The Accounting Podcast

Which accounting firms really deliver sane hours and happy teams? Dom Piscopo (Big Four Transparency) reveals this year’s best—and worst—by job satisfaction and hours, including surprising outliers. Blake and David also unpack how AI startups are carving up PwC-style services, why Hazel AI rattled wealth managers and Intuit/Xero stocks, and where GLs still hold a moat. Plus, a practical way to use AI for W‑4/withholding—and an accountant’s take on Carvana’s too-good-to-be-true margins.

Sponsors
OnPay - http://accountingpodcast.promo/onpay
UNC - http://accountingpodcast.promo/unc
FutureViews System - http://accountingpodcast.promo/bez

Chapters
(01:19) - Pets, Candy, Jewelry & Prefixed Dinners: Where the Money Goes

(03:14) - Live Chat Shoutouts + Today’s Guest Tease: Big Four Transparency

(05:53) - Yours, Mine & Ours: How Couples Split (or Merge) Money

(08:56) - Financial Secrets vs. “Cheating”: The Bankrate Survey Findings

(11:01) - Meet Dom Piscopo + 2025 Best/Worst Firms by Job Satisfaction

(15:43) - How the Rankings Work: Sample Size, Methodology & Office Variance

(19:28) - Service Lines Compared: Tax vs Audit vs Advisory Satisfaction Trends

(22:28) - Hours Worked Rankings + Do Hours Actually Drive Happiness?

(25:04) - Where the Big Four Land: Satisfaction & Hours Benchmarks

(26:51) - AI Disruption Debate: “Every PWC Webpage Is a $10B Startup” Tweet

(28:47) - AI Startups vs QuickBooks: The SaaS Attack Cycle Restarts

(29:55) - Hazel AI Shakes Wealth Management: Tax Planning at Scale

(32:19) - Consumers Trust AI Money Advice + A Withholding/W-4 Use Case

(35:11) - “Good Enough” AI: How Firms Can Productize & Review AI Work

(36:38) - What Humans Still Do: Taste, Comfort, and Serving the Underserved

(41:51) - Intuit & Xero Stocks Drop: CEOs Defend the Data-and-Trust Moat

(45:11) - TurboTax Disruption? Building Tax Engines with AI Agents

(46:52) - Vibe Coding Reality Check: Small Tools Now, ERPs Much Later

(51:32) - Carvana Accounting Red Flags: When Margins Don’t Add Up

(56:04) - Wrap-Up: Big Four Transparency + CPE Credits via Earmark

 
Show Notes
Valentine's Day Spending Expected to Reach New Records 
https://nrf.com/media-center/press-releases/valentine-s-day-spending-expected-to-reach-new-records
 
Survey: Most Couples Keep At Least Some Of Their Money Separate 
https://www.bankrate.com/credit-cards/news/couples-finances/
 
Survey: 2 In 5 Americans In A Relationship Have Kept A Financial Secret From Their Partner 
https://www.bankrate.com/credit-cards/news/financial-infidelity-survey-2025/
 
AI Tax App Crashes Financial Stocks on Wall Street 
https://cpatrendlines.com/2026/02/10/ai-tax-app-crashes-financial-stocks-on-wall-street/
 
Americans Are Asking AI for Money Advice, But Should They Trust It? 
https://www.bestmoney.com/financial-advisor/learn-more/do-americans-trust-fin-ai
 
82% trust AI for financial information and guidance 
https://www.accountingtoday.com/news/82-trust-ai-for-financial-information-and-guidance
 
Intuit Is Down 33% Year to Date. Here's Where the Stock Could Be Headed in 2026 
https://www.tikr.com/blog/intuit-is-down-33-year-to-date-heres-where-the-stock-could-be-headed-in-2028
 
Intuit Stock Is Down 24% Already In 2026. Time to Buy? 
https://www.fool.com/investing/2026/01/30/intuit-stock-is-down-24-already-in-2026-time-to-bu/
 
Xero (ASX:XRO) Shares Crash 13% in Tech Selloff—Broker Urges Hold 
https://kalkine.com.au/news/technology/xero-asxxro-shares-crash-13-in-tech-selloffbroker-urges-hold
 
Xero share price slides 14% in a week — what to watch next for ASX:XRO 
https://ts2.tech/en/xero-share-price-slides-14-in-a-week-what-to-watch-next-for-asxxro/
 
I've tested and ranked the 10 best vibe coding tools in 2026 
https://www.techradar.com/pro/best-vibe-coding-tools
 
Your Complete Guide To Vibe Coding Tools In 2026: Build Apps Just By Talking To AI 
https://softtechhub.us/2026/02/11/guide-to-vibe-coding/
 
AI startup Replit launches feature to vibe code mobile apps 
https://www.cnbc.com/2026/01/15/ai-startup-replit-launches-feature-to-vibe-code-mobile-apps.html
 
Vibe coding - Wikipedia 
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vibe_coding
 
What's actually driving Carvana's margins? 
https://www.cfo.com/news/whats-actually-driving-carvana-margins-ernie-garcia-drivetime-bridgecrest-zach-shefska-ray-shefska-/810911/

Need CPE?
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Get 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.

