SEC Charges Trump's Audit Firm with Massive Fraud

This week, Blake and David are puzzled by the results of a survey that shows 40% of tax professionals believe generative AI will allow them to charge clients higher rates. They also cover the sham audit firm BF Borgers and question why the firm's CPA is still licensed despite SEC charges. Blake demonstrates how he uses Zapier Central to build an AI agent that can automatically respond to client emails about the status of their tax returns. Wrapping up, they examine Digits' $35 million raise and pivot to bill pay, and Xero's new filtering functionality for bank reconciliations. SponsorsLiveFlow - http://accountingpodcast.promo/liveflow Cloud Accountant Staffing - http://accountingpodcast.promo/casKeeper - http://accountingpodcast.promo/keeperBlue Onion - http://accountingpodcast.promo/blueonionChapters(00:53) - Generative AI's Impact on Pricing (05:39) - The Curious Case of BF Borgers and Sham Audits (08:19) - The Slow Response of Regulatory Bodies to Fraud (18:07) - NASBA Hires New President (19:24) - NASBA and the CPA Exam: A Call for Modernization (28:16) - The Trump Stormy Daniels NY Trial (35:19) - Rudy Giuliani's Financial Woes: A Deep Dive (38:18) - Building AI Agents with Zapier Central: A How-To Guide (39:38) - AI Tools for Productivity: Insights from ClickUp (40:41) - The Power of AI in Automating Client Communication (48:04) - The Big Money in AI-Powered Practice Management (53:54) - Bill Pay Innovations and Market Dynamics (55:12) - Xero's New Features and Bank Feed Improvements (58:58) - The Real Value of Dashboards in Business Management (01:04:10) - Closing Remarks and Future Events  Show NotesRudy Giuliani Forced to Learn Accounting After Bankruptcy Beancounter Bailshttps://www.thedailybeast.com/rudy-giuliani-forced-to-learn-accounting-after-bankruptcy-beancounter-bails Stormy Daniels payment puts focus on Trump and check-writing as trial testimony resumeshttps://www.nbcnews.com/politics/donald-trump/former-white-house-executive-assistant-stand-trump-trial-dramatic-stor-rcna151578 Trump Accountant on His Stormy Daniels Coverup Notes: ‘I Made a Boo-Boo’https://www.yahoo.com/news/trump-accountant-stormy-daniels-coverup-152934446.html Trump Accountant Exposes Checks to Michael Cohen in Damning Testimonyhttps://newrepublic.com/post/181344/trump-accountant-checks-signed-michael-cohen-hush-money-trial What’s new in Xero — May 2024 - Xero Blog      https://blog.xero.com/product-updates/whats-new-in-xero-may-2024/ End of Trump Media’s Auditor Jolts Hundreds of Other Companies      https://news.bloombergtax.com/financial-accounting/end-of-trump-medias-auditor-jolts-hundreds-of-other-companies Trump Media hires new auditor after previous accounting firm charged with 'massive fraud'  https://www.cnbc.com/2024/05/06/trump-media-hires-new-auditor-after-accounting-firm-charged-with-fraud.html Digits Launches AI Bill Pay for Small Businesses            https://www.pymnts.com/news/b2b-payments/2024/digits-launches-ai-bill-pay-for-small-businesses/ Countsy Debuts Platform to Streamline Back-Office Managementhttps://www.pymnts.com/back-office/2024/countsy-debuts-platform-to-streamline-back-office-management/ Why we’re calling 2024 ‘the year of the US bank feed’  https://blog.xero.com/product-updates/year-of-the-us-bank-feed/ Let's Meet NASBA's Next President and CEO    https://www.goingconcern.com/lets-meet-nasbas-next-president-and-ceo/ Digits Launches AI Bill Pay for Small Businesses            https://www.pymnts.com/news/b2b-payments/2024/digits-launches-ai-bill-pay-for-small-businesses/ Digits AI Bill Pay -- The World's First AI Bill Pay, Built Specifically For Startupshttps://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/digits-ai-bill-pay--the-worlds-first-ai-bill-pay-built-specifically-for-startups-302131944.html Imagine the Chaos If the PCAOB Starts Naming and Shaming Audit Deficiency Clientshttps://www.goingconcern.com/imagine-the-chaos-if-the-pcaob-starts-naming-and-shaming-audit-deficiency-clients/ 'Nobody seems interested' in helping Giuliani with accounting in bankruptcy case, lawyers claimhttps://thehill.com/video/%e2%80%98nobody-seems-interested%e2%80%99-in-helping-giuliani-with-accounting-in-bankruptcy-case-lawyers-claim/9675968/Canopy Secures $35 Million in Funding to Enhance AI-Powered Practice Management for Accounting Firms https://www.einnews.com/pr_news/709723429/canopy-secures-35-million-in-funding-to-enhance-ai-powered-practice-management-for-accounting-firms  Trump Media Replaces Its Accounting Firm BF Borgers With Semple, Marchal & Cooperhttps://www.fxleaders.com/news/2024/05/06/trump-media-replaces-its-accounting-firm-bf-borgers-with-semple-marchal-cooper/ Trump Org. accounting system was de...

