The Accounting Podcast

Could AI replace your CFO or simply make their job more exhausting? Blake and David debate automation’s limits, unpack an enrolled agent’s log of 188 IRS calls, and explore proposed reforms to taxpayer service. They also examine why AI is putting pressure on billable hours, gaps in AI safety audit requirements, and a romance scam victim’s $225,000 tax bill. Learn what these developments could mean for your firm, clients, and workload.

Sponsors
OnPay - http://accountingpodcast.promo/onpay
Numeral - http://accountingpodcast.promo/numeral
SavantLabs - http://accountingpodcast.promo/savant
Cloud Accountant Staffing - http://accountingpodcast.promo/cas

Chapters
(00:00) - TAP 508

(02:40) - Can AI replace executives

(03:38) - Survey results and divides

(06:03) - Why AI can't lead yet

(12:18) - EA tracks IRS call hell

(13:54) - IRS chatbots and america.gov

(15:50) - IRS and ICE data sharing

(17:42) - IRS modernization bill highlights

(22:45) - Tax fraud and complexity costs

(25:53) - Influencer deductions in tax court

(28:00) - Influencer Expenses Denied

(28:45) - Accountant With Bad Records

(29:38) - Romance Scam Tax Bill

(31:25) - ‌

(33:01) - AI Agents Breach Systems

(42:13) - Big Law Versus AI Billing

(47:44) - Illinois AI Audit Mandate

(52:07) - Meta Muse Integrations

(52:31) - Wrap Up And Events

 

Show Notes
Could AI replace CFOs and other top executives?
https://www.cfo.com/news/could-ai-replace-cfos-and-other-top-executives-watch-chest-ai-/827098/
IRS Hold Times in 2026: What 188 Timed Calls to the IRS Actually Showed
https://claritytaxrelief.com/blog/irs-hold-times-study-188-calls/
Appeals court blocks IRS from sharing taxpayer info with ICE
https://www.accountingtoday.com/news/appeals-court-blocks-irs-from-sharing-taxpayer-info-with-ice
Senate unanimously passes TAS Act
https://www.accountingtoday.com/news/senate-unanimously-passes-tas-act
Congress approves funding bill that maintains IRS budget
https://www.journalofaccountancy.com/news/2026/sep/congress-approves-funding-bill-that-maintains-irs-budget/
GAO tax fraud estimate puts annual losses at up to $304 billion
https://www.journalofaccountancy.com/news/2026/sep/gao-tax-fraud-estimate-puts-annual-losses-at-up-to-304-billion/
Tax Complexity Now Costs the US Economy over $544 Billion Annually
https://taxfoundation.org/data/all/federal/irs-tax-complexity-costs-us-economy-over-544-billion-annually/
Paying For Clout Isn't A Business Expense: Tax Court Lessons For Social Media Creators
https://abovethelaw.com/2026/08/paying-for-clout-isnt-a-business-expense-tax-court-lessons-for-social-media-creators/
A North Carolina Woman Lost $600,000 to a Scam. Then an Unexpected IRS Bill Arrived
https://www.cpapracticeadvisor.com/?p=190730
EY staffers accused of accessing Australia PM's bank account
https://www.accountingtoday.com/articles/ey-staffers-accused-of-accessing-australia-pms-bank-account
'Extreme concern' over first known AI hack of a government system
https://www.cnn.com/2026/09/23/business/australia-openai-agent-hack-intl-hnk
OpenAI alerts more than 100 groups about rogue AI agent activity
https://www.thestar.com.my/tech/tech-news/2026/10/02/openai-alerts-more-than-100-groups-about-rogue-ai-agent-activity
OpenAI says its AI agents probed federal websites without the company's knowledge
https://www.whro.org/2026-09-26/openai-says-its-ai-agents-probed-federal-websites-without-the-companys-knowledge
As A.I. Makes Law Firms More Efficient, Clients Ask: 'Where's My Discount?'
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/09/26/business/dealbook/ai-law-discount-billable-hour.html
Sorren launches law firm
https://www.accountingtoday.com/news/sorren-launches-sorren-law
Column: Illinois Ordered an Audit of AI Developers. Who Will Do It?
https://www.cpapracticeadvisor.com/2026/07/28/column-illinois-ordered-an-audit-of-ai-developers-who-will-do-it/187458/
Meta is expanding its AI agent Muse to small businesses
https://techcrunch.com/2026/09/29/meta-is-expanding-its-ai-agent-muse-to-small-businesses/

Need CPE?
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? F...