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What happens when AI starts cutting audit bills? Blake and David unpack KPMG’s push for a 14% fee cut from Grant Thornton, Botkeeper’s shutdown versus Pilot’s “AI accountant,” and how agents like Claude are already doing real client work. You’ll hear why entry-level roles are vanishing, what tax pros need to know about the IRS’s new e-payment push and Tax Pro Account upgrades, plus a fun detour: DJ John Summit’s Tax Day album.

Sponsors
UNC - http://accountingpodcast.promo/unc
OnPay - http://accountingpodcast.promo/onpay
Cloud Accountant Staffing - http://accountingpodcast.promo/cas

Chapters
(00:00) - KPMG's AI-Driven Audit Fee Reduction

(00:28) - Welcome to the Accounting Podcast

(00:53) - Blake's First Time at the Waste Management Open

(02:00) - John Summit: From Accountant to DJ Superstar

(04:39) - John Summit's Accounting-Themed Album

(09:44) - Earmark CPE: Easy CPE Credits for Accountants

(12:34) - The Rise and Fall of AI Bookkeeping Startups

(24:48) - Pilot's Autonomous AI Accountant

(26:50) - Partnering with Accounting Firms

(29:59) - AI in Bookkeeping and Accounting

(33:33) - Impact of AI on Accounting Jobs

(40:27) - Trump's $10 Billion Lawsuit Against the IRS

(44:40) - IRS Updates and Tax Pro Accounts

(49:53) - KPMG's AI Acquisition

(51:14) - Airlines Save Millions with Weight Loss Drugs

(52:58) - Conclusion and CPE Information

 

Show Notes
KPMG pressed its auditor to pass on AI cost savings
https://www.irishtimes.com/business/2026/02/06/kpmg-pressed-its-auditor-to-pass-on-ai-cost-savings/
Botkeeper is Closing Its Doors
https://www.cpapracticeadvisor.com/2026/02/09/botkeeper-is-closing-its-doors/177677/
Botkeeper shuts down
https://www.accountingtoday.com/news/botkeeper-shuts-down
Anthropic AI Tool Sparks Selloff From Software to Broader Market
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-02-03/legal-software-stocks-plunge-as-anthropic-releases-new-ai-tool
AI fears pummel software stocks: Is it 'illogical' panic or a SaaS apocalypse?
https://www.cnbc.com/2026/02/06/ai-anthropic-tools-saas-software-stocks-selloff.html
Pilot launches fully autonomous AI bookkeeper
https://www.accountingtoday.com/news/pilot-launches-fully-autonomous-ai-bookkeeper
Pilot Rolls Out Fully Autonomous AI Accountant
https://www.cpapracticeadvisor.com/2026/02/04/pilot-rolls-out-fully-autonomous-ai-accountant/177453/
Pilot Unveils AI Accountant
https://pilot.com/blog/pilot-unveils-ai-accountant-a-major-leap-toward-artificial-general-intelligence-in-accounting
Startup Accrual Officially Launches with $75M in Funding to Bring AI-Native Automation to Accounting
https://www.cpapracticeadvisor.com/2026/02/05/startup-accrual-officially-launches-with-75m-in-funding-to-bring-ai-native-automation-to-accounting/177600/
Tax platform Accrual launches with AI automation support for all forms
https://www.accountingtoday.com/news/tax-platform-accrual-launches-with-ai-automation-support-for-all-forms
Accrual Launches with $75 Million to Bring AI-Native Automation to Accounting
https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260205968515/en/Accrual-Launches-with-$75-Million-to-Bring-AI-Native-Automation-to-Accounting
Goldman Sachs leads $75 million funding round for Fieldguide, an AI-native accounting and audit platform
https://fortune.com/2026/02/02/goldman-sachs-fieldguide-accounting-cpa-ai-software-platform-venture-capital/
Fieldguide Raises $75M Series C Round to Boost Audit and Advisory Firms' Agentic AI Capabilities
https://www.cpapracticeadvisor.com/2026/02/02/fieldguide-raises-75m-series-c-round-to-boost-audit-and-advisory-firms-agentic-ai-capabilities/177323/
Fieldguide Raises $75M Series C from Goldman Sachs to Help Audit and Advisory Firms Grow with Agentic AI
https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2026/02/04/3232133/0/en/Pilot-Unveils-AI-Accountant-A-Major-Leap-Toward-Artificial-General-Intelligence-in-Accounting.html
Trump, two sons, Trump Org sue IRS, Treasury for $10 billion over tax records leak
https://www.cnbc.com/2026/01/29/trump-sues-irs-and-treasury-for-10-billion-over-leak-of-tax-records.html
Trump sues IRS and Treasury Department for $10 billion over leaked tax records
https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/donald-trump/trump-sues-irs-treasury-department-10-billion-leaked-tax-records-rcna256626
Trump Sues Treasury and IRS for $10 Billion Over Tax Data Leak
https://www.taxnotes.com/featured-news/trump-sues-treasury-and-irs-10-billion-over-tax-data-leak/2026/01/30/7txmz
KPMG Brings Aboard AI Development Platform PrivateBlok
https://www.cpapracticeadvisor.com/2026/02/09/kpmg-adds-ai-development-platform-privateblok/177729/
KPMG acquires PrivateBlok, team will support AI developments
https://www.accountingtoday.com/news/kpmg-acquires-privateblok-team-will-support-ai-developments
KPMG Bolsters AI Product Development Function...

