Kwame Agyei, founder and CEO of Appoynt, joins Blake and David to discuss the benefits of outsourcing specific business functions like accounts receivable management. Kwame shares his unique journey from accountant to entrepreneur and offers practical advice on effectively leveraging virtual assistants while addressing common concerns around security and building trust. Meet Our Guest, Kwame Agyei LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kwame-agyei-b3ab1333/ Learn more about Appoynt Website:...

Adam Zaki of CFO.com joins Blake and David to explore the trends reshaping the industry, from AI to the talent shortage. They dive into the murky waters of corporate financial controls and audit practices. They also examine what makes a truly effective CFO in today's dynamic business environment and why authenticity might be the most valuable trait in a leader's toolkit. Get an insider's perspective on the 150-hour CPA licensing requirement and hear ideas for reform that could revolutionize...

SponsorsLiveFlow - http://accountingpodcast.promo/liveflowRightRev - http://accountingpodcast.promo/rightrevMakers Hub - http://accountingpodcast.promo/makershub Chapters(00:38) - Blake's Conference Adventures (03:13) - AI and the Future of Auditing (05:16) - Insights from the IMA Conference (10:00) - The AI Tipping Point (14:48) - Microsoft Announces Delay of Their Ai Recall Tool (21:33) - AI in Financial Statement Analysis (34:12) - Community and Future Plans (38:08) - Synapse...

Discover the compelling advantages of nearshoring your accounting and finance functions to Argentina. In this episode, Nicolás Villafañe, partner at South Offices, shares his insider perspective on why Argentina is a top destination for accessing skilled talent while enjoying significant cost savings compared to hiring in the US. Learn how Argentina's timezone alignment, cultural affinity, and highly qualified pool of licensed CPAs can provide your business with a seamless experience as if...

Blake and David get brutally honest about why pricey accounting conferences are a no-go and how the industry sidelines neurodivergent professionals. You'll also get a rundown of the rebranded Intuit Connect event's new direction, the political firestorm around IRS Direct File, and a Google Sheets update that will blow your mind. From the mailbag, don't miss one reader's incredible story of passing the CPA exam in record time and our take on why firms need to rethink degree requirements. Plus,...

Anthony Venette, Director of Business Valuation and Advisory Services at DeJoy & Co., joins Blake to discuss his unconventional career path and the world of business valuation. Anthony shares his journey from audit to tax and eventually to valuation, highlighting the importance of soft skills and effective communication in advisory roles. He also provides valuable insights into the day-to-day life of a valuation professional and offers advice for young CPAs interested in pursuing this...

Blake and David delve into the accounting and bookkeeping aspects of Donald Trump's recent guilty verdict in New York. They discuss the charges related to falsifying business records and hush money payments and explore the potential implications for Trump's businesses and campaign. Their conversation also touches on the current state of AI in accounting, the retirement of AICPA president Barry Melancon, and the challenges facing the profession in attracting new talent. SponsorsLiveFlow -...

Dr. Mfon Akpan, Assistant Professor of Accounting at Methodist University joins Blake and David for a conversation on the impact of AI on accounting education, the challenges faced by accounting graduates entering the workforce, and the future of the CPA profession. Dr. Akpan shares his insights on incorporating AI into the classroom and the importance of lifelong learning in the rapidly evolving world of technology. Sponsors Cloud Accountant Staffing -...

Blake and David dig into reports from the Illinois CPA Society and National Pipeline Advisory Group highlighting issues like long work hours, the 150-hour rule, and low starting salaries. They examine the potential disruption of traditional accounting software by startups and vertical SaaS companies offering embedded accounting functionality and review some of the CPA Practice Advisor Readers' Choice Awards. Wrapping things up, they highlight the health risks of long working hours, and...

This week, Blake and David are puzzled by the results of a survey that shows 40% of tax professionals believe generative AI will allow them to charge clients higher rates. They also cover the sham audit firm BF Borgers and question why the firm's CPA is still licensed despite SEC charges. Blake demonstrates how he uses Zapier Central to build an AI agent that can automatically respond to client emails about the status of their tax returns. Wrapping up, they examine Digits' $35 million raise...

Cody Turley, CPA and Certified Fraud Examiner, joins Blake and David to discuss his SEC career path, describing what it's like to investigate securities law violations. He emphasizes that while Big Four experience is valuable, it's not the only way to have a successful and meaningful accounting career. Cody shares insights into the benefits of working in government accounting roles, including greater responsibility early on, work-life balance, and the ability to transition to public...

The SEC charged Trump's audit firm with a massive fraud – 1,500 fake filings over 2.5 years! Plus, hundreds of small US banks are at risk due to commercial real estate loan exposure. We're also talking about the potential of AI tools like Claude and ChatGPT to automate various accounting and business tasks, the controversial Corporate Transparency Act's beneficial ownership reporting requirements, and the possibility of its repeal. We wrap with fintech and crypto news, including Mercury...

