AICPA Personal Financial Planning (PFP)

The pipeline is aging—and the profession is feeling the pressure. But what if Gen Z isn’t just the next wave of talent, but the spark that transforms your practice? In this energizing episode, Cary Sinnett sits down with Sherron Permashwar, CPA and founder of The Modern Savvy CPA, to unpack why recruiting Gen Z isn’t just important—it’s essential. Sherron brings her insight as a 27-year CPA veteran with a digital-native following to explore: ·       What Gen Z really wants from a career in financial planning ·       How to move from a “hierarchy” mindset to a “community” culture ·       Why high schools and colleges are missing the mark—and how you can fill the gap ·       Content strategies CPA firms can use to build credibility and trust on TikTok, YouTube, and beyond ·       How purpose, flexibility, and mentorship drive Gen Z retention If you’re ready to future-proof your firm and attract the next generation of purpose-driven professionals, this episode is for you. Resources: Article: Mentoring at CPA firms fosters strong leaders Article: Notable gaps between what Gen Z expects and what employers offer Toolkit: CPA Pipeline Article: Learn more about the Accounting Scholars Leadership Workshop

When disaster strikes—wildfire, flood, earthquake—will your clients’ finances survive the storm? In this episode, host Cary Sinnett speaks with Mitch Freeman, CPA/PFS, a nationally recognized advisor with firsthand experience navigating the financial aftermath of natural disasters. Mitch shares practical insights on: ·       Proactive steps to prepare clients financially for disasters ·       Insurance challenges in high-risk areas ·       How private adjusters can ease post-disaster stress ·       Essential documents and checklists every client should have ready With over 60 years in the profession, Mitch offers hard-won wisdom and actionable advice to help CPA financial planners build financial resilience into every plan. Resources:        Disaster preparedness        Aftermath of a natural disaster checklist        Dealing with catastrophic property loss        Disaster management essentials for CPAs        A primer on disaster planning, relief, and recovery with a CPA        Disaster Relief Resource Center        State Disaster Tax Relief Guide        AICPA Benevolent Fund – Disaster Support Application This episode is brought to you by the AICPA’s Personal Financial Planning Section, the premier provider of information, tools, advocacy, and guidance for professionals who specialize in providing tax, estate, retirement, risk management and investment planning advice. Also, by the CPA/PFS credential program, which allows CPAs to demonstrate competence and confidence in providing these services to their clients. Visit us online to join our community, gain access to valuable member-only benefits or learn about our PFP certificate program. Subscribe to the PFP Podcast channel at Libsyn to find all the latest episodes or search “AICPA Personal Financial Planning” on your favorite podcast app.  

The One Big Beautiful Bill Act is no longer a proposal, it’s the law. That means CPA financial planners must shift gears fast. In this special crossover episode of the AICPA Personal Financial Planning Podcast and the AICPA Tax Odyssey Podcast, host Cary Sinnett is joined by nationally recognized experts Bob Keebler and Mark Gallegos to break down what the new law really means for your clients and your planning strategies. From the permanent TCJA tax brackets and QBI deduction to enhanced SALT caps, PTET elections, and new income exclusions for tips and overtime, this episode delivers high-level insights you can act on immediately. You’ll also hear forward-looking guidance on Roth conversions, entity structure decisions, estate and gifting strategies, and what Medicaid reforms mean for clients with multigenerational care responsibilities. This is the must-listen briefing every CPA financial planner needs right now. Resources: 2025 Reconciliation charts Planning for tax changes and tax reform 2025 House tax bill This episode is brought to you by the AICPA’s Personal Financial Planning Section, the premier provider of information, tools, advocacy, and guidance for professionals who specialize in providing tax, estate, retirement, risk management and investment planning advice. Also, by the CPA/PFS credential program, which allows CPAs to demonstrate competence and confidence in providing these services to their clients. Visit us online to join our community, gain access to valuable member-only benefits or learn about our PFP certificate program. Subscribe to the PFP Podcast channel at Libsyn to find all the latest episodes or search “AICPA Personal Financial Planning” on your favorite podcast app.  

