Blake and David meet up with TJ Lewis and Aaron Van Ruler from Rightworks about their new AI tool called Spark, built specifically for accountants on top of ChatGPT. They discuss how Spark helps accounting professionals by providing industry-specific content, tools, and assistants to enhance efficiency and expertise. TJ and Aaron also share details on Spark's capabilities, roadmap, and potential integration with other Rightworks products.Meet Our GuestsTJ Lewis, Innovation Strategist, RightworksLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tj-lewis/Aaron Van Ruler, Innovation Strategist, RightworksLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/avanruler/Learn more about Rightworkshttps://ai.rightworks.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 Cloud 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 throws his hat into the ring for President and CEO of NASBA! Hear how he intends to shake things up should he be chosen! Next, Blake and David unpack a survey on the surprisingly low tax-preparer fees across the country, discuss the headaches still posed by interstate CPA licensing, and consider some solutions like modeling CPA reciprocity rules! Grab some snacks and enjoy!Sponsors LiveFlow - http://accountingpodcast.promo/liveflowUncat - http://accountingpodcast.promo/uncatBookkeep - http://accountingpodcast.promo/bookkeepChapters(00:00) - How Much Tax Preparers Charge (01:24) - Blake applied to be the new NASBA President and CEO (09:02) - David's customer experience at a Publix's grocery store (11:12) - National Association of Tax Professionals 2023 survey results (18:00) - What type of returns are they doing? (23:23) - How do tax preparers operate? (24:39) - How do tax preparers price? (27:45) - Now lets talk about business tax returns (32:09) - When do tax preparers get paid? (51:04) - What work went unbilled? (55:05) - Type of services offered (55:34) - Average wages for tax employees (56:15) - Blake checks in with the live stream (59:21) - Daryl asks for career advice (01:05:03) - New TurboTax ad doesn't shy away from "free" claim (01:06:17) - Listener email on reciprocity (01:18:45) - Wrap up and where to reach us  Show NotesIntuit TurboTax's 2024 "Make Your Moves Count" Campaign Highlights Its Tax Experts, AI Technology and Filing Solutions Ensuring the Best Tax Outcome for All Types of Filers   TurboTax Free Edition 2024 Commercial "Free Connoisseur" (Official TV Ad :30) NATP 2023 Tax Professional Fee StudyNeed 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 Cloud 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/OvercastClassifiedsRoyalwise - https://royalwise.com/partnerForwardly - https://www.forwardly.com/LiveFlow Event - https://www.liveflow.io/events/greg-kyte-eventREFRAME WORKSHOP - https://www.reframe2024.com/ClassifiedsWant 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

In this 2023 wrap-up, Blake and David discuss an appeals court ruling that audit reports are so generic they are essentially useless to investors. They also explore the concept of "productivity theater" where employees pretend to be constantly working, even though it leads to disengagement and burnout. Continuing the theme, they contemplate why mandatory weekend work persists and share ideas on how firms can improve work-life balance. Rounding out the discussion, they offer up some career advice to accounting students on finding fulfilling roles and avoiding common traps such as extreme overwork. Sponsors LiveFlow - http://accountingpodcast.promo/liveflowZoho - http://accountingpodcast.promo/zohoEarmark - https://earmarkcpe.promo/EarmarkMediaKitChapters(00:21) - David will get an Earmark tattoo at 100,000 subscribers (04:19) - Slack survey reveals forced overtime reduces productivity (07:43) - Remote workers' surveillance (10:23) - Mandatory Saturdays going away (16:18) - What is keeping firms up at night? (21:45) - What percentage of