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 st...
Mar 05, 2025•18 min
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 nic...
Mar 03, 2025•1 hr 3 min
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 15...
Feb 27, 2025•1 hr 8 min•Ep. 424
Today, Blake and David dive into the controversy surrounding DOGE's withholding federal funds and gaining access to Treasury payment systems. They also examine AICPA's move away from the 150-hour requirement and Adobe's misguided tax document advice. All this and much more, right now! Sponsors CPA.com - http://accountingpodcast.promo/cpa Relay - http://accountingpodcast.promo/relay Cloud Accountant Staffing - http://accountingpodcast.promo/cas Rho - http://accountingpodcast.promo/rho Chapters (0...
Feb 17, 2025•48 min•Ep. 423
Blake and David tackle several key accounting industry developments, including a surprising 12% increase in undergraduate accounting enrollment and ongoing debates about IRS staffing and operations. They explore the potential impact of changes to Illinois's 150-hour CPA licensing rule, examine Elon Musk's controversial claims about government spending, and share insights about AI advancements in accounting firms. Sponsors OnPay - http://accountingpodcast.promo/onpay Keeper - http://accountingpod...
Feb 14, 2025•53 min•Ep. 422
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. Sponsors Keeper - http://accountingpodcast.promo/keepe...
Feb 01, 2025•1 hr 13 min•Ep. 421
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. Sponsors Relay - http://accountingpodcast.promo/relay Keeper - http://accountingpodcast.promo/keeper TaxBandits -...
Jan 24, 2025•1 hr 15 min•Ep. 420
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 n...
Jan 21, 2025•1 hr 14 min•Ep. 419
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 accountin...
Jan 18, 2025•1 hr 17 min•Ep. 418
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...
Jan 11, 2025•1 hr 24 min•Ep. 417
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-...
Jan 03, 2025•1 hr 10 min•Ep. 416
Blake, David, and special guest ChatGPT examine the impact of private equity on accounting firms, looking at how PE ownership affects compensation and firm structures. They dig into recent data showing record numbers of accounting errors in public companies, linking these issues to the broader talent shortage crisis. They explore CalCPA's pushback against proposed licensing changes, the surprising economic costs of Daylight Savings Time, and more. Sponsors LiveFlow - http://accountingpodcast.pro...
Dec 21, 2024•1 hr 15 min•Ep. 415
Blake and David take a look at several significant developments in the accounting world, including Trump's controversial IRS Commissioner nomination of former Congressman Billy Long. They also dig into updates on the Macy's accounting scandal and explore Square's potential move into accounting software with their new head of Product Accounting Solutions hire. They also share insights from the AICPA's 2024 CAS benchmark survey showing significant growth in client accounting services practices and...
Dec 14, 2024•1 hr 3 min•Ep. 414
Congratulations to Blake for making Accounting Today's Top 100 Most Influential People list! Today, Blake and David dig into several significant developments in accounting, including a federal court's decision to block BOI reporting nationwide. They also examine which of the 57% of accounting firms plan to raise fees in 2025 and take a look at the AICPA's Experience Learn and Earn (ELE) program. There's also talk about new PCAOB reporting requirements for audit firms and the recent acquisition o...
Dec 06, 2024•1 hr 8 min•Ep. 413
Blake and David examine the mysteries and motives surrounding the recent Macy's accounting scandal, where a single employee allegedly concealed $132-154 million through improper accrual entries. They also examine Trump's proposed 25% tariff plan on imports from Mexico and Canada (plus an additional 10% on China), discussing its potential impact on American businesses and consumers. Sponsors Zoho - http://accountingpodcast.promo/zoho Suralink - http://accountingpodcast.promo/suralink Cloud Accoun...
Dec 02, 2024•1 hr 7 min•Ep. 412
Blake and David discuss Trump's proposed Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) and its potential impact on tax filing and federal remote work policies. They analyze the Pentagon's seventh consecutive failed audit and examine Intuit's ambitious plans to expand its enterprise offerings. The duo also explores a groundbreaking study showing ChatGPT-4 outperforming human doctors in medical diagnoses, highlighting AI's growing capabilities in professional decision-making. Sponsors Relay - http://...
Nov 25, 2024•1 hr 6 min•Ep. 411
Blake and David dive into the economic implications of Trump's election victory, including proposed tariffs that could significantly impact businesses and inflation. They explore potential tax changes under a new Trump administration, from corporate rate reductions to the elimination of the SALT cap. They also examines an alarming $47 million IRS fraud scheme targeting tax practitioners and debate the future of Bitcoin as speculation grows about a potential national Bitcoin reserve. Sponsors OnP...
Nov 16, 2024•1 hr 14 min•Ep. 410
Blake and David examine Sasan Goodarzi's apology and lukewarm reception regarding the recent controversial TurboTax ad campaign. They also take a look at Intuit's new Enterprise Suite product, which aims to compete with NetSuite and Sage Intacct by offering multi-entity accounting capabilities at a lower price point. Moving on, there's talk of Anthropic's new Claude computing capability, EY's resignation as Super Micro Computer's auditor, and Google's declining search market share in the face of...
Nov 08, 2024•1 hr 16 min•Ep. 409
In this episode, Amber Setter returns to discuss the AICPA and NASBA's newly proposed competency-based pathway to CPA licensure, offering a 150-hour-rule alternative. They argue that the complexity of the plan might create more bureaucratic barriers rather than simplifying the process. There's also talk on the challenges facing the profession, including stagnant salaries and declining CPA numbers. Rounding out the show, they examine a recent story about EY firing employees for attending multiple...
