench Bankruptcy Filing Details (05:50) - Bench's Financial Breakdown (07:42) - Bench's Customer Acquisition Strategy (10:55) - Bench's Development and Management Costs (13:17) - Operations and Outsourcing at Bench (16:07) - Service Delivery and Refunds (19:47) - Venture Capital and AI in Accounting (29:16) - Relay: The Small Business Bank (35:28) - AI-Powered Bookkeeping: A New Frontier (36:44) - Debating the Future of Software Costs (41:14) - AI's Impact on Job Markets (45:15) - Challenges in Replacing Human Jobs with AI (50:57) - The Remote Work Debate (01:02:05) - Corporate Accountability and Legal Issues (01:12:03) - Closing Remarks and Future Topics  Show NotesComing soon!Need CPE?Get CPE for listening to podcasts with Earmark: https://earmarkcpe.comSubscribe to the Earmark Podcast: https://podcast.earmarkcpe.comGet in TouchThanks for listening and the great reviews! We appreciate you! Follow and tweet @BlakeTOliver and @DavidLeary. Find us on Facebook and Instagram. If you like what you hear, please do us a favor and write a review on Apple Podcasts or Podchaser. Call us and leave a voicemail; maybe we'll play it on the show. DIAL (202) 695-1040.SponsorshipsAre you interested in sponsoring the Cloud Accounting Podcast? For details, read the prospectus.Need Accounting Conference Info? Check out our new website - accountingconferences.comLimited edition shirts, stickers, and other necessitiesTeePublic Store: http://cloudacctpod.link/merchSubscribeApple Podcasts: http://cloudacctpod.link/ApplePodcastsYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheAccountingPodcastSpotify: http://cloudacctpod.link/SpotifyPodchaser: http://cloudacctpod.link/podchaserStitcher: http://cloudacctpod.link/StitcherOvercast: http://cloudacctpod.link/OvercastClassifiedsWant to get the word out about your newsletter, webinar, party, Facebook group, podcast, e-book, job posting, or that fancy Excel macro you just created? Let the listeners of The Accounting Podcast know by running a classified ad. Go here to create your classified ad: https://cloudacctpod.link/RunClassifiedAdTranscriptsThe full transcript for this episode is available by clicking on the Transcript tab at the top of this page

Blake and David dive into major industry news, including Ohio ending the 150-hour CPA rule, setting a potential precedent for other states. They also discuss the Blackston acquisition of Citrin Cooperman and explore the implications of private equity involvement in accounting firms. Moving on, they examine workplace trends, including new data revealing that 61% of medium and large employers now require minimum in-office days, and debate the effectiveness of Net Promoter Scores (NPS) in accounting firms.SponsorsOnPay - http://accountingpodcast.promo/onpayBoomTax - http://accountingpodcast.promo/boomtaxTaxBandits - http://accountingpodcast.promo/taxbanditsBasil - http://accountingpodcast.promo/basilChapters(01:03) - Private Equity in Accounting Firms (03:14) - Personal Update: Blake's Hand Injury (05:18) - California's Insurance Crisis (13:57) - Ohio Ends the 150-Hour Rule (22:02) - App News: OnPay, SafeSend, and More (30:16) - Carvana's Questionable Accounting Practices (36:36) - Return to Office Policies (40:01) - RTO Policies and Office Leases (41:15) - Client Satisfaction and Net Promoter Score (42:53) - Debate on the Effectiveness of NPS (44:20) - Implementing NPS in Accounting Firms (52:03) - PCAOB Fines and Audit Quality (01:03:15) - Bitcoin and Government Policies (01:06:54) - Private Equity in Accounting Firms (01:15:07) - Earmark App and CPE Credits  Show NotesReturn-to-office policies gain steamhttps://www.cfo.com/news/return-to-office-policies-gain-steam-remote-work-hybrid-wtw-resume-org/735710Citrin Cooperman, a Leading Professional