The Accounting Podcast

Will AI really automate most accounting work by 2040? Blake and David unpack what they heard at AICPA Engage, from deterministic AI agents and rising accounting enrollment to private equity’s growing influence on firms. Plus, Blake shares an exclusive interview with FICPA CEO Shelly Weir on Florida’s fight to protect CPA licensure. Listen to understand where the profession is heading—and what accountants may need to do next.SponsorsDigits - http://accountingpodcast.promo/digitsOnPay - http://accountingpodcast.promo/onpaySavant Labs - http://accountingpodcast.promo/savantR.E. Cost Seg - http://accountingpodcast.promo/recostsegChapters(00:00) - Cash Stolen In Bay Ridge (00:27) - Podcast Welcome Back (02:58) - Engage Conference Takeaways (03:58) - Hidden Vibe Coding (07:50) - Rise 2040 Automation Report (10:47) - Human In The Lead Debate (15:09) - Top Firm Concerns 2026 (18:29) - OpenAI Finance Team Lean (21:52) - Enrollment Up And CPA Pathways (25:19) - 7000 Cash Theft Revisited (26:52) - KPMG Whistleblower Scandal (28:33) - Crowe Gets 3B PE Deal (30:07) - Red Lobster AI Conspiracy (31:30) - PE Cross Selling Risks (33:39) - CPA Trust Campaign Launch (36:17) - Florida Licensure Threat (37:14) - Why Shelly Stayed Quiet (39:13) - What The Bill Proposed (43:28) - Why Deregulation Happened (45:46) - How FICPA Stopped It (48:46) - Mobility And Modernization (01:00:04) - CPE And Future Battles (01:03:59) - Wrap Up And Next Steps Show NotesMan Accused of Stealing $7K from Accounting Firm in Brooklynhttps://pix11.com/news/local-news/brooklyn/man-accused-of-stealing-7k-from-accounting-firm-in-brooklyn-nypd/AICPA and CIMA Launch Rise2040: Shaping the Future of Finance and Accountinghttps://www.aicpa-cima.com/news/article/aicpa-and-cima-launch-rise2040-shaping-the-future-of-finance-and-accountingThe AICPA Asks: Are You Ready for Accounting in 2040?https://www.accountingtoday.com/news/the-aicpa-asks-are-you-ready-for-accounting-in-2040OpenAI CFO Sarah Friar Offers a Look Inside the Company's Finance Functionhttps://www.cfo.com/news/openai-cfo-sarah-friar-offers-a-look-inside-the-companys-finance-function/822545/Accounting Undergrad Enrollment Up 9%https://www.accountingtoday.com/news/accounting-undergrad-enrollment-up-93 More States Pass CPA Pathways Legislationhttps://www.cfodive.com/news/3-more-states-pass-cpa-pathways-bills-accounting/821649/A Master's Degree Isn't the Job Guarantee It Used to Behttps://www.wsj.com/articles/a-masters-degree-isnt-the-job-guarantee-it-used-to-beKPMG Secretly and Repeatedly Accessed a Whistleblower's Computer, Then Shared the Files with Its CEOhttps://thenextweb.com/news/kpmg-accessed-whistleblower-computerCrowe Gets PE Investment from KKRhttps://www.accountingtoday.com/news/crowe-gets-pe-investment-from-kkr57% Say PE Threatens the CPA Brand. But They'll Take the Money.https://cpatrendlines.com/2026/06/09/cpa-pe-deal-tracker-57-say-pe-threatens-the-cpa-brand-but-theyll-take-the-money/Red Lobster's CEO Says He's Going to Transform the Chain into 'The Most AI-Forward Restaurant Company That Exists'https://finance.yahoo.com/sectors/technology/articles/red-lobsters-ceo-says-hes-153500558.htmlStephano Slack Scores PE Fundinghttps://www.accountingtoday.com/news/stephano-slack-scores-pe-fundingNeed CPE?Get CPE for listening to podcasts with Earmark: https://earmarkcpe.comSubscribe to the Earmark Podcast: https://podcast.earmarkcpe.comGet in TouchThanks 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.SponsorshipsAre you interested in sponsoring The Accounting Podcast? For details, read the prospectus.Need Accounting Conference Info? Check out our new website - accountingconferences.comLimited edition shirts, stickers, and other necessitiesTeePublic Store: http://cloudacctpod.link/merchSubscribeApple Podcasts: http://cloudacctpod.link/ApplePodcastsYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheAccountingPodcastSpotify: http://cloudacctpod.link/SpotifyPodchaser: http://cloudacctpod.link/podchaserStitcher: http://cloudacctpod.link/StitcherOvercast: http://cloudacctpod.link/OvercastClassifieds REFRAME 2026 - http://accountingpodcast.promo/reframe2026Flowglad -

