The Accounting Podcast

What happens when politicians threaten to cut funding from accounting standard-setters unless they eliminate specific rules? Blake and David explore unprecedented political interference in FASB and PCAOB operations, plus the IRS facing a 23% budget cut despite Trump's push for more customer service staff. They unpack Sam Altman's warning about AI breaking voice authentication at major banks, why accounting degrees deliver 261% ROI (fourth-best among all majors), and how $28.7 billion in private equity money is reshaping CPA firms. Plus, the economic reality behind Stephen Colbert's show cancellation, Bitcoin's institutional takeover, and how tariff uncertainty is creating impossible planning conditions for businesses.SponsorsHuman at Scale - http://accountingpodcast.promo/humanKeeper - http://accountingpodcast.promo/keeperMissive - http://accountingpodcast.promo/missiveCloud Accountant Staffing - http://accountingpodcast.promo/casChapters(00:41) - The Decline of Late Night TV (03:02) - The Shift to Digital Media (13:51) - AI in Accounting Firms (16:46) - PCOB Leadership Changes (20:06) - Legislation to Eliminate PCOB (21:06) - FASB Funding Threats (24:54) - IRS Budget Cuts (31:56) - Deloitte's Audit Investigation (32:55) - Uncovering Glencore Energy's Bribery Scandal (34:19) - The ROI of an Accounting Degree (38:01) - Private Equity's Surge in Accounting Firms (54:46) - The Immigration Debate and Economic Consequences (01:00:57) - Alternative Pathways in Accounting: Alaska's New Law (01:01:48) - Conclusion Final Thoughts  Show NotesCBS is ending 'The Late Show with Stephen Colbert' next year | CNN Business https://www.cnn.com/2025/07/17/media/cbs-cancels-stephen-colbertStephen Colbert's 'Late Show' run will come to an end next year as CBS cancels franchise https://www.nbcnews.com/pop-culture/tv/stephen-colbert-late-show-end-cbs-rcna219499Inside CBS' 'agonizing decision' to cancel Colbert's top-rated late-night show | CNN Business https://www.cnn.com/2025/07/18/media/colbert-cbs-late-show-cancel-paramount-trumpSEC.gov | SEC Announces George Botic to Serve as Acting Chair of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Boardhttps://www.sec.gov/newsroom/press-releases/2025-100-sec-announces-george-botic-serve-acting-chair-public-company-accounting-oversight-boardGeorge Botic Takes Over as Acting Chief of the PCAOB - CPA Practice Advisor https://www.cpapracticeadvisor.com/2025/07/22/george-botic-takes-over-as-acting-chief-of-the-pcaob/165364/SEC names George Botic as acting chair of PCAOB | Accounting Today https://www.accountingtoday.com/news/sec-names-george-botic-as-acting-chair-of-pcaobHouse Republicans propose to withhold funds from FASB unless income tax reporting standard is withdrawn | Accounting Todayhttps://www.accountingtoday.com/news/house-republicans-propose-to-withhold-funds-from-fasbGOP Threatens Accounting Board Funding Over Tax Disclosure Rules https://news.bloombergtax.com/financial-accounting/gop-threatens-accounting-board-funding-over-tax-disclosure-rulesAmericans Want to Know Which Corporations Aren't Paying Taxes, but House Republicans Want to Keep this Information Secrethttps://itep.org/corporate-tax-avoidance-house-republicans-spending-bill/Trump wants to reverse the staffing cuts he's overseen for IRS customer service. House Republicans disagree. - Government Executivehttps://www.govexec.com/workforce/2025/07/trump-wants-reverse-staffing-cuts-hes-overseen-irs-customer-service-house-republicans-disagree/407002/Trump slashes 25% of IRS workforce with buyouts, firings of nearly 26,000 agency staff https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2025/jul/22/trump-slashed-25-irs-workforce/Need CPE?Get CPE for listening to podcasts with Earmark: https://earmarkcpe.comSubscribe to the Earmark Podcast: https://podcast.earmarkcpe.comGet in TouchThanks for listening and the great reviews! We appreciate you! Follow and tweet @BlakeTOliver and @DavidLeary. Find us on Facebook and Instagram. If you like what you hear, please do us a favor and write a review on Apple Podcasts or Podchaser. Call us and leave a voicemail; maybe we'll play it on the show. DIAL (202) 695-1040.SponsorshipsAre you interested in sponsoring The Accounting Podcast? For details, read the prospectus.Need Accounting Conference Info? Check out our new website - accountingconferences.comLimited edition shirts, stickers, and other necessitiesTeePublic Store: http://cloudacctpod.link/merchSubscribeApple Podcasts: http://cloudacctpod.link/ApplePodcastsYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheAccountingPodcastSpotify: http://cloudacctpod.link/SpotifyPodchaser: http://cloudacctpod.link/podchaserStitcher: http://cloudacctpod.link/StitcherOvercast: http://cloudacctpod.link/Ov...

