Earmark Podcast | Earn Free Accounting CPE

Blake Oliver, CPA

This show is brought to you by Earmark, your source for podcast-based continuing education for accounting and tax professionals. You can earn CPE by listening to the episodes on this podcast and more! Sign up for our mobile app to earn free CPE whenever you want, wherever you go. Learn more at https://earmarkcpe.com.

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Top 10 Earmark Podcast | Earn Free Accounting CPE Episodes

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How Expat Clients Can Legally Slash Their Tax Bill

Earmark Podcast | Earn Free Accounting CPE

03/22/24 • 54 min

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.

Sponsor
ShareFile - https://earmarkcpe.promo/sharefile

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

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Connect with Our Guest, Vincenzo Villamena

Website: https://onlinetaxman.com/
Website: https://globalexpatadvisors.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/online-taxman/
Twitter: Guest Twitter
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OnlineTaxman?mibextid=LQQJ4d
Instagram: https://instagram.com/onlinetaxman?igshid=OGQ5ZDc2ODk2ZA%3D%3D&utm_source=qr

Connect with Blake Oliver, CPA

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/blaketoliver
Twitter: https://twitter.com/blaketoliver/

The Future of QuickBooks

Earmark Podcast | Earn Free Accounting CPE

03/01/24 • 58 min

(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

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Connect with Our Guest, Hector Garcia, CPA

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hectormgarciacpa/
Website: http://www.hectorgarcia.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/qbkaccounting

Connect with Blake Oliver, CPA

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/blaketoliver
Twitter: https://twitter.com/blaketoliver/

How AI is Transforming and Disrupting Audit

Earmark Podcast | Earn Free Accounting CPE

02/22/24 • 56 min

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.

Sponsor
ShareFile - https://earmarkcpe.promo/sharefile

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

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Connect with Our Guest, Rob Valdez

LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/rob-valdez
Twitter: https://twitter.com/robvaldezcpa

Learn more about Novogradac

Website: https://www.novoco.com/

Connect with Blake Oliver, CPA

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/blaketoliver
Twitter: https://twitter.com/blaketoliver/

Solving Accounts Payable Pain Points with MakersHub

Earmark Podcast | Earn Free Accounting CPE

02/09/24 • 48 min

Phong Ngo and Charley Howe join Blake to discuss how their accounts payable automation software is helping small and mid-sized manufacturers, construction companies, and other businesses capture detailed invoice data to enable precise job costing and reporting without expensive ERP implementations. Learn how starting with solving the accounts payable data entry pain point allows them to streamline workflows while accounting firms and their clients gain efficiency. They also highlight the benefits of the MakersHub partner program for accountants.

Sponsor
MakersHub - https://earmarkcpe.promo/makershub

Chapters

(00:00) - Solving Accounts Payable Pain Points with MakersHub
(00:53) - Welcome Charley and Phong from MakersHub to the show
(01:14) - What makes MakersHub different from other AP solutions?
(05:16) - The power of MakersHub's proprietary technology
(06:18) - Phong's journey from engineering to business
(09:14) - The limitations of solutions already on the market
(12:13) - The vision for MakersHub
(14:58) - Charley's journey from banking to startups
(20:13) - The evolution of MakersHub
(26:36) - Solving at the build level first
(34:29) - Which accountants and bookkeepers is MakersHub For?
(38:54) - Creating a product that creates value for accounting firms
(44:21) - How does an accountant or firm get started with MakersHub?
(46:49) - Thanks for listening and please reach out to learn more

Sign up to get free CPE for listening to this podcast

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Apple: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/earmark-cpe/id1562599728

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Connect with Our Guests:

Charley Howe

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/charles-howe-7a9816118
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MakersHub.aiOfficial/
Phong Ngo

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/phong-ngo

Learn more about MakersHub

Website: http://www.discover.makershub.ai/

Connect with Blake Oliver, CPA
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/blaketoliver
Twitter: https://twitter.com/blaketoliver/

From Public Accounting to Tech Unicorn IPOs With Brandt Kucharski

Earmark Podcast | Earn Free Accounting CPE

01/26/24 • 62 min

Blake chats with Brandt Kucharski, former chief accounting officer at GrubHub and current CAO at Ethos Life, about his career journey from public accounting to leading startups through IPOs. They discuss Brandt's pivotal role in taking GrubHub public as one of the first "unicorn" startups, the process of scaling accounting teams and controls, nonprofit work with the Holiday Heroes Foundation, and thoughts on increasing accounting talent amid growing complexity.

