Earmark Podcast | Earn Free Accounting CPE Blake Oliver, CPA

The CPA profession faces an identity crisis, with challenges in the candidate pipeline, non-attest services' role, and CPE's effectiveness. This webinar explores the impact of the fifth-year requirement, the value of consulting services, the need for engaging CPE, and the use of the CPA designation in non-traditional roles. Join our expert panel as we discuss solutions to navigate the profession's challenges and opportunities and redefine the CPA identity in an ever-changing landscape.
(This episode originally aired on April 9, 2024 on Earmark Webinars+)

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Chapters(01:11) - Exploring the CPA Identity Crisis

(03:10) - Challenges in the CPA Profession: Enrollment Decline and Talent Shortage

(05:19) - Rethinking Education and Work Experience in Accounting

(08:16) - The Future of Accounting: Automation, Advisory Services, and the CPA Role

(10:01) - The Split Between Audit and Advisory Services in Accounting Firms

(12:22) - Addressing the Pipeline Problem and Work Culture in Accounting Firms

(29:51) - Reimagining the CPA Profession and Certification

(32:35) - Exploring the Work-Life Balance in Accounting

(33:19) - Engaging with Live Stream Viewers and Discussing Regulatory Solutions

(33:40) - The Debate on Auditor Work Hours and Firm Practices

(34:38) - CBIZ's Unique Position in the Professional Services Industry

(35:46) - The Role of Regulators and Proposals for Reform

(36:53) - The Case for Government-Run Audits

(37:30) - Rethinking Overtime and Compensation in Accounting

(51:40) - Addressing the CPA Identity Crisis and Recommendations

(57:47) - Concluding Remarks and Future Directions

Sign up to get free CPE for listening to this podcasthttps://earmarkcpe.comDownload the Earmark CPE App Apple: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/earmark-cpe/id1562599728
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Connect with Our Guests
David  Bergstein, CPA, CITP, CGMALinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidbergstein/
Steven Sacks, CPA, CGMA, ABCLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevenesacks/
Connect with Blake Oliver, CPALinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/blaketoliverTwitter: https://twitter.com/blaketoliver/

Audit is at a crossroads. Commoditization and compliance mentalities have diminished its value. Now, auditors face an existential crisis. How can assurance stay relevant? Join Alan Anderson and Blake Oliver as they tackle pressing questions on audit's failure to innovate and chart a new direction focused on value-added assurance. You’ll get a dynamic diagnosis of threats plus practical ideas to transform the profession before external forces make change urgent. Discover what’s at stake if audit no longer matters and how leadership today can write a better tomorrow.
(This episode originally aired on February 28, 2024 on Earmark Webinars+)

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Chapters(00:00) - EAP 66
(01:57) - The Crossroads of Auditing: Challenges and Innovations
(03:21) - Embracing Technology: The Future of Efficient Auditing
(06:26) - Redefining the Audit Process: Closing the Expectation Gap
(15:24) - Understanding Business Through Audits: The Value of Insight
(27:38) - The Commoditization of Audits: A Call for Change
(31:41) - Exploring the Flexibility in Auditing Standards
(32:19) - The Shift Towards a More Rules-Based Approach
(32:55) - The Impact of Standardized Methodologies on Auditing
(33:48) - Revitalizing Auditing: Injecting Fun and Quality
(36:16) - Addressing the Pipeline Issue: Making Auditing Appealing
(41:04) - The Importance of Planning in Auditing
(46:19) - Challenging the Billable Hours Model
(50:53) - Leveraging Technology to Transform Auditing
(52:38) - Concluding Remarks and Resources
Sign up to get free CPE for listening to this podcasthttps://earmarkcpe.comDownload the Earmark CPE App Apple: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/earmark-cpe/id1562599728
Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.earmarkcpe.app
Connect with Our Guest, Alan Anderson
Website: https://www.accountabilityplus.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alan-anderson-0ab74227/
Connect with Blake Oliver, CPALinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/blaketoliverTwitter: https://twitter.com/blaketoliver/

Do you have clients living or working abroad who could save big on their taxes? In this episode, expat tax specialist Vincenzo Villamena outlines creative strategies US citizens overseas can use to legally reduce their tax burden. Learn how your expat clients can exclude $120,000 in foreign earned income, set up offshore corporate structures to cut their tax rate in half, eliminate 15% self-employment tax, and more.