What happens when a $2 trillion cryptocurrency market suddenly requires monthly audits? Blake and David break down the Genius Act, the new federal stablecoin legislation that just created a massive opportunity for auditors—but also potentially recreated the chaotic "wildcat banking" era of the 1800s. You'll learn why every stablecoin issuer now needs monthly attestation reports and annual audits, creating hundreds of new recurring revenue streams for accounting firms willing to take on the risk. Plus, they explore whether there are enough auditors to actually make this system work, and what happens if quantum computing breaks cryptocurrency security. The episode also covers PCAOB leadership changes under the new administration, live-tests AI agents trying to enter invoices (spoiler: it's messier than the hype suggests), and updates on the 23 states now offering alternative CPA pathways.SponsorsMissive - http://accountingpodcast.promo/missiveRelay - http://accountingpodcast.promo/relayCloud Accountant Staffing - http://accountingpodcast.promo/casChapters(01:17) - AI in Accounting: Browser Integration (02:35) - Major News: The Genius Act and Its Implications (03:38) - Sponsor Shoutouts and Livestream Interaction (05:06) - Audit News: Erica Williams and PCAOB Changes (08:27) - Federal Audit Failures and OMB's Strategic Reset (09:48) - AICPA's New Fraud Detection Standards (12:52) - Sponsor Highlight: Missive (15:38) - Fraud Case Study: Christine Hunsicker's $300M Scam (20:08) - Deep Dive: The Genius Act and Stablecoins (41:21) - The Risk of Stablecoins and Financial Contagion (42:07) - Quantum Computing Threat to Bitcoin (42:38) - The Challenge of Upgrading Cryptocurrency Systems (43:22) - Summary and Predictions for Accounting Firms (43:38) - Fraud in the Traditional Banking System (44:08) - Relay: The Small Business Banking Solution (45:43) - Pig Butchering: A Growing Fraud Problem (48:05) - The Case for a Federal Stablecoin (50:26) - Alternative Pathways for CPA Licensure (52:02) - Decline in CPA Licenses and Modernizing Education (54:59) - Cloud Accountant Staffing: Solving the Labor Shortage (56:01) - Agentic AI: The Future of Automation (59:13) - Challenges and Potential of AI in Accounting (01:02:31) - The Role of AI in Data Entry and Research (01:17:53) - Conclusion and Final Thoughts  Show NotesTrump signs landmark GENIUS Act, hailing "exciting new frontier" for crypto - CBS News https://www.cbsnews.com/news/trump-signs-genius-act-crypto-bill/Fact Sheet: President Donald J. Trump Signs GENIUS Act into Law – The White House https://www.whitehouse.gov/fact-sheets/2025/07/fact-sheet-president-donald-j-trump-signs-genius-act-into-law/Stablecoin regulation bill heads to Trump's desk https://www.axios.com/2025/07/17/house-passes-genius-act-stablecoins-trumpA 'Crypto Week' win: Congress passes 1st major crypto legislation in the U.S. https://www.npr.org/2025/07/17/nx-s1-5451413/crypto-week-stablecoin-genius-act-trumpGENIUS Act Passes in US Congress: A Breakdown of the Landmark Stablecoin Law – Publications https://www.morganlewis.com/pubs/2025/07/genius-act-passes-in-us-congress-a-breakdown-of-the-landmark-stablecoin-lawErica Williams Resigns as PCAOB Chair - CPA Practice Advisor https://www.cpapracticeadvisor.com/2025/07/15/erica-williams-resigns-as-pcaob-chair/164956/PCAOB chair Erica Williams steps down | Accounting Today https://www.accountingtoday.com/news/pcaob-chair-erica-williams-steps-downSEC.gov | Statement Regarding Tenure of Erica Williams at the PCAOB https://www.sec.gov/newsroom/speeches-statements/atkins-statement-erica-williams-pcaob-071505Southern District of New York | CaaStle Founder Charged In $300 Million Fraud Scheme | United States Department of Justice https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdny/pr/caastle-founder-charged-300-million-fraud-schemeThe surprising details of fashion entrepreneur Christine Hunsicker's fraud indictment- Fast Company https://www.fastcompany.com/91371881/the-surprising-details-of-fashion-entrepreneur-christine-hunsickers-fraud-indictmentFashion