The Accounting Podcast
Blake Oliver & David Leary
The Accounting Podcast (formerly the Cloud Accounting Podcast) is the world's #1 accounting, bookkeeping, and tax podcast.
- 50 minutes 33 secondsCan AI Replace “Thought Leaders”? A 2026 Reality Check
Think AI will free you from ‘mundane bookkeeping’ so you can do advisory? Blake and David say it’s the opposite. Hear how owners already use AI as a de facto CFO, why drafting narratives—not matching bank feeds—is the real win, what the ‘AI premium’ means in a billable-hour world, and the two numbers firm owners should track in 2026: monthly recurring revenue and bottom-line profit.
Sponsors
UNC - http://accountingpodcast.promo/unc
OnPay - http://accountingpodcast.promo/onpay
TaxBandits - http://accountingpodcast.promo/taxbandits
Chapters- (01:35) - News Highlights and Sponsor Acknowledgements
- (03:56) - AI in Small Business Accounting
- (07:04) - AI's Impact on Accounting Tasks
- (10:01) - Thought Leader Survey on AI in Accounting
- (19:56) - AI Premium and Job Automation
- (25:27) - Survey Answers from Accounting Thought Leaders
- (25:54) - AI's Role in Strategy and Decision Making
- (28:24) - Impact of AI on Competitive Landscape
- (30:50) - AI's Effect on Costs in Accounting Firms
- (31:54) - AI Replacing Staff Accountants
- (33:24) - Personal Job Security and AI
- (41:05) - AI Influencers and Future Experiments
- (49:24) - Conclusion and CPE Information
Show Notes
These Small-Business Owners Are Putting AI to Good Use
https://www.wsj.com/tech/ai/small-business-ai-chatgpt-prompts-0c9a95c4AI Thought Leaders Survey 2026: Process Predictions
https://www.accountingtoday.com/list/ai-thought-leaders-survey-2026-process-predictionsTech Spending Outpacing People Spending as Firms Adopt AI
https://www.accountingtoday.com/list/tech-spending-outpacing-people-spending-as-firms-adopt-aiHow Much is the 'AI Premium?'
https://www.accountingtoday.com/list/how-much-is-the-ai-premium
AI Can't Replace Accountants. When Could It?
https://www.accountingtoday.com/list/ai-cant-replace-accountants-when-could-it
Accounting in 2026: The Year Ahead in Numbers
https://www.accountingtoday.com/list/accounting-in-2026-the-year-ahead-in-numbersAI Vending Machine Lost $1,000 to Social Engineering
https://www.wsj.com/tech/ai/anthropic-ai-claude-vending-machine-c7baef6fAnthropic's Project Vend Phase 2
https://www.anthropic.com/research/project-vend-2
Trump Commutes Sentence of Private Equity CEO Convicted of Fraud
https://www.cnn.com/2025/12/01/politics/david-gentile-trump-pardonTrump Commutes 7-Year Prison Sentence of Former Private Equity CEO David Gentile
https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/white-house/trump-commutes-7-year-prison-sentence-former-private-equity-ceo-david-rcna246744California's Controversial Wealth Tax Proposal Leaves Billionaires With Little Way Out
https://www.cnbc.com/2026/01/08/california-wealth-tax-proposal-leaves-billionaires-with-little-way-out.htmlCalifornia Could Impose a Billionaire Tax. Here's How It Would Work
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/california-billionaire-tax-ballot-initiative-how-it-works/New Tax on the Wealth of Billionaires
https://lao.ca.gov/BallotAnalysis/Initiative/2025-024
Need CPE?Get CPE for listening to podcasts with Earmark: https://earmarkcpe.com
Subscribe to the Earmark Podcast: https://podcast.earmarkcpe.comGet in Touch
Thanks 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.
Sponsorships
Are you interested in sponsoring The Accounting Podcast? For details, read the prospectus.
Need Accounting Conference Info?
Check out our new website - accountingconferences.com
Limited edition shirts, stickers, and other necessities
TeePublic Store: http://cloudacctpod.link/merch
Subscribe
- Apple Podcasts: http://cloudacctpod.link/ApplePodcasts
- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheAccountingPodcast
- Spotify: http://cloudacctpod.link/Spotify
- Podchaser: http://cloudacctpod.link/podchaser
- Stitcher: http://cloudacctpod.link/Stitcher
- Overcast: http://cloudacctpod.link/Overcast
Want 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
Transcripts
The full transcript for this episode is available by clicking on the Transcript tab at the top of this page
8 January 2026, 6:00 pm - 1 hour 9 minutes$95 Million Missing—and Still a Clean Audit?
How does $95 million go missing at a bank—and still get a clean audit? Blake and David unpack the Evolve Bank/Synapse meltdown, what auditors missed, and how SOC reports fall short. Plus: the penny shortage pushing cash rounding at the register, the shocking stat that even 29% of partners don’t know partner pay, and the case for semiannual reporting. Walk away with practical takeaways for clients, staff, and your own firm.