Services Firm, to Receive Significant Investment as Blackstone Acquires Stake from New Mountain Capitalhttps://www.blackstone.com/news/press/citrin-cooperman-a-leading-professional-services-firm-to-receive-significant-investment-as-blackstone-acquires-stake-from-new-mountain-capital/Ohio is the first state to end the 150-hour rule for CPA licensurehttps://www.blakeoliver.com/blog/ohio-first-state-to-end-the-150-hour-rule-for-cpa-licensureOhio gov signs alternative CPA licensure pathway bill into lawhttps://www.cfodive.com/news/ohio-gov-signs-alternative-cpa-licensure-pathway-bill-law-accounting-aicpa/736942/Thomson Reuters Acquires SafeSend, Expanding Tax Automation Capabilitieshttps://www.thomsonreuters.com/en/press-releases/2025/january/thomson-reuters-acquires-safesend-expanding-tax-automation-capabilities.htmlXero Partners with Gusto to Offer Integrated Payroll Solutionhttps://www.wellesleyhillsfinancial.com/2025/01/05/xero-partners-with-gusto-to-offer-integrated-payroll-solution/Sync your transactions to QuickBooks Desktop with Ramp's direct integrationhttps://ramp.com/integrations/quickbooks-desktopHindenburg Research short on used-car retailer Carvanahttps://www.reuters.com/business/autos-transportation/hindenburg-research-short-used-car-retailer-carvana-2025-01-02/Enforcement Activity Involving Auditors – 2024 Mid-Year Updatehttps://www.brattle.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Enforcement-Activity-Involving-Auditors-2024-Mid-Year-Update.pdfAmid Barely ‘Average' Client Satisfaction, Why Aren't More Firms Using NPS to Improve?https://insidepublicaccounting.com/2024/07/16/amid-barely-average-client-satisfaction-why-arent-more-firms-using-nps-to-improve/The federal government just got the greenlight to sell $6.5 billion in Bitcoin seized from Silk Roadhttps://fortune.com/crypto/2025/01/09/federal-government-allowed-sell-bitcoin-silk-road-courts/Need CPE?Get CPE for listening to podcasts with Earmark: https://earmarkcpe.comSubscribe to the Earmark Podcast: https://podcast.earmarkcpe.comGet in TouchThanks for listening and the great reviews! We appreciate you! Follow and tweet @BlakeTOliver and @DavidLeary. Find us on Facebook and Instagram. If you like what you hear, please do us a favor and write a review on Apple Podcasts or Podchaser. Call us and leave a voicemail; maybe we'll play it on the show. DIAL (202) 695-1040.SponsorshipsAre you interested in sponsoring the Cloud Accounting Podcast? For details, read the prospectus.Need Accounting Conference Info? Check out our new website - accountingconferences.comLimited edition shirts, stickers, and other necessitiesTeePublic Store: http://cloudacctpod.link/merchSubscribeApple Podcasts: http://cloudacctpod.link/ApplePodcastsYouTube:

Blake and David explore the controversial H-1B visa program's impact on the accounting profession, particularly how firms like Deloitte reportedly pay visa holders 10% less than U.S. workers and the potential implications for audit quality. They also examine Bench's sudden shutdown and subsequent acquisition and then discuss Barry Melancon's farewell interview with the Financial Times as he steps down as AICPA CEO, where he defended the 150-hour rule, his legacy, and his impact on the profession. SponsorsOnPay - http://accountingpodcast.promo/onpayBoomTax - http://accountingpodcast.promo/boomtaxTaxBandits - http://accountingpodcast.promo/taxbanditsBasil - http://accountingpodcast.promo/basilChapters(05:01) - Sponsors and H1B Visa Discussion (11:14) - H1B Visa Impact on Accounting (26:53) - Bench Accounting Shutdown (45:17) - VCs and the Tough Decisions (47:42) - Challenges in Automating Bank Transactions (48:58) - H1B Visa Workers and Financial Misconduct (52:19) - Predictions for 2025 and Beyond (58:12) - Private