Baby, Where The Hell Is My Audit?

Can AI really prepare a tax return without a human touching the keyboard? Blake and David dig into a wave of new accounting tools that promise exactly that, from AI tax prep and bookkeeping agents to month-end automation. They’re joined by Kenji Kuramoto of Basis to discuss what this means for firms, pricing, and jobs. Plus: the U.S. government’s worsening balance sheet, Tether’s long-awaited audit, and why token costs may become accounting’s next big metric.SponsorsCloud Accountant Staffing - http://accountingpodcast.promo/casOnPay - http://accountingpodcast.promo/onpayUNC - http://accountingpodcast.promo/uncChapters(00:00) - TAP 481 (02:34) - US Insolvency Breakdown (06:04) - Household Budget Analogy (07:49) - GAO Disclaimer Explained (08:37) - AI Tax Prep Agents (11:45) - Kenji Joins the Show (15:07) - Kenji New Role at Basis (19:40) - Basis Agents for CAS (25:36) - AI Skills and Pricing Shift (28:04) - Token Billing and FinOps (33:55) - Tokens Not Timesheets (34:17) - Delve Compliance Fallout (36:18) - Xero Adds Claude AI (38:16) - Who Really Owns Data (41:06) - Ramp Accounting Agent (45:19) - Ramp Budgets Reality Check (48:27) - Canopy Bookkeeping Module (53:11) - Billcom Agents Soapbox (55:09) - Audit Tech Fundraising (56:37) - Tether Finally Gets Audited (59:52) - Costco Tariff Refund Lawsuit (01:02:16) - Wrap Up And CPE  Show NotesThe Treasury just declared the U.S. insolvent. The media missed it.https://fortune.com/2026/03/23/us-government-insolvent-fiscal-crisis-fix/ TaxGPT AI agent aims to complete the whole tax returnhttps://www.accountingtoday.com/news/taxgpt-touts-ai-that-automatically-completes-returns-from-start-to-finish As Tax Deadline Approaches, Consumers Are Going to AI Before Filinghttps://www.pymnts.com/taxes/2026/as-tax-deadline-approaches-consumers-are-going-to-ai-before-filing/ AI Efficiency Gains Push Accounting Firms to Reimagine Pricinghttps://news.bloomberglaw.com/ip-law/ai-efficiency-gains-push-accounting-firms-to-reimagine-pricing Accounting Jobs Requiring AI Skills Jump 67%https://www.accountingtoday.com/news/accounting-jobs-requiring-ai-skills-jump-67 Xero and Anthropic Collaborate to Bring AI-Powered Financial Intelligence to Millions of Small Businesseshttps://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260326956055/en/Xero-and-Anthropic-Collaborate-to-Bring-AI-Powered-Financial-Intelligence-to-Millions-of-Small-Businesses Ramp Launches Accounting Agent to Automate Bookkeeping with Real-Time Closehttps://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/ramp-launches-accounting-agent-to-automate-bookkeeping-with-real-time-close-302686214.html Ramp Launches Ramp Budgetshttps://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/ramp-launches-ramp-budgets-302667840.html Canopy Unveils Canopy Bookkeeping to Eliminate Month-End Friction for Accounting and CAS Teamshttps://www.morningstar.com/news/business-wire/20260211348515/canopy-unveils-canopy-bookkeeping-to-eliminate-month-end-friction-for-accounting-and-cas-teams Canopy Expands Tax Workflow With AI-Powered Tax Preparation Through New Filed Integrationhttps://www.getcanopy.com/blog/canopy-expands-tax-workflow-with-ai-powered-tax-preparation-through-new-filed-integration Double AI Journal Entrieshttps://doublehq.com/ai-journal-entries/ Tech News: Ramp, Canopy Both Announce AI-Powered Bookkeeping Solutions (includes Bill.com AI agents coverage)https://www.accountingtoday.com/list/tech-news-ramp-canopy-both-announce-ai-powered-bookkeeping-solutions Exclusive: Founded By 2 Brothers In Their 20s, YC-Backed Denki Raises $4.1M To Automate Financial Auditshttps://news.crunchbase.com/venture/yc-backed-denki-raise-financial-audit-automation-ai/ Tether Taps Big Four Firm KPMG for First Financial Audit of $184 Billion Stablecoin Issuerhttps://www.theblock.co/post/395423/tether-taps-kpmg-for-first-financial-audit Americans Are Demanding Refunds from the $180 Billion in Tariffs They Paid, Including Suing Companies Like Costcohttps://fortune.com/2026/03/13/americans-demanding-tariff-refunds-suing-costco-fedex/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,