firms are filing tax extensions for their clients (23:53) - A junior accounting student asks for some advice (29:55) - Appeals court rules audit report is immaterial (35:05) - SPACs accounted for at least 21 bankruptcies and $46 billion lost in 2023 (39:57) - The importance of finding and making your own work/life balance (48:49) - Back to advice for younger accountants entering the profession (57:48) - An accountant has a breakdown at the airport (59:50) - Thanks for listening and remember to subscribe  Show NotesTurning staff into workaholics makes them way less productive | FortuneBurned Investors Ask ‘Where Were the Auditors?’ A Court Says ‘Who Cares?’ - WSJAccounting in 2024: The year ahead in numbersFull PDF of study is here: https://www.accountingtoday.com/research-report/optimism-abounds-but-people-problems-persistSPAC companies accounted for at least 21 bankruptcies this year and a staggering $46 billion in lost investor value | FortuneNeed 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 Cloud 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/OvercastClassifiedsRoyalwise - https://learn.royalwise.com/Forwardly - https://www.forwardly.com/LiveFlow Event - https://www.liveflow.io/events/greg-kyte-eventClassifiedsWant 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

Just in time for the holidays, Blake and David examine the accounting professor from NYU who charged Trump nearly $900,000 for expert testimony. They also tackle issues around accountant retention and turnover, tax updates, the financial operations of Hamas, as well as Hunter Biden's indictment on tax charges, and tips for using spreadsheets in filmmaking and other creative projects. All this and more to keep you entertained while you wrap those last-minute gifts!Sponsors LiveFlow - http://accountingpodcast.promo/liveflowEarmark - https://earmarkcpe.promo/EarmarkMediaKit Keeper - https://cloudaccountingpodcast.promo/keeperChapters(00:38) - Who knew being an expert witness paid so well (06:49) - Former Wall Street accountant leaves profession to become an escort and exotic dancer (09:43) - Illinois retention survey (17:27) - Has AI job replacement theory reached mainstream? (18:37) - Why employees resign (21:02) - Accounting rules and the supply of accountants (25:00) - FASB announces new rules for cryptocurrencies (26:14) - IRS expanding their modernization efforts for technology (27:55) - FinCEN updates a new service opportunity for accountants (34:27) - Former Jaguars employee accused of stealing over $22 million (39:30) - Nikola founder sentenced to prison for fraud (43:17) - 64% of employees waste time due to lack of deadlines (45:27) - EY laying off US partners (48:35) - EY names Janet Truncale first female global CEO of big 4 firm (49:27) - The IRS plans reorg at the highest leadership levels (50:09) - Israel and the US knew of Hamas bank account (54:07) - Hunter Biden's indictment (58:29) - All Sorts director demonstrates how he uses spreadsheets (01:02:14) - Wrap up and where to reach us  Show NotesTrump PAC paid for expert witness testimony in NY civil fraud trialhttps://www.nbcnews.com/politics/donald-trump/trump-pac-paid-expert-witness-testimony-ny-civil-fraud-trial-rcna128804 EY Is Laying Off U.S. Partners Amid Tough Economic Conditions – WSJhttps://www.wsj.com/articles/ey-is-laying-off-u-s-partners-amid-tough-economic-conditions-9efc4aa6 Accounting Rules and the Supply of Accountants by Anthony Le :: SSRNhttps://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=4666335 Righting Retention - Insight Special Featurehttps://www.icpas.org/information/professional-issues/talent-retention Stripper and escort rakes in $34k per week catering to Wall Streethttps://nypost.com/2023/12/18/business/stripper-and-escort-rakes-in-34k-per-week-catering-to-wall-street/ FinCEN ramps up guidance as beneficial ownership requirements looms | Accounting