The Accounting Podcast

Blake and David dive straight into the headlines, starting with the controversial IRS workforce cuts and their potential impact on tax collections. They examine corporate espionage allegations between payroll companies Rippling and Deel, including a complex web of legal battles, Russian connections, and political involvement, and go on to discuss how AI is rapidly improving at handling longer tasks. All this and much more, right now!

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Is the CPA exam fundamentally flawed? With FAR section pass rates plummeting to a 15-year low of 36% and a staggering 40-point gap between discipline section pass rates, something isn't adding up. Dr. Josh McGowan of Troy University joins Blake Oliver to dissect these troubling statistics and explore how the 2024 CPA Evolution model may be inadvertently pushing candidates toward "easier" disciplines. They tackle the growing movement to drop the 150-hour requirement and propose a provocative solution: splitting the credential into specialized tax and financial/audit pathways. Whether you're preparing for the exam or leading a firm, this conversation reveals how...

This week on the pod: Judge orders 6 agencies (including IRS?) to rehire fired probationary workers, we dig into the tax trick Dr. Oz used to pay no Medicare taxes, AICPA in pointless talks with the IRS, Digits takes on QuickBooks with AI-powered GL, remote accounting jobs in retreat, and more!

Sponsors
OnPay - http://accountingpodcast.promo/onpay
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How does a profession revitalize itself when salaries haven't budged since 2007? In this episode, Blake and David examine the shocking reality that Big Four audit associates in Chicago earn the same salary range today as they did nearly two decades ago. They also explore why accounting's value proposition has stagnated in a world where financial statements fail to capture what truly matters to modern investors, and you'll hear their take on the IRS's plan to cut 50% of its workforce, Social Security's future, and the economic impact of tariffs—including a surprising clip from Ronald Reagan himself. Plus, learn how ov...

What happens when political changes collide with tax enforcement? In this revealing conversation, former IRS revenue agent Jeff Johnson shares his firsthand account of being caught in the recent mass layoffs at the IRS. Having just completed seven months of intensive training, Jeff was among 7,000 probationary employees suddenly terminated as part of a broader federal workforce reduction initiative.

Jeff pulls back the curtain on the agency's antiquated systems—including 1960s COBOL programming and cryptic green screens that revenue agents must master—and explains why these cuts could mean fewer audits of non-compliant taxpayers. You'll hear how experienced prof...

What happens when the US government considers creating a cryptocurrency reserve? In this episode, Blake and David dive into Trump's surprising announcement about establishing a crypto strategic reserve and the immediate market reaction. They explore this proposal's potential consequences and skepticism, from security vulnerabilities to valuation challenges.

You'll also hear about PwC Israel's $2.8 million fine for exam cheating, Connecticut's push to create alternative CPA licensure pathways, and how accounting firms are expanding into legal services. They also dissect the outcry over federal employees being asked to submit weekly accomplishment reports and break down Citigroup's jaw-dropping $81 trillion transfer...

Billions in federal funds for nonprofits were abruptly frozen by the Trump administration, leaving organizations scrambling to stay afloat. Blake speaks with Jerilyn Dressler and Harriet "Hatsy" Cutshall from YPTC about how these freezes disrupted essential services, the complex flow of federal grants, and the rigorous compliance requirements nonprofits must meet. With a judge ordering the funds to be reinstated, they discuss what’s next for nonprofits and the ongoing challenges of government funding oversight.

Meet Our Guests:
Jerilyn Dressler, CPA : https://www.linkedin.com/in/jerilynkeitdresslercpacfe
Harriet "Hatsy" Cutshall, CPA : https://www.linkedin.com/in...

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 states allocating public funds to cryptocurrency investments.

Meet Our Guest, Jack Castonguay
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jack-castonguay-phd-cpa
https://www.hofstra.edu/faculty-staff/faculty-profile...

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 niche. Whether you're considering starting your own firm or optimizing your existing practice, this webinar will inspire and equip you to reimagine what's possible in your...

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 150 credit hours. Could these changes be the key to increasing diversity more effectively than corporate DEI programs?

You'll also discover why the $400 million PC...