In this special crossover episode between the AICPA’s Tax Section Odyssey and PFP Section podcasts, April Walker is joined by Bob Keebler and Mark Gallegos to break down the fast-moving tax legislation landscape. They walk through key provisions in both the House’s “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” and the Senate’s proposal, sharing what matters most for client conversations right now. Topics include: Timing and reconciliation process in Congress Section 199A and SALT cap updates PTET deduction differences and planning impact Section 174 R&D expensing changes Bonus depreciation and Section 179 updates Opportunity Zones and energy credits Why now is the “opportunity season” for proactive client outreach This episode is your go-to briefing for what’s in motion and how to stay ahead. Tune in to hear what tax advisors need to know — and how to start client conversations before the final bill hits the President’s desk. Resource: PFP considerations across 2025 legislative proposals

When markets are volatile, your clients look to you for clarity—but before they can truly hear your technical advice, they may need something deeper: to feel emotionally steady and heard. In this episode, Dr. Meghaan Lurtz, behavioral scientist and partner at Shaping Wealth, joins host Cary Sinnett to explore the power of a question-led approach for CPA financial planners. You’ll learn how leading with well-timed questions—not immediate answers—can reduce client panic, build trust, and actually enhance the effectiveness of your financial guidance. 💡 Key Takeaways for CPA Financial Planners: Why Questions Matter First: Jumping straight to solutions can trigger resistance. Asking grounding questions reduces panic and restores agency. Think Like a 911 Dispatcher: Just like emergency responders, planners can help clients regain control by starting with calm, relevant questions. Examples That Work: Dr. Lurtz shares specific questions that uncover what’s really driving client fear—and how to tie responses back to values and long-term goals. From Emotion to Action: How to transition from emotional support to technical advice without losing momentum or empathy. 🛠️ Tools & Resources: ✅ Download Dr. Lurtz’s Question-led Approach Handout ✅ How emotions affect financial decisions This episode is brought to you by the AICPA’s Personal Financial Planning Section, the premier provider of information, tools, advocacy, and guidance for professionals who specialize in providing tax, estate, retirement, risk management and investment planning advice. Also, by the CPA/PFS credential program, which allows CPAs to demonstrate competence and confidence in providing these services to their clients. Visit us online to join our community, gain access to valuable member-only benefits or learn about our PFP certificate program. Subscribe to the PFP Podcast channel at Libsyn to find all the latest episodes or search “AICPA Personal Financial Planning” on your favorite podcast app.  

When the markets swing, smart estate planning can make or break your client’s legacy. In this episode, Bob Keebler, CPA/PFS, joins Cary Sinnett to reveal the overlooked tax moves CPA financial planners need to know—from the strategic use of the Alternate Valuation Date (AVD) to avoiding costly missteps with the Kenan Doctrine. Learn how the 645 election can shift tax treatment in your favor, why timing and valuation matter more than ever, and how to deliver sharp planning with empathy during emotional times. If you advise estates in a volatile market, these insights could reshape your postmortem playbook. 💡 Topics Covered: Alternate Valuation Date: when and how it reduces estate tax Kenan Doctrine: the hidden capital gain trap in bequests 645 Election: unlocking more favorable tax treatment for trusts Managing concentrated positions and planning for liquidity Balancing technical expertise with compassionate client communication 🔗 Resources & More: Guide: Vol. 1 - The Adviser’s Guide to Financial & Estate Planning – 15th Ed Webcast: Critical Income, Estate and Trust Planning for 2023 and Beyond Article: NumberCruncher for Financial Planners This episode is brought to you by the AICPA’s Personal Financial Planning Section, the premier provider of information, tools, advocacy, and guidance for professionals who specialize in providing tax, estate, retirement, risk management and investment planning advice. Also, by the CPA/PFS credential program, which allows CPAs to demonstrate competence and confidence in providing these services to their clients. Visit us online to join our community, gain access to valuable member-only benefits or learn about our PFP certificate program. Subscribe to the PFP Podcast channel at Libsyn to find all the latest episodes or search “AICPA Personal Financial Planning” on your favorite podcast app.      

