CPA Trendlines Podcasts

Balancing tech, trust, and innovation.Accounting Influencerswith Rob BrownJason Staats shares insights on balancing innovation, mental health, and technology in today’s profession. Staats, known for combining accounting expertise with entrepreneurial thinking, has become a prominent voice in the field.More Accounting Influencers with Rob Brown hereStaats’ mission is to help accountants and firm owners create enjoyable and sustainable ways to manage their practices. Through platforms like Twitter, LinkedIn, and YouTube, Staats encourages his audience to rethink traditional success in accounting.“Sometimes, we mistake working hard for working smart,” Staats said. “Running into the same wall for the tenth time isn’t progress—it’s a sign to rethink your approach.”

“We have to tell a better story, but we also have to have a better story to tell.”Gear Up for GrowthWith Jean CaragherFor CPA TrendlinesA powerhouse in the accounting profession, Kimberly Ellison-Taylor, CPA, CGMA, CITP, CISA, the CEO of KET Solutions, shares her deep insights on talent recruitment and retention, inclusive leadership, and the evolving role of CPAs in a rapidly changing world.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 hereEllison-Taylor's journey into the accounting profession began earlier than most. She recalls a pivotal career day in third grade when she learned that "accountants manage the money." This revelation not only sparked her initial interest but also set her on a path to becoming one of the most recognized leaders in the profession, including serving as chairman of both the Maryland Association of CPAs and the AICPA. Her story is a testament to the power of early inspiration and leadership support.Ellison-Taylor emphasizes the critical need for the accounting profession to craft and share better narratives. “We have to tell a better story, but we also have to have a better story to tell,” she says, quoting Jen Wilson of the National Pipeline Advisory Group. She highlights that leadership—and the support it provides—is at the heart of these stories. Her own career was shaped by leaders who encouraged her to seize opportunities, provided constructive feedback, and championed her growth.

Efficiency meets innovation when you turbocharge audits with AI. Quick Tech TalkWith Steve YossCPE TodayAccountants can leverage AI tools—not just the industry-specific platforms like MindBridge and Inflow Systems, but also generative AI tools such as ChatGPT and Claude—to enhance their auditing processes.MORE STEVE YOSSMORE TECHExclusively for PRO Members. Log in here or upgrade to PRO today.Amazing, dedicated AI tools exist for accountants, but did you know you can use general generative AI to analyze Excel workbooks and other data files?By uploading a data file and posing natural language queries—such as identifying transactions on weekends, holidays, or those significantly deviating from the norm—accountants can efficiently sift through vast datasets. The results are quick, actionable insights that enable auditors to focus on the most critical transactions, streamlining the assurance process.

In this insightful conversation, Liz Mason, CPA, and Byron Patrick, CPA.CITP, CGMA, share impactful strategies for combating burnout in the accounting profession during peak seasons. They emphasize the importance of scheduling self-care and setting boundaries to navigate stress effectively. Patrick discusses practical calendar management techniques, while Mason opens up about balancing ADHD with professional demands. Together, they advocate for a supportive work culture that prioritizes mental health and encourages open dialogue about well-being.

If you try to help everyone, you don’t help anyone.The DisruptorsWith Liz FarrSalim Omar, CPA, opened his firm in 1996 after working as a CFO in a small investment boutique firm because he wanted to be his own boss. But the experience was terrible: “I found myself working long hours. I was not enjoying the work I was doing. Having the team was a revolving door.”“There’s got to be a better way,” Omar said then. “If this is what entrepreneurship is, I'm not sure if I want it anymore.”MORE PODCASTS and VIDEOS: 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 | Exclusively for PRO Members. Log in here or upgrade to PRO today.Omar started reading and studying books by other entrepreneurs, many outside the accounting industry. “And I just took what they were saying and what they were doing in their business, and they were getting success, and I brought it back to my own practice.” After adding a few minor tweaks here and there, Omar, the CEO of StraightTalkCPAs, says, “My practice was very different to what it had been when I started it a few years back.”