Cody Turley, CPA and Certified Fraud Examiner, joins Blake and David to discuss his SEC career path, describing what it's like to investigate securities law violations. He emphasizes that while Big Four experience is valuable, it's not the only way to have a successful and meaningful accounting career. Cody shares insights into the benefits of working in government accounting roles, including greater responsibility early on, work-life balance, and the ability to transition to public accounting or industry later if desired.Meet Our Guest, Cody TurleyLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cody-turley-cpa-cff-cfe-776254122/Learn about SEC internship opportunities: https://www.sec.gov/pathways-internship-programNeed 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

The SEC charged Trump's audit firm with a massive fraud – 1,500 fake filings over 2.5 years! Plus, hundreds of small US banks are at risk due to commercial real estate loan exposure. We're also talking about the potential of AI tools like Claude and ChatGPT to automate various accounting and business tasks, the controversial Corporate Transparency Act's beneficial ownership reporting requirements, and the possibility of its repeal. We wrap with fintech and crypto news, including Mercury Bank's rapid growth and potential regulatory issues.Sponsors Zoho - http://accountingpodcast.promo/zohoRelay - http://accountingpodcast.promo/relayKeeper - http://accountingpodcast.promo/keeperHarbor Compliance - http://accountingpodcast.promo/harborChapters(09:04) - Anthropic launches Claude for teams (11:12) - More LLM models pass CPA exam (18:28) - Blake demonstrates AI's abiity to help with emails (32:56) - 28 AI prompts for small businesses (36:39) - Oregon Senator going after TurboTax to issue refunds to Oregonians (38:44) - The possibility of a regional banking crisis (48:12) - The Corporate Transparency Act might be repealed (54:15) - Tether claims they can't find a Big 4 firm to audit them (56:54) - Mecurity Bank being looked at by FDIC (01:02:05) - Square to allow users to transfer percent of daily sales to Bitcoin (01:03:26) - Download and sign up for the Earmark app  Show NotesAnthropic launches a free Claude iOS app and Team, its first enterprise plan | ZDNEThttps://www.zdnet.com/article/anthropic-launches-a-free-claude-ios-app-and-team-its-first-enterprise-plan/ SEC.gov | SEC Charges Audit Firm BF Borgers and Its Owner with Massive Fraud Affecting More Than 1,500 SEC Filingshttps://www.sec.gov/news/press-release/2024-51 Oregon senator demands refunds for TurboTax customers over glitch | Accounting Todayhttps://www.accountingtoday.com/news/oregon-senator-demands-refunds-for-turbotax-customers-over-glitch Can LLMs Pass the CPA Exam? Evaluating Large Language Model Performance on the Certified Public Accountant Test by Will Zacher, Sanmukh Kuppannagari :: SSRN           https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=4788096 Sam Altman says helpful agents are poised to become AI’s killer function | MIT Technology Review    https://www.technologyreview.com/2024/05/01/1091979/sam-altman-says-helpful-agents-are-poised-to-become-ais-killer-function/ Why hundreds of U.S. banks may be at risk of failure   https://www.cnbc.com/2024/05/01/why-hundreds-of-us-banks-may-be-at-risk-of-failure.html Tether CEO Says An Audit By A Big Four Giant Is Our Top Priority            https://coingape.com/tether-ceo-says-an-audit-by-a-big-four-giant-is-our-top-prioritterrestrialBlock lets Square merchants convert a part of their daily sales to bitcoinhttps://techcrunch.com/2024/04/24/block-now-lets-square-merchants-convert-a-part-of-their-daily-sales-to-bitcoin/ The 