CPA Trendlines Podcasts

Katie Tolin, a veteran marketing strategist and 2023 Volunteer of the Year for the Association for Accounting Marketing, shares insights on the evolving landscape in the accounting industry. She highlights the disruptive influence of private equity and the shift towards wealth management, urging firms to adapt their marketing strategies. Tolin emphasizes the importance of data analytics in client management and explores how marketers can influence growth during staffing challenges. Her candid perspective sheds light on the necessity for proactive leadership in navigating today's complexities.

Uncover how regulations, investor demands, and market expectations are driving organizations to embrace sustainable practices.Gear Up for GrowthWith Jean CaragherFor CPA TrendlinesIn a world where sustainability is increasingly critical, Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) has emerged as a vital component of the accounting profession—described as the "fourth leg" of the accounting stool, alongside tax, audit, and consulting. ESG integrates sustainability metrics with financial data, offering a holistic view of an organization’s health and strategic opportunities.Gear Up for Growth spotlights the best strategies for smart and efficient growth in today's competitive landscape. More Gear Up for Growth every Friday here | More Capstone Conversations with Jean Caragher every Monday | More Jean Caragher here | Get her best-selling handbook, The 90-Day Marketing Plan for CPA Firms, here | More CPA Trendlines videos and podcasts hereESG is about measuring and quantifying sustainability-related data and aligning it with financial metrics,” explains Jennifer Harrity, ESG and sustainability director for Sensiba. “This approach not only provides a clearer picture of an organization’s health but also identifies strategic opportunities for growth.”Organizations adopting ESG practices are reaping measurable benefits, including enhanced operational efficiency, risk mitigation, and improved market appeal. Harrity notes that initiatives such as carbon footprinting and B Corp certification lead to significant outcomes, including cost savings, revenue growth, and stronger brand reputations.“ESG is no longer just about doing good for the planet; it makes solid business sense,” says Harrity. “Clients want to save money, attract top talent, and meet the demands of conscious consumers and investors.”

Explore the red flags in accounting firms, from outdated technology to unrealistic billable hours. Discover the complexities of unlimited PTO and its impact on workplace culture. Learn about the unsustainable work practices that harm employee well-being. The need for clear communication and honoring personal values in firms is critical. The speakers share personal anecdotes, emphasizing the importance of verifying a firm's commitments to flexibility and employee happiness. Humor emerges as a powerful tool for navigating these challenges.

Helping clients with these filings isn’t just a responsibility—it’s a chance to enhance your practice and grow your billable hours.Quick Tax TipWith Art WernerCPE TodayToday, tax professionals are navigating an increasingly complex landscape, where compliance extends beyond the familiar Internal Revenue Service (IRS), including FinCEN and the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network. A division of the U.S. Treasury Department, FinCEN gained prominence after 9/11 to combat organized crime, money laundering, drug trafficking, and terrorism. While tax professionals may already be familiar with FinCEN Form 114 for reporting foreign financial accounts, new requirements under the Corporate Transparency Act are reshaping the compliance responsibilities of tax advisors.Click here for more Art WernerEffective January 1, 2024, the Corporate Transparency Act (CTA) introduces new reporting requirements to increase corporate ownership transparency. Tax professionals must now help clients identify and report the beneficial owners of their companies. This information must be updated whenever there is a change in ownership, making ongoing compliance a critical concern.

Beth Whitworth, owner of Accounting Solutions Group of St. Louis and host of the Accounting with Confidence podcast, shares her innovative approach to client service. She discusses her shift to a subscription-based model, emphasizing the need to prioritize outcomes over hours worked. The conversation delves into effective time management and client relationships, the benefits of remote work, and the evolving dynamics of leadership in accounting. Beth advocates for embracing technology while maintaining a focus on empathy and meaningful connections in client service.

Your data has probably already been exposed.Quick Tech TalkWith Steve YossCPE TodayData breaches have become an unfortunate reality in the digital age, and with them, the risk to personal and financial information continues to grow. However, there is a simple yet powerful way to protect your accounts: multi-factor authentication (MFA).MORE STEVE YOSSMORE TECHExclusively for PRO Members. Log in here or upgrade to PRO today.MFA, sometimes referred to as one-time passwords, has become a cornerstone of modern cybersecurity. Think about this hard truth: Your data, unfortunately, has probably been exposed by either a website, a web service, or maybe even your favorite merchant at some point in the last 10 to 15 years. When passwords are stolen in data breaches, cybercriminals often use them to access accounts on other sites, exploiting the common habit of password reuse.

