Small businesses offering 401(k) plans see 40% lower employee turnover in the first year, yet only 10% receive benefits guidance from their accountants. Justin Kurn explains how Dark Horse CPAs identifies the right triggers, such as growing staff or high turnover, to initiate benefits conversations. Meanwhile, Julia Miller from Gusto breaks down how accountants can help clients navigate the cost and complexity of offering health insurance, retirement plans, and other benefits. The conversation reveals how positioning yourself as a benefits advisor can double or triple your fees while helping clients attract better talent and reduce costly employee churn.

Chapters

• (00:56) - Meet Our Guests
• (01:26) - The Growth Story: Dark Horse CPAs' Success
• (02:04) - Advisory First Approach: Transforming Client Relationships
• (03:38) - Gusto's Role in Benefits: An Overview
• (07:37) - Challenges and Solutions: Small Businesses Offering Benefits
• (10:25) - The Cost and Complexity of Benefits: Breaking It Down
• (15:00) - Advisory Conversations: Identifying Client Needs
• (19:23) - Gusto's Support for Accountants: Tools and Resources
• (25:43) - Affordability and Competitive Advantage
• (26:40) - Partnering with Gusto for Benefits
• (28:19) - Gusto's Software Solutions
• (29:12) - Client Experiences with Gusto
• (29:52) - Gusto's User-Friendly Platform
• (39:10) - Implementation and Timeline
• (47:42) - Increasing Revenue through Advisory Services
• (49:52) - Conclusion and Final Thoughts

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Connect with Our Guests:

Julia Miller
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julia-g-miller

Justin Kurn
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/justinkurn
Website: https://darkhorse.cpa/justin-kurn-cro/

Connect with Blake Oliver, CPA

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

What if the foundation of financial accounting is fundamentally flawed? Tom Selling, author of The Accounting Onion blog, argues that historical cost accounting creates a "truth in labeling problem" that allows management to manipulate earnings while failing to capture economic reality. Through compelling examples from oil and gas, pharmaceuticals, and subscription businesses, he explains why value creation often occurs years before GAAP recognizes a single dollar of revenue. You'll discover how a $2 change in expected cash flows can trigger a $400,000 impairment loss, why the FASB shifted focus from earnings to balance sheets, and how current corporate governance essentially lets management "grade their own papers." This conversation challenges core assumptions about what accounting should measure and offers a provocative vision for reform.

Chapters

• (01:21) - The Myth of Honest Financial Accounting
• (02:28) - Management Gaming the System
• (03:22) - Historical Cost Accounting Explained
• (05:44) - Examples of Manipulation and the Enron Scandal
• (09:16) - Impairment and Depreciation Issues
• (13:26) - Alternatives to Historical Cost Accounting
• (20:59) - The Disconnect in Value Recognition
• (25:08) - R&D Expenses and Unrecognized Assets
• (25:39) - Challenges in Valuation and Accounting
• (27:08) - Measuring Assets and Liabilities
• (28:09) - Industry-Specific Accounting Limitations
• (31:08) - The Role of Transparency in Accounting
• (34:12) - Subscription Businesses and Revenue Recognition
• (44:22) - The Problem with Estimates and Auditing
• (48:18) - Conclusion and Summary

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Connect with Our Guest, Tom Selling

The Accounting Onion: http://accountingonion.com

Connect with Blake Oliver, CPA

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

What happens when Congress votes to eliminate the watchdog that's overseen public company audits for two decades? In this episode, Blake Oliver sits down with three leading accounting academics—Maureen McNichols from Stanford, Nemit Shroff from MIT, and Daniel Aobdia from Penn State—to examine the research behind the PCAOB's effectiveness and what elimination could mean for audit quality. You'll discover why companies with clean audit inspections can raise capital more easily, how the infamous "40% deficiency rate" actually works, and why these researchers believe dismantling the PCAOB could undermine trust in U.S. capital markets. The conversation reveals the hidden economics of audit oversight and explains why there hasn't been a major public company fraud since Enron and WorldCom.

