CPA Trendlines Podcasts

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.

Join accounting trailblazers Randy Johnston, a veteran tech strategist, Trevor Greenway, CEO of Interval who reveals real-time advisory opportunities, Harry Blum from RSM Canada discussing change management challenges, and Jennifer O’Carroll of HansaWorld sharing tech insights. They tackle talent shortages and the urgency for firms to shift from compliance to advisory roles. With the impact of AI and private equity in spotlight, they emphasize the need for a mindset change to thrive in a competitive landscape.

Matt Criss, an Executive Business Coach at Moss Adams and author of Conscious Growth, shares powerful insights on intentional growth in accounting. He emphasizes the need for accountability and self-reflection to combat stagnation. Criss discusses the generational dynamics in the profession and the importance of adapting to technological changes. He highlights how a positive mindset can overcome challenges, advocating for a culture of growth within firms. Overall, it's about leading more fulfilling lives, not just advancing careers.

From mindful walking to redefining worth, this conversation reveals what it really takes to thrive. Accounting ARCWith Arpan GrewalCenter for Accounting TransformationIn the latest Student-Led Conversations episode of Accounting ARC, high school business student Arpan Grewal steps in as guest host for a raw, reflective episode centered on mental health and resilience. In conversation with Jina Etienne, CPA, CGMA, CDE, CEO of Etienne Consulting; Rafael Casas, senior consultant with Workday; and Kiera Speed, inspiration logistician for the Center for Accounting Transformation, the episode marks a powerful contribution to Mental Health Awareness Month.  MORE Accounting ARC: 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 | Break the Burnout Cycle in Accounting | Accounting in Transition: 2024 Reflections & the Road Ahead | Ron Baker: Visions for the Accounting Profession | “Mental health is something we all struggle with, whether we’re students or seasoned professionals,” says Grewal. “It’s not talked about enough, especially in accounting.” 

Small businesses are feeling the pressure of complicated tax regulations, causing anxiety and distraction from their core missions. Trusted advisors, like accountants, play a vital role in helping these owners navigate the storm of federal, state, and local tax compliance. Instead of becoming tax experts, entrepreneurs want to focus on delivering their products and services. The podcast emphasizes the importance of managing tax complexity to allow business owners to pursue their visions with peace of mind.

Provide clients with actionable information they can use to move their businesses forward. The DisruptorsWith Liz FarrBack in 2013, before CAS became part of the accounting vernacular, Penny Breslin and Damien Greathead taught a roomful of accountants how to do what Breslin called bookkeeping and back office support, or BOS. “We had 200 accountants sitting in the room wanting to know how to grow this part of their business,” Greathead recalls. Cloud-based accounting tools like Xero and QuickBooks Online were just entering the U.S. market, and the two recognized an opportunity for firms. MORE PODCASTS and VIDEOS: 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 | Out of that seminar emerged a book, which was recently updated to create the current handbook, It’s Not Just the Numbers [full disclosure: Liz Farr served as editor]. The handbook's title reflects a fundamental truth about client relationships that many accountants overlook. As Greathead explains, “It's about what your client wants. And more often than not, the client doesn't care about the numbers. The client cares about the story that sits underneath the numbers.”

What once was seen as a tax loophole is now becoming a mainstream strategy for business continuity—if done right.The Concierge CPAWith Jackie MeyerFor CPA TrendlinesThe world of business risk has changed drastically since 1986, and so has the way innovative entrepreneurs protect themselves. In a recent episode of The Concierge CPA, host Dr. Jackie Meyer sits down with Van Carlson, founder and CEO of SRA 831(b) Admin, to demystify one of the most misunderstood tools in modern financial planning: the 831(b) captive.More Jackie MeyerAt its core, the 831(b) tax code allows business owners to form small insurance companies to self-insure specific risks. But as Carlson explains, “It’s not just about taxes—it’s about protecting your business from the risks no one else will cover.”Originally created during the 1986 Tax Reform Act to help farmers and businesses insure against unique or underwritten risks, the 831(b) structure has evolved into a modern enterprise risk solution. And for Carlson, who’s led audits and compliance for hundreds of captives, this is not a loophole—it’s a legitimate strategy. “We embolden business owners through innovative risk management,” he says. “And the risks they face now—cybersecurity, supply chain failure, brand damage—are unlike anything we saw in the 1980s.”

“Diversity is about building bigger tables, not just filling seats.”Accounting Influencerswith Rob BrownAs past chair of AICPA and CIMA, Okorie Ramsey represented nearly 700,000 members worldwide. But in his view, leadership isn’t about wielding power—it’s about partnership, innovation, and service to the public. More Rob BrownIn a wide-ranging conversation on the Accounting Influencers podcast, Ramsey reflects on his tenure, the profession’s most significant challenges, and what excites him most about the future.“It’s a huge role,” Ramsey says, “but it’s also a wonderful opportunity."Ramsey challenges the perception of accounting as static or resistant to change. While he acknowledges that legacy systems and outdated incentive structures persist—particularly in large firms—he sees momentum building. “If organizations are not utilizing technology to advance how they do their work, they will go by the way of the dinosaur,” he warns.

Strategic thinking, curiosity, and innovation can turn traditional marketing roles into firm leadership opportunities.Gear Up for Growth With Jean CaragherFor CPA TrendlinesIn a special episode of Gear Up For Growth, host Jean Caragher hands the mic to guest facilitator Sarah Dobek, president of Inovautus Consulting, to lead an inspiring conversation about career opportunities in accounting marketing.Joining the panel are four powerhouse leaders whose diverse journeys showcase just how far the profession has evolved: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 Julie Tucek, Marketing Director at Legacy Professionals; Eric Majchrzak, CEO of BeachFleischman; Carrie Steffen, Co-founder and President of The Whetstone Group, Recently announced as the next CEO of the Iowa Society of CPAs; and Jamie Thomas, Principal, Growth and Marketing at BDO USA Together, they offer a behind-the-scenes look at how accounting marketing has transformed from simple communications and event planning to a strategic, growth-driving powerhouse within firms—and where it's heading next.

Technologies like AI and Web3 could eventually unlock blockchain’s full potential. Accounting ARCWith Liz Mason, Byron Patrick, and Donny ShimamotoCenter for Accounting TransformationIs blockchain dead? In a thought-provoking Accounting ARC, hosts Liz Mason, CPA, and Donny Shimamoto, CPA.CITP, CGMA; and Byron Patrick, CPA.CITP, CGMA; tackle the pressing question and brainstorm other blockchain applications. The short answer is no—but the landscape has changed. MORE Accounting ARC: 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 | Break the Burnout Cycle in Accounting | Accounting in Transition: 2024 Reflections & the Road Ahead | Ron Baker: Visions for the Accounting Profession | Angie Grissom: Next Gen Inspo for Accountants | Does Accounting Belong in STEM? |When blockchain first entered mainstream conversation, it was hailed as a transformative tool capable of revolutionizing financial reporting, auditing, and recordkeeping. However, according to Mason, CEO of High Rock Accounting, the execution challenges are enormous.