CPA Exam prep rockstars Peter Olinto and Roger Philipp join Blake and David to discuss the evolution of the CPA Exam over time, the importance of making studying entertaining, and challenges facing the accounting profession like public accounting burnout. Both Olinto and Philipp believe competition between CPA review courses drives innovation and helps students pass the exam, and they aim to make studying engaging through humor, memory techniques, and technology. Sponsors LiveFlow - http://accou...
Nov 18, 2023•1 hr 3 min•Ep. 358
Listen to the full Unofficial QuickBooks Accountants Podcast here: https://share.transistor.fm/s/5586a16e Earmark Media Presents a bonus episode of Unofficial QuickBooks Accountants Podcast. Hector and Alicia dig into all the details and speculation around Intuit's newest cloud accounting product QuickBooks Ledger. Is it an affordable option for write-up clients or an over-hyped limited edition QBO? Listen to the full Unofficial QuickBooks Accountants Podcast here: https://share.transistor.fm/s/...
Nov 11, 2023•9 min
Blake and David examine the downfall of FTX and founder Sam Bankman-Fried and look at some controversies around Deloitte auditors backdating audit paperwork in Canada, receiving only a minor fine. They also marvel at Donald Trump's attempt to blame accountants for alleged financial statement fraud in his organization. All this, and other news including NASBA's CEO's upcoming retirement, IRS budget cut updates, and generational differences around public accounting work environments. Sponsors Live...
Nov 09, 2023•1 hr 8 min•Ep. 357
An independent audit reveals over $1.4 billion in questionable spending and lack of financial oversight at Maryland's Health Department during the COVID pandemic. We break down the audit's alarming findings, and the response from state officials committed to improving financial practices. Need CPE? Get CPE for listening to podcasts with Earmark: https://earmarkcpe.com Subscribe to the Earmark Podcast: https://podcast.earmarkcpe.com Get in Touch Thanks for listening and the great reviews! We appr...
Nov 02, 2023•2 min
A former Vegas hotel manager is accused of stealing over $773,000 in guest refunds and using the money to live lavishly. We unpack how he allegedly pulled off the massive refund scam and what could have been done to catch it sooner. Need CPE? Get CPE for listening to podcasts with Earmark: https://earmarkcpe.com Subscribe to the Earmark Podcast: https://podcast.earmarkcpe.com Get in Touch Thanks for listening and the great reviews! We appreciate you! Follow and tweet @BlakeTOliver and @DavidLear...
Nov 01, 2023•4 min
An embezzlement scheme at Aria Hotel costs MGM $770,000, an accounting firm apologizes for paying a staffer below minimum wage, problems with Workday ERP implementations for state and local governments, a spike in accounting enrollment at Purdue University, and tax migration trends between high-tax and low-tax states. Sponsors OnPay - http://accountingpodcast.promo/onpay Zoho - http://accountingpodcast.promo/zoho Keeper - https://cloudaccountingpodcast.promo/keeper Chapters (00:59) - Clarence Th...
Oct 31, 2023•59 min•Ep. 356
Today, we are honoring the life of Joshua Lance, CPA, founder of Lance CPA Group, who passed away in October at the age of 40 after a battle with cancer. To commemorate Josh's life, we are playing a eulogy delivered by Kenji Kuramoto at Josh's memorial service this past weekend. Kenji represented the many voices in the accounting profession that Josh was a part of. Kenji shares stories about Josh's humility, thoughtfulness, and influence. Although Josh never sought the spotlight, he became well-...
Oct 30, 2023•10 min
A recent report alleges Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas failed to disclose that a $267,000 recreational vehicle loan from a friend was forgiven, raising questions about potential tax issues and scrutiny around the justice's financial practices. Need CPE? Get CPE for listening to podcasts with Earmark: https://earmarkcpe.com Subscribe to the Earmark Podcast: https://podcast.earmarkcpe.com Get in Touch Thanks for listening and the great reviews! We appreciate you! Follow and tweet @BlakeTOli...
Oct 27, 2023•3 min
Blake and David discuss the factors that impact accountant salaries, including location, experience, and industry, and highlight the correlation between accounting salaries and overall economic conditions, noting that periods of economic growth can lead to higher salaries. They also take a look at the partnership between PwC and OpenAI and speculate on the potential impact of AI on accounting consulting and fraud detection. All this and more, right now! Sponsors LiveFlow - http://accountingpodca...
Oct 25, 2023•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 355
NetSuite founder Evan Goldberg discusses the company's 25th anniversary, new AI features like Text Enhance and Customer 360, and his long-term vision for intelligent assistants integrated with NetSuite. Meet Our Guest, Evan Goldberg LinkedIn : https://www.linkedin.com/in/evan-netsuite/ Learn more about NetSuite Website : https://www.netsuite.com/portal/home.shtml Need CPE? Get CPE for listening to podcasts with Earmark: https://earmarkcpe.com Subscribe to the Earmark Podcast: https://podcast.ear...