Sponsor
ShareFile - https://earmarkcpe.promo/sharefile

Chapters

(01:06) - Welcome Brandt Kurcharski to the show
(02:37) - Early Career and Joining GrubHub
(05:07) - What was the first thing you did at GrubHub?
(05:41) - The Journey to IPO
(09:51) - What advice would you give a young controller going through an IPO
(11:29) - Let's talk about GrubHub's tech stack at the time
(15:26) - Building the Accounting Team at GrubHub
(18:03) - The smartest thing you did at GrubHub
(23:56) - Reflection on GrubHub's Success
(25:21) - Biggest mistake you made at GrubHub
(26:47) - Size of Your Accounting Team
(29:03) - The Merger with Seamless and Going Public Again
(31:09) - Let's talk Sarbanes-Oxley
(34:47) - The Journey of Grubhub's Second Public Listing
(35:54) - The Challenges of Merging and Going Public Again
(37:53) - The Role of Charity in Personal Growth
(41:04) - Accounting Challenges For a Charity
(43:19) - The Journey from Grubhub to Ethos Life
(47:35) - Accounting at Ethos vs GrubHub
(49:14) - The Impact of Accounting Standards on Business
(55:13) - The Accounting Talent Crisis and Possible Solutions
(01:01:11) - Thanks for Listening and Remember to Subscribe

Sign up to get free CPE for listening to this podcast

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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, Brandt Kucharski

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

Connect with Blake Oliver, CPA

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/blaketoliver
Twitter: https://twitter.com/blaketoliver/

Harness the Power of AI: Practical Uses for Accountants

Earmark Podcast | Earn Free Accounting CPE

01/13/24 • 60 min

On this bonus episode Blake explores how artificial intelligence will transform the accounting profession. You'll learn how leading AI tools and chatbots can help automate routine tasks, freeing you up to focus on more strategic, higher-value services. He'll also walk through real-world examples of using AI for document analysis, tax research, correspondence, transcript review, drafting/editing, and more. Whether you're a sole practitioner or work in a large firm, this episode will equip you with actionable tactics to drive efficiency with existing clients and expand your advisory services. Don't let AI disrupt accounting without you!

Chapters

(00:00) - Introduction and Overview of AI Chatbots
(01:11) - Potential of AI in Automating Accounting
(02:43) - How AI Can Improve Communication in Accounting
(03:19) - Current Usage of AI in Accounting
(04:17) - Exploring Leading AI Chatbots
(04:32) - Introduction to ChatGPT
(06:22) - Introduction to Claude by Anthropic
(07:03) - Introduction to BARD and Grammarly
(08:19) - Using Bing Chat for Web Search
(16:42) - Document Analysis with Claude
(23:48) - Explaining Accounting Concepts with AI
(31:12) - Exploring ChatGPT's Web Search Feature
(31:41) - Answering Audience Questions: Data Protection in Microsoft Copilot
(33:27) - Demonstrating ChatGPT's Response Generation
(36:08) - Using AI for Client Questions and Voicemail Transcripts
(41:36) - Drafting Policies and Procedures with AI
(41:45) - Responding to IRS Notices with AI
(46:48) - Summarizing Meeting Transcripts with AI
(54:21) - Q&A and Closing Remarks

Sign up to get free CPE for listening to this podcast

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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 Blake Oliver, CPA
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/blaketoliver
Twitter: https://twitter.com/blaketoliver/

Overcoming Burnout to Create a Sustainable Accounting Practice

Earmark Podcast | Earn Free Accounting CPE

01/04/24 • 59 min

Hitendra R. Patil joins Blake for an insightful conversation about the staffing shortage in the accounting profession, identifying overwork and lack of work-life balance as key issues causing high burnout rates. They explore potential solutions like dropping the billable hour model, measuring impact rather than hours worked, outsourcing certain tasks, and focusing on specific value-added services. Patil also describes how his company helps accounting firms efficiently leverage offshore talent.

Sponsor
ShareFile - https://earmarkcpe.promo/sharefile

Chapters

(00:47) - Hitendra Patil joins the show
(03:24) - Let's talk about CAS
(04:43) - What do you see firms call their communication with clients?
(12:19) - National Association of Tax Professionals 2023 study
(13:27) - CAS is vague and firms need to figure out what they want to offer from it
(14:17) - What is causing the accounting shortage?
(20:35) - How big of problems are the overwork and pay?
(25:01) - More and more firms are offshoring work
(29:34) - How long is offshoring a viable option?
(32:52) - What are the accounting student numbers in India?
(35:03) - Korn Ferry study on future shortages of working professionals
(40:13) - What is the real underlying cause of the talent shortage
(41:52) - Hourly timesheets and billing
(44:01) - How can accountants measure impact on clients?
(51:13) - Datamatics Business Solutions Inc.
(58:07) - Thanks for listening and remember to earn your free CPE on Earmark

Sign up to get free CPE for listening to this podcast

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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, Hitendra R. Patil

