CPA Trendlines Podcasts

You can serve brothels, cannabis firms, and poker pros—just don’t cross the legal line.Accounting ARCWith Liz Mason and Byron PatrickCenter for Accounting TransformationAccountants are often seen as the gatekeepers of financial integrity—but what happens when the client operates a strip club, sells cannabis, or works in legal sex work? In the latest episode of Accounting ARC, Liz Mason, CPA, and Byron Patrick,CPA.CITP, CGMA, challenge the idea that “sin” industries are off-limits for ethical professionals. Their message: legality, transparency, and harm reduction matter more than personal judgment. MORE Accounting ARC: Burount, 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 | Ron Baker: Surviving Tariff Turmoil | 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 |Mason, founder and CEO of High Rock Accounting, has worked with legal sex workers and cannabis companies. She says she doesn’t shy away from these clients. “All companies have a right to good advice,” she says, stressing that ethical boundaries depend more on legality and transparency than personal judgment.Patrick, CEO of VERIFYiQ and educator and co-founder of TB Academy, echoes the sentiment. “Is it legal, or is it not?” he asks. “That’s a pretty clear ethical line.”

Break down the strategy behind smart networking, brand building, and true ROI at live events.Accounting Influencerswith Rob BrownDo you really know how to work a conference?Sure, you’ve been to plenty—shook hands, sat through sessions, grabbed some swag. But in an era when time, travel, and training budgets are tight, attending a conference without a strategy can cost you more than just money. It can cost you momentum.More Rob BrownIn the latest episode of the Accounting Influencers Podcast, host Rob Brown issues a wake-up call for accounting professionals: Conferences are back, and they’re your best opportunity this year to build real influence—if you know how to do it right.“Are you prepared to waste time, money, and opportunities? Or are you ready to maximize every ounce of value?” he challenges listeners.Brown cites a powerful stat. He says 76% of professionals believe in-person conferences offer better networking than virtual ones. But despite that, most attendees fail to capitalize on what’s right in front of them.

“We don’t need a few companies doing everything perfectly, we need everyone doing something. That’s how real change happens.” MOVE Like ThisWith Bonnie Buol RuszczykFor CPA TrendlinesIn this episode of MOVE Like This, Jennifer Harrity, director of Sustainability at Sensiba, talks about how B Corp certification and ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) frameworks are reshaping accounting firms from the inside out. Originally Sensiba’s head of marketing, Jennifer pivoted to lead the firm’s sustainability efforts after spearheading its B Corp certification in 2018. This move led to the creation of a full-fledged ESG practice that now supports clients in areas ranging from greenhouse gas (GHG) reporting to impact assessments and fractional chief sustainability officer services. More MOVEHarrity explains that B Corp certification is a rigorous third-party process that measures a company’s environmental and social performance, governance, and accountability. For accounting firms like Sensiba, it not only served as a differentiator but also proved to be a powerful talent magnet. Students and experienced professionals increasingly seek out values-aligned workplaces, and the B Corp logo on a recruiting booth helped Sensiba stand out, even against Big Four competitors. She emphasizes that the certification aligns naturally with many of the profession’s existing values, such as a commitment to employee well-being and community engagement. 

Representation isn't symbolic. It’s essential for the profession’s future.The DisruptorsWith Liz FarrAccounting pros Nancy McClelland, CPA, and Questian Telka, EA, are pulling back the curtain on what it really means to be a woman in the accounting world—with all the messy, maddening, and motivating moments that come with it.Their new podcast, She Counts, is more than just a talk show—it’s a movement. Aimed at ending the isolation so many women in accounting face, the show tackles taboo topics, ugly truths, and everything in between. CPA TRENDLINES CELEBRATES: The 100th Episode of The Disruptors MORE STREAMING: 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 | 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 “We want to bring into the open those unspoken questions and challenges that women in accounting face every freaking day,” says McClelland..McClelland and Telka serve up unfiltered, unscripted conversations that feel more like happy hour with your besties than a panel discussion.

In this discussion, Matt Tait, Founder and CEO of Decimal, shares his unique journey from attorney to innovator in accounting technology. He emphasizes the necessity of real-time finance and the transformative role of AI in enhancing client engagement. The conversation dives into the benefits of fixed-fee pricing, strategic partnerships, and effective outsourcing in scaling service-based companies. Tait also highlights the importance of clear communication in tax advisory partnerships, ending with a light-hearted segment of nostalgic movie moments.

Terrell Turner, CPA and co-founder of TLTurner Group, is a recognized leader in transforming the accounting profession. He emphasizes the shift from traditional number-crunching to strategic business involvement, warning that accountants must adapt or risk obsolescence due to technology. Turner shares insights on building a niche practice for law firms, leveraging social media, and enhancing meeting efficiency through preparation. His call for proactive personal branding resonates, advocating for CPAs to engage meaningfully in the evolving landscape of business strategy.

Carla McCall, managing partner at AAFCPAs and former chair of the AICPA, shares her inspiring journey and insights into effective leadership. She discusses the urgent need for succession planning in the accounting profession as many CPAs approach retirement. Carla emphasizes that true leadership is about earning trust and respect, not just having a title. She highlights the importance of self-reflection, collaboration, and developing future leaders through supportive systems, ensuring a strong foundation for organizational growth.

In this episode, Bonnie Buol Ruszczyk, managing director of the Accounting MOVE Project, shares insight into the alarming trend of high-performing professionals quietly leaving the accounting field. She highlights the need for equitable advancement, noting women make up 50% of the profession but only 25-28% reach leadership roles. Ruszczyk discusses crucial elements like Money, Opportunity, Vital Supports, and Entrepreneurship driving retention, while also addressing the evolving landscape of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion initiatives. Her data-driven solutions offer hope for a more inclusive future in accounting.

"Pseudo compensation” can reduce taxable income and optimize client outcomes.Quick Tax TipWith Art WernerCPE TodayIn this episode of Quick Tax Tip, tax planning authority Art Werner makes a compelling case for rethinking how accountants approach compensation—shifting the focus from traditional deductions to strategic use of fringe benefits.Click here for more Art Werner“What are we really trying to accomplish?” Werner asks. “We’re trying to create what I call pseudo compensation—benefits that meet a client’s needs and reduce, or even eliminate, taxes.”The key, he explains, is designing tax-efficient strategies that align with today’s post-Tax Cuts and Jobs Act environment. With many itemized deductions reduced or eliminated and the standard deduction nearly doubled, relying on deductions to save on taxes has become far less effective.Originally published July 17, 2024.

The podcast dives into the fading relevance of the traditional partnership model in accounting firms. It emphasizes the urgent need for a pivot to CEO-led structures, enhancing decision-making and innovation. Insights on integrating private equity and technology are shared, spotlighting how these changes can propel firms forward. Listeners are encouraged to embrace new governance models for quicker market responses and clearer leadership pathways, making a strong case for transformation in the accounting landscape.