Will AI replace accountants—or finally ease the profession’s talent shortage? Blake and David unpack why AI-exposed accounting roles are seeing pay rise, not fall; how EY cut audit deficiencies from 28% to under 5%; and why firms must give AI agents limited access and auditable logins. They also explore the coming firm structure: fewer staff, more AI agents, and partners focused on judgment, review, and client relationships.

Sponsors
Cloud Accountant Staffing - http://accountingpodcast.promo/cas
Numeral - http://accountingpodcast.promo/numeral
OnPay - http://accountingpodcast.promo/onpay
Veltrix - http://accountingpodcast.promo/veltrix

Chapters
(00:00) - Staff Are Gone

(01:52) - Doctor Note AI Warning

(03:33) - AI Access Controls Lesson

(06:05) - Annual Reports Design

(07:59) - Taxing AI Debate

(13:08) - Audit Judgment Future

(19:11) - EY Audit Quality Surge

(23:05) - Meta Muse Microwave Moment

(29:52) - Apps Handing Off To Claude

(31:58) - AI As The Interface

(32:58) - LLMs Become The New OS

(34:15) - Where AI Captures Value

(35:29) - Platform Cloning Threats

(36:26) - Regulation Protects Fintech

(37:02) - Orchestrating Accounting Agents

(39:10) - One Universal Business Brain

(41:53) - Big Four Future In AI

(46:32) - KPMG Incubator Career Play

(49:52) - America Solopreneur Boom

(52:53) - Are Business Filings Real

(53:53) - Spotify Lessons For Firms

(58:18) - Accountant Turned Top DJ

(01:01:13) - Shakira Tax Residency Fight

(01:02:35) - Wrap Up And CPE Plug

 

Show Notes
The turbulent AI era is here. The choices we make now are critical.
https://www.gatesnotes.com/a-turbulent-ai-era-and-critical-choices-to-make
US jobs paradox: AI-exposed roles see 46% pay surge even as AI-linked layoffs rise
https://businesstoday.in/technology/story/us-jobs-paradox-ai-exposed-roles-see-46-pay-surge-even-as-ai-linked-layoffs-rise-556730-2026-09-21
PCAOB's Logothetis: AI can only do part of an auditor's job
https://www.accountingtoday.com/news/pcaobs-logothetis-ai-can-only-do-part-of-an-auditors-job
EY reports improved audit quality
https://www.accountingtoday.com/news/ey-reports-improved-audit-quality
Introducing Muse: The World's First Personal AI Agent Built for Everyone
https://about.fb.com/news/2026/09/introducing-muse-personal-ai-agent/
Expensify Becomes One of the First Expense Management Tools Available in Claude for Small Business
https://finviz.com/news/392305/expensify-becomes-one-of-the-first-expense-management-tools-available-in-claude-for-small-business
Xero Wherever You Work: Real-Time Financial Intelligence in Claude for Small Business and ChatGPT
https://blog.xero.com/product-updates/claude-for-small-business-chatgpt-ai-integrations-launch/
Avalara launches Aviator AI hub for tax compliance
https://itbrief.co.uk/story/avalara-launches-aviator-ai-hub-for-tax-compliance
Clients now expect some projects to happen twice as fast, PwC partner says
https://www.indiaipo.in/news/detail/clients-now-expect-some-projects-to-happen-twice-as-fast-pwc-partner
KPMG Announces Client Technology & Innovation Group to Build AI-Native Businesses
https://kpmg.com/us/en/media/news/kpmg-announces-client-technology-innovation-group.html
America has become an entrepreneur's paradise
https://thenightly.com.au/business/the-economist-america-has-become-an-entrepreneurs-paradise-c-22636515
What accounting firms can learn from the music industry
https://www.accountingtoday.com/opinion/what-accounting-firms-can-learn-from-the-music-industry
John Summit Saved $20,000 and Quit His Accounting Job to Become a DJ. Now He's Building an Entertainment Empire
https://www.entrepreneur.com/building-a-business/john-summit-saved-20000-and-quit-his-accounting-job-to-become-a-dj-now-hes-building-an-entertainment-empire
Shakira takes Spain stage as court reviews $63M tax claim
https://www.accountingtoday.com/articles/shakira-takes-spain-stage-as-court-reviews-63m-tax-claim