Todayhttps://www.accountingtoday.com/opinion/fincen-ramps-up-guidance-as-beneficial-ownership-requirements-fast-approach Trevor Milton Gets Four Years in Prison for Deceptions on Zero-Emission Truckshttps://www.wsj.com/us-news/law/trevor-milton-lied-about-nikolas-zero-emission-trucks-is-that-worth-a-decade-in-prison-ae35ce40 64% of Employees Waste Hours Due to Lack of Deadlines | CFOhttps://www.cfo.com/news/64-of-employees-waste-hours-due-to-lack-of-deadlines/702774/ IRS Expands Business Tax Account Tool To Include S Corps And Partnershipshttps://www.forbes.com/sites/kellyphillipserb/2023/12/18/irs-expands-business-tax-account-tool-to-include-s-corps-and-partnerships/ Israel Found the Hamas Money Machine Years Ago. Nobody Turned It Off.https://www.nytimes.com/2023/12/16/world/europe/israel-hamas-money-finance-turkey-intelligence-attacks.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share&referringSource=articleShare Hunter Biden Charged With Evading Taxes on Millions From Foreign Firmshttps://www.nytimes.com/2023/12/07/us/politics/hunter-biden-indictment.html Former Jaguars employee accused of stealing over $22 million – ESPNhttps://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/39059710/former-jaguars-employee-accused-stealing-22-million EY names Janet Truncale as first female global CEO of Big Four firm | Accounting Todayhttps://www.accountingtoday.com/articles/ey-names-janet-truncale-as-first-female-global-ceo-of-big-four-firm NY AG disputes Trump expert’s GAAP analysis      https://www.cfodive.com/news/gaap-holds-spotlight-final-stretch-250m-trump-civil-fraud/702327/Hunter Biden Indicted On Criminal Tax Charges In Californiahttps://www.forbes.com/sites/kellyphillipserb/2023/12/08/hunter-biden-indicted-on-criminal-tax-charges-in-california/ Hunter Biden Charged with Tax Crimes in Los Angeleshttps://www.cpapracticeadvisor.com/2023/12/11/hunter-biden-charged-with-tax-crimes-in-los-angeles/98977/ Trump's accounting expert trashes NY's 'absurd' fraud casehttps://www.accountingtoday.com/articles/trumps-expert-accounting-witness-trashes-nys-absurd-fraud-case-in-court-clash Donald Trump returns to court, lauds his defense expert who sees no evidence of accounting fraud

Keila Hill-Trawick joins Blake and David to discuss her philosophy on intentionally building a firm to the "right" size, rather than pursuing endless revenue growth. She also explains how her firm narrowed its service offerings to focus on core recurring services like tax planning and fractional CFO work. Blake and David examine research on how much money Americans think they need annually to be happy, with millennials citing much higher targets. They also talk about an accounting reference in the new Trolls movie and the need for more diverse and positive CPA portrayals in media.Sponsors LiveFlow - http://accountingpodcast.promo/liveflowEarmark - https://earmarkcpe.promo/EarmarkMediaKit Keeper - https://cloudaccountingpodcast.promo/keeperChapters(00:31) - Keila Hill-Trawick joins the show (07:38) - How did you decide to cut back on services your firm offered? (09:50) - What core services do you offer? (12:10) - Do you help clients set up the services you don't offer? (13:30) - What does your current team look like and how did you build it? (17:10) - What are you charging clients? (20:39) - How many clients does each employee handle and will that change with technology? (23:25) - What's the ultimate goal? (28:32) - Berkshire Hathaway lawsuit (38:58) - SmileDirectClub declares bankruptcy (45:44) - Thoughts on accountants doing IT audits (51:10) - How much money do Americans need to be happy? (01:04:31) - Accounting reference in the newest Trolls movie (01:07:38) - Wrap up and how to reach Keila  Show NotesWhat’s Behind Warren Buffett’s Fight With a Truck-Stop Mogul – WSJhttps://www.wsj.com/business/warren-buffett-berkshire-hathaway-jimmy-haslam-pilot-lawsuit-70ef0413Trolls movie