• The CPA Who Controls Epstein's Fortune
    Dec 22 2025
    Sponsors Cloud Accountant Staffing - http://accountingpodcast.promo/casRelay - http://accountingpodcast.promo/relayOnPay - http://accountingpodcast.promo/onpayChapters(00:47) - Jeffrey Epstein's CPA and Lawyer (03:10) - Wall Street Journal Article on Epstein's Associates (05:58) - Discussion on Epstein's Financial Operations (14:25) - Trump's Executive Order on Cannabis Businesses (18:16) - Tax Implications for Gambling and Prediction Markets (20:47) - IRS Criminal Investigations Unit Record Year (25:13) - Lawyer Sues IRS to Recognize Dog as Dependent (28:09) - Trump's New US Tech Force (29:27) - Trump's Hiring Plans and Tech Startups (30:22) - Startup Fraud in Tax Accounting (34:23) - Intuit and Circle Partnership (36:38) - AI and Stablecoin Payments (44:16) - AI's Impact on Accounting Jobs (51:24) - AI-Powered Fraud in Finance (55:59) - Closing Remarks and Announcements Show NotesThe CPA and the Lawyer Who Served Jeffrey Epstein—and Control His Fortune and Secrets https://www.wsj.com/articles/the-cpa-and-the-lawyer-who-served-jeffrey-epstein-and-control-his-fortune-and-secretsTaking a gamble on prediction market taxation https://www.accountingtoday.com/news/taking-a-gamble-on-prediction-market-taxationLawyer sues IRS to recognize pets as dependents https://www.accountingtoday.com/news/lawyer-sues-irs-to-recognize-pets-as-dependentsSEC Charges Shiloh Luckey https://www.sec.gov/enforcement-litigation/litigation-releases/lr-26424The FBI is investigating a startup founder accused of using VC money to pay for her house and a Caribbean wedding https://techstartups.com/2025/12/16/the-fbi-is-investigating-a-startup-founder-accused-of-spending-5-5-million-in-vc-funding-on-a-house-and-caribbean-wedding/Intuit taps Circle's USDC to add stablecoin payments across TurboTax and QuickBooks https://www.theblock.co/post/383184/intuit-circle-usdc-stablecoin-payments-turbotax-quickbooksIntuit and Circle Partner to Unlock the Future of Money Movement with Stablecoins https://investors.intuit.com/news-events/press-releases/detail/1292/intuit-and-circle-partner-to-unlock-the-future-of-money-movement-with-stablecoinsAI Is Reshaping Accounting Jobs by Doing the "Boring" Stuff https://www.gsb.stanford.edu/insights/ai-reshaping-accounting-jobs-doing-boring-stuffHuman + AI in Accounting: Early Evidence from the Field https://www.gsb.stanford.edu/faculty-research/working-papers/human-ai-accounting-early-evidence-fieldIRS-CI issues fiscal year 2025 annual report showcasing banner investigative results https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/irs-ci-issues-fiscal-year-2025-annual-report-showcasing-banner-investigative-resultsIRS Criminal Investigation uncovers $10.6B in financial crimes https://www.accountingtoday.com/news/irs-criminal-investigation-uncovers-10-6b-in-financial-crimesDext warns businesses over losses from ChatGPT-style financial advice https://fintech.global/2025/12/18/dext-warns-businesses-over-losses-from-chatgpt-style-financial-advice/ChatGPT tax advice already costing UK firms, say accountants https://itbrief.co.uk/story/chatgpt-tax-advice-already-costing-uk-firms-say-accountantsTrump admin to hire 1,000 specialists for 'Tech Force' to build AI, finance projects https://www.cnbc.com/2025/12/15/trump-ai-tech-force-amazon-apple.htmlOPM Launches US Tech Force to Implement President Trump's Vision for Technology Leadershiphttps://www.opm.gov/news/news-releases/opm-launches-us-tech-force-to-implement-president-trumps-vision-for-technology-leadership/Double Raises $6.5 Million Series A from Album Ventures, Jack Altman, and Y Combinator to Double Accountants' Productivity https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251210027851/en/Double-Raises-$6.5-Million-Series-A-from-Album-Ventures-Jack-Altman-and-Y-Combinator-to-Double-Accountants-ProductivityZoho announces enterprise billing, spend management products https://www.accountingtoday.com/news/zoho-announces-enterprise-billing-spend-management-productsZoho Announces Zoho Spend and Zoho Billing Enterprise Edition https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251218170986/en/Zoho-Announces-Zoho-Spend-and-Zoho-Billing-Enterprise-Edition-Offering-Large-Businesses-Greater-Control-and-Flexibility-Over-Billing-Operations-and-Company-Spend-as-They-ScaleAI giving scammers new tricks, enhancing old ones https://www.accountingtoday.com/news/ai-giving-scammers-new-tricks-enhancing-old-onesFrom secure to spooked: White-collar workers face rising job fears https://www.businessreport.com/article/from-secure-to-spooked-white-collar-workers-face-rising-job-fears