Oct 30, 2024•1 hr 8 min•Ep. 408
Blake and David examine why Trump may win in 2024, discussing immigration's economic impact on working-class wages and how this could affect voting patterns, particularly in border states like Arizona. They also look at the AICPA's selection of Mark Koziel as its new president, questioning whether the organization truly advocates for average CPAs. Moving on, they discuss Intuit's controversial TurboTax marketing campaign and consider why Berkshire Hathaway is reducing its BOA stake due to concer...
Oct 25, 2024•1 hr 33 min•Ep. 407
Blake and David touch on several hot topics in the accounting world, including the fallout from Intuit's controversial TurboTax ad, and the National Association of Tax Preparers cutting ties with the company. They also examine Trump Jr.'s threats against Deloitte, KPMG's support for alternative pathways to CPA licensure, and rapper Fat Joe's recent experiences with BDO. Sponsors LiveFlow - http://accountingpodcast.promo/liveflow Ignition - http://accountingpodcast.promo/ignition Mercury - http:/...
Oct 17, 2024•1 hr 18 min•Ep. 406
Blake and David look into OpenAI's complex entity structure and potential conversion from nonprofit to for-profit, highlighting the significant financial implications. They also discuss the challenges facing FreshBooks amid recent layoffs and shifting market dynamics and then explore the journey of Vuori's CEO Joe Kudla, emphasizing how his accounting background contributed to the company's success. Wrapping things up, we’ve got listener questions about the value of CPA licenses and growing advi...
Oct 10, 2024•1 hr 4 min•Ep. 405
Blake and David discuss a controversial TurboTax ad campaign encouraging people to "break up" with their tax professionals, analyze survey data on AI adoption in accounting firms, and critically examine proposed changes to CPA licensure requirements. They also explore NASBA's influence on the profession end debate the merits of automatic mobility for CPAs across states. Sponsors OnPay - http://accountingpodcast.promo/onpay Ignition - http://accountingpodcast.promo/ignition WorkflowCon - http://a...
Oct 04, 2024•1 hr 14 min•Ep. 404
Blake and David meet with Natalie Lennon, the Australian accountant known as the "Queen of TikTok" in accounting circles. Natalie shares her experiences at Xerocon Nashville, discusses the differences between Australian and American accounting practices, and explains how she leveraged TikTok to grow her accounting business. She also outlines implementing a four-day workweek, embracing fixed-fee pricing, and her upcoming projects, including a TikTok course for accountants. Meet Our Guest, Natalie...
Sep 26, 2024•27 min
Blake and David examine the evolving landscape of remote work, discussing recent trends and their impact on productivity and employee well-being. They also explore the commercial real estate market's challenges due to the shift towards remote work and its potential implications for the banking sector. Moving on, they take a look at recent audit failures, particularly the FTX case and discuss the controversial Beneficial Ownership Information reporting requirements and some potential issues for s...
Sep 25, 2024•1 hr 24 min•Ep. 403
Blake and David explore Intuit's new Enterprise Suite, a product that appears to compete with NetSuite in the mid-market ERP space. They also discuss a major audit failure by PwC in China related to Evergrande, raising concerns about the ethics and integrity at large accounting firms. They also discuss the tragic death of a young accountant at EY in India due to overwork and explore the implications of OpenAI's latest model outperforming humans on IQ tests. Sponsors LiveFlow - http://accountingp...
Sep 20, 2024•1 hr 4 min•Ep. 402
Blake and David meet with Kenyth Holdefer, who shares his unconventional path to becoming a CPA. Kenyth details how he obtained his bachelor's and master's degrees in just over four months through Western Governors University's competency-based education model, followed by passing all four CPA exams within six months. Kenyth highlights his transition from a successful career in mortgages to public accounting, emphasizing the potential for alternative educational paths in addressing the accountin...
Sep 19, 2024•26 min
Back from SuiteWorld, Blake and David discuss key takeaways from Oracle NetSuite's conference, including product updates and the event's growing scale. They also examine recent fundraising in the accounting-tech space, notably bookkeeping startup Finally's $200 million Series B round. Moving on, there's Big Four firm news, including PwC's layoffs and return-to-office policies, as well as a viral TikTok trend exploiting a Chase Bank ATM glitch. Sponsors LiveFlow - http://accountingpodcast.promo/l...
Sep 17, 2024•59 min•Ep. 401
In our 400th episode, Blake and David dive into the controversial world of audit quality and Big Four accounting firms. They also discuss a listener's critical email about their audit coverage, explore recent audit failures and deficiencies, and debate the underlying incentives in the audit industry. The discussion turns to workplace culture issues at major firms and potential solutions to improve audit quality. Sponsors OnPay - http://accountingpodcast.promo/onpay Zoho - http://accountingpodcas...
Sep 06, 2024•1 hr 23 min•Ep. 400
In this episode, Blake and David dive into Intuit's strategic shift towards enterprise solutions, discussing the potential impact on the accounting industry. They also examine some recent economic trends, including the U.S. debt situation and its comparison to historical empires. They then get into audit deficiency rates reported by the PCAOB, highlighting the need for transparency and reform in the auditing profession. There's also talk AI applications in education, recent accounting scandals, ...
Aug 28, 2024•1 hr 28 min•Ep. 399
