Join Chayton Farlee and Parker Ling as they discuss the Enrolled Agent (EA) certification and explore various career options in accounting. Parker shares his reasons for choosing the EA path instead of becoming a CPA, highlighting the unique opportunities for growth in the tax field. They also discuss how taking charge of your career and specializing in a specific area can lead to greater fulfillment. To cap off the episode, they delve into a comparison of the EA and CPA exams and discuss the importance of following your career dreams.
Connect with Parker Ling, EA
https://www.linkedin.com/in/parker-ling-ea-a17569195/
Check out Big 4 Transparency
https://www.big4transparency.com/
In this conversation, Chayton Farlee and Kaden Cook interview Yuri Kapilovich, also known as The Fun CPA. They discuss the importance of networking on LinkedIn, the value of meaningful relationships, and the need for authenticity on social media. They also talk about the journey from staff to firm owner, the significance of gaining diverse experiences, and the importance of managing workload and expectations. They touch on the challenges in public accounting, such as the pipeline issue and the need for firms to prioritize their staff. Overall, the conversation emphasizes the importance of continuous learning, communication, and creating a positive work culture. The conversation revolves around the importance of prioritizing people in the accounting profession. The guests emphasize the need to take care of employees, treat them well, and ensure their happiness and satisfaction. They discuss the limitations of traditional rewards like "pizza parties" and highlight the value of meaningful conversations and mentorship. The guests also talk about the benefits of working at smaller firms and the opportunities for building relationships and networking. They share their experiences hosting networking events and emphasize the importance of creating a fun and enjoyable environment in the profession.
Chapters 00:00 Introduction: The Fun CPA0
3:23 Authenticity and Building Meaningful Relationships
06:14 From Staff to Firm Owner: The Journey and Importance of Diverse Experiences
10:05 Managing Workload and Expectations: The Key to a Balanced Schedule
17:24 Prioritizing Staff: Building a Positive Work Culture in Public Accounting
22:40 Continuous Learning and Adaptability: Keys to Success in the Accounting Profession
31:22 Putting People First in the Accounting Profession
33:22 The Benefits of Working at Smaller Firms
36:18 The Importance of Building Relationships and Networking
Connect with our guest Yuri Kapilovich, CPA
https://www.linkedin.com/in/ykapilovich/
Check out Big 4 Transparency here! https://www.big4transparency.com/
Donovan Fox, a BYU accounting student and former KPMG intern, shares his journey into accounting and his experience as an intern. He discusses how he chose accounting after initially planning to go to dental school, and how he was drawn to the field after taking an accounting class.
Donovan also talks about his internship at KPMG, where he worked on assurance and audit projects for clients like Cafe Rio and a real estate company. He highlights the importance of work-life balance and the supportive culture at KPMG.
Donovan also shares his current part-time job at Cornerstone Technologies and the challenges of being the only accounting professional in the company. He emphasizes the need to continue learning and growing in the accounting profession and to help others along the way. Connect with our guest Donovan Fox
https://www.linkedin.com/in/donovanfoxaccounting/
Check Out Big 4 Transparency
https://www.big4transparency.com/
There are a few accounting firms that are leading the way into the future. One of the most innovative firms doing this is Dark Horse CPA's! They have created a whole new structure and culture that is going to change the way that accounting firms operate forever!
Marcus Steinfeld is an accountant at Dark Horse CPA's and is a great mentor to young accounting professionals! In the episode he digs into what makes Dark Horse special and how young accountants can leverage mentors to have a more fulfilling career.
A bonus Xero vs QuickBooks debate is included at the end that you will not want to miss!
Check out our Sponsor Big 4 Transparency! https://www.big4transparency.com/
Connect with our Guest Marcus Steinfeld https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcus-steinfeld-181288ba/
Check out Dark Horse CPAs
https://darkhorse.cpa/
Accounting Conversations is taking a massive step into the future by welcoming a new cohost, Kaden Cook CPA, CMA!
Kaden will bring the perspective of a Senior Associate to each episode as well as the experience of working at one of the leading Cloud Accounting Firms, Summit Virtual CFO!
Together Chayton and Kaden hope to bring new perspectives and fun conversations to future episodes!