    Show More Show Less
    58 mins
  • The IRS Agents Who Will Watch OnlyFans At Work
    Dec 15 2025
    Will IRS agents have to watch OnlyFans to police the new “no tax on tips” deduction? Blake and David unpack the wild twist: a study showing that women-led audit teams deliver higher-quality work at lower fees, and why AI could finally kill the billable hour. They hit PCAOB’s AI/PE crackdown, KPMG’s AI exam cheating, AI‑written financial reports, Meta’s off‑balance‑sheet data center, the IRS Math Act, and new child investment accounts. Walk away with policy context and practical tech takeaways.SponsorsOnPay - http://accountingpodcast.promo/onpayACFE - http://accountingpodcast.promo/acfe Cloud Accountant Staffing - http://accountingpodcast.promo/casChapters(01:15) - New Tax Deduction for Digital Content Creators (02:27) - IRS Agents and OnlyFans Content (04:39) - IRS Telework Policy Changes (06:15) - Earmark CPE and Listener Interaction (09:25) - President's Statement on Federal Income Tax (13:15) - IRS Math Act and Senator Justice's Tax Issues (16:03) - Trump Accounts and PCAOB Scrutiny on AI (24:20) - Audit Quality and Gender Diversity (28:30) - KPMG AI Cheating Scandal (30:51) - AI's Impact on Time Savings in Various Industries (32:56) - The Role of AI in Accounting and Its Limitations (34:26) - AI in Financial Reporting and Business Processes (36:44) - The Decline of the Billable Hour Due to AI (47:01) - Meta's Controversial Accounting Practices (50:56) - Pilot's New Partner Program for Accountants (58:58) - Conclusion and Final Thoughts Show NotesComing soon!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/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
    Show More Show Less
    1 hr
  • Trump's Department of Education Says Accountants Aren't Professionals
    Dec 8 2025
    Are accountants no longer “professionals”? We unpack the DOE proposal that could slash grad loan limits—and what AICPA/NASBA plans to do about it. Plus: Deloitte’s AI-made citations, EY’s audit turnaround, PwC’s end‑to‑end AI audit ambitions, and OpenAI’s circular investment into accounting rollups. We also cover Xero’s new auto‑reconcile, Intuit’s small‑biz data ad play, and two practical wins: Google’s shared inboxes and unexpected networking tactics for landing that first job.SponsorsCloud Accountant Staffing - http://accountingpodcast.promo/casACFE - http://accountingpodcast.promo/acfeOnPay - http://accountingpodcast.promo/onpayChapters(00:00) - Introduction and Podcast Overview(00:44) - Headline: Accountants No Longer Professionals?(02:18) - Department of Education's Proposal and Reactions(03:50) - Implications for Accounting Students and Professionals(09:28) - Deloitte's AI Work Swap Controversy(12:46) - EY's Audit Quality Improvements(20:56) - Economic Update: Tariffs and Job Market(34:02) - Circular AI Investments: A Closer Look(36:31) - AI Tools for Accountants: New Features(39:32) - Xero's New Pricing and AI Policies(49:13) - PWC's AI-Driven Audit Automation(52:39) - Google Workspace Shared Inboxes(55:49) - Dissolution of the Department of Government Efficiency(56:47) - Career Networking Tips for Accountants(01:01:16) - Outsourcing Talent: A Global Perspective Show NotesDepartment of Education Accounting Professional Degree Classificationhttps://www.newsweek.com/full-list-degrees-professional-trump-administration-11085695 Accountants Inexplicably Deemed "Not Professional" Under OBBBA Student Loan Rules https://www.goingconcern.com/accountants-inexplicably-deemed-not-professional-under-obba-student-loan-rules/ Department of Education Unclassifies Accounting as a Professional Degree https://www.cpapracticeadvisor.com/2025/11/24/department-of-education-unclassifies-accounting-as-a-professional-degree/173875/ Deloitte allegedly cited AI-generated research in a million-dollar report for a Canadian provincial government https://fortune.com/2025/11/25/deloitte-caught-fabricated-ai-generated-research-million-dollar-report-canada-government/ Major N.L. healthcare report contains errors likely generated by A.I. https://theindependent.ca/news/lji/major-n-l-healthcare-report-contains-errors-likely-generated-by-a-i/ N.L. asks Deloitte to carry out review after 'incorrect' citations found in $1.6M provincial health planhttps://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfoundland-labrador/nl-deloitte-citations-9.6990216 OpenAI's investment into Thrive Holdings is its latest circular deal https://techcrunch.com/2025/12/01/openais-investment-into-thrive-holdings-is-its-latest-circular-deal/ Thrive-backed accounting firm Crete to spend $500 million in AI roll-up https://finance.yahoo.com/news/thrive-backed-accounting-firm-crete-130200467.html Crete PA plans $500 million spend to buy and upgrade accounting firms with AI https://www.accountingtoday.com/news/crete-pa-plans-500-million-spend-to-buy-and-upgrade-firms-with-ai OpenAI takes an ownership stake in Thrive Holdings to accelerate enterprise AI adoption https://openai.com/index/thrive-holdings/ Trump Tariffs: The Economic Impact of the Trump Trade War https://taxfoundation.org/research/all/federal/trump-tariffs-trade-war/ IEEPA Tariffs Are Down from April Threatshttps://taxfoundation.org/blog/ieepa-tariffs-rates-down-april-threats/Intuit SMB MediaLabs Audiences Now Available on The Trade Desk Platform https://investors.intuit.com/news-events/press-releases/detail/1288/intuit-smb-medialabs-audiences-now-available-on-the-trade-desk-platform-connecting-advertisers-with-small-and-mid-market-businesses Intuit SMB MediaLabs | Advertising Networkhttps://medialabs.intuit.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 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/AppleP...
    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 4 mins
  • What Americans Are Most Afraid of Discussing at Thanksgiving
    Nov 28 2025
    Do money talks make your family squirm more than politics? In this Thanksgiving mailbag, Blake and David dig into a Bankrate survey on taboo money chats, the grim 2026 grad job market, and the maze of CPA experience sign-offs after NASBA’s program vanished. You’ll hear practical career advice (big firm vs. small, starting bookkeeping), what AI can and can’t do for accountants today, plus news on audit partners’ outlook and tariff shifts hitting grocery bills.Chapters(01:14) - Listener Mailbag: Top Messages of the Year (02:05) - Thanksgiving Dinner Conversations: Money vs. Politics (06:11) - Listener Questions: CPA Licensing Challenges (12:07) - NASBA Data Issues and CPA Exam Pass Rates (13:24) - Economic Optimism Among Audit Partners (17:22) - Political News: Tariff Rollbacks (19:03) - Career Advice for Accounting Students (26:47) - AI's Impact on Accounting Careers (27:34) - AI's Current Capabilities and Limitations (31:10) - Future of AI in Accounting (34:49) - Challenges in Accounting Education (40:51) - Listener Mail and Feedback (46:23) - Accounting News and Stories Show NotesCompanies Predict 2026 Will Be the Worst College Grad Job Market in Five Years https://www.wsj.com/lifestyle/careers/2026-graduates-job-market-7928bcd7 Survey: Americans would rather discuss politics or religion than what's in their bank accounts https://www.bankrate.com/banking/financial-taboos-survey/ Audit partners feel more optimistic about economy https://www.accountingtoday.com/news/audit-partners-feel-more-optimistic-about-economy Trump lowers tariffs on coffee, beef and fruits, as Americans' concerns about affordability grow https://www.cnn.com/2025/11/14/economy/lower-tariffs-coffee-beef-bananas-produce Georgia Accountant Arrested After Allegedly Tearing Down Trump Sign, Shooting at North Carolina Man's Househttps://www.cpapracticeadvisor.com/2025/10/24/georgia-accountant-arrested-after-allegedly-tearing-down-trump-sign-shooting-at-north-carolina-mans-house/171649/ Measuring AI Ability to Complete Long Tasks https://metr.org/blog/2025-03-19-measuring-ai-ability-to-complete-long-tasks/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
    Show More Show Less
    52 mins
  • Intuit's $100m/yr OpenAI Deal & How Tech Companies Juice Profits
    Nov 22 2025
