In this special crossover episode between the AICPA’s Tax Section Odyssey and PFP Section podcasts, April Walker is joined by Bob Keebler and Mark Gallegos to break down the fast-moving tax legislation landscape. They walk through key provisions in both the House’s “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” and the Senate’s proposal, sharing what matters most for client conversations right now. Topics include: Timing and reconciliation process in Congress Section 199A and SALT cap updates PTET deduction diffe...
Jun 24, 2025•32 min
When markets are volatile, your clients look to you for clarity—but before they can truly hear your technical advice, they may need something deeper: to feel emotionally steady and heard. In this episode, Dr. Meghaan Lurtz, behavioral scientist and partner at Shaping Wealth, joins host Cary Sinnett to explore the power of a question-led approach for CPA financial planners. You’ll learn how leading with well-timed questions—not immediate answers—can reduce client panic, build trust, and actually ...
Jun 13, 2025•21 min
When the markets swing, smart estate planning can make or break your client’s legacy. In this episode, Bob Keebler, CPA/PFS , joins Cary Sinnett to reveal the overlooked tax moves CPA financial planners need to know—from the strategic use of the Alternate Valuation Date (AVD) to avoiding costly missteps with the Kenan Doctrine . Learn how the 645 election can shift tax treatment in your favor, why timing and valuation matter more than ever, and how to deliver sharp planning with empathy during e...
May 30, 2025•18 min
As CPA financial planners, we often encounter a painful reality: adult children who are surprised, or even hurt, by their parents’ estate plans—after it’s too late for discussion. In this episode, Cary Sinnett speaks with Kelley Long, a respected fee-only financial wellness coach and former bank trust officer, about how proactive communication can help families preserve relationships and honor intentions. Kelley offers practical, thoughtful strategies for advisors to help clients initiate and na...
May 16, 2025•20 min
In this thought-provoking episode, Dr. Meghaan Lurtz joins Cary Sinnett to explore a deceptively simple concept with powerful implications: financial gratitude . Discover how shifting the conversation from scarcity to sufficiency helps clients make better long-term decisions, build trust, and find meaning in their financial journey—especially in volatile times. 💡 What You’ll Learn: Why gratitude is more than a feeling —it’s a behavior that shapes financial planning success How to introduce refl...
May 02, 2025•21 min
Host Cary Sinnett and business transition advisor Mike Benedict discuss how to prepare business owners for one of their largest lifetime transactions—exiting their business. The conversation covers key aspects of pre-transaction preparation, valuation methods, building a sell-ready business, and leveraging tax strategies to maximize outcomes. Key Insights Pre-Transaction Preparation: Use a thorough quality of earnings review—similar to staging a home—to highlight strengths and avoid surprises du...
Apr 18, 2025•21 min
In this episode, Cary Sinnett is joined by renowned CPA and tax expert Bob Keebler to unpack the complexities of theft and casualty loss deductions under IRC Section 165. From pig butchering scams to IRA fraud and Ponzi schemes, this episode dives deep into the kinds of losses the IRS will—and won’t—let you deduct, what qualifies as a profit motive, and how financial planners can guide their clients through one of the most emotionally and financially painful tax situations. Five Key Insights for...
Apr 04, 2025•19 min
In this episode of the AICPA Personal Financial Planning Podcast, host Cary Sinnett speaks with expert CPA estate planner Bob Keebler about the latest legislative efforts to repeal the estate tax. They discuss the implications for financial planners, strategies to consider, and how advisors can proactively help clients navigate potential changes. Key Takeaways: Estate Tax Repeal on the Horizon Bills have been introduced in Congress to repeal the estate tax while retaining the gift tax and repeal...
Mar 21, 2025•20 min
Cary Sinnett and Dan Snyder discuss the repeal of the Government Pension Offset (GPO) and Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP), major changes impacting public workers, spouses, and retirees. Learn who is affected, how to claim retroactive payments, and key financial planning strategies. Key Takeaways: Who’s Affected? Retired public workers, teachers, police, firefighters, and spouses previously impacted by GPO/WEP. What Changed? The Social Security Fairness Act (Jan 2025) repeals GPO & WEP, ...
Mar 07, 2025•26 min
In this episode of the AICPA Personal Financial Planning Podcast, Cary Sinnett welcomes Bob Keebler , a nationally recognized expert in estate and tax planning. Together, they break down the critical topic of portability in estate planning —what it is, how it works, and why it matters for both financial planners and clients. Key Insights: Portability: Use It or Lose It – If you don't elect portability within the required time frame, the deceased spouse’s unused estate tax exemption is lost forev...