Need CPE?
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 neces...

Could AI make a one-person audit firm possible—and what happens if the data-center boom slows down first? Blake and David examine the AI economy’s circular debt, the construction ripple effects of a pullback, and practical ways firms can document workflows before automating them. They also cover AI-powered continuous audits, Mercury’s new general ledger, and tax evasion headlines.

Sponsors
Digits - http://accountingpodcast.promo/digits
Thomson Reuters - http://accountingpodcast.promo/taxautomation
OnPay - http://accountingpodcast.promo/onpay
Cloud Accountant Staffing - http://accountingpodcast.promo/cas

Chapters
(00:00) - OnlyFans Tax Evasion

(00:27) - Podcast Welcome Halloween

(04:02) - News Lineup

(06:34) - AI Bubble Warning

(14:14) - AI Adjusted EBITDA

(18:07) - SOP Marathon For AI

(21:19) - AI SOP Workflow Tip

(26:41) - Christina Ho AI Audits

(29:22) - Audit Fees Under AI

(29:55) - Audit Fees Surge

(30:57) - AI Disrupts Audits

(33:56) - Solo CPA Audit Firm

(35:26) - Who Wins and Loses

(35:52) - Audit Demand Explained

(36:40) - Tech Enables New Entrants

(38:26) - Audit Like Cloud Accounting

(42:00) - ‌

(43:03) - IRS Refund Nightmare

(44:33) - OnlyFans Tax Evasion

(46:51) - Punishing Financial Crime

(49:59) - Mercury Launches Books

(52:22) - Can Banks Compete

(54:33) - Is Mercury Enough

(56:44) - Wrap Up and CPE

 

Show Notes
NRF: Halloween spending to remain strong, reach $13.5B
https://chainstoreage.com/nrf-halloween-spending-remain-strong-reach-135b
Too interconnected to fail? New paper connects the AI dots
https://www.axios.com/2026/09/21/ai-finance-credit-circular
The AI gold rush has a dress code: steel-toe boots
https://finance.yahoo.com/economy/articles/ai-gold-rush-dress-code-233725771.html
40% of Small Businesses Lack Cash Reserves to Survive a Month of Late Client Payments
https://www.cpapracticeadvisor.com/2026/09/21/40-of-small-businesses-lack-cash-reserves-to-survive-a-month-of-late-client-payments/190371/
AI Future Savings Is Latest Ebitda Tweak to Jolt Debt Investors
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-09-17/ai-future-savings-is-latest-ebitda-tweak-to-jolt-debt-investors
How to run a SOPathon: The missing first step in every AI strategy
https://www.accountingweb.co.uk/community/industry-insights/how-to-run-a-sopathon-the-missing-first-step-in-every-ai-strategy
The 3-phase roadmap every accounting firm needs before AI delivers
https://www.accountingtoday.com/opinion/the-3-phase-roadmap-every-accounting-firm-needs-before-ai-delivers
Process Street MCP Server
https://www.process.st/help/docs/mcp-server/
Christina Ho's next act
https://www.cfobrew.com/stories/christina-hos-next-act
AI sounds the death knell for audit fee inflation
https://www.ft.com/content/80d02797-9a54-47e0-8bc3-a7144354da93
Tennessee Farmer Tried to Return $20,000 to IRS. Years Later, He's Still Fighting
https://www.cpapracticeadvisor.com/2026/07/23/tennessee-farmer-tried-to-return-20000-to-irs-years-later-hes-still-fighting/187281/
OnlyFans content creator pleads guilty to tax evasion
https://www.irs.gov/compliance/criminal-investigation/onlyfans-content-creator-pleads-guilty-to-tax-evasion
Mercury Launches Intelligent Accounting with Mercury Books
https://www.morningstar.com/news/business-wire/20260916850195/mercury-launches-intelligent-accounting-with-mercury-books