As CPA financial planners, we often encounter a painful reality: adult children who are surprised, or even hurt, by their parents’ estate plans—after it’s too late for discussion. In this episode, Cary Sinnett speaks with Kelley Long, a respected fee-only financial wellness coach and former bank trust officer, about how proactive communication can help families preserve relationships and honor intentions. Kelley offers practical, thoughtful strategies for advisors to help clients initiate and navigate these conversations. Topics include: The ideal timing for involving heirs in estate planning discussions Balancing fairness and transparency, especially when distributions are unequal How to help clients overcome the fear of conflict or entitlement The importance of framing the conversation around values and legacy, rather than specific financial details The role of ethical wills in clarifying intent and reducing misunderstandings Key Insight: Estate planning is not just a legal or financial process—it’s a relational one. When clients are supported in sharing their intentions and values clearly, the outcome is not just a smoother transition of wealth, but a stronger foundation for family unity. Resources: Guide: The Adviser’s Guide to Financial & Estate Planning – 15th Ed – Vol. 1 Podcast: Estate planning conversations all clients need to have now This episode is brought to you by the AICPA’s Personal Financial Planning Section, the premier provider of information, tools, advocacy, and guidance for professionals who specialize in providing tax, estate, retirement, risk management and investment planning advice. Also, by the CPA/PFS credential program, which allows CPAs to demonstrate competence and confidence in providing these services to their clients. Visit us online to join our community, gain access to valuable member-only benefits or learn about our PFP certificate program. Subscribe to the PFP Podcast channel at Libsyn to find all the latest episodes or search “AICPA Personal Financial Planning” on your favorite podcast app.  

In this engaging discussion, Dr. Meghaan Lurtz, a partner at Shaping Wealth and a founding strategic advisor at Coupler, shares her expertise on financial gratitude—a concept that goes beyond feel-good moments. She explains how shifting the focus from scarcity to sufficiency can lead to better client decisions and stronger relationships. Dr. Lurtz offers practical strategies for incorporating gratitude into meetings and communications, helping clients find meaning in their financial journeys, especially during tough times.

Mike Benedict, a seasoned business transition advisor at BOK Financial with 26 years as a wealth advisor, shares expert insights on preparing business owners for successful exits. He highlights the importance of a quality earnings review to stage businesses like homes for sale. Discussing realistic valuations, he stresses the need for strong financials and a solid management team to attract buyers. Tax strategies also play a critical role, minimizing capital gains to enhance sales proceeds. This conversation is a must-listen for anyone considering an ownership transition!

In this episode, Cary Sinnett is joined by renowned CPA and tax expert Bob Keebler to unpack the complexities of theft and casualty loss deductions under IRC Section 165. From pig butchering scams to IRA fraud and Ponzi schemes, this episode dives deep into the kinds of losses the IRS will—and won’t—let you deduct, what qualifies as a profit motive, and how financial planners can guide their clients through one of the most emotionally and financially painful tax situations. Five Key Insights for CPA Financial Planners: Profit Motive Determines Deductibility To qualify under Section 165(c)(2), a theft or loss must stem from a transaction entered into for profit. Losses from romantic or emotional scams—where no profit motive exists—do not qualify. Five Scam Archetypes to Know A recent IRS CCA outlined five fraud scenarios: Compromised account scams Pig butchering (crypto fraud) Phishing and impersonation Romance scams Kidnapping/extortion schemes Only the first three had profit motives and were deductible. The IRA Trap: The Tax Hit Before the Scam If a client is duped into withdrawing funds from an IRA and then loses the money to a scam, they face a double blow—taxable income and no deductible loss. CPA advisors must flag this risk early. Documentation Is Critical for IRS Support To substantiate a theft loss, clients need: Bank records (e.g., wire transfers) Law enforcement reports A clear, detailed paper trail showing the loss and the attempt to recover funds Directing the IRS to the assigned FBI agent can strengthen the claim. Mitigation and Planning: Protecting Vulnerable Clients Encourage older or high-net-worth clients to follow a “1–2% rule” on risky investments. Foster opens dialogue with family members and advisors to prevent fraud and ensure support if it occurs. Access resources related to this podcast: Note: If you’re using a podcast app that does not hyperlink to the resources, visit Libsyn (PFP) to access show notes with direct links. IRC Section 165 IRS CCA 2025-101015 (the ruling discussed) Revenue Procedure 2009-20 (Ponzi Scheme Safe Harbor) AICPA PFP Section Guiding your clients who are financial caregivers Scam Tracker Risk Report This episode is brought to you by the AICPA’s Personal Financial Planning Section, the premier provider of information, tools, advocacy, and guidance for professionals who specialize in providing tax, estate, retirement, risk management and investment planning advice. Also, by the CPA/PFS credential program, which allows CPAs to demonstrate competence and confidence in providing these services to their clients. Visit us online to join our community, gain access to valuable member-only benefits or learn about our PFP certificate program. Subscribe to the PFP Podcast channel at Libsyn to find all the latest episodes or search “AICPA Personal Financial Planning” on your favorite podcast app.