Oct 19, 2023•20 min
Wayne Berson, CEO of BDO USA, joins Blake and guest host, David Leary, on the Earmark Podcast to discuss BDO's recent transition to an employee stock ownership plan (ESOP), making it the first major accounting firm to implement an ESOP structure. They discuss how the ESOP aims to attract and retain talent in the accounting profession and provide employees at all levels with an ownership stake in the firm. Meet Our Guest, Wayne Berson LinkedIn : https://www.linkedin.com/in/wayneberson/ Learn more...
Oct 18, 2023•53 min
There’s a lot to digest in this episode! Blake and David discuss Microsoft's $28.9 billion tax bill, and examine a tax-fraud scheme involving art donations. JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon predicts that AI advancements will create a shorter workweek in the future. They also look at Xero’s newest features, including improved algorithms for recognizing new contacts and bank reconciliation statements, and talk about Grant Thornton's implementation of Git Assist, an AI tool for accessing internal kno...
Oct 17, 2023•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 354
After a decade-long audit, Microsoft is facing a whopping $29 billion tax bill from the IRS for what the agency claims was an "illusory scheme" to channel profits through Puerto Rico—but with years of appeals ahead, will the tech giant ultimately pay the total amount? Need CPE? Get CPE for listening to podcasts with Earmark: https://earmarkcpe.com Subscribe to the Earmark Podcast: https://podcast.earmarkcpe.com Get in Touch Thanks for listening and the great reviews! We appreciate you! Follow an...
Oct 15, 2023•3 min
Blake and David dig into the use of AI agents in solving problems, emphasizing the effectiveness of assigning different roles to the agents and having them interact with each other to reach satisfactory results. They also discuss the latest accounting news, including the recent arrest of an IRS contractor, the IRS slashing the PTIN fee, ongoing trials, and cyber-attacks. Sponsors Relay - https://cloudaccountingpodcast.promo/relay Keeper - https://cloudaccountingpodcast.promo/keeper Accountests -...
Oct 11, 2023•1 hr 12 min•Ep. 353
Looking for the best cities to launch your accounting career? This top 10 countdown will highlight the metro areas with the highest demand, abundant jobs, and the most competitive salaries for accountants. Forbes Advisor compiled this list. See the full list here: https://www.forbes.com/advisor/education/top-cities-for-accountants/ Need CPE? Subscribe to the Earmark Accounting Podcast: https://podcast.earmarkcpe.com Get CPE for listening to podcasts with Earmark CPE: https://earmarkcpe Get in To...
Oct 07, 2023•3 min
Sharon Lassar, Ph.D., CPA, and Director of the School of Accountancy at the University of Denver, shares concerns and perspectives on CPA licensure, including the resistance to changing the 150-hour requirement, the challenges of online learning and potential cheating, the impact on the value of the CPA designation, and the need for leadership and action from organizations like the AICPA and NASBA to address these issues and improve the profession. Meet Our Guest: Sharon Lassar, Ph.D., CPA Linke...
Oct 05, 2023•46 min
Blake and David cover a plethora of topics including positive customer experiences, legal rulings, top cities for accountants, and the pressure on Intuit from major banks. They also dig into the discovery of a large sum of cash at a senator's home, how Trump defrauded the banks, another potential government shutdown, and the accounting talent crisis. All this, and more, right here, right now! Sponsors OnPay - https://cloudaccountingpodcast.promo/onpay Relay - https://cloudaccountingpodcast.promo...
Oct 03, 2023•1 hr 11 min•Ep. 352
Ben Richmond, Xero's Country Manager for the United States, joins us to discuss new Xero product features like improved inventory management and AI integration, plans for the upcoming XeroCon 2024 conference, the future of the accounting profession, and Xero's sponsorship of the FIFA Women's World Cup. Ben provides an insider's look into Xero's roadmap and vision for transforming accounting with technology. (00:00) - Intro and XeroCon Conference Plans (02:15) - New Xero Product Features (07:15) ...
Sep 30, 2023•42 min
The recent moratorium on Employee Retention Credit (ERC) claims has big implications for accounting and tax professionals. In this episode, we break down what the ERC moratorium means and the key things you need to know as an accountant or tax preparer. We discuss how it will impact tax preparation and the diligence required to avoid invalid/fraudulent ERC claims, the bookkeeping and accounting changes to accommodate the moratorium, and the effects on audits. Tune in to understand what the ERC m...
Sep 28, 2023•27 min
Blake and David discuss the potential for AI to replace CEOs of CPA firms. They also dive into the increasing trend of remote work in accounting firms, contrasting the reservations expressed by some CEOs with the benefits of remote work for employees and the environment. Then, on to cryptocurrency scams and criticisms of the 150-hour rule for becoming a CPA, with listener emails sharing personal experiences and concerns about the rule. Sponsors LiveFlow - http://accountingpodcast.promo/liveflow ...
