The Accounting Podcast

What happens when AI starts cutting audit bills? Blake and David unpack KPMG’s push for a 14% fee cut from Grant Thornton, Botkeeper’s shutdown versus Pilot’s “AI accountant,” and how agents like Claude are already doing real client work. You’ll hear why entry-level roles are vanishing, what tax pros need to know about the IRS’s new e-payment push and Tax Pro Account upgrades, plus a fun detour: DJ John Summit’s Tax Day album.

Sponsors
UNC - http://accountingpodcast.promo/unc
OnPay - http://accountingpodcast.promo/onpay
Cloud Accountant Staffing - http://accountingpodcast.promo/cas

Chapters
(00:00) - KPMG's AI-Driven Audit Fee Reduction

(00:28) - Welcome to the Accounting Podcast

(00:53) - Blake's First Time at the Waste Management Open

(02:00) - John Summit: From Accountant to DJ Superstar

(04:39) - John Summit's Accounting-Themed Album

(09:44) - Earmark CPE: Easy CPE Credits for Accountants

(12:34) - The Rise and Fall of AI Bookkeeping Startups

(24:48) - Pilot's Autonomous AI Accountant

(26:50) - Partnering with Accounting Firms

(29:59) - AI in Bookkeeping and Accounting

(33:33) - Impact of AI on Accounting Jobs

(40:27) - Trump's $10 Billion Lawsuit Against the IRS

(44:40) - IRS Updates and Tax Pro Accounts

(49:53) - KPMG's AI Acquisition

(51:14) - Airlines Save Millions with Weight Loss Drugs

(52:58) - Conclusion and CPE Information

 

Show Notes
KPMG pressed its auditor to pass on AI cost savings
https://www.irishtimes.com/business/2026/02/06/kpmg-pressed-its-auditor-to-pass-on-ai-cost-savings/
Botkeeper is Closing Its Doors
https://www.cpapracticeadvisor.com/2026/02/09/botkeeper-is-closing-its-doors/177677/
Botkeeper shuts down
https://www.accountingtoday.com/news/botkeeper-shuts-down
Anthropic AI Tool Sparks Selloff From Software to Broader Market
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-02-03/legal-software-stocks-plunge-as-anthropic-releases-new-ai-tool
AI fears pummel software stocks: Is it 'illogical' panic or a SaaS apocalypse?
https://www.cnbc.com/2026/02/06/ai-anthropic-tools-saas-software-stocks-selloff.html
Pilot launches fully autonomous AI bookkeeper
https://www.accountingtoday.com/news/pilot-launches-fully-autonomous-ai-bookkeeper
Pilot Rolls Out Fully Autonomous AI Accountant
https://www.cpapracticeadvisor.com/2026/02/04/pilot-rolls-out-fully-autonomous-ai-accountant/177453/
Pilot Unveils AI Accountant
https://pilot.com/blog/pilot-unveils-ai-accountant-a-major-leap-toward-artificial-general-intelligence-in-accounting
Startup Accrual Officially Launches with $75M in Funding to Bring AI-Native Automation to Accounting
https://www.cpapracticeadvisor.com/2026/02/05/startup-accrual-officially-launches-with-75m-in-funding-to-bring-ai-native-automation-to-accounting/177600/
Tax platform Accrual launches with AI automation support for all forms
https://www.accountingtoday.com/news/tax-platform-accrual-launches-with-ai-automation-support-for-all-forms
Accrual Launches with $75 Million to Bring AI-Native Automation to Accounting
https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260205968515/en/Accrual-Launches-with-$75-Million-to-Bring-AI-Native-Automation-to-Accounting
Goldman Sachs leads $75 million funding round for Fieldguide, an AI-native accounting and audit platform
https://fortune.com/2026/02/02/goldman-sachs-fieldguide-accounting-cpa-ai-software-platform-venture-capital/
Fieldguide Raises $75M Series C Round to Boost Audit and Advisory Firms' Agentic AI Capabilities
https://www.cpapracticeadvisor.com/2026/02/02/fieldguide-raises-75m-series-c-round-to-boost-audit-and-advisory-firms-agentic-ai-capabilities/177323/
Fieldguide Raises $75M Series C from Goldman Sachs to Help Audit and Advisory Firms Grow with Agentic AI
https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2026/02/04/3232133/0/en/Pilot-Unveils-AI-Accountant-A-Major-Leap-Toward-Artificial-General-Intelligence-in-Accounting.html
Trump, two sons, Trump Org sue IRS, Treasury for $10 billion over tax records leak
https://www.cnbc.com/2026/01/29/trump-sues-irs-and-treasury-for-10-billion-over-leak-of-tax-records.html
Trump sues IRS and Treasury Department for $10 billion over leaked tax records
https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/donald-trump/trump-sues-irs-treasury-department-10-billion-leaked-tax-records-rcna256626
Trump Sues Treasury and IRS for $10 Billion Over Tax Data Leak
https://www.taxnotes.com/featured-news/trump-sues-treasury-and-irs-10-billion-over-tax-data-leak/2026/01/30/7txmz
KPMG Brings Aboard AI Development Platform PrivateBlok
https://www.cpapracticeadvisor.com/2026/02/09/kpmg-adds-ai-development-platform-privateblok/177729/
KPMG acquires PrivateBlok, team will support AI developments
https://www.accountingtoday.com/news/kpmg-acquires-privateblok-team-will-support-ai-developments
KPMG Bolsters AI Product Development Function...