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Chapters(00:50) - Welcome Vincenzo to the Show

(01:50) - Exploring Expat Taxation with Vincenzo Villamena

(03:27) - Vincenzo's Journey from Corporate America to Entrepreneurship Outside of the US

(09:53) - The Remote Work Revolution and Its Impact

(12:36) - Navigating the Complex World of Expat Taxes

(13:00) - Where are Most of Your Clients?

(15:05) - Strategies for Expats to Optimize Taxes

(24:10) - Understanding Corporate Structures and Tax Deferral

(24:20) - The Good, the Bad, and the Planning of Tax Strategies

(28:18) - What Work Do We Have to Do to Get These Benefits?

(30:23) - Comprehensive Service Offerings: From Setup to Compliance

(31:57) - How Do You Charge For Your Services?

(33:12) - The Exponential Savings of Offshore Structuring

(35:36) - Exploring the Vibrant Culture of Carnival in Brazil

(37:22) - Building a Strong Remote Team Culture

(41:57) - Leveraging Technology for Remote Collaboration

(45:04) - A Day in the Life of an Expat Entrepreneur

(50:38) - The Transformative Experience of Living Abroad

(53:23) - Wrapping Up: Insights from an Expat Tax Expert
Sign up to get free CPE for listening to this podcasthttps://earmarkcpe.comDownload the Earmark CPE App Apple: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/earmark-cpe/id1562599728
Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.earmarkcpe.app
Connect with Our Guest, Vincenzo Villamena
Website: https://onlinetaxman.com/Website: https://globalexpatadvisors.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/online-taxman/Twitter: Guest TwitterFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/OnlineTaxman?mibextid=LQQJ4dInstagram: https://instagram.com/onlinetaxman?igshid=OGQ5ZDc2ODk2ZA%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
Connect with Blake Oliver, CPALinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/blaketoliverTwitter: https://twitter.com/blaketoliver/

Blake’s conversation with Kendale King, CPA, gives an insider’s view into the intriguing world of entertainment finance. Kendale shares his transition from Big Four auditor to accounting for multi-million dollar studio deals. You’ll see a new side of accounting blending creativity with business strategy. Gain insight into entertainment studios’ complex “Hollywood Accounting” practices around profit participation and residuals. Understand Kendale’s integral role as crypto assets shape future accounting standards. Appreciate his vision to directly integrate CPA abilities into AI applications. If you want to hear an unconventional accounting journey and glimpse the opportunities for accountants to impact media and emerging technologies, join us for Kendale’s exclusive look behind the scenes.

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Chapters(00:45) - Welcome Kendale to the Show

(01:53) - Favorite Gigs and the Impact of DreamCon

(06:26) - The Transition from Deloitte to the Entertainment Industry

(08:33) - Making the Leap to LA: From Audit to Entertainment Accounting

(14:14) - Deep Dive into Entertainment Accounting with Netflix

(16:29) - Understanding the Complexities of Content Accounting

(22:37) - Why do Studios Shelve Finished Films?

(26:51) - The Intricacies of Hollywood Accounting Explained

(34:40) - The Evolution of Kendale's Own Firm: KCK

(40:16) - The Pricing Puzzle: How KCK CPA Approaches Client Engagements

(43:13) - How Can Accountants Learn the Entertainment Business?

(46:40) - How Did Kendale Get into the Crypto Space?

(49:27) - How Did You Get Invovled with FASB?