Equity's Impact on Accounting Firms (01:08:15) - Barry Melanson's Legacy and the Future of CPA (01:15:23) - Conclusion and CPE Credits (01:16:45) - Bitcoin and Quantum Computing  Show NotesRobert Sterling – Twitter - H-1B DATA MEGA-THREADhttps://x.com/RobertMSterling/status/1873174358535110953 Deloitte employees with H-1B visas were paid 10% less than US workers, report findshttps://www.hrdive.com/news/deloitte-employees-with-h-1b-visas-were-paid-10-less-than-us-workers/735162/ Bench to be acquired after abruptly shutting downhttps://techcrunch.com/2024/12/30/bench-to-be-acquired-after-abruptly-shutting-down/ ‘Most important man in accounting' warns against lowering standardshttps://www.ft.com/content/033792af-18e4-4d69-92f9-5b78b01f2012 Meet Willow, our state-of-the-art quantum chiphttps://blog.google/technology/research/google-willow-quantum-chip/Need CPE?Get CPE for listening to podcasts with Earmark: https://earmarkcpe.comSubscribe to the Earmark Podcast: https://podcast.earmarkcpe.comGet in TouchThanks for listening and the great reviews! We appreciate you! Follow and tweet @BlakeTOliver and @DavidLeary. Find us on Facebook and Instagram. If you like what you hear, please do us a favor and write a review on Apple Podcasts or Podchaser. Call us and leave a voicemail; maybe we'll play it on the show. DIAL (202) 695-1040.SponsorshipsAre you interested in sponsoring the Cloud Accounting Podcast? For details, read the prospectus.Need Accounting Conference Info? Check out our new website - accountingconferences.comLimited edition shirts, stickers, and other necessitiesTeePublic Store: http://cloudacctpod.link/merchSubscribeApple Podcasts: http://cloudacctpod.link/ApplePodcastsYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheAccountingPodcastSpotify: http://cloudacctpod.link/SpotifyPodchaser: http://cloudacctpod.link/podchaserStitcher: http://cloudacctpod.link/StitcherOvercast: http://cloudacctpod.link/OvercastClassifiedsWant to get the word out about your newsletter, webinar, party, Facebook group, podcast, e-book, job posting, or that fancy Excel macro you just created? Let the listeners of The Accounting Podcast know by running a classified ad. Go here to create your classified ad: https://cloudacctpod.link/RunClassifiedAdTranscriptsThe full transcript for this episode is available by clicking on the Transcript tab at the top of this page

Rounding out 2024, Blake and David tackle tons of accounting news, including bookkeeping startup Bench's shutdown and the ongoing BOI reporting requirements saga. They also examine concerns about IRS Commissioner nominee Billy Long's credentials, including his "Certified Tax and Business Advisor" designation from a three-day seminar. Wrapping up, they review some of 2024's hottest stories, including declining CPA candidates, audit quality issues, and KPMG CEO Paul Knopp's Wall Street Journal op-ed about the "dying language of accounting."SponsorsLiveFlow - http://accountingpodcast.promo/liveflowSuralink - http://accountingpodcast.promo/suralink Cloud Accountant Staffing - http://accountingpodcast.promo/casTaxBandits - http://accountingpodcast.promo/taxbanditsChapters(01:36) - Beneficial Ownership Information Reporting (BOI) (03:39) - Bench Accounting Shutdown (12:35) - Automated Bookkeeping Challenges (18:35) - Tax Fraud Case: The Magician (28:20) - IRS Commissioner Nominee Controversy (33:55) - Tax Refunds and Lifetime Advisors (36:16) - The Dying Language of Accounting (37:44) - CPA Licensure Reform (39:05) - Working Conditions in Accounting (42:28) - Reflecting on 2024: Key Themes and Events (55:34) - AI and the Future of Accounting (01:00:59) - San Francisco's Tax Controversies (01:04:03) - IRS Special Payments and Predictions for 2025 (01:06:25) - Bitcoin and Quantum