Could AI wipe out half of entry-level accounting roles? Blake and David recount a brazen “courier scam” on David’s porch to unpack how deepfakes and spoofed calls fuel today’s fraud (“less than 10% can tell AI video from real”). You’ll learn practical controls—family code words, approval workflows—plus hands-on AI updates: Claude’s Excel plugin and desktop agent, Gusto payroll in ChatGPT, and a prompt that forces AI to ask clarifying questions and wait for “go.”
Chapters

(02:02) - Personal Fraud Story: A Cautionary Tale

(03:35) - Elder Fraud and AI-Driven Scams

(06:53) - AI's Impact on Fraud and Security

(11:39) - AI Tools for Accountants

(19:40) - Earmark: CPE for Listening to Podcasts

(22:01) - AI's Threat to Entry-Level Jobs

(27:11) - AI Agents in Payroll and HR

(35:20) - The Future of AI in Blue Collar Jobs

(38:18) - AI's Role in Government Efficiency

(39:52) - Simplifying the Tax Code with AI

(41:42) - Payroll Innovations and AI

(49:18) - Intuit's Career Pipeline Program

(51:24) - Xero's New Features and AI Integration

(58:48) - Conclusion and Upcoming Topics

 

Show Notes
AI fakery turbo-charging fraud, cyber attacks
https://www.accountingtoday.com/news/ai-fakery-turbo-charging-fraud-cyber-attacks
The Turing Reel
https://runwayml.com/research/theturingreel
The Adolescence of Technology
https://www.darioamodei.com/essay/the-adolescence-of-technology
Long-term Fears Build As 60% of U.S. Workers Say AI Will Cut More Jobs Than It Adds In 2026
https://allwork.space/2026/01/long-term-fears-build-as-60-of-u-s-workers-say-ai-will-cut-more-jobs-than-it-adds-in-2026/
ADP® Accelerates AI Leadership with Launch of New AI Agents Designed to Solve Workforce Challenges
https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/adp-accelerates-ai-leadership-with-launch-of-new-ai-agents-designed-to-solve-workforce-challenges-302672772.html
Exclusive: Gusto launching payroll inside ChatGPT
https://www.thisweekinfintech.com/exclusive-gusto-launching-payroll-inside-chatgpt/
Trump DOT Plans to Use Google Gemini AI to Write Regulations
https://www.propublica.org/article/trump-artificial-intelligence-google-gemini-transportation-regulations
Intuit Launches New Career Pipeline Program to Empower the Next Generation of Accountants in the AI Era
https://investors.intuit.com/news-events/press-releases/detail/1296/intuit-launches-new-career-pipeline-program-to-empower-the-next-generation-of-accountants-in-the-ai-era

Need CPE?
Get CPE for listening to podcasts with Earmark: https://earmarkcpe.com
Subscribe to the Earmark Podcast: https://podcast.earmarkcpe.com

Get in Touch
Thanks 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.

