CPA Trendlines Podcasts

To turn disruption into opportunities, get marketers to the table "early and often."Capstone ConversationsBy Jean CaragherFor CPA TrendlinesKristen Lewis, Managing Director of Marketing for EisnerAmper and the 2025 Association for Accounting Marketing (AAM) Marketer of the Year, joins Jean Caragher on Capstone Conversations to share lessons from her marketing leadership, insights on post-pandemic strategy shifts, and her vision for the profession’s future. The conversation examines both the tactical and human aspects of CPA firm marketing in an era of rapid change, industry consolidation, and heightened client expectations.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 Lewis reflects on her oft-quoted phrase from a previous Capstone appearance during COVID—“building the car while driving it”—as still being true today. She notes that the firm’s post-pandemic agility has become both a strength and a challenge, with the pace of innovation and disruption keeping teams moving at high speed. “We proved to ourselves that we could be nimble and change things on the fly,” she says. “That’s exciting, but also exhausting at times.”

Hosts call out the fiscal dysfunction behind America’s school meltdown.Accounting ARCWith Byron Patrick, and Donny ShimamotoWhen CNBC published a video examining why U.S. public schools are facing severe budget shortfalls, it sparked a passionate accounting conversation. On the Accounting ARC podcast, co-hosts Donny Shimamoto, CPA.CITP, CGMA, and Byron Patrick, CPA.CITP, CGMA, offer a reaction episode that reframes the crisis through the lens of financial strategy—and accountability. MORE Accounting ARC: 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 |Both CPAs were struck by one glaring omission in the original reporting: the absence of accounting professionals in decision-making roles. “Where’s the CFO?” asks Shimamoto, founder and managing director of IntrapriseTechKnowlogies, and founder and inspiration architect of the Center for Accounting Transformation. “Who looked at the time limits on that COVID-era grant money and said, ‘Hey, this isn't going to last’?”Patrick, CEO of VERIFYiQ, and co-founder and educator at TB Academy, echoes that frustration: “It’s like budgeting on hopes and dreams instead of facts and forecasts.”

...Before year-end chaos returns...Quick Tax TipWith Art WernerCPE TodayBusy season is behind us. Year-end reporting deadlines haven’t hit yet. That makes right now the sweet spot for strategic client outreach—and tax professionals shouldn’t waste a second of it.Click here for more Art WernerIn the latest episode of the Quick Tax Tip podcast, listeners get an urgent wake-up call: This is the moment to reconnect with clients, reevaluate their entity structures, and prepare them for the potential ripple effects of new legislation.“This might be the best question any tax pro could ask right now,” Werner says in response to a question about how to prioritize client conversations after busy season. “You’ve got breathing room—use it.”

“You can have inclusion without belonging, but it’s not going to stick. People need to feel they matter.”MOVE Like ThisWith Bonnie Buol RuszczykFor CPA TrendlinesIn this episode of MOVE Like This, host Bonnie Buol Ruszczyk talks with Jim Wallace, CEO of BPM, about how the firm has embedded diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) into the core of its culture and strategy. With more than 40 years in public accounting, Jim shares candid insights into how BPM went beyond the “check the box” approach to DEIB by making it a CEO-led initiative from the start.  MORE MOVE Wallace explains that BPM’s brand promise, “Because People Matter,” isn’t just a slogan, but a foundational principle that informs every part of the firm’s operations, from leadership development to firm-wide engagement. DEIB is not treated as a standalone initiative; it’s part of the firm’s strategic plan and embedded in its values, mission, and even metrics. For example, BPM uses colleague engagement surveys to track employee sentiment, finding that 82% of employees feel they can bring their authentic selves to work. These insights drive changes in programming and support for staff. 

A brief disruption could cost you thousands. A complete failure could cost you everything.Quick Tech TalkWith Steve YossCPE TodayIn the digital era, your data is your most valuable asset. Whether you're serving clients, analyzing operations, or simply keeping your business afloat, uninterrupted access to accurate data is essential. But what happens when that access is suddenly taken away? MORE Steve Yoss here MORE TECH That’s the urgent question explored in the latest episode of Quick Tech Talks, where the focus is on why every business—regardless of size or industry—needs a robust, modern data backup strategy. This isn’t just about peace of mind. It’s about regulatory compliance, operational continuity, and business survival.

Jackie Meyer, a Concierge CPA and founder of TaxPlanIQ, envisions a future where everyone can access tax-saving ideas easily. She discusses the innovative Tax Plan IQ tool that automates tax planning and emphasizes the importance of community among tax professionals. Meyer shares her own experience of selling a firm for a seven-figure sum by focusing on tax advisory. She advocates for setting boundaries in client relationships and embracing value-based pricing to democratize tax services, ultimately leading to a more fulfilling work-life balance.

Michael DiJoseph, CFA, a senior strategist at Vanguard, and Andres Mazabel, head of Advisor Sales at Trust & Will, dive into the evolving landscape of financial advising. They discuss how estate planning is becoming essential for building trust with clients and boosting returns. The conversation highlights the importance of integrating technology and behavioral coaching in advisory roles. They also reveal surprising gaps in estate planning awareness among Americans and underscore the need for advisors to cultivate deeper emotional connections with clients.

In this engaging talk, Chris Papin, a CPA, attorney, and insurance producer, discusses his unique interdisciplinary approach to advising small businesses. He emphasizes the growing need for integrated advisory services and shares insights on navigating the impending estate tax sunset in 2026. Papin explores how understanding client emotions can lead to tailored financial solutions and the importance of adapting technology in tax strategies. His commitment to providing comprehensive services helps clients make informed financial decisions while enhancing their trust.

Ditch bland blogs and craft content that actually converts.Accounting InfluencersWith Rob BrownIn this Accounting Influencers episode, Nick Huber—former Financial Times journalist and expert in content strategy—calls out the elephant in the accounting marketing room: most firm content is forgettable. But it doesn’t have to be.  More Accounting Influencers with Rob Brown here  Instead of cranking out generic updates and lifeless newsletters, Huber challenges firms to rethink their approach. “Content is more than a checkbox. It’s your chance to stand out, show what you know, and shape how people perceive your firm,” he says.  Despite his statement, Huber does offer two checklists for evaluating and producing lead-generating content. 

They're not leaving the firm. They're leaving you. Gear Up for GrowthWith Jean CaragherFor CPA TrendlinesWhat’s driving talent out of accounting firms? According to Kimberly Ellison-Taylor, CPA, CGMA, CITP, CISA, everything from outdated leadership to untold success stories is pushing promising professionals away. In this episode of Gear Up for Growth, powered by CPA Trendlines, host Jean Caragher sits down with the powerhouse behind KET Solutions to explore how the profession can—and must—change to attract and retain the next generation. Gear Up for Growth spotlights the best strategies for smart and efficient growth in today's competitive landscape. More Gear Up for Growth | More Capstone Conversations with Jean Caragher | 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 Ellison-Taylor, former chair of both the AICPA and the Maryland Association of CPAs, started her journey into accounting as a third grader inspired by a career-day presentation. That spark led to decades of leadership—and now, a mission to transform the narrative around what it means to be a CPA.Originally published Jan. 10, 2025.