Sponsors
Cloud Accountant Staffing - http://accountingpodcast.promo/cas
OnPay - http://accountingpodcast.promo/onpay
Chapters- (00:44) - The Penny Shortage Crisis
- (03:52) - Evolve Bank's $95 Million Scandal
- (17:12) - Earmark CPE and Other Podcast Recommendations
- (22:00) - Partner Salaries and Compensation Transparency
- (28:27) - Data Breach at SAX Accounting Firm
- (33:28) - Semi-Annual Reporting Debate
- (36:25) - Debating Semi-Annual Reporting
- (37:38) - Quarterly Reporting Games
- (38:25) - LinkedIn Comment: The Case for Quarterly Reports
- (39:11) - The Value of Financial Statements
- (39:58) - Challenges in Modern Accounting
- (46:57) - 2026 Accounting Predictions
- (52:01) - AI's Impact on Bookkeeping
- (01:09:08) - Closing Thoughts and Farewell
Show Notes
Square Enables Penny Rounding
https://squareup.com/us/en/press/penny-rounding
CFPB Allocates $46 Million To Synapse/Evolve Victims In First-Ever Fintech Bailout
https://fintechbusinessweekly.substack.com/p/cfpb-allocates-46-million-to-synapseevolve
The 2025 Accounting Today Salary Survey
https://www.accountingtoday.com/list/the-2025-accounting-today-salary-survey
The Ultimate 2026 Accounting Salary Guide
https://blog.workday.com/en-us/ultimate-2026-accounting-salary-guide.html
Deloitte's CTO: companies are spending 93% on tech and only 7% on people and that has to change
Accounting firm waited 18 months to announce breach
https://cybernews.com/security/sax-data-breach-quarter-million-exposed/
Should Public Companies Move to Semi-Annual Reporting?
https://www.cpajournal.com/2025/12/19/should-public-companies-move-to-semi-annual-reporting/
United States Mint Hosts Historic Ceremonial Strike for Final Production of the Circulating One-Cent Coin
Need CPE?Get CPE for listening to podcasts with Earmark: https://earmarkcpe.com
Subscribe to the Earmark Podcast: https://podcast.earmarkcpe.comGet in Touch
Thanks 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.
Sponsorships
Are you interested in sponsoring The Accounting Podcast? For details, read the prospectus.
Need Accounting Conference Info?
Check out our new website - accountingconferences.com
Limited edition shirts, stickers, and other necessities
TeePublic Store: http://cloudacctpod.link/merch
Subscribe
- Apple Podcasts: http://cloudacctpod.link/ApplePodcasts
- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheAccountingPodcast
- Spotify: http://cloudacctpod.link/Spotify
- Podchaser: http://cloudacctpod.link/podchaser
- Stitcher: http://cloudacctpod.link/Stitcher
- Overcast: http://cloudacctpod.link/Overcast
Classifieds
Want 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
Transcripts
The full transcript for this episode is available by clicking on the Transcript tab at the top of this page
5 January 2026, 3:00 pm - 56 minutes 36 secondsWhat Tax Pros Charge & the PE "Dumpster Fire"
Is private equity turning firms into a 'dumpster fire'? Blake and David unpack Accounting Today's survey showing partners are upbeat while staff are sour on PE. They hit Andersen's $176M IPO, why Big Four ties to Big Tech raise independence questions, and how AI could finally kill the billable hour. Plus, what tax pros really charge in 2025 - and the wild 'Middle Finger Ranch' fraud.
Sponsors
OnPay - http://accountingpodcast.promo/onpay
Cloud Accountant Staffing - http://accountingpodcast.promo/cas
Chapters- (00:56) - Private Equity in Accounting Firms
- (01:51) - Sponsor Message: OnPay Payroll Solutions
- (04:15) - Arthur Andersen's Legacy and IPO
- (07:45) - Private Equity Survey Results
- (21:04) - Big Four and Tech Giants
- (28:25) - Pricing Models for CAS Engagements
- (30:22) - Tax Preparers' Fees Breakdown
- (36:12) - Cloud Accountant Staffing
- (37:34) - Economic Growth and Consumer Spending
- (40:26) - Fraud Stories: Middle Finger Ranch and More
- (43:24) - PCAOB Budget Cuts and Enforcement Actions
- (52:29) - IRS Readiness for Tax Season
- (53:43) - Conclusion and Upcoming Topics
Show Notes
PE in accounting firms: From 'dumpster fire' to excitement
https://www.accountingtoday.com/news/pe-in-accounting-firms-from-dumpster-fire-to-excitement
Andersen Group Shares Gain 47% After $176 Million US IPO
Andersen goes public, hits $2.6B valuation
https://thefinancestory.com/andersen-group-ipo-2-6b-valuation
The Big Four consulting firms are embedded in Big Tech. Here's who audits each of the Magnificent 7 companies
What do tax preparers charge?
