CPA Trendlines Podcasts

Treat cryptocurrencies like the next dot-com bubble.Quick Tax TipWith Art WernerCPE TodayAs cryptocurrencies continue to infiltrate everyday investment portfolios and client conversations, seasoned tax educator and CPA Art Werner offers a stark warning to practitioners: “Crypto concerns me—and I think it should concern accountants.” Click here for more Art WernerIn a recent episode of Quick Tax Tips with Art Werner, the well-respected tax advisor and educator peels back the hype to expose the risks tax professionals and their clients face when navigating the unpredictable world of digital currency. With over 20,000 cryptocurrencies in existence globally and little regulation governing many of them, Werner believes the speculative nature of crypto investments resembles past financial manias—with potentially devastating consequences.

“The real question isn’t whether a firm is diverse enough. It's whether the people in that firm feel like they truly belong there.” MOVE Like ThisWith Bonnie Buol RuszczykFor CPA TrendlinesIn this episode of MOVE Like This, host Bonnie Buol Ruszczyk and guest Donny Shimamoto, CPA.CITP, CGMA, explore the complex landscape of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in the accounting profession, specifically in the current political climate.Shimamoto, founder and managing director of IntrapriseTechKnowlogies LLC and founder and inspiration architect for the Center for Accounting Transformation, shares insights into the challenges faced by underrepresented professionals, drawing from his personal experiences as an Asian male in leadership roles. They discuss the persistent barriers that prevent women and people of color from advancing to top leadership positions despite making up a significant portion of accounting graduates.  More MOVEThe discussion delves into the current political climate surrounding DEI efforts, acknowledging the pushback and misconceptions about diversity initiatives. Shimamoto emphasizes that these efforts are not about quotas or tokenism but about creating genuine opportunities and a sense of belonging for all professionals. The conversation highlights the importance of moving beyond mere inclusion to fostering an environment where every team member feels they truly belong and can contribute meaningfully.  

In this engaging conversation with Jean Zick, CEO and co-founder of Juna Financial Solutions, listeners gain insights into building a remote-first, people-centric accounting firm. Zick emphasizes the significance of employee happiness, stating that satisfied team members create happier clients. She shares how flexible schedules benefit working mothers and the all-woman team's strengths. The discussion also tackles redefining traditional accounting services and the vital role of nurturing soft skills alongside technical training for future-ready teams.

David Podell, CEO of Business Benefits Consultants, shares his expertise in retirement planning and its critical importance in tax advisory. He emphasizes how small business owners can maximize their financial health through strategic retirement plans. Discussing the Secure Act 2.0 and solo 401(k)s, Podell clarifies common misconceptions and highlights tax benefits that can significantly boost savings. The conversation also explores the importance of taking proactive steps rather than overthinking, providing essential insights for both financial advisors and entrepreneurs.

Join accounting trailblazers Randy Johnston, a veteran tech strategist, Trevor Greenway, CEO of Interval who reveals real-time advisory opportunities, Harry Blum from RSM Canada discussing change management challenges, and Jennifer O’Carroll of HansaWorld sharing tech insights. They tackle talent shortages and the urgency for firms to shift from compliance to advisory roles. With the impact of AI and private equity in spotlight, they emphasize the need for a mindset change to thrive in a competitive landscape.

Matt Criss, an Executive Business Coach at Moss Adams and author of Conscious Growth, shares powerful insights on intentional growth in accounting. He emphasizes the need for accountability and self-reflection to combat stagnation. Criss discusses the generational dynamics in the profession and the importance of adapting to technological changes. He highlights how a positive mindset can overcome challenges, advocating for a culture of growth within firms. Overall, it's about leading more fulfilling lives, not just advancing careers.

From mindful walking to redefining worth, this conversation reveals what it really takes to thrive. Accounting ARCWith Arpan GrewalCenter for Accounting TransformationIn the latest Student-Led Conversations episode of Accounting ARC, high school business student Arpan Grewal steps in as guest host for a raw, reflective episode centered on mental health and resilience. In conversation with Jina Etienne, CPA, CGMA, CDE, CEO of Etienne Consulting; Rafael Casas, senior consultant with Workday; and Kiera Speed, inspiration logistician for the Center for Accounting Transformation, the episode marks a powerful contribution to Mental Health Awareness Month.  MORE Accounting ARC: 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 | Break the Burnout Cycle in Accounting | Accounting in Transition: 2024 Reflections & the Road Ahead | Ron Baker: Visions for the Accounting Profession | “Mental health is something we all struggle with, whether we’re students or seasoned professionals,” says Grewal. “It’s not talked about enough, especially in accounting.” 

Small businesses are feeling the pressure of complicated tax regulations, causing anxiety and distraction from their core missions. Trusted advisors, like accountants, play a vital role in helping these owners navigate the storm of federal, state, and local tax compliance. Instead of becoming tax experts, entrepreneurs want to focus on delivering their products and services. The podcast emphasizes the importance of managing tax complexity to allow business owners to pursue their visions with peace of mind.

Provide clients with actionable information they can use to move their businesses forward. The DisruptorsWith Liz FarrBack in 2013, before CAS became part of the accounting vernacular, Penny Breslin and Damien Greathead taught a roomful of accountants how to do what Breslin called bookkeeping and back office support, or BOS. “We had 200 accountants sitting in the room wanting to know how to grow this part of their business,” Greathead recalls. Cloud-based accounting tools like Xero and QuickBooks Online were just entering the U.S. market, and the two recognized an opportunity for firms. MORE PODCASTS and VIDEOS: 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 | Tina McGill: How to Create Lasting Client Impact | Stefan van Duyvendijk: Develop Operational Mindset | Out of that seminar emerged a book, which was recently updated to create the current handbook, It’s Not Just the Numbers [full disclosure: Liz Farr served as editor]. The handbook's title reflects a fundamental truth about client relationships that many accountants overlook. As Greathead explains, “It's about what your client wants. And more often than not, the client doesn't care about the numbers. The client cares about the story that sits underneath the numbers.”

What once was seen as a tax loophole is now becoming a mainstream strategy for business continuity—if done right.The Concierge CPAWith Jackie MeyerFor CPA TrendlinesThe world of business risk has changed drastically since 1986, and so has the way innovative entrepreneurs protect themselves. In a recent episode of The Concierge CPA, host Dr. Jackie Meyer sits down with Van Carlson, founder and CEO of SRA 831(b) Admin, to demystify one of the most misunderstood tools in modern financial planning: the 831(b) captive.More Jackie MeyerAt its core, the 831(b) tax code allows business owners to form small insurance companies to self-insure specific risks. But as Carlson explains, “It’s not just about taxes—it’s about protecting your business from the risks no one else will cover.”Originally created during the 1986 Tax Reform Act to help farmers and businesses insure against unique or underwritten risks, the 831(b) structure has evolved into a modern enterprise risk solution. And for Carlson, who’s led audits and compliance for hundreds of captives, this is not a loophole—it’s a legitimate strategy. “We embolden business owners through innovative risk management,” he says. “And the risks they face now—cybersecurity, supply chain failure, brand damage—are unlike anything we saw in the 1980s.”