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hitendrapatil/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/HitendraRPatil
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HitendraRPatil/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/accountaneur/

Learn more about Datamatics Business Solutions, Inc. (DBSI)
Website: https://datamaticscpa.com/accounting-bookkeeping-outsourcing-for-usa-cpas/

Connect with Blake Oliver, CPA

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/blaketoliver
Twitter: https://twitter.com/blaketoliver/

Accounting Firm Marketing In The Era of Generative AI

Earmark Podcast | Earn Free Accounting CPE

11/03/23 • 51 min

David Toth of Winding River Consulting joins Blake to examine how digital marketing and AI are disrupting accounting firm marketing. They also look at how innovative firms use marketing automation, CRMs, and content marketing to generate leads and close deals from their websites.

Sponsor
Check out our Sponsor LiveFlow — Advanced Financial Reporting on Autopilot

Chapters

(00:51) - Earn Free CPE credit
(01:28) - David Toth joins the show to talk about marketing for accounting firms
(04:49) - How marketing fits into accounting firm's strategic growth
(06:58) - What has changed in digital marketing over the last few years?
(09:28) - How can a firm move from the old model to the new one?
(11:45) - What are successful firms doing differently?
(13:31) - Who is using HubSpot?
(22:12) - Introhive and other data scraping tools
(24:59) - What's the best practice for setting up these teams for success?
(34:08) - What's your favorite digital marketing activity?
(36:27) - Using LinkedIn correctly
(38:59) - Have you seen any top 400 firms leveraging short form video content for social media?
(43:24) - Having a plan and making priorities
(47:24) - How do you see AI changing accounting marketing?
(50:14) - Wrap up and where to reach David

Sign up to get free CPE for listening to this podcast

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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, David Toth

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidmtoth
Website: https://windingriverconsulting.com/

Connect with Blake Oliver, CPA

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/blaketoliver
Twitter: https://twitter.com/blaketoliver/

Becoming Employee-Owned: How BDO Broke Out of the Partner Model

Earmark Podcast | Earn Free Accounting CPE

10/18/23 • 51 min

Wayne Berson, CEO of BDO USA, joins Blake and guest host, David Leary, to discuss BDO's recent transition to an employee stock ownership plan (ESOP), making it the first major accounting firm to implement an ESOP structure. They discuss how the ESOP aims to attract and retain talent in the accounting profession and provide employees at all levels with an ownership stake in the firm.

Chapters

(00:44) - Why do an Employee Stock Ownership Plan(ESOP) now?
(09:06) - BDO borrowed $1.3 billion - what is that money for?
(14:52) - How will ESOP benefit staff?
(19:06) - Is there a way to pull money out of the ESOP without leaving?
(29:15) - How do you become a partner at BDO?
(31:25) - What are my options when I'm a partner at BDO?
(35:54) - What are your thoughts on the talent shortage and the 150-hour rule?
(47:47) - What advice do you have for other firms thinking of becoming an ESOP?

Sign up to get free CPE for listening to this podcast

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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, Wayne Berson

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

Learn more about BDO

Website: https://www.bdo.com/

Connect with Blake Oliver, CPA

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/blaketoliver
Twitter: https://twitter.com/blaketoliver/

Navigating the Identity Crisis in the CPA Profession

Earmark Podcast | Earn Free Accounting CPE

04/22/24 • 60 min

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+)

Sponsor
ShareFile - https://earmarkcpe.promo/sharefile

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 podcast

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Download 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, CGMA
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidbergstein/

Steven Sacks, CPA, CGMA, ABC
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevenesacks/

Connect with Blake Oliver, CPA

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/blaketoliver
Twitter: https://twitter.com/blaketoliver/

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Earmark Podcast | Earn Free Accounting CPE currently has 86 episodes available.

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The podcast is about Accounting, Courses, Podcasts, Education, Business and Careers.

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The episode title 'Making Audit Matter Again: The Future of Assurance' is the most popular.

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The average episode length on Earmark Podcast | Earn Free Accounting CPE is 55 minutes.

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Episodes of Earmark Podcast | Earn Free Accounting CPE are typically released every 13 days, 16 hours.

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The first episode of Earmark Podcast | Earn Free Accounting CPE was released on Oct 6, 2021.

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Earmark Podcast | Earn Free Accounting CPE

Blake Oliver, CPA

Top 10 Earmark Podcast | Earn Free Accounting CPE Episodes

FAQ

How many episodes does Earmark Podcast | Earn Free Accounting CPE have?

What topics does Earmark Podcast | Earn Free Accounting CPE cover?

What is the most popular episode on Earmark Podcast | Earn Free Accounting CPE?

What is the average episode length on Earmark Podcast | Earn Free Accounting CPE?

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