CPAhttps://www.linkedin.com/posts/jacob-g-5819b780_went-to-see-the-new-trolls-movie-with-my-activity-7134882587042320384-RC32Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway sued by Haslam family over Pilot truckstop chain takeoverhttps://cdllife.com/2023/haslam-family-sues-pilot-majority-owner-berkshire-hathaway-over-accounting-practices/Bankrupt SmileDirectClub shuts down, says its ‘Lifetime Smile Guarantee’ is canceled - but Smile Pay users are expected to keep paying https://fortune.com/2023/12/11/bankrupt-smiledirectclub-shutting-down/Meet our Guest, Keila Hill-TrawickWebsite: http://www.littlefishaccounting.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/keilahilltrawickTwitter: https://twitter.com/littlefishcpaInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/littlefishaccounting/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 Cloud 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/OvercastClassifiedsRoyalwise - https://learn.royalwise.com/Forwardly - https://www.forwardly.com/ClassifiedsWant 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

Lexy Kessler, National Pipeline Advisory Group (NPAG) chair and Sue Coffey, Chief Executive Officer – Public Accounting with AICPA join us for a special bonus episode to address the accounting talent crisis and talk about how we can improve the CPA pipeline. Along with these issues, they also emphasize the importance of working together as a profession, being data-driven in their approach, and looking at the broader ecosystem of accounting, with updates and more comprehensive strategies expected to be detailed in the NPAG draft national strategy plan in May 2024.Meet Our GuestsLexy Kessler, Chair - National Pipeline Advisory Group (NPAG)Website: https://www.accountingpipeline.org/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lexykessleraprio/Susan S. Coffey, CPA, CGMA - CEO – Public Accounting at the Association of International Certified Professional AccountantsWebsite: https://www.aicpa-cima.com/resources/article/susan-s-coffey-cpa-cgmaLearn more about the National Pipeline Advisory Group (NPAG)https://www.accountingpipeline.org/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 Cloud 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 discuss Intuit's announcement that QuickBooks Desktop will no longer be sold as new subscriptions after July 2024. They also talk about the need for changes in the accounting profession, such as simplifying financial reporting requirements and revising the 150-hour rule. In other news, they cover sanctions against China-based accounting firms, incorrect IRC claims by businesses, and the Adidas-Kanye West fallout. They also explore how AI can help explain complex concepts to clients clearly and accurately.SponsorsLiveFlow - http://accountingpodcast.promo/liveflow Relay - https://cloudaccountingpodcast.promo/relay Keeper - https://cloudaccountingpodcast.promo/keeperChapters(01:13) - Accounting has been in the news a lot recently (04:03) - QuickBooks Desktop is dead (11:32) - Blake's thoughts from The Digital CPA Conference (16:24) - CPA Journal - eliminate the 150-hour rule (18:32) - The Accountant 2 film confirmed (21:11) - Blake went to Kentucky (22:46) - The PCAOB sanctioned 3 China-based firms (25:40) - The IRS sends 20,000 letters regarding ERC claims (30:09) - Kanye West and Adidas fallout (38:48) - Earmark updates and the IRS releasing taxpayer business accounts (40:55) - CFO.com: 61% of finance executives are not using AI (45:01) - Can AI trim years off of the partner path? (46:32) - The traditional CPA firm structure (50:17) - Blake asks AI to explain basis to a non-accountant (56:34) - AccountingWeb tricks to help detect AI-written articles (59:16) - Wrap up and how to reach us  Show NotesTwitter: Any good plain-English way to explain basis? https://x.com/wtfoote/status/1725193933410668755?s=12 61% of Finance Execs Not Using AI Yet: Weekly Stat | CFOhttps://www.cfo.com/news/artificial-intelligence-implementation-adoption-gartner-survey/699082/ The Yeezy standard for accounting | Financial Timeshttps://www.ft.com/content/8b094370-f7e7-492b-b56d-6c0096be7784BST & Co. Got Sick of Hounding Rudy Giuliani to Pay His Bill So Now They’re Suing Him          https://www.goingconcern.com/bst-co-got-sick-of-hounding-rudy-giuliani-to-pay-his-bill-so-now-theyre-suing-him/ PCAOB sanctions three Chinese firms, including PwC affiliateshttps://www.accountingtoday.com/news/pcaob-sanctions-three-chinese-firms-including-pwc-affiliates The Accounting Profession Is in Crisis    https://www.cpajournal.com/2023/12/01/the-accounting-profession-is-in-crisis/ BREAKING NEWS: QuickBooks Desktop Product Changeshttps://insightfulaccountant.com/accounting-tech/general-ledger/breaking-news-quickbooks-desktop-product-changes/ What Can the Profession Do?       https://www.cpajournal.com/2023/12/04/what-can-the-profession-do/ Supreme Court could make massive tax impact — or none at allhttps://www.accountingtoday.com/news/supreme-court-to-hear-arguments-in-moore-v-u-s Billionaire Tax Rests on a Disputed $14,729 Refund at the Supreme Courthttps://www.cpapracticeadvisor.com/2023/12/04/billionaire-tax-rests-on-a-disputed-14729-refund-at-the-supreme-court/98782/ Some of the Big 4 consulting giants already think AI could trim years off the path to partner        https://fortune.com/2023/12/04/big-4-consulting-giants-pwc-kpmg-ai-trim-years-path-partner/ Opioid trust transparency questioned after accounting firm choicehttps://www.thecentersquare.com/pennsylvania/article_c7977d42-9515-11ee-8bd6-3b90276d4b6b.htmlNeed 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 Cloud 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/Overcast...

Blake and David discuss updates from the AICPA's Talent Pipeline Committee, including surprises about the high dropout rate of accounting majors in college. They also explore new custom AI capabilities in ChatGPT that allow users to create specialist bots and speculate on applications for accounting firms. They also cover lawsuits alleging Hollywood accounting tricks used by Disney to deprive financial partners of profits. Grab some snacks and enjoy!Sponsors LiveFlow - http://accountingpodcast.promo/liveflowEarmark - https://earmarkcpe.promo/EarmarkMediaKit Keeper - https://cloudaccountingpodcast.promo/keeperChapters(01:34) - NASBA is hiring a new COO (05:33) - What we'll cover on this week's show (07:19) - AICPA talks about the pipline issues on Accounting Today's podcast (13:34) - Blake checks in on the live chat (22:15) - Two vastly different articles on CPAjournal.com about how to solve the accountant shortage (31:06) - Making the CPA more accessible (42:12) - Blake demonstrates OpenAI's new custom GPT maker (54:39) - Disney sued for "Hollywood Accounting" methods (01:01:14) - Thanks for listening and how to reach us  Show NotesNASBA Begins Search for New President and CEO | NASBAhttps://nasba.org/blog/2023/11/28/nasba-begins-search-for-new-president-and-ceo/ Rethinking the 150-Hour Requirement for CPA Licensure - The CPA Journalhttps://www.cpajournal.com/2023/11/27/rethinking-the-150-hour-requirement-for-cpa-licensure/ The Accounting Pipeline - The CPA Journalhttps://www.cpajournal.com/2023/11/22/the-accounting-pipeline/ Disney sued over accounting by film financiershttps://www.cfobrew.com/stories/2023/08/29/disney-sued-by-film-financiersA pipeline progress report            https://www.accountingtoday.com/podcast/a-progress-report-on-accountings-pipeline-problem Rethinking the 150-Hour Requirement for CPA Licensurehttps://www.cpajournal.com/2023/11/27/rethinking-the-150-hour-requirement-for-cpa-licensure/ Accounting Education Disrupted https://www.cpajournal.com/2023/11/21/accounting-education-disrupted/ KPMG, Deloitte Ask Staff to Use Burner Phones for HK Visits: FThttps://news.bloombergtax.com/financial-accounting/kpmg-deloitte-ask-staff-to-use-burner-phones-for-hk-visits-ft