https://www.accountingtoday.com/news/what-do-tax-preparers-charge
How much do tax professionals charge in 2025? Insights from NATP's Fee Study
U.S. economic growth surges in third quarter to 4.3%
https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2025/12/23/gdp-economy-consumer-spending/
The US economy expanded at the fastest pace in two years as wealthier Americans kept spending
https://www.cnn.com/2025/12/23/economy/us-gdp-q3
Kansas accountant diverted family funds to fictitious 'Middle Finger Ranch'
Kansas Accountant, Who Created Fictitious 'Middle Finger Ranch' for Fraud Scheme, Sentenced to 4 Years in Jail
PCAOB to tighten budget in 2026
https://www.accountingtoday.com/news/pcaob-to-tighten-budget-in-2026
PCAOB Approves 2026 Budget
https://pcaobus.org/news-events/news-releases/news-release-detail/pcaob-approves-2026-budget
Accounting Firms Must Stop Charging for Time
https://cpatrendlines.com/2025/12/02/accounting-firms-must-stop-charging-for-time/
Dirty money gangster jailed over plot worth almost £12m
https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/dirty-money-gangster-jailed-over-36410033
PCAOB Sanctions CPA for Violations Related to Audit Evidence and Her Former Audit Firm for Quality Control Issues
Ahead of Tax Filing Season, Warren, King, 15 Senators Warn of Tax Filing Chaos After Trump Admin Attacks on IRS
Need CPE?Get CPE for listening to podcasts with Earmark: https://earmarkcpe.com
Subscribe to the Earmark Podcast: https://podcast.earmarkcpe.comGet in Touch
Thanks 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.
Sponsorships
Are you interested in sponsoring The Accounting Podcast? For details, read the prospectus.
Need Accounting Conference Info?&n...
29 December 2025, 5:00 pm - 58 minutes 20 secondsThe CPA Who Controls Epstein's Fortune
Chapters
- (00:47) - Jeffrey Epstein's CPA and Lawyer
- (03:10) - Wall Street Journal Article on Epstein's Associates
- (05:58) - Discussion on Epstein's Financial Operations
- (14:25) - Trump's Executive Order on Cannabis Businesses
- (18:16) - Tax Implications for Gambling and Prediction Markets
- (20:47) - IRS Criminal Investigations Unit Record Year
- (25:13) - Lawyer Sues IRS to Recognize Dog as Dependent
- (28:09) - Trump's New US Tech Force
- (29:27) - Trump's Hiring Plans and Tech Startups
- (30:22) - Startup Fraud in Tax Accounting
- (34:23) - Intuit and Circle Partnership
- (36:38) - AI and Stablecoin Payments
- (44:16) - AI's Impact on Accounting Jobs
- (51:24) - AI-Powered Fraud in Finance
- (55:59) - Closing Remarks and Announcements
Show Notes
The CPA and the Lawyer Who Served Jeffrey Epstein—and Control His Fortune and Secrets
https://www.wsj.com/articles/the-cpa-and-the-lawyer-who-served-jeffrey-epstein-and-control-his-fortune-and-secretsTaking a gamble on prediction market taxation
https://www.accountingtoday.com/news/taking-a-gamble-on-prediction-market-taxationLawyer sues IRS to recognize pets as dependents
https://www.accountingtoday.com/news/lawyer-sues-irs-to-recognize-pets-as-dependentsSEC Charges Shiloh Luckey
https://www.sec.gov/enforcement-litigation/litigation-releases/lr-26424The FBI is investigating a startup founder accused of using VC money to pay for her house and a Caribbean wedding
Intuit taps Circle's USDC to add stablecoin payments across TurboTax and QuickBooks
https://www.theblock.co/post/383184/intuit-circle-usdc-stablecoin-payments-turbotax-quickbooksIntuit and Circle Partner to Unlock the Future of Money Movement with Stablecoins
https://investors.intuit.com/news-events/press-releases/detail/1292/intuit-and-circle-partner-to-unlock-the-future-of-money-movement-with-stablecoinsAI Is Reshaping Accounting Jobs by Doing the "Boring" Stuff
https://www.gsb.stanford.edu/insights/ai-reshaping-accounting-jobs-doing-boring-stuffHuman + AI in Accounting: Early Evidence from the Field
https://www.gsb.stanford.edu/faculty-research/working-papers/human-ai-accounting-early-evidence-fieldIRS-CI issues fiscal year 2025 annual report showcasing banner investigative results