Chapters

• (00:49) - Legislation Impact on Audit Oversight
• (01:10) - Meet the Experts
• (02:59) - Discussion on PCAOB's Elimination
• (08:17) - Research Insights on PCAOB's Effectiveness
• (20:11) - Deficiency Rates and Audit Quality
• (24:50) - Economic Impact of Fraud and PCAOB's Role
• (25:20) - Regulatory Model of the PCAOB
• (25:59) - Incentive Structure and Audit Quality
• (26:59) - Inspection Deficiency Rates
• (28:54) - Restatement Rates vs. Deficiency Rates
• (30:23) - Auditor-Client Relationship Tensions
• (31:42) - Documentation Issues in Audits
• (35:15) - Effectiveness of PCAOB Inspections
• (37:49) - Impact of PCAOB on Financial Reporting Quality
• (40:33) - Potential Elimination of the PCAOB
• (44:00) - Conclusion and Final Thoughts

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 Guests:

Maureen McNichols
https://www.gsb.stanford.edu/faculty-research/faculty/maureen-mcnichols
Nemit Shroff
https://mitsloan.mit.edu/faculty/directory/nemit-shroff
Daniel Aobdia
https://directory.smeal.psu.edu/dza5396

Connect with Blake Oliver, CPA

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

What if private equity could transform accounting firms without sacrificing their independence? David Wurtzbacher, founder of Ascend, shares how his "anti-rollup" model allows firms to maintain their identities while accessing enterprise-level resources. Discover why transitioning firm leaders from client work to true CEO roles unlocks explosive growth, and how employee equity ownership creates alignment across organizations. With CPAs needing to be 2.7 times more productive by 2035, David reveals practical strategies for talent acquisition, business development, and technology that are helping mid-sized firms not just survive but thrive in an increasingly complex profession.
Chapters

• (01:07) - Understanding Ascend's Vision
• (01:59) - Challenges in Public Accounting
• (08:24) - Lessons from the Dental Industry
• (17:13) - Ascend's Approach to Firm Integration
• (17:53) - Leadership and Culture in Accounting Firms
• (24:02) - Case Study: Transforming Firm Leadership
• (27:45) - Overcoming Overwhelm: Delegating Client Relationships
• (28:36) - The Importance of Carving Out Thinking Time
• (29:20) - Focusing on One Thing at a Time
• (29:53) - Talent Strategy and Acquisition Challenges
• (31:10) - Building an Irresistible Offer for Candidates
• (34:13) - Equity and Ownership in Ascend
• (37:17) - Business Development and Marketing Strategies
• (45:13) - The Role of Technology and AI in Accounting
• (50:36) - Conclusion and Contact Information

Download the Earmark CPE App

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Connect with Our Guest, David Wurtzbacher

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

Learn more about Ascend

Website: https://www.ascendtogether.com/

Connect with Blake Oliver, CPA

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

What happens after the ink dries on an accounting firm acquisition? Michael Ly and Ashley Rhoden reveal why many buyers overinvest in the purchase but underinvest in the crucial integration phase. Drawing from their hard-won experiences—both successful and unsuccessful—they walk through how to develop a comprehensive 100-day integration plan that begins during due diligence. You'll learn why keeping key employees is the difference between retaining and losing clients, how to effectively communicate changes to minimize disruption, and when to choose between a full roll-up versus platform approach. Whether you're considering an acquisition or have one in progress, this practical roadmap helps you navigate the complexities of merging firms.

Chapters

• (00:51) - Meet the Guests: Michael and Ashley
• (02:41) - Michael's Integration Experiences
• (07:16) - Ashley's Integration Insights
• (09:39) - The Importance of Due Diligence
• (17:49) - Managing Change and Communication
• (20:47) - Employee Integration Strategies
• (23:33) - Key Employees and Leadership Buy-In
• (24:52) - HR and Payroll Integration
• (26:18) - Communication Plans and Financial Operations
• (29:30) - Access to Financial Systems and IT Considerations
• (34:37) - Communication Strategies
• (37:54) - Seller Involvement Post-Acquisition
• (41:33) - Integration Approaches: Full Rollup vs. Platform
• (47:10) - Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Download the Earmark CPE App

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

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Connect with Our Guests:

