CPA Trendlines Podcasts

Philip Hecker, CEO of Bento Engine, and Seth Fineberg, founder of Accountants Forward, delve into the financial advisory landscape. They highlight the looming shortage of financial advisors, a golden opportunity for CPAs to step in. The conversation shifts to the evolution of CPA practices towards holistic advising, emphasizing empathy and building trust with clients. The duo discusses leveraging technology for proactive client engagement, enhancing relationships, and the urgent need for financial literacy among youth amid a vast wealth transfer.

In this discussion, Andrew Berg, a virtual CPA firm managing partner, joins Renee Moelders, a leadership consultant, Allison Ball, a marketing VP, and Sona Akmakijian, a seasoned CPA. They address the urgent need for systemic reform in the accounting industry, emphasizing innovative tech and a human-first workplace. The panel highlights challenges like outdated business models and the quest to attract younger talent. Key topics include the necessity of diverse perspectives, better client experiences, and strategic changes to enhance the profession's appeal and sustainability.

In this enlightening conversation, Carl Peterson, the former VP of Small Firm Interests at AICPA, emphasizes agility and succession planning as essential for CPA firms. He reflects on the transformational impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the profession, highlighting the importance of visionary leadership. Peterson also discusses the shift to hybrid work models and the challenges small firms face with technology and compliance. He calls for the next generation of CPA leaders to embrace change and foster a collaborative culture, ensuring sustainable growth in a competitive landscape.

Silence, shame, and outdated policies still shape the profession—but we rise anyway.  Accounting ARCWith Liz Mason and Donny ShimamotoCenter for Accounting TransformationIn a stirring Pride Month episode of the Accounting ARC podcast, Liz Mason, CPA, and Donny Shimamoto, CPA.CITP, CGMA, confront what it really means to belong in a profession still wrestling with how to talk about identity. “Bringing your whole self to work is still a radical act,” says Shimamoto, founder and managing director of IntrapriseTechKnowlogies LLC and founder and inspiration architect for the Center for Accounting Transformation.For much of his career, it was one he avoided. MORE Accounting ARC: 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 Mason, CEO of High Rock Accounting, and Shimamoto spent years hiding parts of themselves to navigate professional expectations. For Mason, that meant letting assumptions stand unchecked. “It was easier not to correct people,” she says. “Because the stakes were too high.”

Compromise, party discipline, and presidential influence could make this bill one of the most impactful yet.Quick Tax TipWith Art WernerCPE TodayWhen major tax reform is introduced, it's easy to assume the process is straightforward: the House writes a bill, the Senate reviews it, and Congress either passes or blocks it. But the truth is much messier—and much more interesting. On the Quick Tax Tip podcast, tax strategist and educator Art Werner walks listeners through the real political chess game that unfolds behind every headline.Click here for more Art WernerAs Werner points out, even landmark provisions like Section 199A—beloved by many pass-through business owners—didn’t appear in the original drafts of the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. Instead, it emerged as a late-stage compromise between the House and Senate. That kind of behind-the-scenes negotiation is exactly what’s at play now as a new tax bill moves through Congress.

What's the best professional step in accounting? It's free, powerful—and you're probably not doing it.Accounting Influencerswith Rob BrownWant to stand out in your firm? Build a loyal client base? Attract speaking gigs, promotions, or even media opportunities? In this episode of Accounting Influencers, the answer isn’t more certifications or hours—it’s writing. Publicly.Rob Brown makes a bold claim: writing publicly is the most effective, accessible move accounting professionals can make to shape their careers—and almost no one is doing it. Not because it’s hard, but because they’re afraid.More Rob Brown"This one habit can take you from being another face in the crowd to a trusted voice in your field,” he says. “And trust me, it’s a lot easier than you think.”Technical competence alone is no longer enough. Clients and firms are looking for accountants who can lead, communicate, and inspire confidence. Public writing—on LinkedIn, blogs, newsletters, or industry sites—is one of the most efficient ways to showcase your expertise and build trust at scale.

Abandon rigid roles and redefine success on your own terms.The DisruptorsWith Liz FarrRandy Crabtree believes the biggest shift accounting needs isn’t in technology or tax law—it’s in mindset. For decades, the profession has prized consistency and predictability. But in a time of demographic disruption and rapid innovation, Crabtree argues that clinging to “Same As Last Year” thinking is holding the profession back. “We have to embrace change,” he says. “This is a massive opportunity to start thinking differently.” CPA TRENDLINES CELEBRATES: The 100th Episode of The Disruptors MORE STREAMING: 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 | Dave Kersting: Collaborate with Co-Firming | Ashley Francis: AI's a Partner, Not a Replacement  And for Crabtree, that change is deeply personal. A stroke more than a decade ago sparked a transformation that reshaped his life, leadership, and mission. Now, he champions vulnerability, passion, and purpose as the new pillars of a thriving accounting career—and he believes the profession’s best days are just beginning..Crabtree’s vision for accounting starts with reimagining relationships—both with clients and with ourselves.

The Concierge CPAWith Jackie MeyerFor CPA TrendlinesIn this conversation, Dr. Jackie Meyer and Justin Baker delve into the intricacies of estate tax planning, discussing the current landscape of estate tax exemptions, the role of CPAs in estate tax planning, and the importance of proactive engagement with clients. More Jackie MeyerThey explore the dynamics of unexpected estate tax bills and provide practical examples of how effective planning can lead to significant tax savings. The discussion highlights the importance of collaboration between CPAs and estate planning attorneys to ensure clients are well-informed and prepared for potential estate tax liabilities. In this conversation, Dr. Jackie Meyer and Justin Baker delve into the intricacies of estate tax planning, discussing various strategies for both closely held businesses and clients with liquid wealth. They explore the costs associated with setting up estate structures, the importance of proactive planning, and the various tools available to optimize tax savings. The discussion emphasizes the need for CPAs to initiate conversations about estate planning with their clients, highlighting the potential for significant tax savings and the value of collaboration in providing comprehensive financial advice. 

What forces are really driving firm sales—and what separates the sellable from the stagnant?Accounting Influencerswith Rob BrownThe great reshuffle in accounting is underway.With three-quarters of the profession approaching retirement age and M&A activity reaching historic highs, many firm owners are asking the same question: What’s my practice worth?Brannon Poe, CPA, founder of Poe Group Advisors, joins the Accounting Influencers Podcast to offer a rare, inside look at how deals are being made, what buyers are really looking for, and how firm owners can prepare for a successful exit—whether it’s five weeks or five years away.More Rob Brown“Most people come to us with two questions,” says Poe. “How much is my firm worth? And how do I make it more marketable?”The answer, Poe says, isn’t found in a formula. It’s found in the firm’s habits.

Can CPA firms still stay independent? Yes—but only if they get serious.Gear Up for GrowthWith Jean CaragherFor CPA TrendlinesIn the latest episode of Gear Up for Growth, host Jean Caragher sits down with industry powerhouse Phil Whitman—CEO of Whitman Transition Advisors and founder of C-Suite Impact—to tackle one of the accounting profession’s biggest questions: Can CPA firms still thrive independently in the age of private equity and nonstop M&A?Whitman’s answer? A firm “yes”—but only if leaders are willing to take bold, intentional action.  Gear Up for Growth spotlights the best strategies for smart and effficient 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 With more than 25 years of experience in firm leadership, Whitman offers two strategies and at least five more imperatives for firms to stay independent.