Can AI really handle accounting and tax work—or is it just creating new ways to fake compliance? Blake and David dig into allegations of fraudulent SOC 2 reports, how taxpayers are actually using AI for tax prep, and why tools like Claude are creeping into finance workflows. They also cover FAA staffing risks, threats to state accountancy boards, and what listeners should watch as AI reshapes trust in the profession.SponsorsDigits - http://accountingpodcast.promo/digitsCloud Accountant Staffing - http://accountingpodcast.promo/casOnPay - http://accountingpodcast.promo/onpayUNC - http://accountingpodcast.promo/uncChapters(00:00) - TAP 480 (01:28) - Sponsor Digits Overview (02:54) - LaGuardia Crash Breakdown (05:36) - Shutdown Staffing Fallout (07:58) - Livestream and CPE Plug (08:49) - Delve SOC 2 Allegations (15:57) - How Fake Audits Happen (20:49) - Sponsor Cloud Staffing (22:00) - Is Anyone Using AI (24:02) - AI for Tax Prep Examples (35:14) - AI Tax Advice Limits (36:04) - Tech Creates More Cleanup (36:41) - OnPay Payroll Sponsor (37:53) - Games To Beat Busy Season (40:42) - Florida Board Threat Averted (44:02) - UNC MAcc Sponsor (45:20) - Guess The Finance App (46:47) - Claude Targets Finance Workflows (50:29) - Will AI Replace The GL (55:07) - Women Partners Progress (01:00:50) - Wrap Up And CPE  Show NotesAir Traffic Audio Appears to Show Tower Was Dealing With Incident Before Crash (New York Times via DNYUZ)https://dnyuz.com/2026/03/23/air-traffic-audio-appears-to-show-tower-was-dealing-with-incident-before-crash/ Delve — Fake Compliance as a Service — Part I (DeepDelver on Substack)https://deepdelver.substack.com/p/delve-fake-compliance-as-a-service Delve Accused of Misleading Customers with 'Fake Compliance' (TechCrunch)https://techcrunch.com/2026/03/22/delve-accused-of-misleading-customers-with-fake-compliance/ What 81,000 People Want from AI (Anthropic)https://www.anthropic.com/research/what-people-want-from-ai WSJ Readers Share How They Are Using AI for Tax Prep (Wall Street Journal via TaxProf Blog)https://taxprofblog.aals.org/2026/03/09/wsj-readers-share-how-they-are-using-ai-for-tax-prep/ 10 Fun Games to Play at Work and Their Impact on Productivity (Small Business Trends)https://smallbiztrends.com/games-to-play-at-work/ FICPA Legislative Update: End of 2026 Session — HB 607 Did Not Advance (Florida Institute of CPAs)https://www.ficpa.org/news/1cee5313-ce07-47f2-841f-48a95344f6f5:legislative-update-end-of-session-still-pending Claude for Financial Services (Anthropic)https://www.anthropic.com/financial-services Glass Ceiling Shattered? Female Lead Engagement Partners in S&P 500 Audits (The CPA Journal)https://www.cpajournal.com/2026/03/13/glass-ceiling-shattered/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/OvercastWant 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