Sep 27, 2023•1 hr 11 min•Ep. 351
Accounting has long been viewed as a stable career, but in recent years, droves of accountants have been leaving the profession. Blake Oliver dives into a recent Wall Street Journal article highlighting the factors driving experienced accountants away, from burnout and boredom to the threat of automation. Show Notes Job Security Isn’t Enough to Keep Many Accountants From Quitting https://www.wsj.com/articles/accounting-quit-job-security-675fc28f Need CPE? Subscribe to the Earmark Accounting Podc...
Sep 25, 2023•4 min
The government shutdown threat looms as Congress scrambles to pass funding bills. The IRS previously said it could stay open during a shutdown by relying on Inflation Reduction Act funds. But now the agency says those funds can't sustain operations. According to its union, the IRS is preparing for furloughs and partial closures if a shutdown hits. This reversal surprised IRS employees and could spell delays for taxpayers and CPAs. Show Notes IRS plans possible furloughs in case of shutdown https...
Sep 23, 2023•2 min
Buckle up for a wild ride covering everything from brazen ERC scams to cutting-edge AI. Join Blake and David as they expose the rampant fraud sucking billions from the federal coffers. You'll hear an unbelievable voicemail scam promising gangbusters refunds—could it really be Snoop Dogg or is your mind playing tricks? Fast forward to the bleeding edge of technology with jaw-dropping examples of AI voice and face swapping. Think real-time translation opening global markets. But not so fast—can em...
Sep 21, 2023•1 hr 3 min•Ep. 350
The IRS has announced an immediate moratorium on new Employee Retention Tax Credit claims through the end of the year amidst a surge of questionable submissions. Tune in for details on the ERC crackdown, including new criminal probes, longer processing times, and options for withdrawing improper claims. Show Notes Employee Retention Credit Eligibility Checklist: Help understanding this complex credit https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/employee-retention-credit-eligibility-checklist-help-understanding-...
Sep 17, 2023•3 min
This week we dive into the pipeline shortage and the need for more accounting candidates, and discuss Intuit's groundbreaking use of AI in TurboTax and its potential impact on accounting professionals. Guest Jack Castonguay sheds light on FASB's recent announcement on accounting standards for digital assets and how it affects companies holding crypto assets. We also explore positive aspects of the accounting profession and address the need for critical changes like higher salaries and re-evaluat...
Sep 13, 2023•1 hr 5 min•Ep. 349
Join us for an in-depth conversation with Jerry Maginnis, a retired Big Four audit partner, about the value and criticisms of financial statement audits. Jerry draws on his decades of experience auditing public companies to respond to issues around audit quality, staff work conditions, complexity in accounting standards, and whether audits truly protect investors. He provides perspective on PCAOB inspections, the pass/fail system, and deficient audits. Blake and David ask tough questions about a...
Sep 07, 2023•1 hr 3 min
We’ve got an AI-packed episode this week! Ryan Lazanis demonstrates how AI and voice cloning technology can be utilized to streamline the analysis of financial statements. Blake and David examine various applications of AI in accounting, including tools for extracting key information from emails and documents, an AI-powered tax analysis tool, and the potential for AI to enhance advisory services. They also dig into some issues related to spam and scams in QuickBooks support, emphasizing the need...
Sep 06, 2023•1 hr 12 min•Ep. 348
Blake and David discuss issues relating to the accounting profession's talent pipeline, including a high school student's negative experience in her first accounting class and efforts by state CPA societies to reduce licensing barriers. They move on to tech topics, like the slow adoption of AI tools such as ChatGPT among accountants and new product features announced by Intuit and Xero. Wrapping things up, they share listener feedback on finding resources to learn new accounting software and wor...
Aug 30, 2023•1 hr 5 min•Ep. 347
The requirements to become a licensed CPA differ across states, yet CPAs maintain mobility to practice in multiple jurisdictions. How does this work? David Knoble, Chair of the South Carolina Association of CPAs (SCACPA), joins the show to bust myths around substantial equivalency and mobility rules for CPAs and discuss the SCACPA's proposed changes to licensure requirements in the state to encourage more accountants to become CPAs. Knoble clarifies how states have flexibility in setting licensi...
Aug 25, 2023•46 min
In this episode, Blake and David talk app integration frustrations, Gusto's new payroll feature, increased fees for tax professionals, a tragic accident involving an IRS agent, low job fulfillment among accountants, and an employee stock ownership plan at BDO. They also dive into Amazon's new product review feature and the appointment of a former Intuit executive as the new CEO of PayPal. Rounding things out, they speculate on Alex Chriss' move to PayPal and the potential benefits for accountant...
Aug 24, 2023•53 min•Ep. 346