(55:50) - Exploring AI in Accounting: The Future is Now

(57:53) - Where to Reach Kendale
Sign up to get free CPE for listening to this podcasthttps://earmarkcpe.comDownload the Earmark CPE App Apple: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/earmark-cpe/id1562599728
Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.earmarkcpe.app
Connect with Our Guest, Kendale King
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kendale-king-cpa-90916721/
Connect with Blake Oliver, CPALinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/blaketoliverTwitter: https://twitter.com/blaketoliver/

(Originally recorded on February 15, 2024 on Earmark Webinars+)
Hector and Blake recount a brief history of QuickBooks Desktop vs QuickBooks Online through the end of 2023, the state of Intuit’s current offers and posturing in the market, and where they think QuickBooks is moving into for 2024 and beyond.
Chapters
(01:11) - Hector's Journey: From Tax Practice to Tech Innovator

(03:16) - A Deep Dive into QuickBooks' Evolution

(07:12) - The Shift to QuickBooks Online and Its Ecosystem

(11:41) - Predicting the Future: QuickBooks Desktop's Demise

(12:08) - QuickBooks Online: Aiming for Total Workflow Control

(14:03) - The Role of AI in Shaping QuickBooks' Future

(16:08) - Intuit's Strategy: Moving Beyond Desktop Versions

(25:21) - The Controversy Around QuickBooks Live Bookkeeping and Tax Services

(30:15) - The Impact of QuickBooks on Accounting Professionals

(31:16) - QuickBooks' Strategy for Tax Services

(33:07) - The Evolution of QuickBooks Live and Assisted Services

(35:14) - The Challenges of Running a Service Business vs. Software Company

(37:22) - Intuit's Strategic Shift Towards Assisted Services

(42:08) - The Future of Accounting: AI and Automation

(48:02) - Listener Questions and Insights on QuickBooks Features

(54:37) - Exploring TurboTax Verified Pro and Its Implications

(57:08) - Closing Remarks and Resources
Sign up to get free CPE for listening to this podcasthttps://earmarkcpe.comEarn CPE for this episode
https://app.earmarkcpe.com/?course_id=8b2e537a-e5f6-4c4d-a94f-c93b44000eba
Download the Earmark CPE App Apple: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/earmark-cpe/id1562599728
Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.earmarkcpe.app
Connect with Our Guest, Hector Garcia, CPALinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hectormgarciacpa/Website: http://www.hectorgarcia.comTwitter: https://twitter.com/qbkaccounting
Connect with Blake Oliver, CPALinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/blaketoliverTwitter: https://twitter.com/blaketoliver/

Rob Valdez joins Blake to discuss how artificial intelligence and generative chatbots like ChatGPT could automate routine audit tasks. They also explore the potential to train staff more effectively, save significant time on substantive testing, draft higher quality work, and some challenges around adopting these tools, such as security fears, poor system integration, and partners resistant to change.

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Chapters(00:53) - Rob Valdez Joins the Show to Talk About AI

(02:27) - What Does Rob Do and What Is His Background?

(03:35) - State of Artificial Intelligence in Audit

(05:21) - Exploring the Use of AI Chatbots

(08:55) - Potential of AI in Drafting Financial Statements

(12:16) - The Future of AI with Audit

(23:41) - Implications of AI on Audit Staff Roles

(29:14) - The Power of Automation and Teamwork

(31:00) - Challenges in Adopting AI in Firms

(33:36) - The Inefficiencies of Current Data Management

(35:53) - The Need for Integrated Systems

(39:40) - What Will Motivate Aduit Firms To Adapt?

(49:04) - The Possibility of Private Equity Getting Involved

(53:30) - The Importance of Self-Disruption

(54:59) - Thanks For Listening and How To Reach Rob
Sign up to get free CPE for listening to this podcasthttps://earmarkcpe.comDownload the Earmark CPE App Apple: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/earmark-cpe/id1562599728
Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.earmarkcpe.app
Connect with Our Guest, Rob ValdezLinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/rob-valdezTwitter: https://twitter.com/robvaldezcpa
Learn more about Novogradac
Website: https://www.novoco.com/
Connect with Blake Oliver, CPALinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/blaketoliverTwitter: https://twitter.com/blaketoliver/