Deloitte and KPMG encourage use of burner phones in Hong Konghttps://uk.finance.yahoo.com/news/deloitte-kpmg-encourage-burner-phones-101802848.html NASBA starts search for CEO successor    https://www.accountingtoday.com/news/nasba-starts-search-for-ceo-successorNeed 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 Cloud 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/OvercastClassifiedsRoyalwise - https://learn.royalwise.com/Forwardly - https://www.forwardly.com/ClassifiedsWant 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 sort through the listener mailbag to find out what you think! Amongst the letters, we’ve got opinions on accounting without assurance and the industry talent crisis, as well as potential unethical practices by some tax experts, and the need for accrediting standards for accounting programs. Blake and David also address the complex nature of the taxation system and emphasize the need for industry-wide changes to address ethical dilemmas. Join us to hear all this and so much more! Sponsors OnPay - https://cloudaccountingpodcast.promo/onpayZoho - http://accountingpodcast.promo/zoho Keeper - https://cloudaccountingpodcast.promo/keeperChapters(00:30) - Welcome to the show and what we'll cover (07:14) - Trump's legal team again blaming accountants for faulty financial statements (08:54) - Anthony writes in about compilations (13:51) - Nathan writes in to suggest more people contract audit work (16:03) - Chris asks some questions about the BDO ESOP episode (19:29) - Cheryl writes in about the 150-hour requirement (23:27) - Kurt asks about the disparity between accounting graduate programs (28:40) - Ryan tells a story of a client getting awful advice from a TurboTax Live employee (35:00) - Digitial Accountants asks why so many tax clients want to push the envelope too far with tax returns and the IRS (38:57) - Listener gives some insights on why academia is filled with the professors it has (56:00) - A UK accounting firm has client data leaked after being hacked (01:01:19) - The University of Arionza is missing $240 million (01:05:18) - QuickBooks ProAdvisor badges and changes (01:12:25) - Wrap up and remember you can earn free CPE from listening to this podcast  Show NotesA cyberattack on a U.K. accounting firm wound up leaking U.S. ... https://www.databreaches.net/a-cyberattack-on-a-u-k-accounting-firm-wound-up-leaking-u-s-patient-data-now-what/Reimagined ProAdvisor Program Goes Live Today https://insightfulaccountant.com/accounting-tech/general-ledger/reimagined-proadvisor-program-goes-live-today/Always Something University and UofA $240-million accounting mistake https://sports360az.com/always-something-university-and-uofa-240-million-accounting-mistake/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 Cloud 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/OvercastClassifiedsRoyalwise - https://learn.royalwise.com/Forwardly - https://www.forwardly.com/ClassifiedsWant 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

We're back from QuickBooks Connect 2023 with announcements, updates, new features, and improvements in QuickBooks Online. Also, EY got fined $3 million for cheating on ethics exams, and 42 percent of firms are turning away work due to staff shortages. Finally, we discuss the disruption of Alphabet's main search business by Microsoft, Amazon, and Apple in the AI-powered assistant space.Sponsors LiveFlow - http://accountingpodcast.promo/liveflowZoho - https://cloudaccountingpodcast.promo/zoho Keeper - https://cloudaccountingpodcast.promo/keeperChapters(00:32) - Blake and David are back from QuickBooks Connect (06:44) - New QuickBooks features announced at QuickBooks Connect (07:31) - QuickBooks Ledger (09:53) - Expanded roles and permissions in QBO (10:22) - QuickBooks Payroll cost allocations (11:29) - Chart of Accounts templates (12:32) - Changes to