https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/irs-ci-issues-fiscal-year-2025-annual-report-showcasing-banner-investigative-resultsIRS Criminal Investigation uncovers $10.6B in financial crimes
https://www.accountingtoday.com/news/irs-criminal-investigation-uncovers-10-6b-in-financial-crimesDext warns businesses over losses from ChatGPT-style financial advice
https://fintech.global/2025/12/18/dext-warns-businesses-over-losses-from-chatgpt-style-financial-advice/ChatGPT tax advice already costing UK firms, say accountants
https://itbrief.co.uk/story/chatgpt-tax-advice-already-costing-uk-firms-say-accountantsTrump admin to hire 1,000 specialists for 'Tech Force' to build AI, finance projects
https://www.cnbc.com/2025/12/15/trump-ai-tech-force-amazon-apple.htmlOPM Launches US Tech Force to Implement President Trump's Vision for Technology Leadership
Double Raises $6.5 Million Series A from Album Ventures, Jack Altman, and Y Combinator to Double Accountants' Productivity https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251210027851/en/Double-Raises-$6.5-Million-Series-A-from-Album-Ventures-Jack-Altman-and-Y-Combinator-to-Double-Accountants-Productivity
Zoho announces enterprise billing, spend management products
https://www.accountingtoday.com/news/zoho-announces-enterprise-billing-spend-management-productsZoho Announces Zoho Spend and Zoho Billing Enterprise Edition
https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251218170986/en/Zoho-Announces-Zoho-Spend-and-Zoho-Billing-Enterprise-Edition-Offering-Large-Businesses-Greater-Control-and-Flexibility-Over-Billing-Operations-and-Company-Spend-as-They-ScaleAI giving scammers new tricks, enhancing old ones
https://www.accountingtoday.com/news/ai-giving-scammers-new-tricks-enhancing-old-onesFrom secure to spooked: White-collar workers face rising job fears
https://www.businessreport.com/article/from-secure-to-spooked-white-collar-workers-face-rising-job-fearsNeed CPE?
Get CPE for listening to podcasts with Earmark: https://earmarkcpe.com
Subscribe to the Earmark Podcast: https://podcast.earmarkcpe.comGet in Touch
Thanks for listening and the great r...
22 December 2025, 7:00 pm - 59 minutes 36 secondsThe IRS Agents Who Will Watch OnlyFans At Work
Will IRS agents have to watch OnlyFans to police the new “no tax on tips” deduction? Blake and David unpack the wild twist: a study showing that women-led audit teams deliver higher-quality work at lower fees, and why AI could finally kill the billable hour. They hit PCAOB’s AI/PE crackdown, KPMG’s AI exam cheating, AI‑written financial reports, Meta’s off‑balance‑sheet data center, the IRS Math Act, and new child investment accounts. Walk away with policy context and practical tech takeaways.
Sponsors
OnPay - http://accountingpodcast.promo/onpay
ACFE - http://accountingpodcast.promo/acfe
Cloud Accountant Staffing - http://accountingpodcast.promo/cas
Chapters- (01:15) - New Tax Deduction for Digital Content Creators
- (02:27) - IRS Agents and OnlyFans Content
- (04:39) - IRS Telework Policy Changes
- (06:15) - Earmark CPE and Listener Interaction
- (09:25) - President's Statement on Federal Income Tax
- (13:15) - IRS Math Act and Senator Justice's Tax Issues
- (16:03) - Trump Accounts and PCAOB Scrutiny on AI
- (24:20) - Audit Quality and Gender Diversity
- (28:30) - KPMG AI Cheating Scandal
- (30:51) - AI's Impact on Time Savings in Various Industries
- (32:56) - The Role of AI in Accounting and Its Limitations
- (34:26) - AI in Financial Reporting and Business Processes
- (36:44) - The Decline of the Billable Hour Due to AI
- (47:01) - Meta's Controversial Accounting Practices
- (50:56) - Pilot's New Partner Program for Accountants
- (58:58) - Conclusion and Final Thoughts
Show Notes
Coming soon!
Need CPE?
Get CPE for listening to podcasts with Earmark: https://earmarkcpe.com
Subscribe to the Earmark Podcast: https://podcast.earmarkcpe.comGet in Touch
Thanks 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.
Sponsorships
Are you interested in sponsoring The Accounting Podcast? For details, read the prospectus.
Need Accounting Conference Info?