Will AI actually take accountants’ jobs—or just change what their work looks like? Blake and David unpack the gap between AI hype and reality, from a LinkedIn challenge that found zero accountants replaced by AI to how firms like PwC and EY are shifting strategy. They also explore probabilistic audit opinions, AI agents in accounting workflows, and what professionals can do now to stay ahead.SponsorsOnPay - http://accountingpodcast.promo/onpayUNC - http://accountingpodcast.promo/uncChapters(00:00) - TAP 479 (02:27) - Auditor Karaoke Protest (03:58) - Baby Where My Audit (07:14) - Reactions and Afroman (10:19) - Probabilistic Audit Opinions (14:57) - BDO Lawsuit and Liability (18:52) - Super Micro Fraud Signals (24:19) - Deterministic AI Checklists (30:16) - Checklist Driven AI Agents (31:28) - How LLMs Differ From Brains (33:00) - Puzzle Functions And Guardrails (36:06) - Prompting For Clarifying Questions (36:48) - UNC MAcc Sponsor Break (38:30) - PwC Goes AI First (41:46) - EY Bets On CPA Talent (43:27) - AI Exposure Index Reality Check (47:40) - Will Accounting Jobs Disappear (50:23) - Coan Paradox And Rising Standards (52:43) - AI As A Career Upskill (55:20) - Who Is Losing Work To AI (56:23) - Livestream Chat And Wrap Up  Show NotesMassachusetts Auditor DiZoglio Performs "Baby Where the Hell Is My Audit" Parodyhttps://www.bostonglobe.com/2025/04/16/metro/diana-dizoglio-auditor-legislature-audit-democrats/ Afroman Wins Defamation Lawsuit Filed by Ohio Police Officershttps://www.cbsnews.com/news/afroman-wins-lawsuit-ohio-police-raid-music-videos/ Would You Take a Probabilistic Audit Opinion?https://www.accountingtoday.com/opinion/would-you-take-a-probabilistic-audit-opinion BDO Faces Investor Lawsuit That Could Impact Other Firmshttps://www.accountingtoday.com/news/bdo-faces-investor-lawsuit-that-could-impact-other-firms Super Micro Computer Co-Founder Charged With Smuggling Nvidia AI Chips to Chinahttps://www.cnn.com/2026/03/19/politics/super-micro-computer-founder-charged-ai-chips-china Puzzle Launches AI Close for Accountants https://puzzle.io/blog/puzzle-accounting-ai PwC CEO: You Cannot Opt Out of AIhttps://www.accountingtoday.com/news/pwc-ceo-you-cannot-opt-out-of-ai EY Doubles CPA Exam Bonus to $10K https://www.accountingtoday.com/news/ey-doubles-cpa-exam-bonus-to-10k Anthropic AI Labor Market Impacts Report https://www.anthropic.com/research/labor-market-impacts Microsoft AI Chief Gives It 18 Months for All White-Collar Work to Be Automatedhttps://fortune.com/2026/02/13/when-will-ai-kill-white-collar-office-jobs-18-months-microsoft-mustafa-suleyman/ Only 14% of UK Finance Leaders See Traditional Accounting Skills as Valuable for Next Generationhttps://www.theglobalrecruiter.com/only-14-per-cent-of-finance-leaders-see-traditional-accounting-skills-as-valuable-for-next-generation/ Accounting and Tax Staff Worry AI Threatens Jobshttps://www.accountingtoday.com/news/accounting-and-tax-employees-feel-ai-threatens-job-prospects AI's First Substitution: Freelancers (Ramp Economics Lab) https://ramp.com/velocity/ai-labor-market-impact-freelancers Record Number of Companies Are Ditching Old CEOs for Younger, Less Experienced Executives https://finance.yahoo.com/news/fired-record-number-companies-ditching-152914066.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 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...

What do tariffs, war, AI agents, and a collapsed accounting startup have in common? This week, Blake and David connect the dots between rising economic pressure and rapid tech change. They break down the lopsided cost of drone warfare, small businesses getting crushed by tariffs, AI tools handling tax and bookkeeping tasks, and new details on Botkeeper’s collapse. You’ll hear what these shifts could mean for accountants, firms, and the future of the profession.SponsorsUNC - http://accountingpodcast.promo/uncOnPay - http://accountingpodcast.promo/onpayCloud Accountant Staffing - http://accountingpodcast.promo/casChapters(01:27) - Sponsor Break UNC (02:46) - War Costs and Drones (08:58) - GPT 5.4 for Accountants (11:13) - AI Agent Files City Tax (15:23) - Claude Skill for Tax Prep (17:11) - Sponsor Break OnPay (18:55) - Gemini Makes Theme Music (22:33) - Uber CEO AI Clone (24:22) - Botkeeper Collapse Follow Up (31:13) - QuickBooks Integration Doubts (31:53) - Cloud Accountant Staffing Spot (32:59) - KPMG Earnings Leak Theory (37:23) - Zapier AI Guardrails (39:43) - 401k Hardship Withdrawals Rise (43:02) - Tariff Refunds and AI Lawsuits (46:27) - Trump v Trump IRS Lawsuit (48:43) - IRS Union Contract Termination (50:01) - Direct File Act Returns (51:56) - Meta 16B Tax Fight (54:33) - Trump Accounts Auto Enrollment (56:13) - Accounting Degrees Loan Limits (57:39) - CPE App and Sign Off  Show NotesIran's Drones Cost a Fraction of the U.S. Weapons Shooting Them Down https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/04/business/iran-drones-us-weapons-cost.html Introducing GPT-5.4 https://openai.com/index/introducing-gpt-5-4/ Breaking Up with TurboTax: How I Used Claude to File My Taxes for Free https://kachess.dev/taxes/ai/personal-finance/2026/02/27/breaking-up-with-turbotax.html Show HN: Claude Skill to Do Your Taxes https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=47277164 Enrico Palmerino Explains Botkeeper's Fall https://www.accountingtoday.com/news/enrico-palmerino-explains-botkeepers-fall Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi Has an AI Clone https://www.fastcompany.com/91500087/uber-ceo-dara-khosrowshahi-has-an-ai-clone KPMG-Audited Companies Are Trading Strangely on Polymarket https://eventwaves.substack.com/p/kpmg-audited-companies-are-trading Zapier Updates: AI Guardrails & Governance Controls https://zapier.com/blog/february-2026-product-updates/ Record Numbers of Workers Are Raiding Their 401(k) Savings https://www.wsj.com/personal-finance/retirement/401k-hardship-withdrawals-record-vanguard-2025 For Some Small Businesses, a Tariff Refund Isn't Worth the Pain of Pursuing It https://finance.yahoo.com/news/small-businesses-tariff-refund-isnt-worth-pain-pursuing-it.html Trump's IRS Lawsuit Offers Lessons on Privacy and Legal Process https://news.bloombergtax.com/tax-insights-and-commentary/trumps-irs-lawsuit-offers-lessons-on-privacy-and-legal-process Democrats Unveil Bill to Resurrect Direct File https://www.accountingtoday.com/news/democrats-unveil-bill-to-resurrect-direct-file I.R.S. Tactics Against Meta Open a New Front in the Corporate Tax Fight https://www.nytimes.com/2026/02/24/business/irs-meta-tax-ireland.html IRS Should Open Trump Accounts for Eligible Children Automatically, AICPA Says https://www.journalofaccountancy.com/news/2026/feb/irs-should-open-trump-accounts-for-eligible-children-automatically-aicpa-says/ NASBA Urges U.S. Department of Education to Restore "Professional" Status for Accounting Degreeshttps://nasba.org/blog/2026/03/05/status-for-accounting-degrees/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/merch

Can an AI prep a partnership return on its own? Blake and David dig into Basis’s $100M unicorn claim, Intuit’s OpenAI/Anthropic tie-ups and Claude Cowork, and what it means for firms. They also cover how to capitalize on tariff refund lawsuits, the Senate’s push to regulate tax preparers, and the SEC weighing twice-a-year reporting—plus a quick warning about the fake “IRS locker” scam. You’ll learn where AI helps now, what to watch, and how to advise clients.SponsorsCloud Accountant Staffing - http://accountingpodcast.promo/casOnPay - http://accountingpodcast.promo/onpayUNC - http://accountingpodcast.promo/uncChapters(00:00) - Welcome and Headlines (01:51) - Sponsor Cloud Staffing (03:10) - Tariffs Legal Fallout (05:50) - Refund Lawsuit Wave (09:02) - Basis AI Unicorn (15:23) - Intuit Earnings AI Blitz (25:59) - Claude Cowork Automation (32:16) - Managing Agents at Work (34:21) - AI PR Pay Boom (36:46) - AI Agents for Accounting (37:39) - SaaS Giants vs AI (39:01) - Finance Grade AI Trust (41:22) - IBM COBOL Shockwave (43:03) - Audit Enforcement Drop (44:34) - Regulating Tax Preparers (45:40) - Twice a Year Reporting (48:36) - Prediction Market Tax Bet (50:43) - Washington CPA Outsourcing (54:37) - IRS Onboarding Fumbles (55:32) - Crypto Fat Finger Disaster (01:00:01) - IRS Locker Scam Warning (01:02:13) - Livestream Q&A Wrap (01:06:19) - Book and Earmark Outro  Show NotesSupreme Court Strikes Down Trump's Sweeping Tariffshttps://www.nbcnews.com/politics/supreme-court/supreme-court-strikes-trumps-tariffs-major-blow-president-rcna244827Trump's New Tariffs Under Section 122 Are Probably Also Illegalhttps://edition.cnn.com/2026/03/01/business/trump-tariffs-supreme-court-section-1221,800+ Companies Suing for $130 Billion in Tariff Refundshttps://www.entrepreneur.com/growing-a-business/1800-companies-are-suing-for-130b-in-tariff-refunds/503034AI-for-Accounting Startup Basis Hits $1.15 Billion Valuationhttps://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-02-24/ai-for-accounting-startup-basis-hits-1-15-billion-valuationIntuit and Anthropic Partner to Bring Custom AI Agents to Consumers and Businesseshttps://investors.intuit.com/news-events/press-releases/detail/1305/intuit-and-anthropic-partner-to-bring-trusted-financial-intelligence-and-custom-ai-agents-to-consumers-and-businessesIntuit Q2 2026 Earnings Call Transcripthttps://www.fool.com/earnings/call-transcripts/2026/02/26/intuit-intu-q2-2026-earnings-call-transcript/IBM Shares Plunge as Anthropic Touts COBOL Modernization Effortshttps://www.cnbc.com/2026/02/23/ibm-is-the-latest-ai-casualty-shares-are-tanking-on-anthropic-cobol-threat.htmlAI Won't Replace Accounting Platforms — It Will Make Them More Importanthttps://diginomica.com/ai-wont-replace-accounting-platforms-it-will-make-them-more-importantAudit Enforcement Plummeted Last Yearhttps://www.accountingtoday.com/news/audit-enforcement-plummeted-last-yearSenate Finance Committee Proposes to Regulate Tax Preparers, Improve IRS Administrationhttps://www.accountingtoday.com/news/senate-finance-committee-proposes-to-regulate-tax-preparers-improve-irs-administrationSEC to Fast-Track Proposal for Semi-Annual Public Company Reportinghttps://www.cohenmilstein.com/sec-to-propose-rule-easing-financial-reporting-frequency-from-quarterly-to-semiannual/Tax Nerd Bets Life Savings Against DOGE on Kalshi — and Winshttps://techcrunch.com/2026/02/25/an-accountant-won-a-big-jackpot-on-kalshi-by-betting-against-doge/Should We Be Concerned That More Than Half of New CPA Licenses in Washington State Went to International Candidates?https://www.goingconcern.com/should-we-be-concerned-that-more-than-half-of-new-cpa-licenses-issued-in-this-state-last-year-went-to-international-candidates/IRS Failed to Equip New Hires in 2024https://www.accountingtoday.com/news/irs-failed-to-equip-new-hires-in-2024South Korean Crypto Exchange Bithumb Accidentally Gives Away $40+ Billion in Bitcoinhttps://www.cnbc.com/2026/02/07/south-korean-crypto-firm-accidentally-sends-out-44-billion-in-bitcoin.htmlMichigan Man Loses $1 Million in IRS Impersonation Scamhttps://www.cpapracticeadvisor.com/2026/02/23/michigan-man-loses-1-million-in-irs-scam/178591/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 Podcas...

