CPA Trendlines Podcasts

Shaky markets. Panicky clients. Accountants, it’s your time to shine.  Accounting ARCWith Liz MasonCenter for Accounting TransformationPresident Donald Trump’s tariff announcement has sent shockwaves through the business community—and accountants are on the frontlines of the fallout. In the latest Accounting ARC podcast, Liz Mason, CPA, and Ron Baker, CPA (inactive), analyze the implications of Trump’s decision to impose a 10% blanket tariff on all imports, alongside a dramatic 54% tariff on goods from China.  MORE Accounting ARC: Crypto, Cash, or Chaos? The Fallout of an IRS-Free America | Is Agentic AI a Game Changer or Game Ender? | Kelly Mann: Thriving Against All Odds | Are We Ready for the Hidden Risks of AI in Accounting? | The Research Imperative: Why Data Drives Accounting Success | How Coaching Can Unlock Professional Success | Demystifying Accounting Governance |  Top 10 Red Flags to Watch for in Accounting Offices | Jeremy Dubow: Private Equity as a Catalyst for Growth | Break the Burnout Cycle in Accounting | Accounting in Transition: 2024 Reflections & the Road Ahead "Tariffs are taxes—plain and simple," says Mason, CEO of  High Rock Accounting. "And businesses need to prepare for those costs to flow straight to consumers." The decision, justified under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, aims to curb the U.S. trade deficit. Yet Baker, founder of the VeraSage Institute and radio co-host of the www.VoiceAmerica.com show: The Soul of Enterprise: Business in the Knowledge Economy, warns of potential unintended consequences. “Protectionism historically leads to retaliation, and that’s bad news for everyone,” he notes. 

Unlock the full value of charitable contributions with one of the tax code's most underused tools.Quick Tax TipWith Art WernerCPE TodayWhat if you could give more, support your favorite causes for years to come, and still walk away with a sizable tax deduction—all in one smart move?Click here for more Art WernerThat’s the opportunity donor-advised funds (DAFs) present, and the latest Quick Tax Tip brings clarity to a concept many donors and advisors overlook.“A donor-advised fund, by itself, is a charity,” Werner explains. “But the contribution we make to it is deductible within IRS limits—and what’s really nice is you can lump your giving up front and spread it out over time.”For donors who no longer itemize due to the increased standard deduction post-TCJA, this opens the door to reclaiming lost tax benefits. Instead of giving $5,000 a year and missing out on deductions, you could contribute $50,000 in one year to a DAF—claim your deduction—then direct that money to charities over a decade.

Liz Scott, CEO of Accounting Lifeline and expert in tech for entrepreneurs, shares her insights on the evolving role of accountants. She explains how small firms can leverage technology to enhance client conversations rather than just crunch numbers. Scott discusses the challenges and opportunities presented by AI in accounting, advocating for a shift towards advisory roles. She emphasizes the importance of authenticity, effective leadership training, and the need for accountants to develop meaningful relationships with clients to thrive in today's landscape.

"Every problem looks big from a distance, and every opportunity looks small."The Concierge CPAWith Jackie MeyerFor CPA TrendlinesFor many, the road to success is paved with incremental progress. For Divakar Vijayasarathy, it was forged through sheer resilience, entrepreneurial grit, and an unyielding vision. In the latest episode of The Concierge CPA podcast, host Jackie Meyer sits down with the founder and CEO of DVS Advisory Group to discuss his inspiring journey from the slums of Chennai to leading a multimillion-dollar international firm operating across four countries.More Jackie MeyerDivakar’s story is nothing short of remarkable. Raised in challenging circumstances in India, he excelled in accounting, passing one of the most grueling exams with a pass rate of just 0.3%. After securing high-profile positions, including at Citibank, he felt stifled in employment and pursued his entrepreneurial aspirations.

“Vulnerability takes courage, but it is the foundation of authentic leadership.”Accounting Influencerswith Rob BrownIn this episode of the Accounting Influencers Podcast, Rob Brown hosts John Fenton, former managing partner at BDO USA, leadership consultant, and “CEO Sensei.” Drawing from his experiences in accounting, athletics, and martial arts, Fenton unpacks the essence of effective leadership. He highlights the importance of self-awareness, mindset, and resilience, offering practical tips like intentional breathing, morning rituals, and active listening. Fenton also underscores the value of relationships and authentic leadership, urging leaders to embrace vulnerability and balance.MoreAccounting Influencers with Rob Brown here

"True inclusion isn’t about lowering standards; it’s about removing barriers so talent can rise."MOVE Like ThisWith Bonnie Buol RuszcykFor CPA TrendlinesIn an era where diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) have become increasingly politicized, the accounting profession faces a defining moment. With a growing talent shortage and increasing client demands, firms cannot afford to lose qualified professionals. Yet, some are scaling back DEI efforts, failing to recognize that inclusion is not just a social initiative – it’s a business necessity.More MOVEIn a recent episode of Move Like This, host Bonnie Buol Ruszczyk spoke with Kimberly Ellison-Taylor, CEO of KET Solutions and former chair of the AICPA Board of Directors, about the state of DEI in the accounting profession. Ellison-Taylor, a long-time advocate for inclusion, emphasized that people are the industry’s greatest asset. No matter where she has worked – NASA, KPMG, or Oracle – she has seen firsthand how creating inclusive cultures fosters innovation and drives success.