Adrian Ornik, a Global Growth Leader at EY, reflects on the evolution of accounting marketing from its uncharted beginnings. Alongside Sally Glick, Eric Majchrzak, and Sarah Cirelli, the group discusses how digital transformation is reshaping client experiences. They share personal stories about overcoming early challenges and the importance of adaptability in a post-pandemic world. The conversation emphasizes the critical role of marketing strategies in fostering cultural cohesion and enhancing employee retention while navigating the current talent crunch in the profession.

Barry Melancon, the longest-serving CEO in AICPA history, shares his journey and insights into the evolution of accounting. He reflects on the pre-digital days of the profession and highlights the shift of CPAs towards being trusted business advisors. Melancon discusses the importance of communication, leadership, and building client relationships as firms adapt to today's complex business environment. He also touches on growth strategies, including mergers, and shares his thoughts on retirement and continuing engagement in the accounting world.

Tax expert Art Werner predicts that the busy seasons in 2025 and 2026 will be the most challenging yet. With significant legislative changes on the horizon, tax preparers will need to master new laws quickly. The upcoming seasons will shift from a 'lull period' to intense complexity, requiring practitioners to stay informed. Navigating these updates will demand a steep learning curve, transforming how tax returns are prepared and advised. Get ready for a historic change in the tax landscape!

Accounting ARC wraps 2024 with insights and bold 2025 predictions. Accounting ARCWith Liz Mason, Byron Patrick, and Donny Shimamoto.Center for Accounting TransformationSince its launch in May, the Accounting ARC podcast, hosted Liz Mason, CPA; Byron Patrick, CPA.CITP, CGMA; and Donny Shimamoto, CPA.CITP, CGMA, has quickly gained traction as a thought leader in accounting. As the year concludes, the trio reflects on their journey and the pressing issues reshaping the industry. MORE Accounting ARC: 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 | Rachel Bashore: A Lawyer's Case for Reinventing Accounting | Beyond the Basics in Ethics Eduction | Bailey Lenart: From Ledger Sheets to Transformational Change | Election Tax Plans: What CPAs Need to Know | Leadership for the Future: Stakeholders, Sustainability, and Strategic Vision |Mason, CEO and founder of High Rock Accounting, notes that one of the year's standout discussions centered on ethics. “It’s fascinating to see how ethical theories apply to our decisions as accountants,” she says. “These frameworks aren’t just academic—they directly impact our role as trusted advisors.” Generative AI was another recurring theme, with Patrick predicting an AI-driven revolution in 2025. “We’ve seen a shift from fear to excitement around AI,” says Patrick, CEO of VERIFYiQ and vice president of client success at The B3 Method Institute®. Mason echoes this sentiment, emphasizing that AI’s ability to process vast amounts of data will enhance accountants’ advisory roles. 

Risk-taking and transparency emerge as key drivers for success in accounting marketing.Capstone ConversationsBy Jean CaragherFor CPA TrendlinesWhen Katie Lyles joined Dallas-based accounting firm Lane Gorman Trubitt at the end of 2019, she anticipated a role focused on coordinating live events. Little did she know, her career trajectory would be shaped by a global pandemic, propelling her into a spotlight she hadn’t foreseen. In 2021, Lyles was named the Association for Accounting Marketing (AAM) Rookie of the Year, a testament to her ingenuity, adaptability, and dedication to her craft. Follow Jean Caragher on CPA Trendlines here. | Get her best-selling handbook, The 90-Day Marketing Plan for CPA Firms, here | Catch Jean Caragher's other show, Gear Up for Growth, on Fridays here. | And browse all the shows in the CPA Trendlines broadcast network here On a recent episode of Capstone Conversations, Lyles reflects on her journey, which is marked by resilience and resourcefulness. When COVID-19 halted in-person events in early 2020, Lyles quickly pivoted to virtual platforms, saving her firm over $90,000 and generating record-breaking revenue. Beyond the financial impact, her efforts were instrumental in Lane Gorman Trubitt’s PPP Task Force, where her marketing expertise contributed over 55% of the task force’s revenue.