Check out our new website - accountingconferences.com
Limited edition shirts, stickers, and other necessities
TeePublic Store: http://cloudacctpod.link/merch
Subscribe
- Apple Podcasts: http://cloudacctpod.link/ApplePodcasts
- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheAccountingPodcast
- Spotify: http://cloudacctpod.link/Spotify
- Podchaser: http://cloudacctpod.link/podchaser
- Stitcher: http://cloudacctpod.link/Stitcher
- Overcast: http://cloudacctpod.link/Overcast
Classifieds
Want 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
Transcripts
The full transcript for this episode is available by clicking on the Transcript tab at the top of this page
15 December 2025, 6:00 pm - 1 hour 3 minutesTrump's Department of Education Says Accountants Aren't Professionals
Are accountants no longer “professionals”? We unpack the DOE proposal that could slash grad loan limits—and what AICPA/NASBA plans to do about it. Plus: Deloitte’s AI-made citations, EY’s audit turnaround, PwC’s end‑to‑end AI audit ambitions, and OpenAI’s circular investment into accounting rollups. We also cover Xero’s new auto‑reconcile, Intuit’s small‑biz data ad play, and two practical wins: Google’s shared inboxes and unexpected networking tactics for landing that first job.
Sponsors
Cloud Accountant Staffing - http://accountingpodcast.promo/cas
ACFE - http://accountingpodcast.promo/acfe
OnPay - http://accountingpodcast.promo/onpay
Chapters- (00:00) - Introduction and Podcast Overview
- (00:44) - Headline: Accountants No Longer Professionals?
- (02:18) - Department of Education's Proposal and Reactions
- (03:50) - Implications for Accounting Students and Professionals
- (09:28) - Deloitte's AI Work Swap Controversy
- (12:46) - EY's Audit Quality Improvements
- (20:56) - Economic Update: Tariffs and Job Market
- (34:02) - Circular AI Investments: A Closer Look
- (36:31) - AI Tools for Accountants: New Features
- (39:32) - Xero's New Pricing and AI Policies
- (49:13) - PWC's AI-Driven Audit Automation
- (52:39) - Google Workspace Shared Inboxes
- (55:49) - Dissolution of the Department of Government Efficiency
- (56:47) - Career Networking Tips for Accountants
- (01:01:16) - Outsourcing Talent: A Global Perspective
Show Notes
Department of Education Accounting Professional Degree Classification
https://www.newsweek.com/full-list-degrees-professional-trump-administration-11085695Accountants Inexplicably Deemed "Not Professional" Under OBBBA Student Loan Rules
https://www.goingconcern.com/accountants-inexplicably-deemed-not-professional-under-obba-student-loan-rules/Department of Education Unclassifies Accounting as a Professional Degree
https://www.cpapracticeadvisor.com/2025/11/24/department-of-education-unclassifies-accounting-as-a-professional-degree/173875/Deloitte allegedly cited AI-generated research in a million-dollar report for a Canadian provincial government https://fortune.com/2025/11/25/deloitte-caught-fabricated-ai-generated-research-million-dollar-report-canada-government/
Major N.L. healthcare report contains errors likely generated by A.I.
https://theindependent.ca/news/lji/major-n-l-healthcare-report-contains-errors-likely-generated-by-a-i/N.L. asks Deloitte to carry out review after 'incorrect' citations found in $1.6M provincial health plan
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfoundland-labrador/nl-deloitte-citations-9.6990216
OpenAI's investment into Thrive Holdings is its latest circular deal
https://techcrunch.com/2025/12/01/openais-investment-into-thrive-holdings-is-its-latest-circular-deal/Thrive-backed accounting firm Crete to spend $500 million in AI roll-up
https://finance.yahoo.com/news/thrive-backed-accounting-firm-crete-130200467.htmlCrete PA plans $500 million spend to buy and upgrade accounting firms with AI
https://www.accountingtoday.com/news/crete-pa-plans-500-million-spend-to-buy-and-upgrade-firms-with-aiOpenAI takes an ownership stake in Thrive Holdings to accelerate enterprise AI adoption
https://openai.com/index/thrive-holdings/Trump Tariffs: The Economic Impact of the Trump Trade War
https://taxfoundation.org/research/all/federal/trump-tariffs-trade-war/IEEPA Tariffs Are Down from April Threats
https://taxfoundation.org/blog/ieepa-tariffs-rates-down-april-threats/
Intuit SMB MediaLabs Audiences Now Available on The Trade Desk Platform
https://investors.intuit.com/news-events/press-releases/detail/1288/intuit-smb-medialabs-audiences-now-available-on-the-trade-desk-platform-connecting-advertisers-with-small-and-mid-market-businessesIntuit SMB MediaLabs | Advertising Network
Need CPE?Get CPE for listening to podcasts with Earmark: https://earmarkcpe.com
Subscribe to the Earmark Podcast: https://podcast.earmarkcpe.comGet in Touch
Thanks 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.