Need CPE?
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://cloudacctpo...

Is AI the real threat to accounting firms, or is it the client experience? Blake and David unpack a KPMG-linked Polymarket insider-trading investigation, AI-powered fraud, Xero’s influencer backlash, and a tax startup founder charged with defrauding investors. They also share their own experiments using Claude and ChatGPT to prepare tax returns, making the case that firms must eliminate frustrating back-and-forth if they want to keep clients.

Sponsors
Cloud Accountant Staffing - http://accountingpodcast.promo/cas
OnPay - http://accountingpodcast.promo/onpay
Thomson Reuters - http://accountingpodcast.promo/taxautomation
Savant Labs - http://accountingpodcast.promo/savant

Chapters
(00:00) - Client Experience Threat

(00:30) - Podcast Welcome Banter

(02:05) - Week's News Rundown

(04:17) - KPMG Polymarket Probe

(11:46) - KPMG TaxSim Training

(13:40) - KPMG OpenAI Headless UI

(17:13) - Deepfake Defense Stakes

(18:31) - Revolut Social Engineering

(20:33) - Compliant CEO Fraud Case

(25:31) - Xero Influencer Backlash

(25:41) - Xero Claude Ad Backlash

(28:57) - Apology and AI Framing

(29:59) - DIY Taxes With AI

(34:05) - Client Experience Problem

(40:15) - IRS AI Fee Guidance

(43:00) - PwC Leaves Downtown LA

(44:48) - Wrap Up and CPE

 

Show Notes
Polymarket Trader Won 41 of 42 Earnings Bets on Companies KPMG Audits
https://www.financemagnates.com/forex/polymarket-trader-won-41-of-42-earnings-bets-on-companies-kpmg-audits/
SEC Charges Startup Founder with Fraud (Shiloh Luckey / ComplYant)
https://www.sec.gov/enforcement-litigation/litigation-releases/lr-26424
KPMG Is Testing a New AI-Powered Tax Simulation Tool
https://goodfest.westfield.com/2026/05/kpmg-is-testing-a-new-ai-powered-tax-simulation-tool/
KPMG working with OpenAI to advance new "headless" enterprise tech model
https://www.accountingtoday.com/news/kpmg-working-with-openai-to-advance-new-headless-enterprise-tech-model
KPMG LLP Takes Minority Stake in Deepfake Detection Leader Reality Defender
https://kpmg.com/us/en/media/news/kpmg-llp-takes-minority-stake-in-deepfake-detection-leader-reality-defender.html
Cybercriminals using AI for fraud are making far more profit, Interpol claims
https://www.techradar.com/pro/security/cybercriminals-using-ai-for-fraud-are-making-4-5x-more-profit-interpol-says
Revolut confirms customer data breach after fake government requests
https://fstech.co.uk/fst/Revolut_Confirms_Customer_Data_Breach_After_Fake_Government_Requests.php
Xero issues new apology to accountants, days after controversial social media post
https://www.smartcompany.com.au/?p=344586
To our accountant and bookkeeper community
https://blog.xero.com/uk/accountants-bookkeepers/to-our-accountant-and-bookkeeper-community/
AICPA seeks IRS clarity on AI guidelines, CPA fees
https://www.thetaxadviser.com/news/2026/sep/aicpa-seeks-irs-clarity-on-ai-guidelines-cpa-fees/
Downtown L.A. Fixture PwC Will Move to Century City
https://www.cpapracticeadvisor.com/2026/07/08/downtown-l-a-fixture-pwc-will-move-to-century-city/186368/

Need CPE?
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
Fearless Foundry - www.advisoryamplified.com
Expense Bot - https://www.expensebot.ai/accountant
ProfitRoot - https://tryprofitroot.com/
Want to get the word out about your newsletter, webinar, party, Facebook group, podcast, e-book, job post...

