The Accounting Podcast What Tax Pros Charge & the PE "Dumpster Fire"
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
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
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
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'
Kansas Accountant, Who Created Fictitious 'Middle Finger Ranch' for Fraud Scheme, Sentenced to 4 Years in Jail
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
Ahead of Tax Filing Season, Warren, King, 15 Senators Warn of Tax Filing Chaos After Trump Admin Attacks on IRS
Need CPE?
Get CPE for listening to podcasts with Earmark: https://earmarkcpe.com
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...