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.SponsorsUNC - http://accountingpodcast.promo/uncOnPay - http://accountingpodcast.promo/onpayCloud Accountant Staffing - http://accountingpodcast.promo/casChapters(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 NotesKPMG 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-downAnthropic 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-toolAI 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.htmlPilot launches fully autonomous AI bookkeeper https://www.accountingtoday.com/news/pilot-launches-fully-autonomous-ai-bookkeeperPilot 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-accountingStartup Accrual Officially Launches with $75M in Funding to Bring AI-Native Automation to Accountinghttps://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-formsAccrual Launches with $75 Million to Bring AI-Native Automation to Accountinghttps://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260205968515/en/Accrual-Launches-with-$75-Million-to-Bring-AI-Native-Automation-to-AccountingGoldman Sachs leads $75 million funding round for Fieldguide, an AI-native accounting and audit platformhttps://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 Capabilitieshttps://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 AIhttps://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2026/02/04/3232133/0/en/Pilot-Unveils-AI-Accountant-A-Major-Leap-Toward-Artificial-General-Intelligence-in-Accounting.htmlTrump, 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.htmlTrump 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-rcna256626Trump 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/2026/01/30/7txmzKPMG 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-developmentsKPMG Bolsters AI Product Development Function...

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.SponsorsTaxBandits - http://accountingpodcast.promo/taxbanditsEarmark - http://accountingpodcast.promo/earmarkOnPay - http://accountingpodcast.promo/onpayUNC - http://accountingpodcast.promo/uncChapters(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 NotesAICPA 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-actBarr Reintroduces Bipartisan Fiscal State of the Nation Act to Strengthen Oversight of Government Spending https://barr.house.gov/press-releases?id=EDF451C5-EEAE-44D7-85A8-2B714E9D7822For CPAs, one license — and 55 rulebooks https://www.accountingtoday.com/opinion/for-cpas-one-license-and-55-rulebooksDeloitte's Disturbing Pattern Allegedly Cost Americans Health Coverage, Delayed Benefits, and the US Government $74Bhttps://www.ibtimes.co.uk/deloittes-disturbing-pattern-allegedly-cost-americans-health-coverage-delayed-benefits-us-1773010Deloitte 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 Standardshttps://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-standardsPCAOB bars Zwick CPA, owner and manager https://www.accountingtoday.com/news/pcaob-bars-zwick-cpa-owner-and-managerTurnover Experiences in Public Accounting and Alumni's Decisions to 'Give Back' https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=4266300U.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.htmlAccounting undergrad enrollment rises for third year https://www.accountingtoday.com/news/accounting-undergrad-enrollment-rises-for-third-yearCapital One to Acquire Brex https://investor.capitalone.com/news-releases/news-release-details/capital-one-acquire-brexCapital 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.htmlFlorida 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 backhttps://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.comSubscribe to the Earmark Podcast: https://podcast.earmarkcpe.comGet in TouchThanks 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.SponsorshipsAre you interested in sponsoring The Accounting Podcast? For details, read the prospectus.Need Accounting Conference Info? Check out our new website - accountingconferences.comLimited edition shirts, stickers, and other necessitiesTeePublic Store: h...

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.SponsorsDigits - http://accountingpodcast.promo/digitsOnPay - http://accountingpodcast.promo/onpayTaxBandits - http://accountingpodcast.promo/taxbanditsUNC - http://accountingpodcast.promo/uncChapters(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 NotesAre 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 Programshttps://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 Renewalshttps://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 prescriptionshttps://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 claimhttps://www.accountingtoday.com/news/britney-spears-disputes-600k-tax-claim Britney Spears Fighting With IRS Over $600,000https://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...