CPA Trendlines Podcasts

Make smarter decisions with the right data tools in Excel, Power BI, and TableauQuick Tech TalkWith Steve YossCPE TodayData visualization isn’t just about making numbers look good—it’s about telling a story. Whether you’re working in Microsoft Excel, Power BI, or Tableau, the chart you choose can completely change the way you interpret and communicate your data. But are you using the right one? MORE STEVE YOSS MORE TECH This episode of Quick Tech Talks breaks down the power of different chart types and why selecting the right one is crucial for accurate analysis. Did you know that pie charts are perfect for showing proportions, but scatter plots are better suited for identifying trends? Or that Excel alone offers more than two dozen different visualization options?

Utilize new tech to level up thought leadership and advisory services. Gear Up for Growth With Jean CaragherFor CPA TrendlinesThe latest episode of Gear Up for Growth, hosted by Jean Caragher of Capstone Marketing and powered by CPA Trendlines, featured an insightful discussion with Becky Livingston, founder and CEO of Penheel Marketing, on the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in CPA firm marketing. The conversation centered around two key takeaways: AI’s ability to enhance thought leadership efforts and its role in shifting CPAs toward more strategic client advisory services. 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 Marketing research shows that high-growth CPA firms prioritize thought leadership through blogging, white papers, and public speaking. AI tools such as ChatGPT, Perplexity, and Jasper are revolutionizing this space by enabling firms to generate high-quality content efficiently. These tools allow CPAs to personalize content for niche audiences, optimize SEO strategies beyond traditional search engines, and streamline content creation to maintain a consistent and authoritative online presence.

The discussion dives deep into agentic AI, a groundbreaking tool reshaping the accounting landscape. Unlike traditional AI, it coordinates various models to streamline workflows and boost efficiency. However, the hosts ponder its risks and ethical implications, highlighting the necessity for careful model selection. The potential of AI in areas like auditing and tax preparation is explored, along with the legislative adaptations needed for a tech-driven future. Despite challenges, optimism shines through for innovation in this rapidly evolving profession.

Retirement planning isn't just about saving - it's about strategy. Quick Tax TipWith Art WernerCPE TodayWith tax laws constantly evolving, finding the right balance between financial planning, tax reduction, and compliance with the Internal Revenue Code can feel like a moving target. Fortunately, powerful opportunities are available in 2025 to maximize your retirement savings while minimizing your tax burden.Click here for more Art WernerFor instance, contribution limits to 401(k)s have significantly increased. In 2025, you can contribute up to $23,500; if you’re 50 or older, you can add an extra $7,000 in catch-up contributions. That’s a major opportunity to secure your financial future while reducing your taxable income today.But should you contribute to a Roth 401(k), a traditional 401(k), or other savings account?

Luke Templin, Fractional CFO and CEO at A2 Advisors, discusses the transformative power of Client Advisory Services for accountants. He emphasizes the need for proactive advice that goes beyond basic bookkeeping, linking this to improved client retention. Templin also shares insights from his entrepreneurial journey, including the creation of the Kikaz community, which supports small entrepreneurs and accountants. He candidly addresses perfectionism, the balance between work and life, and the innovative Fin Daily tool for cash flow management.

"It’s a five-year degree for accounting versus four years for finance, and finance graduates often earn more."Accounting Influencerswith Rob BrownAs technology reshapes the accounting landscape, professional qualifications must evolve to keep pace. In a compelling episode of the Accounting Influencers Podcast, Brian Hock, founder of HOCK International, argues that accounting certifications and qualifications are more important than ever in an era of automation and artificial intelligence. Complete episode notes here More Accounting Influencers with Rob Brown here Hock says the rapid shift in accounting standards is spawning a host of new specialty skills, including data analytics, cybersecurity, and automation. "When I took the CPA exam almost 30 years ago, it was paper-and-pencil," Hock recalls. "Now, technology is embedded in every aspect of accounting."

Bring complex financial data to life with advanced visualization techniques.Quick Tech TalkWith Steve YossCPE TodayFinancial statements can be difficult for non-accounting professionals to interpret. Balance sheets and cash flow statements often contain crucial information, yet they remain inaccessible to many decision-makers. Enter Microsoft Power BI—a business intelligence and visualization tool that transforms structured financial data into interactive, easy-to-understand dashboards. MORE Steve Voss | MORE Tech | MORE Podcasts With Power BI, organizations can break down income statements into charts, graphs, and statistical analyses that make data both digestible and actionable. Beyond traditional financial metrics, users can integrate sales, marketing, and even social media data to provide a holistic view of business performance. This seamless data integration empowers decision-makers with real-time insights tailored to their needs.

Mark Koziel, the newly appointed president and CEO of AICPA & CIMA, shares insights on the urgent transformation needed within CPA firms amid industry disruption. He discusses how COVID-19 accelerated shifts towards hybrid workforces and private equity involvement, challenging traditional firm models. Koziel emphasizes the need for innovative strategies to attract talent and adapt to new business models, highlighting the profession's evolution from audits to advisory roles, focusing on trust and client relationships.

Join Amy Cooper, an assistant accounting professor at the University of Alaska Fairbanks, as she unveils fascinating insights about accountant retention. Her research shows that job embeddedness, rather than engagement, plays a crucial role in keeping accountants at public firms. Surprisingly, larger firms foster deeper professional ties and offer better career mobility, enhancing long-term commitment. Amy also discusses the significance of personalized support and mentorship, especially in today's remote work environment, urging firms to adapt for better retention.

Progressive firms are the key to the future of the profession.The DisruptorsWith Liz FarrThe world of M&A is full of disruption, distraction, and disorientation these days, says Ira Rosenbloom, CEO of Optimum Strategies. While the headlines focus on private equity’s increasing role in CPA firm acquisitions, two new types of acquirers are playing a bigger role: Family offices and wealth management.MORE PODCASTS and VIDEOS: 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 | Roger Knecht: Can You Be an Accountrepreneur? | Beth Whitworth: Focus on Outcomes Not Hours |Mike Sylvester: Learn to Say No | 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 FirstThese different participants are disrupting “the more traditional marketplace, which for years has been driven by two CPA firms getting together that had a lot in common, except one was larger and the other one was smaller,” says Rosenbloom. “I just think that what we've seen is there's not one approach that works for everybody. We're seeing dimension now. We're seeing a whole bunch of choices.”