Blake and David tackle several key accounting industry developments, including a surprising 12% increase in undergraduate accounting enrollment and ongoing debates about IRS staffing and operations. They explore the potential impact of changes to Illinois's 150-hour CPA licensing rule, examine Elon Musk's controversial claims about government spending, and share insights about AI advancements in accounting firms.

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Chapters

(00:00) - Welcome to The Accounting Podcast
(03:37) - Government Employee Buyout Offer Update
(09:24) - Undergraduate Accounting Enrollment Surge
(12:38) - Illinois Proposes New CPA Pathways
(14:25) - Elon Musk and IRS Direct File Controversy
(18:16) - Doge's Access to Treasury Systems
(26:53) - Tax Exemption on Tips: A Double-Edged Sword
(30:19) - The Hidden Costs of Automation
(38:03) - AI in Accounting: Current Innovations
(47:03) - BDO Lawsuit: Inflated Revenues and ESOP
(50:57) - Closing Remarks and Announcements

Show Notes

IRS Confirms Filing Season, Taxpayer Advocate Staff Exempted From Buyout

https://tax.thomsonreuters.com/news/irs-confirms-filing-season-taxpayer-advocate-staff-exempted-from-buyout/

Undergraduate Accounting Enrollment Rose 12% in Fall 2024

https://www.aicpa-cima.com/news/article/undergraduate-accounting-enrollment-rose-12-in-fall-2024

Bipartisan State House Bill Would Create Additional Pathways to CPA Licensure in Illinois

https://www.cpapracticeadvisor.com/2025/02/04/bipartisan-state-house-bill-would-create-additional-pathways-to-cpa-licensure-in-illinois/155537/

Elon Musk creates confusion about IRS’ Direct File — but the free tax program is still available

https://apnews.com/article/irs-direct-file-musk-18f-6a4dc35a92f9f29c310721af53f58b16

About 18F

https://18f.gsa.gov/about/#:~:text=18F%20is%20a%20team%20of,improve%20public%20service%20through%20technology

Elon Musk’s Team Now Has Access to Treasury’s Payments System

https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/01/us/politics/elon-musk-doge-federal-payments-system.html

Trump Tax Proposals: Details & Analysis

https://taxfoundation.org/research/federal-tax/trump-administration-tax-proposals/

Agentic AI: Small steps, big aspirations at accounting firms

https://www.accountingtoday.com/news/agentic-ai-small-steps-big-aspirations-at-accounting-firms

WiseLayer Raises $7.2 Million for AI Agents for Accounting Teams

https://www.pymnts.com/artificial-intelligence-2/2025/wiselayer-raises-7-2-million-for-ai-agents-for-accounting-teams/

BDO Gets Accused of Inflating Revenue Ahead of the ESOP Again, This Time in a Class Action Lawsuit

https://www.goingconcern.com/bdo-gets-accused-of-inflating-revenue-ahead-of-the-esop-again-this-time-in-a-class-action-lawsuit/

Taxing times: New Adobe Acrobat survey reveals taxpayer stressors and solutions for making filing easier

https://blog.adobe.com/en/publish/2025/02/20/taxing-times-new-adobe-acrobat-survey-reveals-taxpayer-stressors-solutions-for-making-filing-easier

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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.

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