CPA Trendlines Podcasts

“You can have inclusion without belonging, but it’s not going to stick. People need to feel they matter.”MOVE Like ThisWith Bonnie Buol RuszczykFor CPA TrendlinesIn this episode of MOVE Like This, host Bonnie Buol Ruszczyk talks with Jim Wallace, CEO of BPM, about how the firm has embedded diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) into the core of its culture and strategy. With more than 40 years in public accounting, Jim shares candid insights into how BPM went beyond the “check the box” approach to DEIB by making it a CEO-led initiative from the start.  MORE MOVE Wallace explains that BPM’s brand promise, “Because People Matter,” isn’t just a slogan, but a foundational principle that informs every part of the firm’s operations, from leadership development to firm-wide engagement. DEIB is not treated as a standalone initiative; it’s part of the firm’s strategic plan and embedded in its values, mission, and even metrics. For example, BPM uses colleague engagement surveys to track employee sentiment, finding that 82% of employees feel they can bring their authentic selves to work. These insights drive changes in programming and support for staff. 

A brief disruption could cost you thousands. A complete failure could cost you everything.Quick Tech TalkWith Steve YossCPE TodayIn the digital era, your data is your most valuable asset. Whether you're serving clients, analyzing operations, or simply keeping your business afloat, uninterrupted access to accurate data is essential. But what happens when that access is suddenly taken away? MORE Steve Yoss here MORE TECH That’s the urgent question explored in the latest episode of Quick Tech Talks, where the focus is on why every business—regardless of size or industry—needs a robust, modern data backup strategy. This isn’t just about peace of mind. It’s about regulatory compliance, operational continuity, and business survival.

Jackie Meyer, a Concierge CPA and founder of TaxPlanIQ, envisions a future where everyone can access tax-saving ideas easily. She discusses the innovative Tax Plan IQ tool that automates tax planning and emphasizes the importance of community among tax professionals. Meyer shares her own experience of selling a firm for a seven-figure sum by focusing on tax advisory. She advocates for setting boundaries in client relationships and embracing value-based pricing to democratize tax services, ultimately leading to a more fulfilling work-life balance.

Michael DiJoseph, CFA, a senior strategist at Vanguard, and Andres Mazabel, head of Advisor Sales at Trust & Will, dive into the evolving landscape of financial advising. They discuss how estate planning is becoming essential for building trust with clients and boosting returns. The conversation highlights the importance of integrating technology and behavioral coaching in advisory roles. They also reveal surprising gaps in estate planning awareness among Americans and underscore the need for advisors to cultivate deeper emotional connections with clients.

In this engaging talk, Chris Papin, a CPA, attorney, and insurance producer, discusses his unique interdisciplinary approach to advising small businesses. He emphasizes the growing need for integrated advisory services and shares insights on navigating the impending estate tax sunset in 2026. Papin explores how understanding client emotions can lead to tailored financial solutions and the importance of adapting technology in tax strategies. His commitment to providing comprehensive services helps clients make informed financial decisions while enhancing their trust.

Ditch bland blogs and craft content that actually converts.Accounting InfluencersWith Rob BrownIn this Accounting Influencers episode, Nick Huber—former Financial Times journalist and expert in content strategy—calls out the elephant in the accounting marketing room: most firm content is forgettable. But it doesn’t have to be.  More Accounting Influencers with Rob Brown here  Instead of cranking out generic updates and lifeless newsletters, Huber challenges firms to rethink their approach. “Content is more than a checkbox. It’s your chance to stand out, show what you know, and shape how people perceive your firm,” he says.  Despite his statement, Huber does offer two checklists for evaluating and producing lead-generating content. 

They're not leaving the firm. They're leaving you. Gear Up for GrowthWith Jean CaragherFor CPA TrendlinesWhat’s driving talent out of accounting firms? According to Kimberly Ellison-Taylor, CPA, CGMA, CITP, CISA, everything from outdated leadership to untold success stories is pushing promising professionals away. In this episode of Gear Up for Growth, powered by CPA Trendlines, host Jean Caragher sits down with the powerhouse behind KET Solutions to explore how the profession can—and must—change to attract and retain the next generation. Gear Up for Growth spotlights the best strategies for smart and efficient growth in today's competitive landscape. More Gear Up for Growth | More Capstone Conversations with Jean Caragher | More Jean Caragher here | Get her best-selling handbook, The 90-Day Marketing Plan for CPA Firms, here | More CPA Trendlines videos and podcasts here Ellison-Taylor, former chair of both the AICPA and the Maryland Association of CPAs, started her journey into accounting as a third grader inspired by a career-day presentation. That spark led to decades of leadership—and now, a mission to transform the narrative around what it means to be a CPA.Originally published Jan. 10, 2025.