Can AI prepare a tax return—and catch errors the software misses? Blake shares how Claude Cowork reconciled books, built workpapers, and completed two business returns, while David examines EY’s bonuses for human judgment, Deloitte’s $21 million DEI settlement, and PwC’s Evergrande exposure. Plus, Cloud Accountant Staffing’s Jordan Sublette explains why onshoring is joining offshore hiring strategies for accounting firms.

Sponsors
OnPay - http://accountingpodcast.promo/onpay
Thomson Reuters - http://accountingpodcast.promo/taxautomation
Savant Labs - http://accountingpodcast.promo/savant
Cloud Accountant Staffing - http://accountingpodcast.promo/cas

Chapters
(00:00) - Ethics And Job Security

(00:18) - Show Intro And Headlines

(02:34) - Livestream Shoutouts

(03:03) - Claude CoWork Tax Prep

(06:54) - AI Catches TaxAct Errors

(11:26) - Accrual Buys Puzzle

(18:19) - EY Human Skills Bonuses

(20:33) - Deloitte DEI Settlement

(27:43) - Salaries And Big Four Fallout

(31:22) - PwC Evergrande Liability

(35:03) - Grant Thornton Buys CBIZ

(36:25) - CBIZ Returns Reality Check

(37:23) - Marcum Deal And Partner Payouts

(38:34) - IRS Revenue Hits Record

(40:50) - Chat Reactions And AI Ledgers

(44:03) - AI Cost Seg Pitfalls

(53:00) - Jordan Joins And Origin Story

(55:06) - Jason Staats Partnership Explained

(59:37) - Onshoring Portal And Pricing

(01:04:58) - Candidate Vetting And Training

(01:09:37) - Meetups And CPE Wrap Up

 

Show Notes
Accrual to Acquire Puzzle to Expand Into Client Accounting Services
https://www.cpapracticeadvisor.com/2026/09/02/accrual-takes-the-leap-into-cas-by-acquiring-puzzle/189565/
EY Rewards Employees' Human Skills With $100M
https://www.accountingtoday.com/news/ey-rewards-employees-human-skills-with-100m

Deloitte to Pay $21.5M to Settle Claims Its DEI Programs Violated Federal Civil Rights Law
https://www.cfo.com/news/deloitte-to-pay-215m-to-settle-claims-its-dei-programs-violated-federal-c/828948/

Accounting Firm Salaries Rose Slightly This Year
https://www.cfobrew.com/stories/accounting-firm-salaries-rose-slightly-this-year

KPMG Australia to Axe 5% of Workforce
https://www.cfo.com/news/kpmg-australia-to-axe-5-of-workforce-John-Sams/828636/

PwC International Can't Exit Evergrande Case, HK Court Rules
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-08-26/pwc-international-can-t-exit-evergrande-case-hk-court-rules

CBIZ Told Grant Thornton No, No, No, Before Saying Yes
https://cpatrendlines.com/2026/09/01/cbiz-told-grant-thornton-no-no-no-before-saying-yes/

IRS Enforcement Activity Fell Despite Record Tax Collections, TIGTA Says
https://www.journalofaccountancy.com/news/2026/aug/irs-enforcement-activity-fell-despite-record-tax-collections-tigta-says/

Cost Segregation in the Age of AI: What the IRS Audit Technique Guidelines Reveal
https://www.accountingtoday.com/opinion/cost-segregation-in-the-age-of-ai-what-the-irs-audit-technique-guidelines-reveal

Need CPE?
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
Fearless Foundry - www.advisoryamplified.com
Expense Bot - https://www.expensebot.ai/accountant
ProfitRoot - https://tryprofitroot.com/
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
Th...