Computing Risks (01:09:13) - Closing Remarks and CPE Information  Show NotesBench shuts down, leaving thousands of businesses without access to accounting and tax docshttps://techcrunch.com/2024/12/27/bench-shuts-down-leaving-thousands-of-businesses-without-access-to-accounting-and-tax-docs/New York tax preparer called ‘the Magician' charged for tax fraud of $145mhttps://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/dec/17/new-york-magician-tax-fraudBilly Long, Trump's Nominee to Lead the IRS, Touts a Credential That Tax Experts Say Is Dubioushttps://www.propublica.org/article/billy-long-irs-trump-certified-tax-business-advisor-missouriHow a Consulting Firm and Trump's I.R.S. Pick Pushed a Problematic Tax Credithttps://www.nytimes.com/2024/12/24/business/billy-long-irs-tax-credit.htmlThe Dying Language of Accountinghttps://www.wsj.com/opinion/the-dying-language-of-accounting-cpa-licensing-fede2e74CPAs Deliberate on the Decline of Accountinghttps://www.wsj.com/opinion/cpas-deliberate-on-the-demise-of-accounting-kpmg-business-language-c0be3e68Most Americans say a salary of $270K deems financial successhttps://www.cfo.com/news/most-americans-say-salary-of-270k-deems-financial-success-gen-z-boomers-inflation/734019/CFPB Sues Walmart and Branch Messenger for Illegally Opening Deposit Accounts for More Than One Million Delivery Drivershttps://www.consumerfinance.gov/about-us/newsroom/cfpb-sues-walmart-and-branch-messenger-for-illegally-opening-deposit-accounts-for-more-than-one-million-delivery-drivers/Lyft Accuses San Francisco of $100 Million Tax Overchargehttps://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-12-24/lyft-accuses-san-francisco-of-overcharging-100-million-in-taxesIRS announces special payments going this month to 1 million taxpayers who did not claim 2021 Recovery Rebate Credit; encourages non-filers about approaching deadline to claim creditshttps://www.irs.gov/newsroom/irs-announces-special-payments-going-this-month-to-1-million-taxpayers-who-did-not-claim-2021-recovery-rebate-credit-encourages-non-filers-about-approaching-deadline-to-claim-creditsNeed CPE?Get CPE for listening to podcasts with Earmark: https://earmarkcpe.comSubscribe to the Earmark Podcast: https://podcast.earmarkcpe.comGet in TouchThanks for listening and the great reviews! We appreciate you! Follow and tweet @BlakeTOliver and @DavidLeary. Find us on Facebook and Instagram. If you like what you hear, please do us a favor and write a review on Apple Podcasts or Podchaser. Call us and leave a voicemail; maybe we'll play it on the show. DIAL (202) 695-1040.SponsorshipsAre you interested in sponsoring the Cloud Accounting Podcast? For details, read the prospectus.Need Accounting Conference Info? Check out our new website - accountingconferences.comLimited edition shirts, stickers, and other necessitiesTeePublic Store: http://cloudacctpod.link/merchSubscribeApple Podcasts: http://cloudacctpod.link/ApplePodcastsYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheAccountingPodcastSpotify: http://cloudacctpod.link/SpotifyPodchaser: http://cloudacctpod.link/podchaserStitcher: http://cloudacctpod.link/StitcherOvercast: http://cloudacctpod.link/Overcast

Today, Blake, David, and special guest, ChatGpt, examine the impact of private equity on accounting firms, looking at how PE ownership affects partner compensation and firm structures. They dig into some recent data showing record numbers of accounting errors in public companies, linking these issues to the broader talent shortage crisis. Next, they explore CalCPA's pushback against proposed licensing changes, the surprising economic costs of Daylight Savings Time, and much more!  