28 best AI prompts for small businesses    https://www.sage.com/en-us/blog/the-28-best-ai-prompts-for-small-businesses/ Congress considers how to fix the Corporate Transparency Acthttps://www.accountingtoday.com/news/congress-considers-how-to-fix-the-corporate-transparency-act Article from www.congress.gov              https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/8147/cosponsors Binance founder Changpeng Zhao sentenced to 4 months in prison after plea dealhttps://www.cnbc.com/2024/04/30/binance-founder-changpeng-zhao-cz-sentenced-to-four-months-in-prison-.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:

Blake and David examine the latest tax legislation traveling through Congress, including a new bill requiring the IRS to provide detailed explanations for math errors on tax returns. They also discuss the IRS's new direct file program, the banning of non-compete agreements, and the coolest profession around (spoiler alert: it's not accounting). Lastly, they touch on the concerning data breach at BerryDunn and the AICPA's efforts to rebrand the CPA to attract more young people to the field.SponsorsLiveFlow - http://accountingpodcast.promo/liveflow Zoho - http://accountingpodcast.promo/zohoKeeper - http://accountingpodcast.promo/keeperHarbor Compliance - http://accountingpodcast.promo/harborChapters(02:40) - New proposed IRS Math Act (05:42) - IRS wraps first season with free file program (09:44) - "The Magician" tax preparer arrested for $100 million tax fraud (15:11) - The future of social security (19:01) - Sam Bankman-Fried makes a deal in civil suit (20:34) - FTC rules noncompetes are unlawful (25:32) - Ryan Tax Firm challenges FTC noncompete ruling (28:04) - QuickBooks Live announcement upsets accountants (41:10) - Anonymous listener says you can work normal hours and still make money (44:31) - Accountant charged with embezzling $800k from CA paving firm (47:39) - Ryanair CEO thinks more accountants should be running airlines (55:25) - Accounting firm sued for data leak (57:22) - CPA "Coolest Profession Around) (01:01:35) - What is "Accounting Plus" (01:06:38) - NASBA offers The Accountancy Licensing Library (01:10:00) - Thanks for listening and remember to subscribe  Show NotesAccountant Charged With Embezzling $800,000 From Paving Firm in California - CPA Practice Advisor            https://www.cpapracticeadvisor.com/2024/04/25/virginia-accountant-charged-with-embezzling-800000-from-richmond-paving-firm/104508/ Ryan Leads Charge Against Biden’s Ban on Noncompete Clauses - CPA Practice Advisorhttps://www.cpapracticeadvisor.com/2024/04/26/ryan-leads-charge-against-bidens-ban-on-noncompete-agreements/104537/ Move Over, TurboTax? IRS Considers Expanding Free Tax-Filing Program – WSJhttps://www.wsj.com/personal-finance/taxes/irs-considers-expanding-free-tax-filing-program-8f68cc9a?st=0akqqiu2v0gjb8v Boeing Needs Another Accountant As CEO, Says Ryanair CEO – Avwebhttps://www.avweb.com/aviation-news/boeing-needs-another-accountant-as-ceo-says-ryanair-ceo/ Ultra-Rich Should Pay More Taxes to Save Social Security, Poll Shows - CPA Practice Advisorhttps://www.cpapracticeadvisor.com/2024/04/25/ultra-rich-should-pay-more-taxes-to-save-social-security-poll-shows/104458/ FTC Bans Noncompete Agreements That Restrict Job Switching – WSJhttps://www.wsj.com/politics/policy/ftc-bans-noncompete-clauses-that-restrict-job-switching-984d2187?st=sxhwibcr49evqxc Bronx tax preparer known as "the magician" arrested for $100 million tax fraud | ADN Américahttps://adnamerica.com/en/new-york/bronx-tax-preparer-known-magician-arrested-100-million-tax-fraud With close calls mounting, the FAA will require more rest for air traffic