Blake and David examine the latest tax legislation traveling through Congress, including a new bill requiring the IRS to provide detailed explanations for math errors on tax returns. They also discuss the IRS's new direct file program, the banning of non-compete agreements, and the coolest profession around (spoiler alert: it's not accounting). Lastly, they touch on the concerning data breach at BerryDunn and the AICPA's efforts to rebrand the CPA to attract more young people to the...

Blake Oliver sits down with Brannon Poe of Poe Group Advisors to discuss the differences between traditional and subscription-based virtual accounting firms. Brannon shares his expertise on firm valuation, revealing that factors like cash flow to owner and owner hours play a significant role in determining a firm's value. He also emphasizes the importance of pricing strategies, noting that implementing value pricing and subscription models can dramatically improve a firm's profitability and...

Blake and David take a dive into Google's decision to offshore accounting jobs to Mexico and India, which Google’s CFO claims is necessary to free up resources to invest in AI. They also discuss the stagnation of CPA salaries despite a shortage of talent. The conversation touches on a variety of other topics, including the modernization of the IRS, the future of the CPA profession, and advice for young accountants looking to carve their own career paths in a rapidly changing...

Blake and David delve into the effects of remote work on accountant salaries and the mental health challenges faced by auditors at Big Four firms. They inspect a recent study showing lower pay for hybrid workers compared to fully remote or in-office employees. They also contemplate the future of work organization inspired by Bill Anderson, CEO of Bayer, and discuss the potential impact of AI on the accounting profession, the accuracy of AI-related surveys, and the misrepresentation of AI...

Joe Woodard joins Blake and David to examine how accountants and bookkeepers can increase the value of their services in the eyes of their clients. Joe introduces the Cobb value curve, illustrating how differentiation and relative value impact pricing. He emphasizes the importance of offering unique, high-value services like controllership and financial planning to stand out from commoditized offerings and command premium prices. Meet Our Guest, Joe Woodard LinkedIn:...

Blake and David dive into the concerning trend of small CPA firms conducting shoddy audits of large companies and SPACs, raking in big fees while facing minimal consequences for deficient work. They also discuss the latest accounting app funding news, the power of AI for crafting persuasive arguments, and the American Institute of CPAs' puzzling resistance to changes in CPA licensure requirements and touch on the growing importance of client accounting services for public accounting...

Blake and David dig through the latest accounting news, including the effectiveness of pizza parties in boosting accounting firm morale, the record number of baby boomers reaching retirement age, and the impact on Social Security, as well as the massive amount of COVID-related fraud originating in South Florida. They also take a look at audit integrity issues, the long working hours in accounting, and some of the latest app headlines. SponsorsLiveFlow -...

Blake and David meet with M&A advisor Charles Bedard about valuations for accounting firms looking to sell. Bedard explains that subscription-based "modern" firms command much higher multiples than traditional hourly billing firms. Bedard provides specific valuation ranges based on revenue and EBITDA multiples and highlights the importance of recurring revenue. He also offers actionable tips for firm owners to increase their value in preparation for an exit. Meet Our Guest, Charles...

Blake and David look at the potential impact of AI on the accounting profession and discuss how AI tools like ChatGPT can boost productivity by automating tasks, improving communication, and assisting with problem-solving. They also examine the implications of these efficiency gains on the billable hour, predicting that firms will need to adapt their pricing strategies as a result. Finally, they review the results of a recent Accounting Today survey, which reveals accountants' perceptions and...

Professor Ed Ketz of Penn State joins the show to discuss audits' current state and future. We delve into the relevance of audits and explore the value of unqualified opinions in making audits meaningful. The discussion also touches on the overstandardization of audit reports and how this can lead to investor misunderstandings. Professor Ketz brings a unique perspective, sparking a debate on whether the existence of the unqualified opinion creates value rather than the content within. The...

Blake and David start with a discussion on Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell's testimony regarding the failure of small and mid-sized banks due to exposure to the commercial real estate sector. They also get into Minnesota's CPA licensure bill for 150-hour requirement alternatives and KPMG's audit findings on the Department of Education and the cost of the federal student loan program. Rounding out the episode, they answer listener questions and comments on topics including the...

Here's a preview of Blake's recent appearance on Federal Tax Updates, where he joined host Roger Harris to unpack some of the biggest tax stories making headlines, from a federal court ruling deeming a new business reporting law unconstitutional to the staggering estimates of tax evasion by the wealthy. To hear the complete discussion, visit Federal Tax Updates: https://share.transistor.fm/s/d8c45ed9 Need CPE? Get CPE for listening to podcasts with Earmark: https://earmarkcpe.comSubscribe to...

Blake and David meet up with AJ Yawn, partner at Armanino LLP, about Armanino's new tool, Audit Ally, which streamlines and automates SOC 2 audits. They discuss the growing trend of tech companies entering the audit space and commoditizing services like SOC 2 audits, and explore how Audit Ally aims to help accounting firms compete on price and quality by utilizing AI and machine learning. Meet Our Guest, AJ YawnLinkedIn: https://www.armanino.com/company/people/aj-yawn Learn about about Audit...