SponsorsLiveFlow - http://accountingpodcast.promo/liveflowSuralink - http://accountingpodcast.promo/suralinkSmartVault - http://accountingpodcast.promo/smartvaultTaxBandits - http://accountingpodcast.promo/taxbanditsChapters(00:59) - Introducing ChatGPT as Co-Host (01:58) - Hot Topics in Accounting News (04:05) - Private Equity in Accounting Firms (07:35) - Debating the Impact of Private Equity (22:40) - DirectFile Controversy (28:02) - App News and Updates (34:23) - Enron's Return? (38:28) - Fraudsters and Presidential Pardons (42:00) - Accounting Errors on the Rise (44:52) - The Daylight Savings Debate (50:04) - AI Tools: The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly (58:26) - Final Thoughts and Announcements  Show NotesAccounting errors force US companies to pull statements in record numbershttps://www.ft.com/content/716c4ad5-e8fa-4a34-afba-9fb2d1db019d Republican lawmakers ask Trump to kill IRS Direct Filehttps://www.nextgov.com/digital-government/2024/12/republican-lawmakers-ask-trump-kill-irs-direct-file/401595/ IRIS to buy Dext in £500m dealhttps://www.accountingweb.co.uk/tech/accounting-software/iris-to-buy-dext-in-ps500m-deal How Private Funds Could Hurt Americans Under Trumphttps://www.nytimes.com/2024/12/03/opinion/trump-presidency-billionaires.html LegalZoom and 1-800Accountant Join Forces to Deliver Full-Service Tax and Bookkeeping Solutions for Small Business Ownershttps://investors.legalzoom.com/news-releases/news-release-details/legalzoom-and-1-800accountant-join-forces-deliver-full-service Zoho Releases New Payroll Solution in the U.S.https://www.cpapracticeadvisor.com/2024/12/13/zoho-releases-new-payroll-solution-in-the-u-s/152935/ BILL Unveils 1099 Form Filing Solution for SMBshttps://investor.bill.com/news/news-details/2024/BILL-Unveils-1099-Form-Filing-Solution-for-SMBs/default.aspx Is Enron back? Here's what we know … https://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston-texas/trending/article/is-enron-back-houston-19953844.php CalCPA Submits Comments on Exposure Draft on CPA Licensurehttps://www.calcpa.org/whats-happening/articles/calcpa-submits-comments-on-exposure-draft-on-cpa CEOs Want Trump to Change Course on Tariffs. He Isn't Budging.https://www.wsj.com/economy/trade/trump-tariff-plan-business-lobbying-8f02ccea Donald Trump vows to end daylight saving timehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EDR1IURzO1QMore Than a Lost Hour of Sleep: The True Cost of Daylight Saving Timehttps://www.chmura.com/blog/dst#:~:text=our%20methodology%20below.-,Results,was%20approximately%20%24672.02%20million%20annuallyNeed CPE?Get CPE for listening to podcasts with Earmark: https://earmarkcpe.comSubscribe to the Earmark Podcast: https://podcast.earmarkcpe.comGet in TouchThanks for listening and the great reviews! We appreciate you! Follow and tweet @BlakeTOliver and @DavidLeary. Find us on Facebook and Instagram. If you like what you hear, please do us a favor and write a review on Apple Podcasts or Podchaser. Call us and leave a voicemail; maybe we'll play it on the show. DIAL (202) 695-1040.SponsorshipsAre you interested in sponsoring the Cloud Accounting Podcast? For details, read the prospectus.Need Accounting Conference Info? Check out our new website - accountingconferences.comLimited edition shirts, stickers, and other necessitiesTeePublic Store: http://cloudacctpod.link/merchSubscribeApple Podcasts: http://cloudacctpod.link/ApplePodcastsYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheAccountingPodcastSpotify: http://cloudacctpod.link/SpotifyPodchaser: http://cloudacctpod.link/podchaserStitcher: http://cloudacctpod.link/StitcherOvercast: http://cloudacctpod.link/OvercastClassifiedsForwardly - https://www.forwardly.com/Client Hub - https://clienthub.app/Want to get the word out about your newsletter, webinar, party, Facebook group, podcast, ...