controllershttps://www.npr.org/2024/04/22/1246349237/close-calls-faa-air-traffic-control-fatigue New bill would force IRS to explain tax return errors | The Hillhttps://thehill.com/business/4602429-new-bill-would-force-irs-to-explain-tax-return-errors/ The Accountancy Licensing Library: Your Ultimate Resource for CPA Licensure | NASBAhttps://nasba.org/blog/2024/04/01/the-accountancy-licensing-library-your-ultimate-resource-for-cpa-licensure/ The cost of doing your taxes are up nearly 10% this year – Marketplacehttps://www.marketplace.org/2024/03/15/tax-preaparation-costs-up-nearly-10-percent/Sam Bankman-Fried agrees to help FTX investors in lawsuits against Tom Brady, Larry Davidhttps://nypost.com/2024/04/22/business/sam-bankman-fried-agrees-to-help-ftx-investors-in-lawsuits-against-tom-brady-larry-david/ Intuit Hosting 'QuickBooks Live' Webinar           https://insightfulaccountant.com/in-the-news/people-and-business/intuit-hosting-quickbooks-live-webinar/ QuickBooks "Live Experts" May Not Be So Badhttps://insightfulaccountant.com/accounting-tech/general-ledger/quickbooks-live-experts-may-not-be-so-bad/ Millions more salaried workers will be eligible for overtime pay under final Biden administration rulehttps://www.cnn.com/2024/04/23/politics/overtime-pay-salaried-workers-biden/index.html Senators introduce bill to simplify IRS notices https://www.accountingtoday.com/news/senators-introduce-bill-to-simplify-irs-notices IRS Says It Saw ‘Strong Response’ From Direct File Pilot Users This Tax Seasonhttps://www.cpapracticeadvisor.com/2024/04/26/irs-saw-strong-response-from-direct-file-pilot-users-this-tax-season/104545/ U.S. accounting firm Be...

Blake Oliver sits down with Brannon Poe of Poe Group Advisors to discuss the differences between traditional and subscription-based virtual accounting firms. Brannon shares his expertise on firm valuation, revealing that factors like cash flow to owner and owner hours play a significant role in determining a firm's value. He also emphasizes the importance of pricing strategies, noting that implementing value pricing and subscription models can dramatically improve a firm's profitability and overall value. Throughout the conversation, Brannon provides valuable insights and real-world examples to help firm owners maximize their firm's value in preparation for a potential sale.Meet Our Guest, Brannon PoeLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/poe-group-advisors/Twitter: https://twitter.com/poegroupadvisorFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/PoeGroupAdvisors/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/poegroup/Learn more about Poe Group AdvisorsWebsite: https://poegroupadvisors.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 and David take a dive into Google's decision to offshore accounting jobs to Mexico and India, which Google’s CFO claims is necessary to free up resources to invest in AI. They also discuss the stagnation of CPA salaries despite a shortage of talent. The conversation touches on a variety of other topics, including the modernization of the IRS, the future of the CPA profession, and advice for young accountants looking to carve their own career paths in a rapidly changing industry.Sponsors Relay - http://accountingpodcast.promo/relay Zoho - http://accountingpodcast.promo/zohoKeeper - http://accountingpodcast.promo/keeperSettle - http://accountingpodcast.promo/settleChapters(05:53) - Blake reads some tweets about hours people are working during busy season (10:52) - Unlimited PTO is worse for employees (13:22) - College degrees aren't necessary for success (20:24) - Florida creates retired CPA status (23:35) - Listener