Sponsorships
Are you interested in sponsoring The Accounting Podcast? For details, read the prospectus.
Need Accounting Conference Info?
Check out our new website - accountingconferences.com
Limited edition shirts, stickers, and other necessities
TeePublic Store: http://cloudacctpod.link/merch
Subscribe
- Apple Podcasts: http://cloudacctpod.link/AppleP...
8 December 2025, 4:00 pm - 51 minutes 31 secondsWhat Americans Are Most Afraid of Discussing at Thanksgiving
Do money talks make your family squirm more than politics? In this Thanksgiving mailbag, Blake and David dig into a Bankrate survey on taboo money chats, the grim 2026 grad job market, and the maze of CPA experience sign-offs after NASBA’s program vanished. You’ll hear practical career advice (big firm vs. small, starting bookkeeping), what AI can and can’t do for accountants today, plus news on audit partners’ outlook and tariff shifts hitting grocery bills.
Chapters
- (01:14) - Listener Mailbag: Top Messages of the Year
- (02:05) - Thanksgiving Dinner Conversations: Money vs. Politics
- (06:11) - Listener Questions: CPA Licensing Challenges
- (12:07) - NASBA Data Issues and CPA Exam Pass Rates
- (13:24) - Economic Optimism Among Audit Partners
- (17:22) - Political News: Tariff Rollbacks
- (19:03) - Career Advice for Accounting Students
- (26:47) - AI's Impact on Accounting Careers
- (27:34) - AI's Current Capabilities and Limitations
- (31:10) - Future of AI in Accounting
- (34:49) - Challenges in Accounting Education
- (40:51) - Listener Mail and Feedback
- (46:23) - Accounting News and Stories
Show Notes
Companies Predict 2026 Will Be the Worst College Grad Job Market in Five Years
https://www.wsj.com/lifestyle/careers/2026-graduates-job-market-7928bcd7Survey: Americans would rather discuss politics or religion than what's in their bank accounts
https://www.bankrate.com/banking/financial-taboos-survey/
Audit partners feel more optimistic about economy
https://www.accountingtoday.com/news/audit-partners-feel-more-optimistic-about-economyTrump lowers tariffs on coffee, beef and fruits, as Americans' concerns about affordability grow
https://www.cnn.com/2025/11/14/economy/lower-tariffs-coffee-beef-bananas-produce
Georgia Accountant Arrested After Allegedly Tearing Down Trump Sign, Shooting at North Carolina Man's House
Measuring AI Ability to Complete Long Tasks
https://metr.org/blog/2025-03-19-measuring-ai-ability-to-complete-long-tasks/
Need CPE?
Get CPE for listening to podcasts with Earmark: https://earmarkcpe.com
Subscribe to the Earmark Podcast: https://podcast.earmarkcpe.comGet in Touch
Thanks 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.
Sponsorships
Are you interested in sponsoring The Accounting Podcast? For details, read the prospectus.
Need Accounting Conference Info?
Check out our new website - accountingconferences.com
Limited edition shirts, stickers, and other necessities
TeePublic Store: http://cloudacctpod.link/merch
Subscribe
- Apple Podcasts: http://cloudacctpod.link/ApplePodcasts
- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheAccountingPodcast
- Spotify: http://cloudacctpod.link/Spotify
- Podchaser: http://cloudacctpod.link/podchaser
- Stitcher: http://cloudacctpod.link/Stitcher
- Overcast: http://cloudacctpod.link/Overcast
Want 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
Transcripts
The full transcript for this episode is available by clicking on the Transcript tab at the top of this page
28 November 2025, 12:00 am - 59 minutes 53 secondsIntuit's $100m/yr OpenAI Deal & How Tech Companies Juice Profits
Blake breaks down how AI can help with cost segregation and explains why AI currently works best on tasks that take humans 2-5 minutes. Michael Burry is betting against AI companies, claiming they're manipulating earnings by stretching server depreciation from 3-4 years to 5-6 years, adding billions to their bottom lines. Also covered: Intuit's $100 million annual OpenAI deal to integrate QuickBooks and TurboTax into ChatGPT, new bank evidence in the Rippling corporate espionage case, and a survey showing 10% of adults are acting on AI tax advice despite error rates up to 50%.