Special thanks to Big 4 Transparency for sponsoring this episode! Dom is leading the charge in bringing compensation transparency to the accounting profession! Make sure to visit the website below to add to the data base or analyze your current salary.
https://www.big4transparency.com/
Content creation has taken the accounting world by storm. It is a great way to build a brand and stand out from the crowd! It is proving the world wrong that accountants are boring!
Lukas Sundahl is doing this better than anyone. He consistently puts out hilarious and relatable content that shows the world how great accounting is! He has made accounting fun!
In this episode of Accounting Conversations, Lukas Sundahl digs into his unorthodox career journey from a Personal Trainer to a Fractional CFO.
He also gives great advice on how young accounting professionals can take advantage of social media and create their own content! Lukas proves that it is way easier than you might think!
Lukas Sundahl, CSCA, MBA, CMA
Lukas Sundahl, CMA, CSCA, MBA | LinkedIn
Accounting Couture
Accounting T-Shirts | Accounting Couture
Accounting Couture YouTube Accounting Couture - YouTube
For decades accountants have been overworked, underpaid, and unsatisfied with their work. Work and life were not balanced.
Today there is a group of accountants who are changing the game. They are tech-forward, happy, incredibly smart, content creators, and they have a work-life balance. This group is finally doing everything right that has been done wrong for the past decades.
They have one big secret, it is pricing! They charge what they are actually worth which allows them to work less and work only with the clients they want! Pricing is one of the biggest keys to changing the profession!
Logan Graf is changing the game and educating young firm owners about pricing. He creates amazing content on what it is like to be a small firm owner. Logan is incredibly transparent about his accounting journey and everything that is going on at his firm. He has documented his entire journey as a small firm owner!
This transparency allows anyone interested in owning their own firm someday to see exactly what it can look like when done the right way!
In the episode, Logan discusses his firm, and content creation, and gives priceless advice on how young accounting professionals can take advantage of all of the opportunities that are present in the profession right now!
Connect with Logan Graf, CPA
Check out Logan's YouTube Channel
Connect with Chayton Farlee
The future of the accounting profession will rely a lot on technology. Automation and AI are helping take the data entry and mundane jobs away from accountants so that they can focus on more important tasks.
For accounting professionals to be relevant in the coming years it is imperative that they are tech savvy and that they become automation experts.
Entry-level accountants can have an impact from day one if they know how to leverage technology to save time and money.
Isaac Perdomo is an accounting automation expert. He co-founded Opzer which helps firms implement technology that can transform the way that they do business.
Issac shares the latest on technology in the accounting industry and he gives great tips for how accounting students and young professionals can learn to automate their work right now!
Connect with Isaac Perdomo
Check out Opzer ⚡App integration & process automation for accountants | Opzer
Check out Isaac's YouTube Channel This Is How Accounting Firms Onboard Clients in Minutes (Using Automation) (youtube.com)
Connect with Chayton Farlee
One of the most underrated benefits of getting an accounting degree is the versatility that it brings. There are hundreds of different paths that an accounting major can take. Tax and Audit are just the tip of the iceberg.
With so many different paths to take it is essential that young accounting professionals find great mentors who can guide them.
This week's guest is Freeman Scott Bedwell, CPA. He is a Senior Tax Manager at Richey May. Freeman gives amazing advice on how to make the most of your career!
He also discusses how mentorship and finding the right firm to work at are key to long-term success. Freeman is passionate and such a great example of an accountant who has found fulfillment in their career.
You will not want to miss this episode!
Connect with Freeman Scott Bedwell, CPA
☀ Freeman Scott Bedwell, CPA | LinkedIn
Connect with Chayton Farlee
The accounting field has changed immensely in the past decade. With those changes have come challenges but also great opportunities. With the right mindset, today's accounting students are uniquely positioned to ride the wave of change to success!
Two major things that young accounting professionals can do to ensure success in their careers are to focus on technological skills, and always have a growth mindset! Technology is changing the profession at a rapid pace, and those with the right skillset will jump to the top!