SCOTUS just struck down Trump’s global tariffs—so who gets the $133B back, and how can firms capture advisory fees helping clients claim refunds? Blake and David unpack importer-of-record refunds, contingency-fee questions, and why “that’s pure profit.” Plus: taxpayers’ trust in AI tax prep is falling, creators’ $205B economy is a prime niche, TurboTax’s Uber-to-the-office play, Big Law’s $3,400/hour AI squeeze, and Dawn Brolin’s nonprofit sending first-timers to conferences you can support.SponsorsDigits - http://accountingpodcast.promo/digitsCloud Accountant Staffing - http://accountingpodcast.promo/casOnPay - http://accountingpodcast.promo/onpayUNC - http://accountingpodcast.promo/uncChapters(00:00) - TAP 476 (02:53) - Who Gets the Tariff Refunds? Importer of Record & Profit Impact (05:28) - Big Opportunity for Accounting Firms: Tariff Refund Advisory & Fees (08:55) - Flashback Clip: We Called the Tariff Ruling Months Ago (12:59) - Sponsors + Trump’s Next Move: New Tariff Authority Workarounds (15:04) - Live Q&A: If Tariffs Were Passed to Buyers, Who Gets Paid Back? (16:46) - IRS Update: Average Refunds Up, But Median Still Unknown (18:13) - Taxpayers Trust AI Less for Filing + Creator Economy Tax Niche (22:13) - TurboTax + Uber Rides: The Customer Experience Arms Race (27:12) - Sponsor Break + Business Tax Shift: FASB Country-by-Country Disclosures (30:19) - IRS Still Drowning in Paper: Digitization Goals Missed (31:41) - Gambling Loss Deduction Cut to 90%: Why Break-Even Gamblers Still Owe Tax (32:58) - Skims vs. New Jersey: Sales Tax ‘Technical Error’ and the $200K Penalty (34:06) - Big Law’s Billable Hour Squeeze: AI Cuts Hours, Partners Jack Up Rates (36:12) - DIY Legal Work with ChatGPT: When a $30 Subscription Replaces a Lawyer (37:51) - Big Tech’s AI Data Centers Create a Depreciation Blind Spot for Investors (41:50) - KPMG Partner Fined for Using AI to ‘Cheat’ on an AI Exam (43:21) - Congress Targets the Pentagon’s Audit Failures: The ‘RECEIPTS Act’ (47:52) - Only 2–3 Hours of Deep Work a Day: Meetings, App Overload, and Hybrid Teams (50:17) - Interview: Accounting Cornerstone Foundation Helps First-Timers Attend Conferences (52:09) - How the Foundation Works: Funding, Emotional Support, and Picking Awardees (56:36) - Impact Stories & What’s Next: Alumni Mentorship, Fundraising, and Growing the Mission (01:00:16) - Wrap-Up: How to Support + Earn CPE/CE Credits in the Earmark App  Show NotesSupreme Court Rules 6-3 That IEEPA Does Not Authorize the President to Impose Tariffshttps://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/25pdf/24-1287_4gcj.pdf Supreme Court Strikes Down Most of Trump's Tariffs in a Major Blow to the Presidenthttps://www.nbcnews.com/politics/supreme-court/supreme-court-strikes-trumps-tariffs-major-blow-president-rcna244827 Supreme Court Strikes Down IEEPA Tariffs — What Now?https://www.wilmerhale.com/en/insights/client-alerts/20260220-supreme-court-strikes-down-ieepa-tariffs-what-now IRS Average Refunds Up $200 This Filing Seasonhttps://www.accountingtoday.com/news/taxpayers-hesitant-to-trust-ai-to-prepare-tax-returns Most Taxpayers Trust Tax Pros Over AI for Tax Preparation, Survey Findshttps://www.cpapracticeadvisor.com/2026/02/19/most-taxpayers-trust-tax-pros-over-ai-for-tax-preparation-survey-finds/178412/ Online Creators Worried About Finances and Income Taxes — A Growing Opportunity for Tax and Accounting Proshttps://www.cpapracticeadvisor.com/2026/02/19/online-creators-worried-about-finances-and-income-taxes-a-growing-opportunity-for-tax-accounting-pros/178423/ Intuit TurboTax Delivers the Ultimate "Done-For-You" Tax Experience Powered by AI and Human Intelligence With Uber Rideshttps://investors.intuit.com/news-events/press-releases/detail/1304/intuit-turbotax-delivers-the-ultimate-done-for-you-tax-experience-powered-by-ai-and-human-intelligence-with-uber-rides US Companies Pay More Taxes Abroad Than Herehttps://www.accountingtoday.com/news/us-companies-pay-more-taxes-abroad-than-here IRS Falls Far Short on Paperless Processing Goalhttps://www.accountingtoday.com/news/irs-falls-far-short-on-paperless-processing-goal Will the OBBBA Gambling Deduction Change Be Reversed?https://www.natptax.com/news-insights/blog/will-the-obbba-gambling-deduction-change-be-reversed/ Kim Kardashian's Clothing Company Settles New Jersey Sales Tax Allegationshttps://www.cpapracticeadvisor.com/2026/01/20/kim-kardashians-clothing-company-settles-new-jersey-sales-tax-allegations/176590/ Big Tech Accounting Creates a Blind Spot in the AI Boomhttps://news.futunn.com/en/post/68828373/big-tech-accounting-creates-a-blind-spot-in-the-ai KPMG Partner in Australia Fined Over Using AI to Pass AI Testhttps://www.irishtimes.com/business/2026/02/16/kpmg-partner-in-australia-fined-over-using-ai-to-pass-ai-test/ Lawmakers Seek to Penalize DoD if It Fails to Pass a Clean Audithttps://federalnewsnetwork.com/congress/2026/02/lawmakers-seek-to-penalize-dod-if-it-fails-to-pass-a-clean-audit/ New Hubstaff Research Finds Workers Average Only 2–3 Hours of Focus Time Per Day