Sponsorships
Are you interested in sponsoring The Accounting Podcast? For details, read the prospectus.

Need Accounting Conference Info? 
Check out our new website - accountingconferences.com

Limited edition shirts, stickers, and other necessities
TeePublic Store: http://cloudacctpod.link/merch

Subscribe
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Transcripts
The full transcript for this episode is available by clicking on the Transcript tab at the top of this page

Are you accidentally breaking CPA rules across state lines? Guest Lindsay Patterson, CPA CIA breaks down the new mobility landscape after alternative licensure paths—and the surprising data firms must track to avoid fines, failed peer reviews, and redoing audits. Plus: Congress’s Fiscal State of the Nation bill, Deloitte’s PR storm, QuickBooks’ AI reconciliation, and what’s driving a rebound in accounting majors. Walk away knowing where to get licensed, what triggers penalties, and how to protect your firm.

Sponsors
TaxBandits - http://accountingpodcast.promo/taxbandits
Earmark - http://accountingpodcast.promo/earmark
OnPay - http://accountingpodcast.promo/onpay
UNC - http://accountingpodcast.promo/unc

Chapters
(00:00) - Introduction and CPA Email Incident

(00:33) - AI in QuickBooks: A Game Changer?

(06:00) - Live Stream Shoutouts and YouTube Promotion

(06:54) - New Legislation: Fiscal State of the Nation Act

(10:37) - CPA Mobility and Alternative Pathways

(11:47) - Guest Segment: Lindsay Patterson on CPA Mobility

(33:13) - Deloitte's Bad Week: Controversies and Criticisms

(35:58) - CPA Firms in Trouble: The Zwick CPA Case

(40:05) - Jerome Powell's Defiant Statement

(44:29) - Why Accountants Leave Public Accounting

(51:24) - Listener Emails and Final Thoughts

(52:08) - The Future of Accounting Jobs

(55:12) - Private Equity in CPA Firms

 

Meet Lindsay Patterson:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lindsaypatterson/
Show Notes

AICPA Urges Congressional Support for Fiscal State of the Nation Act
https://www.aicpa-cima.com/news/article/aicpa-urges-congressional-support-for-fiscal-state-of-the-nation-act

Barr Reintroduces Bipartisan Fiscal State of the Nation Act to Strengthen Oversight of Government Spending
https://barr.house.gov/press-releases?id=EDF451C5-EEAE-44D7-85A8-2B714E9D7822

For CPAs, one license — and 55 rulebooks
https://www.accountingtoday.com/opinion/for-cpas-one-license-and-55-rulebooks
Deloitte's Disturbing Pattern Allegedly Cost Americans Health Coverage, Delayed Benefits, and the US Government $74B
https://www.ibtimes.co.uk/deloittes-disturbing-pattern-allegedly-cost-americans-health-coverage-delayed-benefits-us-1773010

Deloitte to ramp up India operations with 50,000 new hires
https://www.internationalaccountingbulletin.com/news/deloitte-hiring-india/
PCAOB Sanctions Audit Firm, an Owner of That Firm, and a Former Audit Manager for Multiple Violations of PCAOB Rules and Standards
https://pcaobus.org/news-events/news-releases/news-release-detail/pcaob-sanctions-audit-firm--an-owner-of-that-firm--and-a-former-audit-manager-for-multiple-violations-of-pcaob-rules-and-standards

PCAOB bars Zwick CPA, owner and manager
https://www.accountingtoday.com/news/pcaob-bars-zwick-cpa-owner-and-manager
Turnover Experiences in Public Accounting and Alumni's Decisions to 'Give Back'
https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=4266300

U.S. Accounting Undergraduate Enrollment Rises for Third Straight Year
https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/us-accounting-undergraduate-enrollment-rises-for-third-straight-year-302665511.html