This week's guest is Kevin Kimball, MAcc, CPA, CIDA. He is the Accounting Department Chair at Brigham Young University Idaho. Kevin is helping the next generation of accounting students be incredibly successful! He has helped implement programs and courses that prioritize technology and lifelong learning.
In the episode, he shares his accounting journey, describes the innovative things that BYU-I is doing for its accounting students, and gives amazing career advice!
Connect with Kevin Kimball, MAcc, CPA, CIDA
Kevin Kimball, MAcc, CPA, CIDA | LinkedIn
Connect with Chayton Farlee
Many different degrees have different career paths. An accounting degree is so special because it opens the door to so many different opportunities. Accounting professionals can choose from hundreds of different roles and many different career paths!
The guest for this week's episode is Dr. Jack Castonguay, PhD, CPA. Dr. Castonguay is a professor at Hofstra University and is also the Vice President of Learning and Development at Surgent. In the episode, he shares a few of his hot takes about the accounting pipeline problems and also shares why the accounting profession is such an exciting place to be right now!
Dr. Castonguay explains just how valuable an accounting degree is and how students can make the most of the immense opportunities awaiting them!
Connect with Dr. Castonguay
Jack (John) Castonguay, PhD, CPA | LinkedIn
Check out Surgent
Surgent - Accounting and Financial Courses Tailored for You
Connect with Chayton Farlee
Many students struggle to land and find good jobs after graduating from college. Getting that first job when you still have no experience is extremely difficult, but there is a hack that can help you be prepared to land your dream role right out of school. That is internships!
Internships are incredibly important to career development. Not only do they provide the perfect place to learn while the stakes are low, but they also allow for great opportunities to network with other professionals.
Heather Miller is an Internship Expert! She did six internships as an undergraduate student which allowed her to land her dream role right out of school as well as provide marketing services for a few of her own clients.
In the episode, Heather explains how LinkedIn and Internships opened doors for her career. She is a great example of how consistent effort towards networking and LinkedIn can pay off immensely!
Connect with Heather Miller
Connect with Chayton Farlee
To really learn accounting, it is critical to have real-world practice along with everything you are learning in the classroom.
Joseph Timothy, CPB is the perfect example of a student who went out of his way to make learning accounting outside of the classroom a priority.
He has been providing tax and bookkeeping services at H&R Block for over two years now along with studying full-time. He also recently became a Certified Public Bookkeeper.
In the episode, Joseph shares his experience and gives great advice to students about how they can become great accountants by combining what they are learning in school with real-world & internship experience.
Connect with Joseph Timothy, CPB Joseph Timothy, CPB | LinkedIn
Connect with Chayton Farlee
Accounting is changing for the better! It will involve more remote work, better work-life balance, better pay, and increased opportunities to add REAL value to clients. How can young professionals navigate the new and unknown landscape?
In this week's episode, Randy Crabtree shares key insights that all young accountants can use to get the most out of their accounting careers and take advantage of the changes that are coming. Randy is one of the top voices in the accounting world right now! He hosts both the Unique CPA Podcast and the Bridging the Gap Conference!
Randy explains how technology and remote work have transformed his firm, Tri-Merit Specialty Tax, and how the future of accounting will be all about adding value, and less about strictly compliance. Randy also gives his thoughts about mentorship, having a growth mindset, and how the accounting industry is full of people willing to collaborate and help!
Connect with Randy Crabtree
Check out Tri-Merit Specialty Tax Specialty Tax Professionals | Tri-Merit
Check out the Bridging the Gap Conference Home - Bridging the Gap Conference (btgconference.com)
Check out the Unique CPA Podcast Podcasts | Tri-Merit
Connect with Chayton Farlee
Accountants do so much more than just compliance, they help their clients understand financial data and they help their clients' businesses grow. To really add the most value possible to your clients, you must be a master communicator!
Jeff Bartsch is the world's best storyteller! He spent 20 years in Hollywood telling stories for names like ABC, Netflix, NBC, Disney, Apple, and many more! He understands exactly how to leave a lasting impact on an audience. He now is teaching accountants how to use storytelling to transform their businesses!
In the episode, Jeff explains how human connection is everything, even for CPAs! He covers his journey from Hollywood for 20 years to advising accountants today!