If visions of the new administration come to fruition, the IRS could also be on the chopping block.  Accounting ARCWith Liz Mason, Byron Patrick, and Donny ShimamotoCenter for Accounting TransformationIn a recent episode of Accounting ARC, hosts Donny Shimamoto, CPA.CITP, CGMA; Liz Mason, CPA; and Byron Patrick, CPA.CITP and CGMA explore the provocative question, "What if the IRS was shut down?" This discussion aligns with current political movements considering the downsizing or elimination of various government agencies, including the IRS.MORE Accounting ARC: Is Agentic AI a Game Changer or Game Ender? | Kelly Mann: Thriving Against All Odds | Are We Ready for the Hidden Risks of AI in Accounting? | The Research Imperative: Why Data Drives Accounting Success | How Coaching Can Unlock Professional Success | Demystifying Accounting Governance | Top 10 Red Flags to Watch for in Accounting Offices | Jeremy Dubow: Private Equity as a Catalyst for Growth | Break the Burnout Cycle in Accounting | The Fair Tax Act of 2025, introduced by GOP lawmakers, seeks to abolish the IRS and replace income taxes with a national sales tax. Proponents argue that this would simplify the tax system, while critics contend it could disproportionately affect lower-income individuals.  Patrick emphasizes the critical role of the IRS in funding government operations. He questions the feasibility of maintaining government functions without a tax collection agency, stating, "You need money to operate a government, and if you have no mechanism for collecting revenue... there has to be a mechanism for revenue to do anything to pay people to have services, to care for a population of people."

Unpacks the basics—and the big misses—of capital gains planning.Quick Tax TipWith Art WernerCPE TodayMany accounting professionals may recall the concept of tax loss harvesting from their very first income tax course. But this seemingly elementary strategy can have powerful implications—and far too many practitioners and clients are overlooking it.Click here for more Art Werner“Each year, clients walk into offices with their 1099s in hand, showing large capital gains,” Werner explains. “At that point, there’s not much we can do except report what’s already happened. That’s the role of a historian, not an advisor.”The real value, Werner says, comes from being involved before the end of the tax year. Had clients reached out when those gains occurred, professionals could have explored ways to offset them—namely, by strategically selling loss-generating assets before December 31.Is there a way to do so while the asset remains in the client's portfolio?Yes, but things get tricky with crypto. 

Don't be a vending machine for tax compliance.The DisruptorsWith Liz FarrAshley Francis wants accountants to value their time and expertise. “I want accountants to stop thinking of themselves as just vending machines for tax knowledge and vending machines for tax compliance,” she says. “I'm not the default. You put a quarter in me, and I'm going to spit out an answer.” MORE PODCASTS and VIDEOS: Richard Roppa-Roberts: Collaboration Over Competition | Ira Rosenbloom: M&A Numbers Are Easy - Culture Fit Is Hard | 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  On LinkedIn, and formerly on Twitter, Francis is well-known for generously sharing her expertise in trust and estate accounting and taxation, areas in which many accountants lack knowledge. Many firms designate someone as the “trust person” simply because they've done it once before, but this specialized area requires deep expertise."Trust and estate tax law covers an entire area of tax law, and then you have to pull in the state law as well and understand how they interplay," Francis explains. “The challenge is the one person in the organization that’s called the trust person is kind of left on their own to try to figure it all out and help everybody else. So it can be kind of lonely.”This dearth of knowledge is concerning, according to Francis. “We have this huge wave of wealth coming at us, the great wealth transfer that's already actually started,” Francis says. “The number of trusts and estates is going to continue to rise, and we don't have enough tax professionals to work on that work.” With that in mind, Francis is creating the Estate Academy, a set of courses and a community where she shares her deep knowledge in this area. 

Predict future cash flows effortlessly with Microsoft Excel’s Forecast ETS function.Quick Tech TalkWith Steve YossCPE TodayDive into one of Excel’s most powerful yet underutilized tools: the Forecast ETS function. Whether you're an accountant, financial analyst, or business owner, this function can transform the way you approach budgeting and forecasting—making predictions faster, smarter, and more accurate. MORE STEVE YOSS MORE TECH With just a few clicks, Forecast ETS allows you to project future cash flows based on historical data, helping you anticipate upcoming revenue, expenses, or trends. Need an even simpler way to visualize your forecasts? The Forecast Sheet function automates the entire process, generating an easy-to-read graph to give you instant insights.