Accounting undergrad enrollment rises for third year
https://www.accountingtoday.com/news/accounting-undergrad-enrollment-rises-for-third-year

Capital One to Acquire Brex
https://investor.capitalone.com/news-releases/news-release-details/capital-one-acquire-brex

Capital One is buying startup Brex for $5.15 billion in credit card firm's latest deal
https://www.cnbc.com/2026/01/22/capital-one-is-buying-startup-brex-for-5point15-billion-in-credit-card-firms-latest-deal.html

Florida Republican candidate suggests 'sin tax' for OnlyFans creators
https://thehill.com/homenews/nexstar_media_wire/5691927-florida-governor-candidate-sin-tax/

Florida gubernatorial candidate proposes 50% "sin" tax on OnlyFans creators; top earner Sophie Rain pushes back
https://www.cbsnews.com/miami/news/florida-onlyfans-tax-proposal-james-fishback-sophie-rain/

Need CPE?
Get CPE for listening to podcasts with Earmark: https://earmarkcpe.com
Subscribe to the Earmark Podcast: https://podcast.earmarkcpe.com

Get in Touch
Thanks 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.

Sponsorships
Are you interested in sponsoring The Accounting Podcast? For details, read the prospectus.

Need Accounting Conference Info? 
Check out our new website - accountingconferences.com

Limited edition shirts, stickers, and other necessities
TeePublic Store: h...

Carla McCall shares insights on the challenges faced by the accounting profession, including workload, work-life balance, and the AICPA's role. She addresses misconceptions about the responsibilities of the AICPA, discusses her firm's approach to managing work hours and culture transformation, and highlights the need for creative solutions to attract new talent. The discussion also explores the systemic issue of overwork in large accounting firms and the potential measures that could alleviate these pressures.
Meet Our Guest, Carla McCall
https://www.linkedin.com/in/carlamccallaaf/

Need CPE?
Get CPE for listening to podcasts with Earmark: https://earmarkcpe.com
Subscribe to the Earmark Podcast: https://podcast.earmarkcpe.com

Get in Touch
Thanks 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.

Sponsorships
Are you interested in sponsoring The Accounting Podcast? For details, read the prospectus.

Need Accounting Conference Info? 
Check out our new website - accountingconferences.com

Limited edition shirts, stickers, and other necessities
TeePublic Store: http://cloudacctpod.link/merch

Subscribe
Apple Podcasts: http://cloudacctpod.link/ApplePodcasts
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheAccountingPodcast
Spotify: http://cloudacctpod.link/Spotify
Podchaser: http://cloudacctpod.link/podchaser
Stitcher: http://cloudacctpod.link/Stitcher
Overcast: http://cloudacctpod.link/Overcast

Classifieds
Want 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/RunClassifiedAd

Transcripts
The full transcript for this episode is available by clicking on the Transcript tab at the top of this page

Are we causing our own busy-season chaos? Blake and David break down a simple scheduling system that spreads tax work, trains clients, and slashes extensions. They debate Congress’s barcode bill vs. e-filing, unpack a poll showing GOP support for a millionaire’s tax, and ask what AI really changes when managers still have to review the bots. Plus: IRS CI’s latest wins, whistleblower e-filing, and a Britney tax fight.

Sponsors
Digits - http://accountingpodcast.promo/digits
OnPay - http://accountingpodcast.promo/onpay
TaxBandits - http://accountingpodcast.promo/taxbandits
UNC - http://accountingpodcast.promo/unc

Chapters
(01:11) - AI and Survey Creation

(02:30) - Google's Personal Intelligence

(05:11) - IRS Defunding and Workforce Reduction

(06:51) - CPA Trendlines Busy Season Barometer

(11:12) - Barcode Efficiency Act

(15:24) - IRS Criminal Investigations

(17:24) - Payroll Headaches and OnPay

(18:56) - SBA and IRS Employee Fraud

(21:41) - IRS Whistleblower Office

(23:08) - Britney Spears vs. IRS

(24:04) - Washington State Millionaires Tax

(27:01) - Busy Season Is Self-Inflicted

(30:44) - Livestream and CPE Credits

(31:24) - UNC Kenan-Flagler MAC Program

(32:38) - A New Year's Eve Pink Eye Adventure

(33:20) - AI Prescriptions in Utah

(35:03) - Trust in Accountants at Historic Lows

(39:13) - Listener Mail: Advisory Services and Online Degrees

(45:30) - The CPA Exam: Challenges and Changes

(01:03:17) - Closing Remarks and Earmark App Growth

 