Jeff also teaches the basics of communication and how young accounting professionals can leverage great communication skills to supercharge their careers!
Make sure you check out Jeff's Podcast and Website for Story Greenlight!
Connect with Jeff Bartsch
Check out Story Greenlight Story Greenlight
Connect with Chayton Farlee
An accounting career doesn't just have to be crazy busy seasons at a huge firm downtown, stay-at-home parents can have incredible careers as well!
Erica Goode, CPA is changing the game for accounting professionals. She started her career out at KPMG and then moved into industry accounting at Walgreens. Since then, she has had a family and built her own accounting firm at the same time.
Erica is changing the game for accounting professionals who want to practice accounting and also have a family! It is 100% possible and you can still make great money doing it. She has shared her entire journey on LinkedIn and is always posting incredible insights.
Erica's firm focuses on Fractional CFO work for Consultants and Coaches. She is also the Podcast host of Coaches, Consultants + Money.
Connect with Erica Goode, CPA
Check out Coaches, Consultants + Money
Coaches, Consultants, and Money Podcast — Erica Goode, CPA for Coaches & Consultants
Connect with Chayton Farlee
The future of the accounting profession is incredibly bright! The guest of episode 14 of Accounting Conversations is Seth Fineberg. He is an accounting industry expert, consultant, speaker, and editor. There are not many people who know the industry better than he does. He has followed the industry through all of its ups and downs over the past few years.
The main focus of the episode is all of the good things that are currently happening in the profession, including accounting conferences. Seth describes each major accounting conference in detail and explains just how beneficial attending each of these conferences can be!
Connect with Seth Fineberg Seth Fineberg | LinkedIn
Check out Accountants Forward Seth Fineberg – Accounting Industry Consultant, Editor and Content Strategist
Connect with Chayton Farlee
With the national debt continuing to rise, higher tax rates seem to be on the horizon. Dave Spence is a CPA and CFP who is on a mission to help all CPAs understand the implications of future tax rate hikes on their client's income. All CPAs have an amazing opportunity to add value to their clients and to increase their own revenue!
In the episode, Dave discusses the history of tax rates in the US, how scary the national debt is, and how CPAs can be a partner and guide to each of their clients in preparing for higher tax rates in the future!
Connect with Dave Spence, CPA, CFP
Dave Spence, CPA, CFP, CLU, PFS | LinkedIn
Check out Tax-Free Tutors Tax Free Tutors – Free education towards a tax free retirement!
Connect with Chayton Farlee Chayton Farlee | LinkedIn
Scotty Scarano is not only a firm owner, but he is a rapper, a podcaster, and the founder of Accounting High! He is one of many people who is making the accounting profession fun and changing the profession for the better. Scotty has one of the most unique paths to becoming a firm owner of anyone in the field!
The episode covers the cool things that Scotty is doing at Accounting High, including the March Madness Tournament that they held for accounting software, influencers, and conferences. Scotty also explains his views on entrepreneurship and what the future of accounting looks like.
Connect with Scotty Scarano
Scotty (OKR) Scarano 🥶❤️🔥 | LinkedIn
Check out the Accounting High Bracket Challenge Accountant Bracket Challenge (accountinghigh.com)
Check out the Accounting High Podcast Media — Accounting High
Check out the Accounting High Website Accounting High Connect with Chayton Farlee Chayton Farlee | LinkedIn
Having a career and a family can be incredibly hard, but Caitlynn Eldridge CPA has done both! Not only is she the founder of Eldridge CPA, but she previously worked at Deloitte and Union Pacific. Caitlynn is the perfect example of how much flexibility a career in accounting can give a young professional. Caitlynn is also an advocate for the profession and is going back to school to get her MBA so that she can teach accounting as a professor!
In the episode, Caitlynn explains how we can solve many of the problems facing the profession and shares her experience in industry and public accounting as well as what it had been like to run her own firm while raising a family!
Connect with Caitlynn Eldridge, CPA
Caitlynn (McGreer) Eldridge, CPA | LinkedIn
Check out Eldridge CPA LLC About - Welcome (caitlynneldridge.com)
Connect with Chayton Farlee