mail on the 150-hour rule and salaries (29:16) - Update on Boston's commercial real estate woes (33:48) - Why office rent prices are still so high (43:10) - Some encouraging IRS news (48:27) - Internal audit reveals 279 former IRS employees or contractors still had access to logins (52:12) - Offshoring can be good or bad (54:04) - Setting a limit on billable hours (55:50) - Let accounting firms decide what requirements accountants need (58:08) - The rise of the "remote partner" (01:04:00) - Wrap up and Earmark now has a web browser version  Show NotesGoogle restructures finance team as part of AI shift, CFO tells employees in memohttps://www.cnbc.com/2024/04/17/google-restructures-finance-team-as-a-part-of-ai-shift-cfo-tells-employees-in-memo.html Josh Youngblood, EA didn’t work over 40 hours per week in tax seasonhttps://x.com/joshyoungblood/status/1779858374403747847?s=12 Skills-Based Hiring Can Shred the Paper Ceiling | BCGhttps://www.bcg.com/capabilities/diversity-inclusion/expert-insights/skill-based-hiring-can-shred-paper-ceiling The Office Market Is in Turmoil. So Why Are Rents More Expensive? – WSJhttps://www.wsj.com/real-estate/commercial/the-office-market-is-in-turmoil-so-why-are-rents-more-expensive-d096f961?st=9ieavh5j7ep3wcw Florida Legislature Passes Bill Creating New Retired CPA Status | Florida Institute of CPAshttps://www.ficpa.org/publication/florida-legislature-passes-bill-creating-new-retired-cpa-status Kyle J. Bauman, CPA on X: "“Unlimited PTO” “Only 2100 Hours”https://twitter.com/kjb_cpa/status/1763595505928442248 62% of Americans Lack a College Degree. Can They Solve the Labor Shortage?https://www.wsj.com/lifestyle/careers/employers-open-more-doors-to-workers-without-degrees-but-few-are-getting-in-732f1098 Senior Leaders Nearly Twice as Likely To Receive AI Resources as Junior Staff | CFOhttps://www.cfo.com/news/senior-leaders-are-nearly-twice-as-likely-to-receive-ai-guidance/707230/ IRS didn't remove contractors' access to sensitive information | Accounting Todayhttps://www.accountingtoday.com/news/irs-didnt-remove-contractors-access-to-sensitive-information Boston mulls commercial tax hike        https://www.accountingtoday.com/articles/boston-mulls-commercial-tax-hike-to-counter-office-market-slump IRS Commissioner Delivers End Of Tax Filing Season Message Touting Improvementshttps://www.forbes.com/sites/kellyphillipserb/2024/04/15/irs-commissioner-delivers-end-of-tax-filing-season-message-touting-improvements/ Florida Creates New Status for Retired CPAs in the State          https://www.cpapracticeadvisor.com/2024/04/15/florida-creates-new-status-for-retired-cpas-in-the-state/103983/ Treasury cash balance jumps most in 2 years as tax payments risehttps://www.accountingtoday.com/articles/treasury-cash-balance-jumps-most-in-2-years-as-tax-payments-rise The rise of the remote accounting firm partner               https://www.accountingtoday.com/news/the-rise-of-the-remote-accounting-firm-partner Werfel sees IRS budget request yielding $341B in extra revenuehttps://www.cfodive.com/news/werfel-sees-irs-budget-request-yielding-341b-extra-revenue-tax-taxation-enforcement/713534/ Google restructures finance team as part of AI shift, CFO tells employees in memohttps://www.cnbc.com/2024/04/17/google-restructures-finance-team-as-a-part-of-ai-shift-cfo-tells-employees-in-memo.html Despite moratorium, IRS gets 20,000 ERC claims weekly, Werfel sayshttps://www.journalofaccountancy.com/news/2024/apr/despite-moratorium-irs-gets-20000-erc-claims-weekly-werfel-says.htmlNeed CPE?Get CPE for listening to podcasts with Earmark: https://earmarkcpe.comSubscribe to the Earmark Podcast: https://podcast.earmarkcpe.com...