Which accounting firms really deliver sane hours and happy teams? Dom Piscopo (Big Four Transparency) reveals this year’s best—and worst—by job satisfaction and hours, including surprising outliers. Blake and David also unpack how AI startups are carving up PwC-style services, why Hazel AI rattled wealth managers and Intuit/Xero stocks, and where GLs still hold a moat. Plus, a practical way to use AI for W‑4/withholding—and an accountant’s take on Carvana’s too-good-to-be-true margins.SponsorsOnPay - http://accountingpodcast.promo/onpayUNC - http://accountingpodcast.promo/uncFutureViews System - http://accountingpodcast.promo/bezChapters(01:19) - Pets, Candy, Jewelry & Prefixed Dinners: Where the Money Goes (03:14) - Live Chat Shoutouts + Today’s Guest Tease: Big Four Transparency (05:53) - Yours, Mine & Ours: How Couples Split (or Merge) Money (08:56) - Financial Secrets vs. “Cheating”: The Bankrate Survey Findings (11:01) - Meet Dom Piscopo + 2025 Best/Worst Firms by Job Satisfaction (15:43) - How the Rankings Work: Sample Size, Methodology & Office Variance (19:28) - Service Lines Compared: Tax vs Audit vs Advisory Satisfaction Trends (22:28) - Hours Worked Rankings + Do Hours Actually Drive Happiness? (25:04) - Where the Big Four Land: Satisfaction & Hours Benchmarks (26:51) - AI Disruption Debate: “Every PWC Webpage Is a $10B Startup” Tweet (28:47) - AI Startups vs QuickBooks: The SaaS Attack Cycle Restarts (29:55) - Hazel AI Shakes Wealth Management: Tax Planning at Scale (32:19) - Consumers Trust AI Money Advice + A Withholding/W-4 Use Case (35:11) - “Good Enough” AI: How Firms Can Productize & Review AI Work (36:38) - What Humans Still Do: Taste, Comfort, and Serving the Underserved (41:51) - Intuit & Xero Stocks Drop: CEOs Defend the Data-and-Trust Moat (45:11) - TurboTax Disruption? Building Tax Engines with AI Agents (46:52) - Vibe Coding Reality Check: Small Tools Now, ERPs Much Later (51:32) - Carvana Accounting Red Flags: When Margins Don’t Add Up (56:04) - Wrap-Up: Big Four Transparency + CPE Credits via Earmark  Show NotesValentine's Day Spending Expected to Reach New Records https://nrf.com/media-center/press-releases/valentine-s-day-spending-expected-to-reach-new-records Survey: Most Couples Keep At Least Some Of Their Money Separate https://www.bankrate.com/credit-cards/news/couples-finances/ Survey: 2 In 5 Americans In A Relationship Have Kept A Financial Secret From Their Partner https://www.bankrate.com/credit-cards/news/financial-infidelity-survey-2025/ AI Tax App Crashes Financial Stocks on Wall Street https://cpatrendlines.com/2026/02/10/ai-tax-app-crashes-financial-stocks-on-wall-street/ Americans Are Asking AI for Money Advice, But Should They Trust It? https://www.bestmoney.com/financial-advisor/learn-more/do-americans-trust-fin-ai 82% trust AI for financial information and guidance https://www.accountingtoday.com/news/82-trust-ai-for-financial-information-and-guidance Intuit Is Down 33% Year to Date. Here's Where the Stock Could Be Headed in 2026 https://www.tikr.com/blog/intuit-is-down-33-year-to-date-heres-where-the-stock-could-be-headed-in-2028 Intuit Stock Is Down 24% Already In 2026. Time to Buy? https://www.fool.com/investing/2026/01/30/intuit-stock-is-down-24-already-in-2026-time-to-bu/ Xero (ASX:XRO) Shares Crash 13% in Tech Selloff—Broker Urges Hold https://kalkine.com.au/news/technology/xero-asxxro-shares-crash-13-in-tech-selloffbroker-urges-hold Xero share price slides 14% in a week — what to watch next for ASX:XRO https://ts2.tech/en/xero-share-price-slides-14-in-a-week-what-to-watch-next-for-asxxro/ I've tested and ranked the 10 best vibe coding tools in 2026 https://www.techradar.com/pro/best-vibe-coding-tools Your Complete Guide To Vibe Coding Tools In 2026: Build Apps Just By Talking To AI https://softtechhub.us/2026/02/11/guide-to-vibe-coding/ AI startup Replit launches feature to vibe code mobile apps https://www.cnbc.com/2026/01/15/ai-startup-replit-launches-feature-to-vibe-code-mobile-apps.html Vibe coding - Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vibe_coding What's actually driving Carvana's margins? https://www.cfo.com/news/whats-actually-driving-carvana-margins-ernie-garcia-drivetime-bridgecrest-zach-shefska-ray-shefska-/810911/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 sponsori...