startup founder Christine Hunsicker accused of cheating investors out of over $300 million - CBS News https://www.cbsnews.com/news/christine-hunsicker-charged-fraud-300-million-fashion-startup-founder/States move beyond the 150-hour rule for CPA licensure | Accounting Today https://www.accountingtoday.com/list/states-move-beyond-the-150-hour-rule-for-cpa-licensureTracking CPA licensure paths: Removing the 150-hour-rule hurdle | CFO Dive https://www.cfodive.com/news/broadening-cpa-licensure-paths-marching-beyond-150-hour-rule-accounting-talent-shortage/745282/The rise and fall of the 150-hour rule https://www.cfobrew.com/stories/2025/04/10/the-rise-and-fall-of-the-150-hour-ruleAICPA, NASBA approve alternatives to the 150-hour rule https://www.cfobrew.com/stories/2025/05/15/aicpa-nasba-approve-alternatives-to-the-150-hour-ruleNeed CPE?Get CPE for listening to podcasts with Earmark: https://earmarkcpe.comSubscribe to the Earmark Podcast: https://podcast.earmarkcpe.comGet in TouchThanks for listening and the great reviews! We appreciate you! Follow and tweet @BlakeTOliver and @DavidLeary. Find us on Facebook and

Explore the surprising failures of AI in basic accounting tasks, with critiques on frustrating AI suggestions from popular tools like QuickBooks. Discover the serious security risks AI poses, as clients increasingly seek second opinions on their accountants' advice. The hosts break down the new 'One Big Beautiful Bill Act,' detailing valuable tax planning opportunities, including 100% bonus depreciation. Dive into the future of financial management and how AI could reshape job roles in the accounting field.

What happens when AI decides who gets promoted and who gets fired? Blake and David dive into the shocking reality that 60% of managers now use AI for HR decisions, with over 20% letting algorithms make final calls without human oversight. They explore a Stanford study revealing that tax preparers are the #1 profession seeking automation, but only for basic calendar scheduling. Plus, discover why young Americans now rank health over wealth as their top measure of success, and how this generational shift is reshaping talent recruitment in accounting.SponsorsCloud Accountant Staffing - http://accountingpodcast.promo/casKeeper - http://accountingpodcast.promo/keeperChapters(01:27) - Tax Prom: The Must-Attend Event (04:15) - AI in HR: Promotions and Firings (08:48) - AI in the Workplace: Automation and Worker Preferences (13:32) - AI Adoption and Security Concerns (18:21) - AI Training and Education in Firms (24:01) - Armanino's New AI-Powered Data Warehouse (33:07) - The Annoying Know-It-All Employee (33:18) - The Perfect AI Assistant (35:48) - Young People's Values on Success (38:55) - Global Perspectives on Success (41:23) - The Talent Shortage in Accounting (43:10) - Unlimited PTO and Burnout (46:53) - Tariffs Update (50:42) - The Big Beautiful Bill (01:03:52) - IRS Staffing Cuts and Refund Delays (01:08:26) - Conclusion and CPE Information  Show Notes  Half of Managers Use AI To Determine Who Gets Promoted and Firedhttps://www.resumebuilder.com/half-of-managers-use-ai-to-determine-who-gets-promoted-and-fired/Future of Work with AI Agentshttps://futureofwork.saltlab.stanford.edu/Future of Work with AI Agents: Auditing Automation and Augmentation Potential across the U.S. Workforce https://arxiv.org/abs/2506.06576 What workers really want from artificial intelligence https://hai.stanford.edu/news/what-workers-really-want-from-artificial-intelligence Big 4 Firm Discovers That Bragging About AI Efficiencies Leads Clients to Expect a Discounthttps://www.goingconcern.com/big-4-firm-discovers-that-bragging-about-ai-efficiencies-leads-clients-to-expect-a-discount/ Monday Morning Accounting News Brief: PwC Clients Ask For an AI Discount; Big 4 Firms Losing Hundreds of Partners https://www.goingconcern.com/monday-morning-accounting-news-brief-pwc-clients-ask-for-an-ai-discount-big-4-firms-losing-hundreds-of-partners-6-30-25/ Armanino planning data warehouse service, used AI for development