Michael Ly

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelly/
Website: https://www.reconciled.com/

Ashley Rhoden

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashleyrhodenmba/
Website: https://highrock.co

Connect with Blake Oliver, CPA

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

What if the solution to accounting's talent shortage has been hiding in plain sight? In this episode, Navy veteran Mark Steinhoff reveals how the precision required to maintain life support systems on submarines directly translates to accounting excellence. Having managed critical oxygen systems hundreds of feet underwater, Mark now applies that same meticulous attention to detail as an accountant for a water utility. With the profession facing a 70,000-person annual deficit while 200,000 service members transition to civilian life each year, discover how military experience with procedures, documentation, and quality assurance creates natural accounting professionals—and why veterans might be the untapped talent pool accounting desperately needs.

Chapters

• (01:09) - Transitioning from Military to Accounting
• (02:37) - Similarities Between Military and Accounting
• (05:46) - Life on a Submarine
• (11:31) - How Did Working On a Sub Translate to Accounting
• (16:43) - The Procedure is Not Optional
• (20:50) - Current Role and Future Aspirations
• (24:30) - Exploring Career Paths in Accounting
• (24:53) - Transitioning from Military to Accounting
• (26:31) - Leveraging the GI Bill for Education
• (26:44) - Navigating the Pandemic and Career Decisions
• (28:36) - The Value of a Business Degree
• (29:08) - Balancing Education and Personal Life
• (30:53) - Gaining Practical Experience in Accounting
• (32:23) - Pursuing an MBA and CPA
• (45:24) - The Evolving Role of Accountants
• (47:01) - Closing Thoughts and Encouragement

Download the Earmark CPE App

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Connect with Our Guest, Mark Steinhoff

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

Connect with Blake Oliver, CPA

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

What if the numbers we use to measure audit quality are fundamentally flawed? PCAOB Board Member Christina Ho reveals why the headline-grabbing 46% deficiency rate in public company audits deserves serious scrutiny. In this candid conversation, Ho explains why smaller audit firms face disproportionate regulatory burdens, how the PCAOB's inspection approach may distort quality metrics, and why less than 5% of "deficient" audits result in incorrect opinions. She also shares her experience of being publicly criticized by Senator Elizabeth Warren for challenging the status quo. Whether you're an auditor, investor, or financial professional, this insider perspective will transform how you interpret future audit quality statistics.

Chapters

• (00:58) - Explaining the PCAOB
• (01:59) - Inspection and Enforcement Programs
• (03:53) - Sampling and Inspection Frequency
• (05:58) - Challenges for Smaller Audit Firms
• (10:50) - State of Audit Quality
• (14:03) - Deficiency Rates and Their Implications
• (31:34) - PCAOB's Role and Accountability
• (37:11) - Has the PCAOB Improved Audit Quality?
• (49:23) - Public Dispute with Senators
• (54:32) - Conclusion and Final Thoughts

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, Christina Ho

https://pcaobus.org/about/the-board/board-bios/christina-ho

Connect with Blake Oliver, CPA

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

In this episode, Blake Oliver interviews Nicolas Boucher, one of LinkedIn's top finance thought leaders, who demonstrates how AI tools like ChatGPT and Python can dramatically accelerate financial data analysis and reporting while maintaining confidentiality. Nicolas shows how finance professionals can create instant analyses and dashboards, integrate AI with existing systems, and automate repetitive tasks to save time and advance their careers.

Chapters

• (00:00) - Nicolas Boucher's Journey and AI in Accounting
• (03:11) - Practical Applications of AI in Accounting
• (04:07) - Demonstration: Cohort Analysis with ChatGPT
• (08:56) - Challenges and Solutions with AI Tools
• (15:50) - Advanced Data Visualization with AI
• (22:52) - AI's Surprising Insight with Box Plots
• (25:48) - Integrating AI with Excel for Confidential Analysis
• (27:38) - Exploring AI Tools for Finance
• (28:46) - Concourse.io: Automating Monthly Financial Reports
• (33:04) - The Future of Finance Jobs with AI
• (45:02) - Nicolas Boucher's AI Resources and Community

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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 Blake Oliver, CPA

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