Blake and David delve into the effects of remote work on accountant salaries and the mental health challenges faced by auditors at Big Four firms. They inspect a recent study showing lower pay for hybrid workers compared to fully remote or in-office employees. They also contemplate the future of work organization inspired by Bill Anderson, CEO of Bayer, and discuss the potential impact of AI on the accounting profession, the accuracy of AI-related surveys, and the misrepresentation of AI capabilities in recent news headlines.SponsorsLiveFlow - http://accountingpodcast.promo/liveflow Uncat - http://accountingpodcast.promo/uncatEarmark - https://earmark.appSettle - http://accountingpodcast.promo/settleChapters(00:34) - Will accountants soon earn overtime pay? (04:57) - Listener writes in about their own audit experience at a Top-30 firm (08:14) - Trump's Truth Social audit update (14:44) - PCAOB proposed audit metrics (20:44) - 71% of Big 4 auditors worry about mental health (23:27) - Blake shares a clip from new Bayer CEO (33:48) - H&R Block employees prefer remote work (38:14) - Remote accountants get paid less (39:35) - Executives and managers perceive in-office workers as higher performers (42:06) - The four day work week is becoming more common (45:27) - Cody writes in about Big 4 vs industry (47:09) - Hannah asks about outsourcing and offshoring costs (49:59) - Amazon Fresh stores were using Indian employees for "just walk out" tech (55:22) - Shohei Ohtani's translator charged in sports gambling case (58:14) - Accounting Today wrongly claims accountants are saving 30 hours a week on average using AI (01:01:34) - Blake shares a clip from the All In podcast on the future of AI (01:04:48) - Is it time for a new ERP system? (01:07:47) - Thanks for listening and remember to subscribe  Show Notes71% of Big 4 Auditors Worry About Mental Health | CFO             https://www.cfo.com/news/71-of-big-4-auditors-worry-about-mental-health/712063/ Will Getting Rid of Bosses Fix the Workplace? - The Journal. - WSJ Podcastshttps://www.wsj.com/podcasts/the-journal/will-getting-rid-of-bosses-fix-the-workplace/fc0d31d3-2d08-441e-abd8-d77b660fe258 59% of accountants use AI to save about 30 hours a week on tasks | Accounting Todayhttps://www.accountingtoday.com/news/59-of-accountants-use-ai-to-save-about-30-hours-a-week-on-tasks Y Combinator wants to fund new enterprise resource planning (ERP) software"https://www.instagram.com/reel/C3-zHmOIqbI/?igsh=dTMxMDBjNGg3a2p0 Ohtani translator charged with stealing millions for 19,000 bets | Accounting Todayhttps://www.accountingtoday.com/articles/ohtani-translator-charged-with-stealing-millions-for-19-000-bets KPMG Fined Record $25 Million in Exam-Cheating Scandal – WSJhttps://www.wsj.com/articles/kpmg-fined-25-million-over-alleged-netherlands-exam-cheating-a4dcba2a?st=yl6xiqm8nh6gug8 Botkeeper Infinite replaces outsourcing with more AI to help firms automate | Accounting Todayhttps://www.accountingtoday.com/news/botkeeper-infinite-replaces-outsourcing-with-more-ai-to-help-firms-automate More Companies Adopt 4-Day Work Week - CPA Practice Advisor        https://www.cpapracticeadvisor.com/2024/03/27/more-companies-adopt-4-day-work-week/103199/ When Layoffs Happen, Remote Workers Are Hardest Hit - WSJ               https://www.wsj.com/lifestyle/careers/layoffs-remote-work-data-980ed59d?reflink=integratedwebview_share Does Working from Home Boost Productivity Growth? | San Francisco Fed     https://www.frbsf.org/economic-research/publications/economic-letter/2024/january/does-working-from-home-boost-productivity-growth/Trump Media's Accounting Firm Has Audit Deficiency History https://finance.yahoo.com/news/trump-media-accounting-firm-history-150150627.html Amazon's Just Walk Out Actually Uses 1,000 People in Indiahttps://www.businessinsider.com/amazons-just-walk-out-actually-1-000-people-in-india-2024-4 PCAOB Wallops KPMG Netherlands With Record $25M Fine For Exam Cheatinghttps://www.cpapracticeadvisor.com/2024/04/10/pcaob-wallops-kpmg-in-the-netherlands-with-25-million-fine-for-exam-cheating/103803/ PCAOB crackdown shifting to focus on auditing firmshttps://www.accountingtoday.com/news/pcaob-crackdown-shifting-to-focus-on-auditing-firms PCAOB Proposal Would Require Audit Firms to Disclose a Variety of Metricshttps://www.cpapracticeadvisor.com/2024/04/10/pcaob-issues-proposal-requiring-audit-firms-to-disclose-variety-of-metrics/103758/ PCAOB proposals call for firms to disclose more about themselveshttps://www.journalofaccountancy.com/news/2024/apr/pcaob-proposals-call-firms-to-disclose-more-about-themselves.html Only 48% of accounting, consulting, legal, and private capital professionals have used AI tools at work despite near ...