    Blake breaks down how AI can help with cost segregation and explains why AI currently works best on tasks that take humans 2-5 minutes. Michael Burry is betting against AI companies, claiming they're manipulating earnings by stretching server depreciation from 3-4 years to 5-6 years, adding billions to their bottom lines. Also covered: Intuit's $100 million annual OpenAI deal to integrate QuickBooks and TurboTax into ChatGPT, new bank evidence in the Rippling corporate espionage case, and a survey showing 10% of adults are acting on AI tax advice despite error rates up to 50%.Chapters(00:00) - Welcome to The Accounting Podcast (00:49) - Blake's Illness and Recovery (02:05) - Upcoming Topics (04:06) - Cost Segregation Explained (06:46) - AI in Cost Segregation (11:15) - AI's Current Capabilities and Limitations (19:10) - Intuit's OpenAI Deal (22:01) - Intuit's Strategy and Industry Implications (30:12) - Michael Burry's New Bet Against AI (31:21) - Depreciation and AI Companies (39:15) - Rippling vs. Deel: Corporate Espionage (42:44) - New Jersey's Alternative Pathways Bill (44:39) - AI's Role in Tax and Investing Advice (47:37) - Defining Audit Quality: PCOB's New Initiative (51:56) - FASB's Costly Lease Standard (56:13) - Ancient Accounting Systems in Peru (58:45) - Conclusion and Viewer Interaction Show NotesAI Is Now a First Stop for Tax and Investing Questions - CPAs Need a Playbook Fasthttps://www.cpapracticeadvisor.com/2025/10/29/ai-is-now-a-first-stop-for-tax-and-investing-questions-cpas-need-a-playbook-fast/171939/ 19% lost $100 or more on bad AI financial advicehttps://www.accountingtoday.com/news/19-lost-100-or-more-on-bad-ai-financial-advice Intuit to pay OpenAI over $100 million for model access, ChatGPT integrates with TurboTaxhttps://www.cnbc.com/2025/11/18/intuit-pays-openai-100-million-turbotax-integrates-chatgpt.html Intuit Strikes $100M Deal to Bring TurboTax and QuickBooks Into ChatGPThttps://www.eweek.com/news/intuit-100m-chatgpt-deal/ Intuit signs $100M+ deal with OpenAI to bring its apps to ChatGPThttps://techcrunch.com/2025/11/18/intuit-signs-100m-deal-with-openai-to-bring-its-apps-to-chatgpt/ Intuit and OpenAI join forces on new AI-powered experienceshttps://openai.com/index/intuit-partnership/ 'Big Short' investor Michael Burry accuses AI hyperscalers of artificially boosting earningshttps://www.cnbc.com/2025/11/11/big-short-investor-michael-burry-accuses-ai-hyperscalers-of-artificially-boosting-earnings.html Michael Burry Hits Back At Critics: Accuses AI Companies Of 'Suspicious Revenue Recognition' And Depreciation Gimmicks: 'Fraud, Not A Flywheel'https://www.benzinga.com/markets/hedge-funds/25/11/48967194/michael-burry-hits-back-at-critics-accuses-ai-companies-of-suspicious-revenue-recognition-and-depreciation-gimmicks-fraud-not-a-flywheel Fireside chat with PCAOB acting chair George Botichttps://www.accountingtoday.com/opinion/fireside-chat-with-pcaob-acting-chair-george-botic New Banking Records Prove Deel Paid Thief Who Stole Trade Secrets from Rippling https://www.rippling.com/blog/new-banking-records-prove-deel-paid-thief-who-stole-trade-secrets-from-rippling Newly unsealed documents tie Deel to payments for alleged Rippling spy, while Deel points to witness incentiveshttps://www.calcalistech.com/ctechnews/article/h1ysgtng11l FASB Says Certain Costs of Leases Standard Were Significantly Higher Than Expectedhttps://www.cpapracticeadvisor.com/2025/11/20/fasb-says-certain-costs-of-lease-accounting-standard-were-significantly-higher-than-expected/173680/ FASB finds leases standard was costlier than expectedhttps://www.accountingtoday.com/news/fasb-finds-leases-standard-was-costlier-than-expected NJ's once-stalled CPA licensing bill advances after 'surprise' votehttps://www.cfodive.com/news/njs-once-stalled-cpa-licensing-bill-advances-surprise-vote-accounting/805589/ Indigenous accounting and exchange at Monte Sierpe ('Band of Holes') in the Pisco Valley, Peruhttps://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/antiquity/article/indigenous-accounting-and-exchange-at-monte-sierpe-band-of-holes-in-the-pisco-valley-peru/41D83389D230D99CFF18194CF274A9A3 Peru's ancient 'band of holes' mystery may be solvedhttps://edition.cnn.com/2025/11/21/science/peru-band-of-holes-mysteryNeed 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 Podcha...
    Show More Show Less
    1 hr
  • The Future of Advisory: Unlocking Your Firm’s CFO Potential (from The Earmark Podcast)
    Nov 20 2025