Chapters
- (00:00) - Welcome to The Accounting Podcast
- (00:49) - Blake's Illness and Recovery
- (02:05) - Upcoming Topics
- (04:06) - Cost Segregation Explained
- (06:46) - AI in Cost Segregation
- (11:15) - AI's Current Capabilities and Limitations
- (19:10) - Intuit's OpenAI Deal
- (22:01) - Intuit's Strategy and Industry Implications
- (30:12) - Michael Burry's New Bet Against AI
- (31:21) - Depreciation and AI Companies
- (39:15) - Rippling vs. Deel: Corporate Espionage
- (42:44) - New Jersey's Alternative Pathways Bill
- (44:39) - AI's Role in Tax and Investing Advice
- (47:37) - Defining Audit Quality: PCOB's New Initiative
- (51:56) - FASB's Costly Lease Standard
- (56:13) - Ancient Accounting Systems in Peru
- (58:45) - Conclusion and Viewer Interaction
Show Notes
AI Is Now a First Stop for Tax and Investing Questions - CPAs Need a Playbook Fast
https://www.cpapracticeadvisor.com/2025/10/29/ai-is-now-a-first-stop-for-tax-and-investing-questions-cpas-need-a-playbook-fast/171939/19% lost $100 or more on bad AI financial advice
https://www.accountingtoday.com/news/19-lost-100-or-more-on-bad-ai-financial-advice
Intuit to pay OpenAI over $100 million for model access, ChatGPT integrates with TurboTax
https://www.cnbc.com/2025/11/18/intuit-pays-openai-100-million-turbotax-integrates-chatgpt.html
Intuit Strikes $100M Deal to Bring TurboTax and QuickBooks Into ChatGPT
https://www.eweek.com/news/intuit-100m-chatgpt-deal/
Intuit signs $100M+ deal with OpenAI to bring its apps to ChatGPT
https://techcrunch.com/2025/11/18/intuit-signs-100m-deal-with-openai-to-bring-its-apps-to-chatgpt/
Intuit and OpenAI join forces on new AI-powered experiences
https://openai.com/index/intuit-partnership/
'Big Short' investor Michael Burry accuses AI hyperscalers of artificially boosting earnings
Michael Burry Hits Back At Critics: Accuses AI Companies Of 'Suspicious Revenue Recognition' And Depreciation Gimmicks: 'Fraud, Not A Flywheel'
Fireside chat with PCAOB acting chair George Botic
https://www.accountingtoday.com/opinion/fireside-chat-with-pcaob-acting-chair-george-botic
New Banking Records Prove Deel Paid Thief Who Stole Trade Secrets from Rippling
Newly unsealed documents tie Deel to payments for alleged Rippling spy, while Deel points to witness incentives
https://www.calcalistech.com/ctechnews/article/h1ysgtng11l
FASB Says Certain Costs of Leases Standard Were Significantly Higher Than Expected
FASB finds leases standard was costlier than expected
https://www.accountingtoday.com/news/fasb-finds-leases-standard-was-costlier-than-expected
NJ's once-stalled CPA licensing bill advances after 'surprise' vote
Indigenous accounting and exchange at Monte Sierpe ('Band of Holes') in the Pisco Valley, Peru
Peru's ancient 'band of holes' mystery may be solved
https://edition.cnn.com/2025/11/21/science/peru-band-of-holes-mystery
Need CPE?
Get CPE for listening to podcasts with Earmark: https://earmarkcpe.com
Subscribe to the Earmark Podcast: https://podcast.earmarkcpe.comGet in Touch
Thanks 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 Podcha...
22 November 2025, 12:30 am - 28 minutes 22 secondsThe Future of Advisory: Unlocking Your Firm’s CFO Potential (from The Earmark Podcast)
Earmark Media Presents a bonus episode of Earmark Podcast:
Live from Boston on the final stop of the Advisory Amplified tour, Blake sits down with James Erving from Fathom and Chris Macksey from Prix Fixe Accounting to explore what advisory services really mean beyond bookkeeping and compliance. Chris shares how his firm requires advisory for all restaurant clients, using industry expertise and operational metrics to guide decisions on everything from menu pricing to expansion timing. The conversation covers the difference between delivering information versus being integral to decision-making, with insights on forecasting, benchmarking, and why visual KPIs help clients with low financial literacy understand their business performance.
Meet Our Guests
James Erving
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jameserving/
Learn more about Fathom
Official website: http://fathomhq.com
Chris Macksey
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cmacksey/
Learn more about Prix Fixe Accounting
Official website: https://prixfixe.accountants/
Need CPE?
Get CPE for this episode: https://earmark.app/c/2912Get CPE for listening to podcasts with Earmark: https://earmarkcpe.com
Subscribe to the Earmark Podcast: https://podcast.earmarkcpe.comGet in Touch
Thanks 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.
Sponsorships
Are you interested in sponsoring The Accounting Podcast? For details, read the prospectus.