https://www.accountingtoday.com/news/armanino-planning-data-warehouse-service-used-ai-to-help-development Bolt’s millennial founder has just ‘killed’ its unlimited PTO perk because it was actually causing burnout https://fortune.com/2025/07/02/bolt-millennial-founder-ceo-ryan-breslow-killed-unlimited-pto-burnout-mandatory-four-weeks-paid-vacation-fintech-startup/ Agentic Misalignment: AI Agents in Corporate Environmentshttps://www.anthropic.com/research/agentic-misalignment Relationships, health and financial stability are the defining priorities for Gen Z, according to new EY survey https://www.ey.com/en_gl/newsroom/2025/05/relationships-health-and-financial-stability-are-the-defining-priorities-for-gen-z-according-to-new-ey-survey 2025 Technology Perceptions Survey https://www.intapp.com/2025-tech-perceptions-survey/ Trust, attitudes and use of artificial intelligence https://kpmg.com/us/en/articles/2025/trust-attitudes-and-use-of-artificial-intelligence.html Tax Foundation Tax Prom 2025 https://taxprom.comNeed CPE?Get CPE for listening to podcasts with Earmark: https://earmarkcpe.comSubscribe to the Earmark Podcast: https://podcast.earmarkcpe.comGet in TouchThanks for listening and the great reviews! We appreciate you! Follow and tweet @BlakeTOliver and @DavidLeary. Find us on Facebook and Instagram. If you like what you hear, please do us a favor and write a review on Apple Podcasts or Podchaser. Call us and leave a voicemail; maybe we'll play it on the show. DIAL (202) 695-1040.SponsorshipsAre you interested in sponsoring The Accounting Podcast? For details, read the prospectus.Need Accounting Conference Info? Check out our new website - accountingconferences.comLimited edition shirts, stickers, and other necessitiesTeePublic Store: http://cloudacctpod.link/merchSubscribeApple Podcasts: http://cloudacctpod.link/ApplePodcastsYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheAccountingPodcastSpotify: http://cloudacctpod.link/SpotifyPodchaser: http://cloudacctpod.link/podchaserStitcher: http://cloudacctpod.link/StitcherOvercast: http://cloudacctpod.link/OvercastClassifiedsREFRAME 2025 - http://accountingpodcast.promo/reframe2025Want to get the word out about your newsletter, webinar, party, Facebo...

What happens when AI agents promise to transform accounting but create more cognitive burden than productivity gains? Blake and David explore the reality behind the AI agent hype as QuickBooks, Digits, and Big Four firms launch their "digital teammates." They also dig into Xero's massive $2.5 billion acquisition of Melio and what it means for the payments landscape. You'll learn why managing AI agents might be like managing offshore contractors—you wake up to work that's 80% done but everyone has questions. Plus, they discuss how external investors are reshaping the profession, why traditional CPA protections might go the way of car dealership laws, and the ongoing problems with audit quality enforcement despite millions in PCAOB fines.Sponsors Cloud Accountant Staffing - http://accountingpodcast.promo/cas Human at Scale - http://accountingpodcast.promo/humanChapters(00:00) - Introduction and Welcome (00:42) - David's Return and Big News (01:01) - The Acquisition of Emilio by Xero (01:33) - Implications of the Acquisition (04:52) - David's Journey with Bill Pay Solutions (06:42) - Emilio's Unique Features and Market Impact (10:47) - Xero's New Features and Updates (20:56) - QuickBooks AI Agents: A Game Changer? (31:21) - Digits AI Agents and Their Potential (36:59) - Big Firms Investing in AI (39:48) - Managing AI Agents: The New Workforce (41:09) - Cognitive Load and Productivity Limits (42:45) - Infinite Workdays and AI's Role (44:48) - AI in Accounting: Potential and Pitfalls (46:30) - AI Spending Trends and Future Outlook (47:18) - Building AI Workflows and Multi-Agent Systems (50:40) - Big Four and AI Integration (52:11) - AI-Powered Pricing and Payment Solutions (58:06) - VC-Backed AI Rollups in Accounting (01:01:47) - Regulatory Challenges and Industry Changes (01:09:10) - Audit Quality and PCAOB Fines (01:18:51) - Conclusion and CPE Information  Show NotesXero to acquire Melio, a leading US SMB bill pay solution, to accelerate global growth https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/xero-to-acquire-melio-a-leading-us-smb-bill-pay-solution-to-accelerate-global-growth-302490268.htmlNew Zealand's Xero to buy US fintech Melio for up to $3 billion | Reutershttps://www.reuters.com/legal/transactional/australia-listed-xero-acquire-fintech-melio-over-25-billion-deal-2025-06-24/Intuit Introduces Ground-Breaking Virtual Team of AI Agents to Fuel Growth for Businesses https://investors.intuit.com/news-events/press-releases/detail/1258/intuit-introduces-ground-breaking-virtual-team-of-ai-agents-to-fuel-growth-for-businessesIntuit debuts AI agents for QuickBooks | Accounting Today https://www.accountingtoday.com/news/intuit-debuts-ai-agents-for-quickbooksHow AI is improving accounting efficiency – without replacing jobs | Stanford Report https://news.stanford.edu/stories/2025/06/ai-accounting-bookkeeping-benefits-jobsAI Is Reshaping Accounting Jobs by Doing the "Boring" Stuff | Stanford Graduate School of Business https://www.gsb.stanford.edu/insights/ai-reshaping-accounting-jobs-doing-boring-stuffPCAOB fines Deloitte, PwC, EY Netherlands member firms for exam misconduct | Accounting Todayhttps://www.accountingtoday.com/news/pcaob-fines-deloitte-pwc-ey-netherlands-member-firms-for-exam-misconductPCAOB Imposes Fines Totaling $8.5 Million on Netherlands Member Firms of Deloitte, PwC, and EY After Widespread Exam Misconduct https://pcaobus.org/news-events/news-releases/news-release-detail/pcaob-imposes-fines-totaling--8.5-million-on-netherlands-member-firms-of-deloitte--pwc--and-ey-after-widespread-exam-misconductHow an Accounting Change Hit Store Prices - UCLA Anderson Review https://anderson-review.ucla.edu/how-an-accounting-change-hit-store-pricesNeed CPE?Get CPE for listening to podcasts with Earmark: https://earmarkcpe.comSubscribe to the Earmark Podcast: https://podcast.earmarkcpe.comGet in TouchThanks for listening and the great reviews! We appreciate you! Follow and tweet @BlakeTOliver and @DavidLeary. Find us on Facebook and Instagram. If you like what you hear, please do us a favor and write a review on Apple Podcasts or Podchaser. Call us and leave a voicemail; maybe we'll play it on the show. DIAL (202) 695-1040.SponsorshipsAre you interested in sponsoring The Accounting Podcast? For details, read the prospectus.Need Accounting Conference Info? Check out our new website - accountingconferences.comLimited edition shirts, stickers, and other necessitiesTeePublic Store: http://cloudacctpod.link/merchSubscribeApple Podcasts: http://cloudacctpod.link/ApplePodcastsYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheAccountingPodcastSpotify: http://cloudacctpod.link/SpotifyPodchaser: http://cloudacctpod.link/podchaserStitcher: http://cloudacctpod.link/StitcherOvercast: http://cloudacctpod.link/OvercastClassifiedsREFRAME 2025 -

In this discussion, Adam Zaki, a finance and accounting reporter at CFO.com, dives into the recent shift in CPA licensure as 19 states abandon the 150-hour requirement. He examines the chaos tariffs have unleashed on CFO strategies, highlighting how economic uncertainty is reshaping demand for accounting services. Zaki also reflects on the future of the PCAOB amidst legislative changes, explores the role of AI in transforming audit teams, and discusses the evolving responsibilities of CFOs, revealing a complex landscape for finance professionals.

Venture capitalists are now buying accounting firms to push AI adoption, drawing comparisons to soda companies purchasing restaurants. The gap between AI promises and actual capabilities raises eyebrows, especially with many basic tools still faltering. Miley Cyrus's secretive financial behaviors add a dash of celebrity intrigue, alongside the controversial confirmation of Billy Long as IRS commissioner. The AICPA's indifference toward the PCAOB's future stirs concern, as accountant optimism has plummeted amid economic challenges.