    Earmark Media Presents a bonus episode of Earmark Podcast:

    Live from Boston on the final stop of the Advisory Amplified tour, Blake sits down with James Erving from Fathom and Chris Macksey from Prix Fixe Accounting to explore what advisory services really mean beyond bookkeeping and compliance. Chris shares how his firm requires advisory for all restaurant clients, using industry expertise and operational metrics to guide decisions on everything from menu pricing to expansion timing. The conversation covers the difference between delivering information versus being integral to decision-making, with insights on forecasting, benchmarking, and why visual KPIs help clients with low financial literacy understand their business performance.

    Meet Our Guests

    James Erving

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jameserving/

    Learn more about Fathom

    Official website: http://fathomhq.com

    Chris Macksey

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cmacksey/

    Learn more about Prix Fixe Accounting

    Official website: https://prixfixe.accountants/

    Need CPE?
    Get CPE for this episode: https://earmark.app/c/2912

    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

    Show More Show Less
    28 mins
  • Leading with Empathy: Building Teams That Thrive (from The Earmark Podcast)
    Nov 18 2025

    Earmark Media Presents a bonus episode of Earmark Podcast:

    On the fifth stop of the Advisory Amplified tour in Atlanta, Blake sits down with Lisa Gilreath of Acuity and Valerie Heckman of OnPay to discuss what empathetic leadership actually looks like in an industry notorious for long hours and tight deadlines. The conversation covers everything from recognizing when team members are struggling to handling toxic high performers, with real talk about building slack into capacity planning and why unused PTO is a red flag. Lisa and Valerie share concrete steps for creating a culture where people feel supported enough to lean in when it matters most.

    Meet Our Guests


    Valerie Heckman

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/valerieheckman/

    Learn more about OnPay

    Official website: https://onpay.com

    Lisa Gilreath

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisa-gilreath-2ba506a/

    Learn more about Sorren

    Official website: https://sorren.com/

    Need CPE?
    Get CPE for this episode: https://earmark.app/c/2909

    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

    Show More Show Less
    32 mins
  • Banking on Change: How Renegade Firms Redefine Success (from The Earmark Podcast)
    Nov 13 2025

    Earmark Media Presents a bonus episode of Earmark Podcast:

    Live from Austin on the Advisory Amplified tour, Blake sits down with Madeline Reeves of Fearless Foundry and Wesley McDonald of Relay to explore what it truly means to be a renegade in accounting: firms that lead clients to somewhere new rather than settle for "the way things have always been done." The conversation explores why top firms aren't afraid to say no to the wrong clients, how transparency in compensation and career pathways can address the talent crisis, and the hard-won lessons learned about building cultures of collaboration over competition.

    Meet Our Guests


    Madeline Reeves

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/madelinefearless/

    Learn more about Fearless Foundry

    Official website: http://www.fearlessfoundry.com

    Wesley McDonald

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wmcdonald48/?originalSubdomain=ca

    Learn more about Relay

    Official website: https://relayfi.com

    Need CPE?
    Get CPE for this episode: https://earmark.app/c/2880

    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

    Show More Show Less
    34 mins