Discover why intentionality and clarity are key traits for successful leaders.Gear Up for GrowthWith Jean CaragherFor CPA TrendlinesLeadership in accounting firms requires a shift from technical expertise to guiding and empowering teams. Jason Blumer, founder and CEO of Blumer CPAs, discusses the journey of embracing leadership roles, overcoming self-doubt, and fostering a service-oriented mindset on Gear Up for Growth, Gear Up for Growth spotlights the best strategies for smart and efficient growth in today's competitive landscape. More Gear Up for Growth every Friday here | More Capstone Conversations with Jean Caragher every Monday | 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“Effective leadership involves creating future leaders and tackling difficult conversations head-on,” Blumer said. “It's about fostering a culture of accountability and trust while confronting the discomfort that often accompanies leadership responsibilities.” Blumer encourages firm owners to view themselves as leaders despite initial doubts and embrace the sacrifices and challenges of guiding a team. His approach includes coaching team members to take ownership of their roles and cultivating a new generation of leaders within the profession. 

CEO says private equity isn’t about cost-cutting—it’s about investing in technology and talent.Accounting ARCWith Donny Shimamoto.Center for Accounting TransformationThe accounting profession is evolving, and if private equity is any indicator, firms like Prosperity Partners are leading the charge. In the latest Accounting ARC episode, host Donny Shimamoto, CPA.CITP, CGMA, speaks with CEO and Prosperity Partners co-founder Jeremy Dubow, CPA, about the firm’s innovative approach, private equity backing, and non-traditional practices. MORE Accounting ARC: 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? | Rose Wang: Where Numbers Meet Strategy and Creativity | TikTok Fraud Exposes Gaps in Financial Literacy | How Accounting Pros Own the Stage in Public Speaking | Greg Kyte: Being a CPA Is Like Being the Marie Kondo of Numbers “We’re not your traditional firm,” says Dubow. “We focus on transformative technologies and people-first culture to redefine what an accounting firm can achieve.” Want to learn more about P.E.? Check out M&A, PE, or Independence? Chart Your CPA Firm’s Future in 2025!

The IRS is increasing scrutiny, and your due diligence must meet the challenge.Quick Tax TipWith Art WernerCPE TodayAs the IRS increases its enforcement efforts fueled by new funding and additional agents, understanding and practicing due diligence is more critical than ever for tax professionals. Due diligence requirements, established to ensure compliance with tax law, place a significant responsibility on tax practitioners to verify their clients’ eligibility for certain tax benefits.Click here for more Art WernerTax professionals must now certify positions related to the American Opportunity Tax Credit, the Earned Income Tax Credit, the Child Tax Credit, and the filing status of Head of Household. These certifications require meticulous documentation, a thorough understanding of the client's situation, and adherence to the law.Failing to uphold due diligence can have serious consequences.

Be blunt. Give your clients the advice they should hear, not what they want to hear. The DisruptorsWith Liz FarrThe talent crunch in accounting isn’t an issue for Mike Sylvester. Last year, 40 accountants applied to work at his firm, SBS CPA Group. He’s had serious inquiries from people at top 50 firms eager to work with him. Further, he just hired someone from a top 10 firm who says the benefits are better and who will make $10,000 more while working 300 fewer hours.  MORE PODCASTS and VIDEOS: Salim Omar: Identify Your Client's $100,000 Problem | Jackie Meyer: Earn More with Fewer Clients | Jack Fleherty: Don't Be a 'Yes' Person | Greg Adams: From Finance to Storytelling | The Disruptors | Jody Padar: Make Radical Changes Now If You Want to Be Relevant in 2030 | Rebecca Driscoll: Amplify Reach By Helping Other Firm Owners | Rory Henry: Create the Return on Relationships | Mike Maksymiw: Be the Leader You Wish You Had | Terrell Turner: Build a Solid Business Showing Up as Yourself | Kelly Mann: Be the Bull in the China Shop | Alicia Katz Pollock: Create A Human-Centric Business | Nancy McClelland: Be the One Your Clients Ask First |Alan Whitman: Stop Accepting the Status Quo | Sean Duncan: Discover Your Own Genius | Ingrid Edstrom: True Wealth Is Not Financial | Caleb Jenkins: Firm Growth Requires Owners to Shift Roles |His not-so-secret secret? He talks “over and over and over” on Twitter about the unique way his firm operates. During busy season, all team members –even the partners – are paid overtime on 60-hour weeks. Then, after April 15, everyone works 32 hours a week and gets 37 three-day weekends in a row. “It's a very popular schedule,” Sylvester said.  His team agrees: he’s had zero turnover in the last four and a half years.