Could AI wipe out half of entry-level accounting roles? Blake and David recount a brazen “courier scam” on David’s porch to unpack how deepfakes and spoofed calls fuel today’s fraud (“less than 10% can tell AI video from real”). You’ll learn practical controls—family code words, approval workflows—plus hands-on AI updates: Claude’s Excel plugin and desktop agent, Gusto payroll in ChatGPT, and a prompt that forces AI to ask clarifying questions and wait for “go.”

Sponsors
UNC - http://accountingpodcast.promo/unc
EarmarkCPE - http://accountingpodcast.promo/earmark
OnPay - http://accountingpodcast.promo/onpay

Chapters
(02:02) - Personal Fraud Story: A Cautionary Tale

(03:35) - Elder Fraud and AI-Driven Scams

(06:53) - AI's Impact on Fraud and Security

(11:39) - AI Tools for Accountants

(19:40) - Earmark: CPE for Listening to Podcasts

(22:01) - AI's Threat to Entry-Level Jobs

(27:11) - AI Agents in Payroll and HR

(35:20) - The Future of AI in Blue Collar Jobs

(38:18) - AI's Role in Government Efficiency

(39:52) - Simplifying the Tax Code with AI

(41:42) - Payroll Innovations and AI

(49:18) - Intuit's Career Pipeline Program

(51:24) - Xero's New Features and AI Integration

(58:48) - Conclusion and Upcoming Topics

 

Show Notes
AI fakery turbo-charging fraud, cyber attacks
https://www.accountingtoday.com/news/ai-fakery-turbo-charging-fraud-cyber-attacks
The Turing Reel
https://runwayml.com/research/theturingreel
The Adolescence of Technology
https://www.darioamodei.com/essay/the-adolescence-of-technology
Long-term Fears Build As 60% of U.S. Workers Say AI Will Cut More Jobs Than It Adds In 2026
https://allwork.space/2026/01/long-term-fears-build-as-60-of-u-s-workers-say-ai-will-cut-more-jobs-than-it-adds-in-2026/
ADP® Accelerates AI Leadership with Launch of New AI Agents Designed to Solve Workforce Challenges
https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/adp-accelerates-ai-leadership-with-launch-of-new-ai-agents-designed-to-solve-workforce-challenges-302672772.html
Exclusive: Gusto launching payroll inside ChatGPT
https://www.thisweekinfintech.com/exclusive-gusto-launching-payroll-inside-chatgpt/
Trump DOT Plans to Use Google Gemini AI to Write Regulations
https://www.propublica.org/article/trump-artificial-intelligence-google-gemini-transportation-regulations
Intuit Launches New Career Pipeline Program to Empower the Next Generation of Accountants in the AI Era
https://investors.intuit.com/news-events/press-releases/detail/1296/intuit-launches-new-career-pipeline-program-to-empower-the-next-generation-of-accountants-in-the-ai-era

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 @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
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Transcripts
The full transcript for this episode is available by clicking on the Transcript tab at the top of this page

Are you accidentally breaking CPA rules across state lines? Guest Lindsay Patterson, CPA CIA breaks down the new mobility landscape after alternative licensure paths—and the surprising data firms must track to avoid fines, failed peer reviews, and redoing audits. Plus: Congress’s Fiscal State of the Nation bill, Deloitte’s PR storm, QuickBooks’ AI reconciliation, and what’s driving a rebound in accounting majors. Walk away knowing where to get licensed, what triggers penalties, and how to protect your firm.

