CPA Trendlines Podcasts

...And the 8 emerging leadership paths that can help you rise to the top...Accounting InfluencersWith Rob BrownIn the world of accounting, influence is no longer the exclusive domain of Big Four alumni or Ivy League pedigrees. Each December, Accounting Today releases its Top 100 Most Influential People list, highlighting leaders who shape the profession. The surprising truth behind many of these selections? Over 70% started from modest beginnings, without elite credentials, but with a clear strategy for building career capital. MORE Accounting Influencers with Rob Brown In a recent episode of the Accounting Influencers Podcast, host Rob Brown delves into the evolving landscape of leadership in accounting. “This isn’t about popularity or vanity metrics,” Brown says. “It’s about curating influence—the kind that drives innovation, fosters relevance, and moves the profession forward.”

Understanding the full picture delivers higher ROI.Capstone ConversationsBy Jean CaragherFor CPA TrendlinesIn this episode of Capstone Conversations with Jean Caragher of Capstone Marketing, Alex Miller, marketing manager at Lanigan Ryan and the Association for Accounting Marketing’s 2025 Volunteer of the Year, shares powerful insights about the evolving role of marketers in accounting firms. Her two top takeaways? Curiosity and collaboration drive career success, and client experience and artificial intelligence (AI) offer the profession’s biggest opportunities and challenges. 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, here. | And browse all the shows in the CPA Trendlines broadcast network here “Curiosity has opened so many doors for me,” says Miller. “You have to ask questions – about your firm's services, your teammates’ work, and your goals. When you understand the full picture, you can market more effectively and bring real value to your team.” 

The ARC team spills their messiest moments and why grit—not perfection—matters most. Accounting ARCWith Byron Patrick, Liz Mason, and Donny ShimamotoCenter for Accounting TransformationIn the latest episode of Accounting ARC, hosts Donny Shimamoto, CPA.CITP, CGMA; Liz Mason, CPA; and Byron Patrick, CPA.CITP, CGMA, lay down their professional armor to explore one central theme: grit—what it means, when it matters, and how it shows up in real life.  MORE Accounting ARC: More Admins, Fewer Students, No Plan | What Career Advice Gets Wrong for Gen Z - And How to Fix It |Your Identity is Not a Liability | What Happens in Vegas… Gets Reported on a Tax Return | Burnout, Be Gone: Accounting Needs a Boundary Breakthrough | The Ultimate Business Hack You’re Probably Ignoring | 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 |“This episode was about being honest,” says Patrick, CEO of VERIFYiQ and co-founder of TB Academy. “There are moments in everyone’s career where it all feels like too much.” 

"Every bill hides a tax increase."Quick Tax TipWith Art WernerCPE TodayTrump’s new “Big Beautiful Bill” might look like a win for taxpayers...but not so fast. For accountants, lawyers, consultants, and other professional service providers, it could bring a stealthy tax hike.Click here for more Art WernerIn this episode of Quick Tax Tip, expert Art Werner unpacks how this proposed legislation may change the way accountants—and other professionals—get taxed. The bottom line? If you’re part of a pass-through entity, your tax benefits may be about to shrink.Werner opens the discussion with a familiar refrain in tax: It depends.

In this conversation, the impact of AI on accounting careers takes center stage. Major firms like PwC and EY are undergoing significant layoffs, hinting at a shift in the industry. The host discusses the urgent need for accountants to adapt by acquiring new skills for tech-driven roles. It's a wake-up call to understand the evolving job market and the importance of continuous learning to stay relevant. Despite the changes, opportunities for those who embrace innovation are emerging.

Back up your data in 10 minutes or less. It could be the most important thing you do today. Quick Tech TalkWith Steve YossCPE TodayIn the latest episode of Quick Tech Talks, you’ll learn why backing up your data isn’t just for IT professionals or large companies—it’s something anyone can do in just 10 minutes, using tools you likely already have. MORE Steve Yoss here MORE TECH Whether you're managing financials, running a firm, or just storing family photos, protecting your digital files is no longer optional.With rising ransomware threats and hardware failure still a common reality, having a reliable backup strategy is the digital equivalent of locking your doors at night. Fortunately, getting started is way easier than you might think.“It doesn’t require a lot of technical expertise,” Yoss explains. “If you’ve got 10 minutes, you can do it.”