Joe Woodard joins Blake and David to examine how accountants and bookkeepers can increase the value of their services in the eyes of their clients. Joe introduces the Cobb value curve, illustrating how differentiation and relative value impact pricing. He emphasizes the importance of offering unique, high-value services like controllership and financial planning to stand out from commoditized offerings and command premium prices.Meet Our Guest, Joe WoodardLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/quickbooksadvisorTwitter: https://twitter.com/joewoodardLearn more about WoodardWebsite: http://www.woodard.comNeed CPE?Get CPE for listening to podcasts with Earmark: https://earmarkcpe.comSubscribe to the Earmark Podcast: https://podcast.earmarkcpe.comGet in TouchThanks for listening and the great reviews! We appreciate you! Follow and tweet @BlakeTOliver and @DavidLeary. Find us on Facebook and Instagram. If you like what you hear, please do us a favor and write a review on Apple Podcasts or Podchaser. Call us and leave a voicemail; maybe we'll play it on the show. DIAL (202) 695-1040.SponsorshipsAre you interested in sponsoring the 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 dive into the concerning trend of small CPA firms conducting shoddy audits of large companies and SPACs, raking in big fees while facing minimal consequences for deficient work. They also discuss the latest accounting app funding news, the power of AI for crafting persuasive arguments, and the American Institute of CPAs' puzzling resistance to changes in CPA licensure requirements and touch on the growing importance of client accounting services for public accounting firms.Sponsors Cloud Accountant Staffing - http://accountingpodcast.promo/cas Uncat - http://accountingpodcast.promo/uncatEarmark - https://earmark.appChapters(00:38) - Blake is back from a conference in Atlanta (03:12) - The truth behind Trump's Truth Social SPAC audit (18:41) - AI startup Fieldguide secures $30 million in Series B funding (21:57) - FundGuard secures $100 million in Series C funding round (23:42) - BotKeeper launches BotKeeper Infinite (29:29) - Scientists find that AI is more persuasive than humans at changing people's opinions (37:41) - Formula 1 team using Excel to track car parts (39:34) - CAS is the fastest-growing service in Accounting Today's annual survey (41:34) - The AICPA warns about losing the 150-hour rule (48:46) - Send us an email and remember you can earn FREE CPE for listening to this podcast!  Show NotesFieldguide Raises $30 Million to Combat CPA Shortage With AIhttps://www.pymnts.com/news/investment-tracker/2024/fieldguide-raises-30-million-to-combat-cpa-shortage-with-ai/AI accounting startup raises $100Mhttps://www.accountingtoday.com/articles/ai-accounting-startup-fundguard-raises-100m-in-new-fundsOn the Conversational Persuasiveness of Large Language Models: A Randomized Controlled Trial (PDF) https://arxiv.org/pdf/2403.14380.pdf?utm_source=www.therundown.ai&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_campaign=nvidia-s-new-ai-chip-competitor The year CAS took overhttps://www.accountingtoday.com/opinion/the-year-cas-took-over-accountingNeed 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/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 dig through the latest accounting news, including the effectiveness of pizza parties in boosting accounting firm morale, the record number of baby boomers reaching retirement age, and the impact on Social Security, as well as the massive amount of COVID-related fraud originating in South Florida. They also take a look at audit integrity issues, the