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.SponsorsUNC - http://accountingpodcast.promo/uncOnPay - http://accountingpodcast.promo/onpayCloud Accountant Staffing - http://accountingpodcast.promo/casChapters(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 NotesKPMG 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-downAnthropic 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-toolAI 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.htmlPilot launches fully autonomous AI bookkeeper https://www.accountingtoday.com/news/pilot-launches-fully-autonomous-ai-bookkeeperPilot 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-accountingStartup Accrual Officially Launches with $75M in Funding to Bring AI-Native Automation to Accountinghttps://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-formsAccrual Launches with $75 Million to Bring AI-Native Automation to Accountinghttps://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260205968515/en/Accrual-Launches-with-$75-Million-to-Bring-AI-Native-Automation-to-AccountingGoldman Sachs leads $75 million funding round for Fieldguide, an AI-native accounting and audit platformhttps://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 Capabilitieshttps://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 AIhttps://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2026/02/04/3232133/0/en/Pilot-Unveils-AI-Accountant-A-Major-Leap-Toward-Artificial-General-Intelligence-in-Accounting.htmlTrump, 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.htmlTrump 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-rcna256626Trump 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/2026/01/30/7txmzKPMG 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-developmentsKPMG 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.”SponsorsUNC - http://accountingpodcast.promo/uncEarmarkCPE - http://accountingpodcast.promo/earmarkOnPay - http://accountingpodcast.promo/onpayChapters(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 NotesAI fakery turbo-charging fraud, cyber attacks https://www.accountingtoday.com/news/ai-fakery-turbo-charging-fraud-cyber-attacksThe Turing Reel https://runwayml.com/research/theturingreelThe Adolescence of Technology https://www.darioamodei.com/essay/the-adolescence-of-technologyLong-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.htmlExclusive: 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-regulationsIntuit 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-eraNeed 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/OvercastWant 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

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.SponsorsTaxBandits - http://accountingpodcast.promo/taxbanditsEarmark - http://accountingpodcast.promo/earmarkOnPay - http://accountingpodcast.promo/onpayUNC - http://accountingpodcast.promo/uncChapters(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 NotesAICPA 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-actBarr Reintroduces Bipartisan Fiscal State of the Nation Act to Strengthen Oversight of Government Spending https://barr.house.gov/press-releases?id=EDF451C5-EEAE-44D7-85A8-2B714E9D7822For CPAs, one license — and 55 rulebooks https://www.accountingtoday.com/opinion/for-cpas-one-license-and-55-rulebooksDeloitte's Disturbing Pattern Allegedly Cost Americans Health Coverage, Delayed Benefits, and the US Government $74Bhttps://www.ibtimes.co.uk/deloittes-disturbing-pattern-allegedly-cost-americans-health-coverage-delayed-benefits-us-1773010Deloitte 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 Standardshttps://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-standardsPCAOB bars Zwick CPA, owner and manager https://www.accountingtoday.com/news/pcaob-bars-zwick-cpa-owner-and-managerTurnover Experiences in Public Accounting and Alumni's Decisions to 'Give Back' https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=4266300U.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.htmlAccounting undergrad enrollment rises for third year https://www.accountingtoday.com/news/accounting-undergrad-enrollment-rises-for-third-yearCapital One to Acquire Brex https://investor.capitalone.com/news-releases/news-release-details/capital-one-acquire-brexCapital 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.htmlFlorida 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 backhttps://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.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: h...