Your real ROI comes from relationships, not spreadsheets. The DisruptorsWith Liz FarrMartha Yasso didn’t just balance billion-dollar books — she watched businesses crumble under them. CPA TRENDLINES CELEBRATES: The 100th Episode of The Disruptors MORE Jackie Meyer and The Concierge CPA MORE STREAMING: Jackie Meyer: Tax Plans in 90 Seconds? Believe It | Erica Goode: Build a $200K Firm in 15hrs/Week | Randy Crabtree: Live at the Intersection of Passion & Skill |McClelland and Telka: Women Ready to Rewrite the Rules of Accounting | Jacob Schroeder: AI Won’t Replace Accountants—But It Will Reveal Who’s Replaceable | Ditching Corporate America: The Bold Story Behind PBS Accounting’s Rapid Rise | Jean Zick: Happy Team = Happy Clients | Breslin & Greathead: Be a Client Advocate | Dominic Piscopo: Clear Pay=Bargaining Power | Debbie Kilsheimer: Stop Thinking Small | She began her career in the high-octane world of junk bonds on Wall Street, where she relished the analytical challenges of cash flow modeling. But what initially felt like powerful work soon turned emotionally draining. “I was ripping apart companies and watching it happen in real time,” she says. “It was exhausting and depressing.”Her breaking point came with the downfall of Toys R Us. “It failed because of where the cash was going. It wasn’t being reinvested into the business — it was being pulled out for gains by management.” That moment crystallized a new purpose for Yasso. She didn’t want to watch from the sidelines as companies fell apart. She wanted to help build them.

Daniel Crosby, Chief Behavioral Officer at Orion Advisor Solutions and acclaimed author, teams up with Randy Johnston, a fintech leader in accounting and advisor services. They delve into how money affects emotional behavior more than many life aspects, redefining wealth management through a human-first approach. The duo emphasizes the evolving role of financial advisors in using technology to enhance client relationships, aligning financial strategies with personal values, and addressing societal problems through behavioral science.

Reza Hooda, a coach and mentor with The Profitable Accountants Community, transitions from traditional accounting to modernizing practices with value pricing. He discusses the importance of pricing psychology and client engagement strategies. Reza emphasizes the need for niche marketing to attract ideal clients and shares insights on the transformative power of mentorship. His journey highlights balancing time and efficiency in running a successful seven-figure firm. The conversation intertwines practical advice and personal reflections, offering a roadmap to freedom in business.

Leaders must decide whether to follow the money—or protect their independence.Accounting InfluencersWith Rob BrownIn a striking shift that’s redefining the accounting profession, private equity is no longer circling—it’s landed. On a recent episode of the Accounting Influencers Podcast, host Rob Brown breaks down what might be the most transformative trend facing accounting firm leaders today: the rapid influx of private equity (PE) into the industry. MORE Accounting Influencers with Rob Brown "Would you sell half of your accounting firm to a private equity firm for a billion dollars?" Brown asks. “Because some of the biggest names in our industry already have.”And they’re not small names. Baker Tilly, the 10th largest U.S. accounting firm, recently sold more than 50% of its business to a private equity firm. Grant Thornton did the same. The motivations are clear: stay competitive, invest in technology, attract top-tier talent, and survive the pressures of a changing profession.The episode lays out the perfect storm: firms are grappling with shrinking margins, relentless competition, and a talent shortage unlike any in recent history. Against this backdrop, private equity offers a lifeline—cash, resources, and a roadmap for accelerated growth.But the promise comes with caveats.“With that capital comes leverage and debt,” Brown warns. “Is this injection of cash helping firms stay relevant, or is it putting them at risk of losing their independence?”