Show Notes
Are Washingtonians Finally Ready for a State Income Tax? 
https://www.dhmresearch.com/are-washingtonians-finally-ready-for-a-state-income-tax/
 
Guess Who Supports a Millionaires Tax in Washington State? Republicans, Poll Finds 
https://www.cpapracticeadvisor.com/2026/01/14/guess-who-supports-a-millionaires-tax-in-washington-state-republicans-poll-finds/176337/
 
Barometer: Firms Brace for a Tough Tax Season 
https://cpatrendlines.com/2025/10/01/barometer-firms-brace-for-a-tough-tax-season/
 
IRS Advisory Council blasts defunding of agency 
https://www.accountingtoday.com/news/irs-advisory-council-blasts-defunding-of-agency
 
IRS Advisory Council report defends workers, criticizes budget and staff cuts 
https://www.thetaxadviser.com/news/2026/jan/irs-advisory-council-report-defends-workers-criticizes-budget-and-staff-cuts/
 
Internal Revenue Service Advisory Council PUBLIC REPORT January 2026 
https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p5316.pdf
 
Lengthy grudge motivated Brown mass shooting, MIT professor killing: Sources 
https://abcnews.go.com/US/lengthy-grudge-motivated-brown-mass-shooting-mit-professor/story?id=128961044
 
A Reddit post helped find MIT and Brown shooting suspect. Here's what we know 
https://www.npr.org/2025/12/19/nx-s1-5649528/brown-mit-shooter-what-we-know
 
Former SBA and IRS Employee Charged with Using Government Positions to Steal Millions from COVID Relief Programs
https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga/pr/former-sba-and-irs-employee-charged-using-government-positions-steal-millions-covid
 
Hampton woman accused of using federal jobs to steal pandemic relief funds 
https://www.fox5atlanta.com/news/hampton-woman-accused-using-federal-jobs-steal-pandemic-relief-funds
 
House advances bill to speed tax return processing via barcodes 
https://www.accountingtoday.com/news/house-advances-bill-to-speed-tax-return-processing-via-barcodes
 
BARCODE Efficiency Act Brings Overdue Modernization to the IRS 
https://atr.org/barcode-efficiency-act-brings-overdue-modernization-to-the-irs/
 
Utah and Doctronic Announce Groundbreaking Partnership for AI Prescription Medication Renewals
https://commerce.utah.gov/2026/01/06/news-release-utah-and-doctronic-announce-groundbreaking-partnership-for-ai-prescription-medication-renewals/
 
Utah allows nation's first AI drug prescriptions
https://www.axios.com/local/salt-lake-city/2026/01/07/utah-ai-drug-prescriptions-doctronic
 
Nurses Continue to Lead in Honesty and Ethics Ratings 
https://news.gallup.com/poll/700736/nurses-continue-lead-honesty-ethics-ratings.aspx
 
Americans' Ratings of U.S. Professions Stay Historically Low 
https://news.gallup.com/poll/655106/americans-ratings-professions-stay-historically-low.aspx
 
Britney Spears disputes $600K tax claim
https://www.accountingtoday.com/news/britney-spears-disputes-600k-tax-claim
 
Britney Spears Fighting With IRS Over $600,000
https://www.tmz.com/2025/12/19/britney-spears-fighting-with-irs-taxes/
 
Right Now, Managing AI Agents is About as Much Work as Managing Humans. Just Different Work.
https://www.saastr.com/right-now-managing-ai-agents-is-about-as-much-work-as-managing-humans/
 
The 'Godfather of SaaS' says he replaced most of his s...