Need Accounting Conference Info?
Check out our new website - accountingconferences.com
Limited edition shirts, stickers, and other necessities
TeePublic Store: http://cloudacctpod.link/merch
Subscribe
- Apple Podcasts: http://cloudacctpod.link/ApplePodcasts
- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheAccountingPodcast
- Spotify: http://cloudacctpod.link/Spotify
- Podchaser: http://cloudacctpod.link/podchaser
- Stitcher: http://cloudacctpod.link/Stitcher
- Overcast: http://cloudacctpod.link/Overcast
Classifieds
Want 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
Transcripts
The full transcript for this episode is available by clicking on the Transcript tab at the top of this page
20 November 2025, 8:00 pm - 32 minutes 7 secondsLeading with Empathy: Building Teams That Thrive (from The Earmark Podcast)
Earmark Media Presents a bonus episode of Earmark Podcast:
On the fifth stop of the Advisory Amplified tour in Atlanta, Blake sits down with Lisa Gilreath of Acuity and Valerie Heckman of OnPay to discuss what empathetic leadership actually looks like in an industry notorious for long hours and tight deadlines. The conversation covers everything from recognizing when team members are struggling to handling toxic high performers, with real talk about building slack into capacity planning and why unused PTO is a red flag. Lisa and Valerie share concrete steps for creating a culture where people feel supported enough to lean in when it matters most.
Meet Our Guests
Valerie HeckmanLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/valerieheckman/
Learn more about OnPay
Official website: https://onpay.com
Lisa Gilreath
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisa-gilreath-2ba506a/
Learn more about Sorren
Official website: https://sorren.com/
Need CPE?
Get CPE for this episode: https://earmark.app/c/2909Get CPE for listening to podcasts with Earmark: https://earmarkcpe.com
Subscribe to the Earmark Podcast: https://podcast.earmarkcpe.comGet in Touch
Thanks 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.
Sponsorships
Are you interested in sponsoring The Accounting Podcast? For details, read the prospectus.
Need Accounting Conference Info?
Check out our new website - accountingconferences.com
Limited edition shirts, stickers, and other necessities
TeePublic Store: http://cloudacctpod.link/merch
Subscribe
- Apple Podcasts: http://cloudacctpod.link/ApplePodcasts
- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheAccountingPodcast
- Spotify: http://cloudacctpod.link/Spotify
- Podchaser: http://cloudacctpod.link/podchaser
- Stitcher: http://cloudacctpod.link/Stitcher
- Overcast: http://cloudacctpod.link/Overcast
Classifieds
Want 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
Transcripts
The full transcript for this episode is available by clicking on the Transcript tab at the top of this page
18 November 2025, 2:00 pm - 33 minutes 40 secondsBanking on Change: How Renegade Firms Redefine Success (from The Earmark Podcast)
Earmark Media Presents a bonus episode of Earmark Podcast:
Live from Austin on the Advisory Amplified tour, Blake sits down with Madeline Reeves of Fearless Foundry and Wesley McDonald of Relay to explore what it truly means to be a renegade in accounting: firms that lead clients to somewhere new rather than settle for "the way things have always been done." The conversation explores why top firms aren't afraid to say no to the wrong clients, how transparency in compensation and career pathways can address the talent crisis, and the hard-won lessons learned about building cultures of collaboration over competition.
Meet Our Guests
Madeline ReevesLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/madelinefearless/
Learn more about Fearless Foundry
Official website: http://www.fearlessfoundry.com
Wesley McDonald
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wmcdonald48/?originalSubdomain=ca
Learn more about Relay
Official website: https://relayfi.com
Need CPE?
Get CPE for this episode: https://earmark.app/c/2880Get CPE for listening to podcasts with Earmark: https://earmarkcpe.com
Subscribe to the Earmark Podcast: https://podcast.earmarkcpe.comGet in Touch
Thanks 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.
Sponsorships
Are you interested in sponsoring The Accounting Podcast? For details, read the prospectus.
Need Accounting Conference Info?
Check out our new website - accountingconferences.com
Limited edition shirts, stickers, and other necessities
TeePublic Store: http://cloudacctpod.link/merch
Subscribe
- Apple Podcasts: http://cloudacctpod.link/ApplePodcasts
- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheAccountingPodcast
- Spotify: http://cloudacctpod.link/Spotify
- Podchaser: http://cloudacctpod.link/podchaser
- Stitcher: http://cloudacctpod.link/Stitcher
- Overcast: http://cloudacctpod.link/Overcast
Classifieds
Want 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
Transcripts
The full transcript for this episode is available by clicking on the Transcript tab at the top of this page
13 November 2025, 8:00 pm - More Episodes? Get the App