CPA Trendlines Podcasts

The retirement planning hack can be a secret weapon for tax-free growth.Quick Tax TipWith Art WernerCPE TodayWhen most people hear “HSA,” they think of medical expenses and high-deductible health plans. But in the latest episode of Quick Tax Tip, tax educator and attorney Art Werner urges tax professionals—and their clients—to look deeper.Click here for more Art WernerIn his signature style, Werner reframes the Health Savings Account (HSA) as one of the most underrated retirement planning tools available today.“I don’t look at the HSA as a way to pay for medical bills,” says Werner. “I look at it as a disguised retirement plan.”Many taxpayers—and even some practitioners—limit their view of the HSA to a reimbursement vehicle for immediate out-of-pocket costs. But Werner explains that this account can function much like a Roth IRA, offering triple-tax benefits: contributions are tax-deductible, growth is tax-free, and qualified withdrawals for medical expenses are also tax-free.Here’s the twist: You don’t have to take reimbursements immediately.

After years in corporate roles, Samantha Hallburn created a firm where people come before profits—and business thrives because of it.The DisruptorsWith Liz FarrSamantha Hallburn, founder of PBS Accounting and Tax, didn’t set out to be an accountant. After a progression through sales, marketing, HR, PR, and a stint as ops manager for a telecom company, she was working in banking. Her business owner clients needed loans, but when she asked for financials, “they had no idea what I was even talking about,” she recalls.   MORE PODCASTS and VIDEOS: Jean Zick: Happy Team = Happy Clients | Breslin & Greathead: Be a Client Advocate | Dominic Piscopo: Clear Pay=Bargaining Power | Debbie Kilsheimer: Stop Thinking Small | Dave Kersting: Collaborate with Co-Firming | Ashley Francis: AI's a Partner, Not a Replacement | Richard Roppa-Roberts: Collaboration Over Competition | Ira Rosenbloom: M&A Numbers Are Easy - Culture Fit Is Hard | Roman Villard: Ditch the Suit & Shine | Monique Swansen: Align Firm Values with Services | Tina McGill: How to Create Lasting Client Impact | Stefan van Duyvendijk: Develop Operational Mindset | Steve Evans: Why Traditional Hiring Methods Fail Instead of turning them away, she offered to help. “I started helping my banking clients by going to their offices on my lunch break, after work, before work, on the weekends, days off to help them be able to get me what I needed.” After one particularly bad day in the corporate world, she decided to “roll the dice” and create a full-time venture.  “I absolutely had no idea what I was really getting into, and that it was just going to be this snowball. And we grew so fast because there was such a need and such a demand,” Hallburn says.  She built her firm “to be the antithesis of everything I hated about corporate America, and one of the things I did hate was that you were just a number, your real life didn't matter,” she says. The very name of her firm, PBS, stands for People – Business – Service.

“We’re afraid to communicate, we’re afraid to speak up.” The Concierge CPAWith Jackie MeyerFor CPA TrendlinesIn a profession known for long hours and technical precision, Amy Vetter, CPA.CITP, CGMA, CSP, RYT, offers a refreshing message.There’s more to success than climbing the traditional career ladder.More Jackie MeyerThe founder of the B3 Method Institute joins Jackie Meyer on The Concierge CPA to share her journey from audit partner to yogi and mindful tech advisor—challenging firm owners to prioritize purpose and personal well-being.“Once I made partner, I thought I’d feel happier,” Vetter says. “But success without alignment isn’t really success.”Vetter’s career began traditionally—Big Four audit work, a stint in tax, and an early partnership. But as she juggled young children and mounting burnout, she realized something was missing.“I had pushed down the creative, intuitive parts of myself,” she explains. “So I started a journey to bring those back—through yoga, reflection, and eventually, the creation of the B3 Method.”

"This is your chance to make a real difference."Accounting Influencerswith Rob BrownMillions of accountants and bookkeepers are stuck in a cycle of overwork, undercharging, and undervaluation. In this episode of the Accounting Influencers podcast, Adam Lean, CEO and co-founder of TheCFOProject.com, delivers a wake-up call: The compliance model is broken—and the profession must change course to remain relevant.More Rob BrownLean explains that for most clients, every accountant “looks the same.” They expect the books to be done and the taxes to be filed, and they rarely see the difference between high-quality and mediocre service. This makes it nearly impossible for accountants to raise prices or grow sustainably.“Your clients don’t understand how to evaluate your work,” Lean says. “So they see you as interchangeable. That’s the trap.”To earn more, accountants often take on more clients or work longer hours—neither of which leads to long-term career satisfaction or better client outcomes. And because software tools and tech companies now offer “automated accounting,” competition is intensifying.