Live from the Sage Future conference in Atlanta, Aaron Harris, CTO of Sage, joins Blake and David to explain why he wants to completely eliminate the financial close rather than just make it faster. Harris breaks down the three waves of AI transformation in accounting—from task-based automation to generative AI to fully autonomous agents—and reveals how Sage is building custom language models trained specifically on accounting principles with the AICPA. He also discusses the psychology of trust between CFOs and AI systems, introduces Sage's new AI transparency labels, and explains why his company is taking a more cautious approach than competitors like Intuit when deploying autonomous agents.Meet Our Guest, Aaron Harris, CTO, SageLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aaron-harris-7407b2/Website: https://www.sageintacct.com/leadership/aaron-harrisX: https://x.com/AaronRHarrisLearn more about Sagehttps://www.sage.com/Need CPE?Get CPE for listening to podcasts with Earmark: https://earmarkcpe.comSubscribe to the Earmark Podcast: https://podcast.earmarkcpe.comGet in TouchThanks for listening and the great reviews! We appreciate you! Follow and tweet @BlakeTOliver and @DavidLeary. Find us on Facebook and Instagram. If you like what you hear, please do us a favor and write a review on Apple Podcasts or Podchaser. Call us and leave a voicemail; maybe we'll play it on the show. DIAL (202) 695-1040.SponsorshipsAre you interested in sponsoring The Accounting Podcast? For details, read the prospectus.Need Accounting Conference Info? Check out our new website - accountingconferences.comLimited edition shirts, stickers, and other necessitiesTeePublic Store: http://cloudacctpod.link/merchSubscribeApple Podcasts: http://cloudacctpod.link/ApplePodcastsYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheAccountingPodcastSpotify: http://cloudacctpod.link/SpotifyPodchaser: http://cloudacctpod.link/podchaserStitcher: http://cloudacctpod.link/StitcherOvercast: http://cloudacctpod.link/OvercastClassifiedsWant to get the word out about your newsletter, webinar, party, Facebook group, podcast, e-book, job posting, or that fancy Excel macro you just created? Let the listeners of The Accounting Podcast know by running a classified ad. Go here to create your classified ad: https://cloudacctpod.link/RunClassifiedAdTranscriptsThe full transcript for this episode is available by clicking on the Transcript tab at the top of this page

Blake and David dive into how AI is transforming accounting, making the financial close a breeze. Real-world examples highlight innovative applications of AI, while the implications for job roles are discussed. They also touch on the fallout between Musk and Trump, corporate spying allegations, and Deloitte's controversial work-life balance ad. The discovery of a billion-dollar AI startup relying on human power raises eyebrows, showcasing both the promise and pitfalls of AI in the field.

Earmark Media Presents a bonus episode of Earmark Podcast:  What happens when Congress votes to eliminate the watchdog that's overseen public company audits for two decades? In this episode, Blake Oliver sits down with three leading accounting academics—Maureen McNichols from Stanford, Nemit Shroff from MIT, and Daniel Aobdia from Penn State—to examine the research behind the PCAOB's effectiveness and what elimination could mean for audit quality. You'll discover why companies with clean audit inspections can raise capital more easily, how the infamous "40% deficiency rate" actually works, and why these researchers believe dismantling the PCAOB could undermine trust in U.S. capital markets. The conversation reveals the hidden economics of audit oversight and explains why there hasn't been a major public company fraud since Enron and WorldCom.Chapters(00:00) - Welcome to the Show (01:10) - Meet the Experts (02:59) - Discussion on PCAOB's Elimination (08:17) - Research Insights on PCAOB's Effectiveness (20:11) - Deficiency Rates and Audit Quality (24:50) - Economic Impact of Fraud and PCAOB's Role (25:20) - Regulatory Model of the PCAOB (25:59) - Incentive Structure and Audit Quality (26:59) - Inspection Deficiency Rates (28:54) - Restatement Rates vs. Deficiency Rates (30:23) - Auditor-Client Relationship Tensions (31:42) - Documentation Issues in Audits (35:15) - Effectiveness of PCAOB Inspections (37:49) - Impact of PCAOB on Financial Reporting Quality (40:33) - Potential Elimination of the PCAOB (44:00) - Conclusion and Final Thoughts Sign up to get free CPE for listening to this podcasthttps://earmarkcpe.comhttps://earmark.app/Earn CPE for this episodehttps://earmark.app/c/2542Download the Earmark CPE App Apple: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/earmark-cpe/id1562599728Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.earmarkcpe.appConnect with Our Guests:Maureen McNicholshttps://www.gsb.stanford.edu/faculty-research/faculty/maureen-mcnicholsNemit Shroffhttps://mitsloan.mit.edu/faculty/directory/nemit-shroffDaniel Aobdiahttps://directory.smeal.psu.edu/dza5396Connect with Blake Oliver, CPALinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/blaketoliverTwitter: https://twitter.com/blaketoliver/