Discover the link between triggers, burnout, and the power of saying “not right now.”Accounting ARCWith Liz Mason, Byron Patrick, and Donny ShimamotoCenter for Accounting TransformationLet’s be honest: the accounting profession isn’t exactly known for work-life balance. Long hours, tax season sprints, and "just one more thing" emails can leave even the most seasoned pros teetering on the edge of burnout.In this episode of ARC, hosts Liz Mason, CPA; Donny Shimamoto, CPA.CITP, CGMA; and Byron Patrick, CPA.CITP, CGMA, confront that edge—and explain why healthy boundaries are more than just trendy jargon. They're essential tools for staying sane, productive, and professionally respected. MORE Accounting ARC: Your Identity is Not a Liability | What Happens in Vegas… Gets Reported on a Tax Return | Burnout, Be Gone: Accounting Needs a Boundary Breakthrough | The Ultimate Business Hack You’re Probably Ignoring | Resilience, Real Talk, and the Road to Mental Wellness | Blockchain Could Still Reshape Accounting | What Gen Z Wants from Business | Firm Differentiation Depends Upon Client Service “Burnout is basically professional depression,” says Mason, CEO of High Rock Accounting. “If you find yourself triggered, angry, or exhausted at work all the time, there’s a good chance your boundaries are being violated—and you might not even realize it.”From protecting their calendars to setting clear expectations with clients and teams, the ARC crew shares how they’ve each developed personal systems that work for them, not just their inboxes. And while TikTok may glamorize the “just say no” mentality, the hosts caution against confusing boundaries with avoidance.Originally published May 29, 2025. 

From unclear goals to digital missteps, this episode outlines what it takes to transform with confidence.Accounting InfluencersWith Rob BrownChange isn’t slowing down. It’s speeding up. And according to Hannah Munro, that’s precisely why finance professionals can’t afford to treat transformation as a one-time event. More Accounting Influencers with Rob Brown here In this episode of Accounting Influencers, Munro—managing director of ITAS Solutions and host of the CFO 4.0 podcast—discusses driving successful change in accounting and finance. She dives into why so many transformation initiatives fail and outlines a smarter path forward for firms looking to adapt, evolve, and thrive.“The pace of change is accelerating,” Munro explains. “That volatility and uncertainty are forcing finance professionals to elevate their role.”According to Munro, a startling 70% of transformation projects fail, but she believes it’s not because change is impossible—it’s because the foundations are shaky from the start.This was originally published April 19, 2025.

CPAClub is doing what few dared: killing the billable hour, shrinking the workweek, and proving that audit doesn’t have to suck.The DisruptorsWith Liz FarrPublic accounting has long had a reputation for being slow to change, but in the world of audit, that pace has been glacial. Chris Vanover, CPA, founder and president of CPAClub (formerly AuditClub), is here to challenge that status quo. In this episode of The Disruptors, Vanover shares how he’s rebuilding audit from the ground up—ditching billable hours, crushing burnout, and making accounting cool (and flexible) again. CPA TRENDLINES CELEBRATES: The 100th Episode of The Disruptors MORE STREAMING: Erica Goode: Build a $200K Firm in 15 Hours a Week | Randy Crabtree: Live at the Intersection of Passion & Skill | McClelland and Telka: Women Ready to Rewrite the Rules of Accounting | Jacob Schroeder: AI Won’t Replace Accountants—But It Will Reveal Who’s Replaceable | Ditching Corporate America: The Bold Story Behind PBS Accounting’s Rapid Rise | Jean Zick: Happy Team = Happy Clients | Breslin & Greathead: Be a Client Advocate | Dominic Piscopo: Clear Pay=Bargaining Power | Debbie Kilsheimer: Stop Thinking Small  And the transformation doesn’t stop with audit. CPAClub has expanded into tax and advisory, now offering a broader array of subscription-based solutions for CPA firms.CPAClub isn’t your typical firm—and Vanover isn’t your typical leader. Rather than tracking time like an industrial-era factory, CPAClub operates like a subscription service. CPA firms buy weekly “access passes” to seasoned professionals—aka “chiefs” and “crew”—who deliver solutions, not hours. Each day ends with a “solution scorecard” detailing the work completed, best practices, and observations.