Feb 07, 2025•22 min
Welcome to the AICPA Personal Financial Planning Podcast, hosted by Cary Sinnett. In this episode, Cary is joined by Brooke Salvini, Chair of the Personal Financial Planning (PFP) Executive Committee, and Oscar Vives, Chair of the PFS Credential Committee. Together, they dive into pivotal advancements in CPA financial planning, including the integration of Personal Financial Planning into the CPA exam, updates to PFP standards, and the evolving role of technology and artificial intelligence in t...
Jan 24, 2025•25 min
In this episode of the AICPA Personal Financial Planning Podcast , host Cary Sinnett welcomes Dr. Ross Riskin , Chief Learning Officer at the Investments & Wealth Institute and author of Guide to Education Planning . They dive deep into education planning strategies , including the benefits and complexities of tools like 529 plans , the importance of multi-generational funding conversations, and how to align education savings with broader financial goals. Here are five key takeaways from the...
Jan 10, 2025•38 min
This milestone episode celebrates 30 years of professional growth and client success, highlighting the dynamic evolution of the financial planning profession and the firm’s commitment to innovation and excellence. Five Key Takeaways: The Evolution of a Career in Financial Planning : Growth and succession is vital for a long-lasting impact. Lyle Benson introduces his son Chris. Chris Benson shares his journey from aspiring engineer to CPA financial planner, highlighting the pivotal moments that s...
Dec 20, 2024•31 min
In this episode, Cary Sinnet and Mark Gochnour explore how effective communication builds trust and sets financial planners apart. Mark introduces the 4S Framework —a powerful tool for connecting with clients and simplifying complex concepts. Key Takeaways Why Communication Matters: Builds trust, fosters engagement, and differentiates you from competitors. Avoid overloading clients with technical jargon or unnecessary details. 4S Framework for Communication: Scripts: Prepare and practice concise...
Dec 06, 2024•20 min
Mark Astrinos and David Oransky discuss Bitcoin's role in modern investing, addressing its speculative nature, practical uses, and potential as a long-term store of value. They explore how advisors and clients can approach Bitcoin thoughtfully, balancing skepticism with understanding. Key Topics Covered : Foundations of Investing: Saving vs. investing and the speculative nature of all assets. Bitcoin’s similarities to "digital gold" and its unique network benefits. Bitcoin’s Role in Portfolios: ...
Nov 22, 2024•35 min
Jim Sullivan from Pay4Care.org discusses significant changes to Medicare’s prescription drug coverage in 2025, particularly regarding the Medicare Part D plans and Medicare Advantage plans with drug coverage. Jim discusses key 2025 changes to Medicare Part D, including a new $2,000 out-of-pocket maximum for prescription drug costs. Beneficiaries can now opt for the Medicare Prescription Payment Plan, allowing them to spread out deductible payments monthly to ease early-year costs. The Open Enrol...
Nov 08, 2024•27 min
In this episode of the AICPA Personal Financial Planning Podcast, Cary Sinnett interviews Dr. Carolyn McClanahan, a physician and financial planner, on the importance of addressing healthcare in financial planning. They discuss how health and financial wellbeing are deeply intertwined, especially when planning for long-term care, aging, and unpredictable health events. Dr. McClanahan emphasizes the importance of having early conversations about healthcare plans, estate directives, and the costs ...
Oct 22, 2024•44 min
In this episode of "Deeper CPA Financial Planning Connections," Lyle Benson interviews Marianela Collada, CEO of Tobias Financial Advisors, about her career journey, the growth of her firm, and her role on the PFP Executive Committee. Marianela discusses her experience working with high-net-worth clients, the importance of estate and tax planning, and her approach to growing the firm's team and capabilities. She emphasizes the significance of proactive planning, developing new leaders within the...
Oct 11, 2024•31 min
Expert Bob Keebler, CPA PFS, breaks down the final regulations of SECURE Act 2.0. Difficult RMD questions are answered and complexities explained. What is the difference between RMD rules for an IRA owner who dies before their required beginning date (RBD) versus after their RBD under the SECURE Act? Who qualifies as an Eligible Designated Beneficiary (EDB), and how are they treated differently under the SECURE Act when it comes to distributions? What is the significance of the 327 Election for ...
Sep 27, 2024•20 min
In this podcast, Kelley Long, a CPA financial planner, discusses two overlooked 401(k) scenarios that can lead to unexpected taxes or penalties: when someone leaves their job with an outstanding 401(k) loan, and when an employee's contributions are refunded due to plan testing failure. Kelley explains how to avoid penalties by making loan payments into a rollover IRA before the tax return deadline and highlights the importance of identifying whether a 401(k) plan is safe harbor to prevent contri...
