The Accounting Podcast

Are we causing our own busy-season chaos? Blake and David break down a simple scheduling system that spreads tax work, trains clients, and slashes extensions. They debate Congress’s barcode bill vs. e-filing, unpack a poll showing GOP support for a millionaire’s tax, and ask what AI really changes when managers still have to review the bots. Plus: IRS CI’s latest wins, whistleblower e-filing, and a Britney tax fight.

Sponsors
Digits - http://accountingpodcast.promo/digits
OnPay - http://accountingpodcast.promo/onpay
TaxBandits - http://accountingpodcast.promo/taxbandits
UNC - http://accountingpodcast.promo/unc

Chapters
(01:11) - AI and Survey Creation

(02:30) - Google's Personal Intelligence

(05:11) - IRS Defunding and Workforce Reduction

(06:51) - CPA Trendlines Busy Season Barometer

(11:12) - Barcode Efficiency Act

(15:24) - IRS Criminal Investigations

(17:24) - Payroll Headaches and OnPay

(18:56) - SBA and IRS Employee Fraud

(21:41) - IRS Whistleblower Office

(23:08) - Britney Spears vs. IRS

(24:04) - Washington State Millionaires Tax

(27:01) - Busy Season Is Self-Inflicted

(30:44) - Livestream and CPE Credits

(31:24) - UNC Kenan-Flagler MAC Program

(32:38) - A New Year's Eve Pink Eye Adventure

(33:20) - AI Prescriptions in Utah

(35:03) - Trust in Accountants at Historic Lows

(39:13) - Listener Mail: Advisory Services and Online Degrees

(45:30) - The CPA Exam: Challenges and Changes

(01:03:17) - Closing Remarks and Earmark App Growth

 

Show Notes
Are Washingtonians Finally Ready for a State Income Tax? 
https://www.dhmresearch.com/are-washingtonians-finally-ready-for-a-state-income-tax/
 
Guess Who Supports a Millionaires Tax in Washington State? Republicans, Poll Finds 
https://www.cpapracticeadvisor.com/2026/01/14/guess-who-supports-a-millionaires-tax-in-washington-state-republicans-poll-finds/176337/
 
Barometer: Firms Brace for a Tough Tax Season 
https://cpatrendlines.com/2025/10/01/barometer-firms-brace-for-a-tough-tax-season/
 
IRS Advisory Council blasts defunding of agency 
https://www.accountingtoday.com/news/irs-advisory-council-blasts-defunding-of-agency
 
IRS Advisory Council report defends workers, criticizes budget and staff cuts 
https://www.thetaxadviser.com/news/2026/jan/irs-advisory-council-report-defends-workers-criticizes-budget-and-staff-cuts/
 
Internal Revenue Service Advisory Council PUBLIC REPORT January 2026 
https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p5316.pdf
 
Lengthy grudge motivated Brown mass shooting, MIT professor killing: Sources 
https://abcnews.go.com/US/lengthy-grudge-motivated-brown-mass-shooting-mit-professor/story?id=128961044
 
A Reddit post helped find MIT and Brown shooting suspect. Here's what we know 
https://www.npr.org/2025/12/19/nx-s1-5649528/brown-mit-shooter-what-we-know
 
Former SBA and IRS Employee Charged with Using Government Positions to Steal Millions from COVID Relief Programs
https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga/pr/former-sba-and-irs-employee-charged-using-government-positions-steal-millions-covid
 
Hampton woman accused of using federal jobs to steal pandemic relief funds 
https://www.fox5atlanta.com/news/hampton-woman-accused-using-federal-jobs-steal-pandemic-relief-funds
 
House advances bill to speed tax return processing via barcodes 
https://www.accountingtoday.com/news/house-advances-bill-to-speed-tax-return-processing-via-barcodes
 
BARCODE Efficiency Act Brings Overdue Modernization to the IRS 
https://atr.org/barcode-efficiency-act-brings-overdue-modernization-to-the-irs/
 
Utah and Doctronic Announce Groundbreaking Partnership for AI Prescription Medication Renewals
https://commerce.utah.gov/2026/01/06/news-release-utah-and-doctronic-announce-groundbreaking-partnership-for-ai-prescription-medication-renewals/
 
Utah allows nation's first AI drug prescriptions
https://www.axios.com/local/salt-lake-city/2026/01/07/utah-ai-drug-prescriptions-doctronic
 
Nurses Continue to Lead in Honesty and Ethics Ratings 
https://news.gallup.com/poll/700736/nurses-continue-lead-honesty-ethics-ratings.aspx
 
Americans' Ratings of U.S. Professions Stay Historically Low 
https://news.gallup.com/poll/655106/americans-ratings-professions-stay-historically-low.aspx
 
Britney Spears disputes $600K tax claim
https://www.accountingtoday.com/news/britney-spears-disputes-600k-tax-claim
 
Britney Spears Fighting With IRS Over $600,000
https://www.tmz.com/2025/12/19/britney-spears-fighting-with-irs-taxes/
 
Right Now, Managing AI Agents is About as Much Work as Managing Humans. Just Different Work.
https://www.saastr.com/right-now-managing-ai-agents-is-about-as-much-work-as-managing-humans/
 
The 'Godfather of SaaS' says he replaced most of his s...