Sponsors
TaxBandits - http://accountingpodcast.promo/taxbandits
Earmark - http://accountingpodcast.promo/earmark
OnPay - http://accountingpodcast.promo/onpay
UNC - http://accountingpodcast.promo/unc

Chapters
(00:00) - Introduction and CPA Email Incident

(00:33) - AI in QuickBooks: A Game Changer?

(06:00) - Live Stream Shoutouts and YouTube Promotion

(06:54) - New Legislation: Fiscal State of the Nation Act

(10:37) - CPA Mobility and Alternative Pathways

(11:47) - Guest Segment: Lindsay Patterson on CPA Mobility

(33:13) - Deloitte's Bad Week: Controversies and Criticisms

(35:58) - CPA Firms in Trouble: The Zwick CPA Case

(40:05) - Jerome Powell's Defiant Statement

(44:29) - Why Accountants Leave Public Accounting

(51:24) - Listener Emails and Final Thoughts

(52:08) - The Future of Accounting Jobs

(55:12) - Private Equity in CPA Firms

 

Meet Lindsay Patterson:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lindsaypatterson/
Show Notes

AICPA Urges Congressional Support for Fiscal State of the Nation Act
https://www.aicpa-cima.com/news/article/aicpa-urges-congressional-support-for-fiscal-state-of-the-nation-act

Barr Reintroduces Bipartisan Fiscal State of the Nation Act to Strengthen Oversight of Government Spending
https://barr.house.gov/press-releases?id=EDF451C5-EEAE-44D7-85A8-2B714E9D7822

For CPAs, one license — and 55 rulebooks
https://www.accountingtoday.com/opinion/for-cpas-one-license-and-55-rulebooks
Deloitte's Disturbing Pattern Allegedly Cost Americans Health Coverage, Delayed Benefits, and the US Government $74B
https://www.ibtimes.co.uk/deloittes-disturbing-pattern-allegedly-cost-americans-health-coverage-delayed-benefits-us-1773010

Deloitte to ramp up India operations with 50,000 new hires
https://www.internationalaccountingbulletin.com/news/deloitte-hiring-india/
PCAOB Sanctions Audit Firm, an Owner of That Firm, and a Former Audit Manager for Multiple Violations of PCAOB Rules and Standards
https://pcaobus.org/news-events/news-releases/news-release-detail/pcaob-sanctions-audit-firm--an-owner-of-that-firm--and-a-former-audit-manager-for-multiple-violations-of-pcaob-rules-and-standards

PCAOB bars Zwick CPA, owner and manager
https://www.accountingtoday.com/news/pcaob-bars-zwick-cpa-owner-and-manager
Turnover Experiences in Public Accounting and Alumni's Decisions to 'Give Back'
https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=4266300

U.S. Accounting Undergraduate Enrollment Rises for Third Straight Year
https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/us-accounting-undergraduate-enrollment-rises-for-third-straight-year-302665511.html

Accounting undergrad enrollment rises for third year
https://www.accountingtoday.com/news/accounting-undergrad-enrollment-rises-for-third-year

Capital One to Acquire Brex
https://investor.capitalone.com/news-releases/news-release-details/capital-one-acquire-brex

Capital One is buying startup Brex for $5.15 billion in credit card firm's latest deal
https://www.cnbc.com/2026/01/22/capital-one-is-buying-startup-brex-for-5point15-billion-in-credit-card-firms-latest-deal.html

Florida Republican candidate suggests 'sin tax' for OnlyFans creators
https://thehill.com/homenews/nexstar_media_wire/5691927-florida-governor-candidate-sin-tax/

Florida gubernatorial candidate proposes 50% "sin" tax on OnlyFans creators; top earner Sophie Rain pushes back
https://www.cbsnews.com/miami/news/florida-onlyfans-tax-proposal-james-fishback-sophie-rain/

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 @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: h...

Carla McCall shares insights on the challenges faced by the accounting profession, including workload, work-life balance, and the AICPA's role. She addresses misconceptions about the responsibilities of the AICPA, discusses her firm's approach to managing work hours and culture transformation, and highlights the need for creative solutions to attract new talent. The discussion also explores the systemic issue of overwork in large accounting firms and the potential measures that could alleviate these pressures.
Meet Our Guest, Carla McCall
https://www.linkedin.com/in/carlamccallaaf/

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 @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