PE doesn't have to strip your culture.With Jean CaragherFor CPA TrendlinesOn a recent episode of Gear Up for Growth, powered by CPA Trendlines, Aprio CEO Richard Kopelman offered a behind-the-scenes look at what’s powering his firm’s remarkable trajectory—from a traditional CPA firm to a diversified advisory powerhouse. In conversation with Jean Caragher, president of Capstone Marketing, Kopelman credited Aprio’s sustained momentum to two key drivers: a relentlessly reinforced culture and a bold leap into private equity. Gear Up for Growth spotlights the best strategies for smart and efficient growth in today's competitive landscape. More Gear Up for Growth here | More Jean Caragher here | Get her best-selling handbook, The 90-Day Marketing Plan for CPA Firms, here | More CPA Trendlines videos and podcasts here Since stepping into the CEO role in 2013, Kopelman has steered Aprio into the ranks of the top 25 U.S. accounting firms. At the heart of that rise? A set of “31 Fundamentals” that shape everything from team interactions to client engagements.

“Leaders should model respect, not just expect it.” Accounting ARCWith Liz Mason, Byron Patrick, and Donny ShimamotoCenter for Accounting TransformationIn the age of digital disruption and hybrid work, professional etiquette often feels like an afterthought. But in the latest episode of Accounting ARC, hosts Liz Mason, CPA; Donny Shimamoto, CPA.CITP, CGMA; and Byron Patrick, CPA.CITP, CGMA, argue the opposite: manners are more relevant—and strategic—than ever.  MORE Accounting ARC: Resilience, Real Talk, and the Road to Mental Wellness | Blockchain Could Still Reshape Accounting | What Gen Z Wants from Business | Firm Differentiation Depends Upon Client Service | Ron Baker: Surviving Tariff Turmoil | Are We Ready for the Hidden Risks of AI in Accounting? | The Research Imperative: Why Data Drives Accounting Success | How Coaching Can Unlock Professional Success | Demystifying Accounting Governance | Top 10 Red Flags to Watch for in Accounting Offices | Jeremy Dubow: Private Equity as a Catalyst for Growth “Manners make a difference,” says Patrick, CEO of VERIFYiQ and co-founder of TB Academy. “They impact hiring, client service, team dynamics—everything.” 

Treat cryptocurrencies like the next dot-com bubble.Quick Tax TipWith Art WernerCPE TodayAs cryptocurrencies continue to infiltrate everyday investment portfolios and client conversations, seasoned tax educator and CPA Art Werner offers a stark warning to practitioners: “Crypto concerns me—and I think it should concern accountants.” Click here for more Art WernerIn a recent episode of Quick Tax Tips with Art Werner, the well-respected tax advisor and educator peels back the hype to expose the risks tax professionals and their clients face when navigating the unpredictable world of digital currency. With over 20,000 cryptocurrencies in existence globally and little regulation governing many of them, Werner believes the speculative nature of crypto investments resembles past financial manias—with potentially devastating consequences.

“The real question isn’t whether a firm is diverse enough. It's whether the people in that firm feel like they truly belong there.” MOVE Like ThisWith Bonnie Buol RuszcykFor CPA TrendlinesIn this episode of MOVE Like This, host Bonnie Buol Ruszczyk and guest Donny Shimamoto, CPA.CITP, CGMA, explore the complex landscape of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in the accounting profession, specifically in the current political climate.Shimamoto, founder and managing director of IntrapriseTechKnowlogies LLC and founder and inspiration architect for the Center for Accounting Transformation, shares insights into the challenges faced by underrepresented professionals, drawing from his personal experiences as an Asian male in leadership roles. They discuss the persistent barriers that prevent women and people of color from advancing to top leadership positions despite making up a significant portion of accounting graduates.  More MOVEThe discussion delves into the current political climate surrounding DEI efforts, acknowledging the pushback and misconceptions about diversity initiatives. Shimamoto emphasizes that these efforts are not about quotas or tokenism but about creating genuine opportunities and a sense of belonging for all professionals. The conversation highlights the importance of moving beyond mere inclusion to fostering an environment where every team member feels they truly belong and can contribute meaningfully.  

In this engaging conversation with Jean Zick, CEO and co-founder of Juna Financial Solutions, listeners gain insights into building a remote-first, people-centric accounting firm. Zick emphasizes the significance of employee happiness, stating that satisfied team members create happier clients. She shares how flexible schedules benefit working mothers and the all-woman team's strengths. The discussion also tackles redefining traditional accounting services and the vital role of nurturing soft skills alongside technical training for future-ready teams.

David Podell, CEO of Business Benefits Consultants, shares his expertise in retirement planning and its critical importance in tax advisory. He emphasizes how small business owners can maximize their financial health through strategic retirement plans. Discussing the Secure Act 2.0 and solo 401(k)s, Podell clarifies common misconceptions and highlights tax benefits that can significantly boost savings. The conversation also explores the importance of taking proactive steps rather than overthinking, providing essential insights for both financial advisors and entrepreneurs.