ProAdvisor Program (13:14) - Now you can copy QBO files to a sandbox (16:26) - Blake's AI session at QuickBooks Connect (24:54) - Blake will be giving a webinar on AI on Earmark's Webinars+ (27:40) - EY Texas gets a $3 million penalty for cheating on ethics exams (34:42) - 46% of EY audits in 2022 had flaws (37:54) - What numbers do investors care about? (41:47) - PCAOB says they have doubled their fines in recent years (43:42) - More cities are struggling with ERP rollouts (45:04) - Zoho introduces practice management software for accountants (46:52) - Tech Radar's top laptops for accountants (48:11) - Intuit updates their tax software and shuts down Mint (55:36) - 42% of accountants turn down work over staff shortages (57:58) - ClientHub introduces AI-enabled email integration (59:31) - 3 AI-based accounting companies raise a lot of money (01:08:55) - Is Google/Alphabet in trouble? (02:09) - 31 Wrap up and thanks for listening  Show NotesIntuit rolls out bevy of new features for the next tax season | Accounting Todayhttps://www.accountingtoday.com/news/intuit-rolls-out-bevy-of-new-features-for-the-next-tax-year New product innovations at announced at QuickBooks Connect help accountants drive small business growthhttps://www.firmofthefuture.com/quickbooks-connect/new-product-innovations/ PCAOB fines doubled in recent years | Accounting Todayhttps://www.accountingtoday.com/news/pcaob-fines-doubled-in-recent-years Accounting firms hit with record US fines over audit failureshttps://www.ft.com/content/25a65a49-4b94-4a80-82d8-435616a78f27 SURVEY: 42% of Accountants Turn Away Work Over Staff Shortages - CPA Trendlineshttps://cpatrendlines.com/2023/11/09/survey-48-of-accountants-turn-away-work-over-staff-shortages/ Black Ore Emerges from Stealth with $60 Million in Funding to Bring AI to Financial Serviceshttps://www.blackore.ai/articles/black-ore-emerges-from-stealth-with-60-million-fundingLaunching Zoho Practice: The Ultimate Practice Management Softwarehttps://www.zoho.com/blog/general/launching-zoho-practice.html Bill Holdings Is Said to Near $1.95 Billion Deal for Meliohttps://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-11-08/bill-holdings-is-said-to-near-1-95-billion-deal-for-melio Bill Holdings stock sinks amid report of $1.95B deal talks for Melio ...https://seekingalpha.com/news/4033680-bill-holdings-sinks-amid-report-of-195b-deal-talks-for-melio-payments Bill Holdings denies media report on Melio deal  https://www.reuters.com/markets/deals/bill-holdings-nears-195-billion-payments-deal-melio-bloomberg-news-2023-11-08/ Puzzle secures $30m for revolutionary AI-powered accounting ...https://fintech.global/2023/11/15/puzzle-secures-30m-for-revolutionary-ai-powered-accounting-platform/ EY Gets $3 Million Penalty by Texas Board of Public Accountancyhttps://www.cpapracticeadvisor.com/2023/11/13/ey-gets-3-million-penalty-by-texas-board-of-public-accountancy/97576/ Bill's stock bounces after denial of report it was pursuing a $2 billion ...https://www.marketwatch.com/story/bills-stock-bounces-after-denial-of-report-it-was-pursuing-a-2-billion-cash-and-stock-buyout-of-melio-payments-7562580b Black Ore Raises $60 Million and Debuts AI Tool for Accountantshttps://www.pymnts.com/news/investment-tracker/2023/black-ore-raises-60-million-dollars-debuts-artificial-intelligence-tool-accountants/ New Products at QuickBooks Connect Help Accountants Drive Small ...https://www.cpapracticeadvisor.com/2023/11/14/new-products-at-quickbooks-connect-help-accountants-drive-small-business-growth/97644/ St. Louis comptroller said prior mayor wanted new accounting ...https://www.stltoday.com/news/local/government-politics/st-louis-comptroller-said-prior-mayor-wanted-new-accounting-system-but-she-voted-for-it/article_8afa54ca-8275-11ee-9673-efc459761629.html Intuit QuickBooks Unveils New Product Innovations at QuickBooks Connect that Help Accountants Drive Small Business Growth