Raids replaced audits, and guns replaced spreadsheets. Blake and David connect the dots from Minnesota's sprawling public-assistance fraud to a decade of IRS budget cuts and ICE crackdowns. You'll learn why enforcement shifted from prevention to raids, what California's one-time billionaire tax really proposes, how new AICPA rules could hit PE-backed firms, and why a botched audit didn't cost PwC its client, plus one pro tip to level up your Excel game.

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

Chapters
(00:00) - TAP 470

(00:33) - Minnesota Fraud Scandal Overview

(03:18) - Historical Context and IRS Budget Cuts

(08:34) - IRS and ICE Collaboration Issues

(10:39) - Impact of Budget Cuts on Fraud

(20:56) - Current Events and Political Reactions

(26:17) - California Billionaire Tax Act

(27:58) - Billionaire Tax Proposal Discussion

(29:01) - Challenges of Implementing Wealth Tax

(29:58) - Practical Concerns and Comparisons

(34:24) - VRBO's Legal Battle with Michigan

(36:46) - Private Equity and CPA Firms

(47:17) - UNC Master of Accounting Program

(51:11) - Excel World Championships Insights

(55:27) - Earmark App for CPE Credits

 

Show Notes
Judge hits pause on IRS sharing taxpayer information with ICE
https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/immigration/judge-issues-order-blocking-irs-sharing-taxpayer-information-ice-rcna245262
Federal Agents Pepper Spray Protesters During Tucson Taco Giro Raid
https://www.themarshallproject.org/2025/12/05/tucson-ice-raid-protests-taco-giro
Poll: Nearly Half of Americans Think Their Financial Security Is Worsening
https://www.cpapracticeadvisor.com/2025/12/29/poll-nearly-half-of-americans-think-their-financial-security-is-worsening/175587/
California Billionaire Tax Act (2026 Billionaire Tax Act - PDF)
https://oag.ca.gov/system/files/initiatives/pdfs/25-0024A1%20(Billionaire%20Tax%20).pdf
Vrbo Parent Company Sues Michigan Over $18.8 Million Tax Bill
https://www.cpapracticeadvisor.com/2026/01/02/vrbo-parent-company-sues-michigan-over-18-8-million-tax-bill/175675/
AICPA Seeks Comment on Ethics Rules Update for Alternative Practice Structures
https://www.aicpa-cima.com/news/article/aicpa-seeks-comment-on-ethics-rules-update-for-alternative-practice
WH Smith asks shareholders to support PwC despite audit error
https://www.internationalaccountingbulleteen.com/news/wh-smith-support-pwc-audit-error/
I won the Microsoft Excel World Championship. Here's what every office worker should know about Excel. https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/articles/won-microsoft-excel-world-championship-093001306.html
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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

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TeePublic Store: http://cloudacctpod.link/merch

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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

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-0c9a95c4
 
AI Thought Leaders Survey 2026: Process Predictions
https://www.accountingtoday.com/list/ai-thought-leaders-survey-2026-process-predictions
 
Tech Spending Outpacing People Spending as Firms Adopt AI
https://www.accountingtoday.com/list/tech-spending-outpacing-people-spending-as-firms-adopt-ai
 
How 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-numbers
 
AI Vending Machine Lost $1,000 to Social Engineering
https://www.wsj.com/tech/ai/anthropic-ai-claude-vending-machine-c7baef6f
 
Anthropic'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-pardon
 
Trump 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-rcna246744
 
California'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.html
 
California 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

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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.

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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Stitcher: http://cloudacctpod.link/Stitcher
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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

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 
https://fortune.com/2025/12/15/deloitte-cto-bill-briggs-what-really-scares-ceos-about-ai-human-resources/
 
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 
https://www.usmint.gov/news/press-releases/united-states-mint-hosts-historic-ceremonial-strike-for-final-production-of-the-circulating-one-cent-coin

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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.

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

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
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-12-17/andersen-group-shares-jump-34-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
https://www.businessinsider.com/big-four-accounting-audits-magnificent-seven-financial-records-2025-12
 
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
https://www.natptax.com/news-insights/blog/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'
https://kansasreflector.com/briefs/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
https://www.cpapracticeadvisor.com/2025/12/04/kansas-accountant-who-created-fictitious-middle-finger-ranch-for-fraud-scheme-sentenced-to-4-years/174381/
 
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
https://pcaobus.org/news-events/news-releases/news-release-detail/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
https://www.warren.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/ahead-of-tax-filing-season-warren-king-15-senators-warn-of-tax-filing-chaos-after-trump-admin-attacks-on-irs

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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?&n...