Sep 13, 2024•18 min
Lyle Benson and his guests discuss how the upcoming AICPA Personal Financial Planning (PFP) Summit scheduled for January 2025 in Charlotte, North Carolina promotes the importance of networking and deepening our peer relationships. This 9th annual PFP Summit is an example of how connecting with other leaders through deep discussions on mutually beneficial topics can benefit both individuals and the CPA financial planning profession. Lyle’s conversation with guests includes these topics (and more)...
Aug 19, 2024•27 min
In this final installment of Debra Taylor’s Digging Deeper series, she focuses on tax planning. After reviewing the importance of a structured service calendar and proactive client communication, she outlines five essential steps for effective tax planning and highlights 20 key tax planning strategies. This is an approach to broaden your tax planning to addressing the financial planning needs of your clients. Debra answers questions like these in the podcast: What are the five essential steps fo...
Aug 09, 2024•23 min
In this episode, Lyle Benson and Karen Goodfriend discuss Karen's journey as a CPA financial planner, highlighting her transition from corporate aspirations to a focus on personal financial planning. Karen emphasizes the importance of integrating psychological aspects with technical financial planning, especially for clients experiencing sudden wealth. In this episode of the PFP Section podcast, Lyle Benson interviews Kelley to share more of her story with our community. The conversation include...
Jul 26, 2024•24 min
As a follow-up to Debra’s webcast Planning for Clients with $1-15M in Net Worth, she discusses a much more organized approach for tax planning. A year-round planning calendar clearly shows how you apply tax planning to their financial decisions. The events encompassed in the calendar reinforce the key goals of a successful plan. As CPAs you talk tax planning, but here are ways to apply it with your client discussions that will allow you to be better organized, improve client retention and expect...
Jul 12, 2024•21 min
In this episode of the PFP Section podcast, Bob Keebler, CPA/PFS discusses strategies for estate tax planning in anticipation of the TCJA (Tax Cuts and Jobs Act) sunset on December 31, 2025. The sunset, which will reduce the double exclusion amount from approximately $14 million to $7 million and many practitioners will need to evaluate gifting for their relevant clients. Bob covers various techniques, including: Spousal lifetime access trusts (SLATs) and dynasty trusts, to ensure effective esta...
Jun 28, 2024•31 min
As a follow-up to Debra’s webcast Planning for Clients with $1-15M in Net Worth, she discusses some important practice management considerations. An annual financial planning service calendar structures the delivery of client services and communication and is the foundation for adding valuable client relationships. Debra advocates for a systematic approach to client service, ensuring transparency and predictability. She also discusses various fee structures, including AUM (Assets Under Managemen...
Jun 14, 2024•24 min
Life inevitably presents us with forks in the road, whether chosen or forced upon us. These transitions can be uncomfortable, requiring us to leave the familiar and step into the unknown. Whether guiding your clients through their life changes or experiencing your own, having a strategy can make these journeys less daunting. In this Deeper CPA Financial Planner Connections episode of the PFP Section podcast, Lyle Benson, CPA/PFS, CFP® interviews Andrea Millar, RLP®, PCC, CPA/PFS to share her exp...
May 24, 2024•39 min
A recent CNBC survey of couples discovers that 64% admitted to being financially incompatible. A money date is a relaxed and open conversation about finances and goals. This is an important component to financial compatibility and avoiding potential conflict. It can benefit relationships of any length and open channels of communication with transparency and respect. Dave answers questions like: What is a money date and why is it important? How can it help understand each other’s financial habits...
May 10, 2024•23 min
As we narrow in on the sunset of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, many practitioners will be suggesting that their relevant clients make gifts. In this episode of the PFP Section podcast, Bob Keebler, CPA/PFS, and Larry Brody, JD, discuss what needs to be known when valuing life insurance policies for the purpose of filing gift tax returns, including: What do we need to know about the IRS regulations? Can you get a valuation in lieu of relying on the IRS regulations? What value should be used when giv...
Apr 26, 2024•16 min
The SECURE 2.0 Act opened new doors for the use of 529 plan funds. Kelley Long discusses the impact of the changes on strategies available to clients using 529 plans. Not only does Kelley review the rules of rolling 529 plan funds to Roth IRAs, but also takes a step further to address the numerous related questions she has gotten on this strategy and other creative ways to draw down 529 plan funds. In this episode of the PFP Section podcast, Kelley will provide the information you need to discus...
Apr 15, 2024•18 min