long working hours in accounting, and some of the latest app headlines.SponsorsLiveFlow - http://accountingpodcast.promo/liveflow Relay - http://accountingpodcast.promo/relay Bookkeep - http://accountingpodcast.promo/bookkeepChapters(00:22) - Thomson Reuters says pizza parties boost accountants morale (03:33) - Trump cheats at golf (04:50) - Truth Social goes public (07:41) - Grant Thornton sells majority stake to private equity firm (12:28) - Almost 20% of all PPP fraud happened in South Florida (17:59) - 49ers docked 5th round draft pick for accounting error (20:08) - Sam Bankman Freed sentenced to 25 years in prison (22:29) - David shares WSJ video on the future of social security (31:16) - Tingo audit faulire update (41:48) - Big 4 Transparency firm awards (50:28) - Blake takes on a Reddit user's problem (56:35) - Microsoft Teams combining business and personal offerings (57:04) - Thanks for listening and remember to subscribe  Show NotesFTX Founder Sam Bankman-Fried Sentenced to 25 Years https://www.wsj.com/finance/currencies/sam-bankman-fried-sentencing-ftx-fraud-2d92fce9?st=d45lmr6uc8gg6wcTrump ‘cheats like a mafia accountant’ at golf, writer who played with him says - pennlive.com https://www.pennlive.com/news/2024/03/trump-cheats-like-a-mafia-accountant-at-golf-writer-who-played-with-him-says.htmlBig 4 Transparency - Awards Season 🏆 https://big4transparency.beehiiv.com/p/big-4-transparency-awards-season?utm_source=big4transparency.beehiiv.com&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_campaign=big-4-transparency-awards-seasonPCAOB bars Colorado firm Gries & Associates from doing audits | Accounting Today https://www.accountingtoday.com/news/pcaob-bars-colorado-firm-from-doing-auditsSan Francisco 49ers docked 2025 fifth-round draft pick for accounting error | FOX Sports https://www.foxsports.com/stories/nfl/san-francisco-49ers-docked-2025-fifth-round-draft-pick-for-accounting-errorGrant Thornton gets major PE stake from New Mountain Capital | Accounting Today https://www.accountingtoday.com/news/grant-thornton-gets-major-pe-stakeHow Miami Became a Hub of PPP Fraud After Pandemichttps://www.cpapracticeadvisor.com/2024/03/26/how-miami-became-a-hub-of-ppp-fraud-after-pandemic/103156/ Audit Plan to Flag Illegal Acts Needs Do-Over, Critics Chargehttps://news.bloombergtax.com/financial-accounting/audit-plan-to-flag-illegal-acts-needs-do-over-critics-charge Blackrock larry fink annual letter 8484e68e      https://www.wsj.com/finance/investing/blackrock-larry-fink-annual-letter-8484e68e Ahead of sentencing, SBF team argues for 5-6 years in jail because FTX customers will get money back          https://www.cnbc.com/2024/03/27/sbf-team-argues-for-5-6-year-sentence-ftx-customers-to-get-money-back.html The Home Stretch: Strategies & insights for today’s tax professionals as their busy season concludes              https://www.thomsonreuters.com/en-us/posts/tax-and-accounting/home-stretch-tax-professionals/ Trump's social media company rises 16% in first day trading gains, but the stock could fall 95%, says an IPO expert  https://fortune.com/2024/03/26/trump-social-media-rises-trading-gains-fall-expert/ FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried gets 25 years in prison           https://www.bankingdive.com/news/sam-bankman-fried-25-years-prison-fraud-conspiracy-ftx-crypto-sbf-kaplan-alameda/711601/ IRS Criminal Investigation Says COVID-Related Fraud Totaled Nearly $9 Billionhttps://www.forbes.com/sites/kellyphillipserb/2024/03/28/irs-criminal-investigation-says-covid-related-fraud-totaled-nearly-9-billion/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? ...