Are you auditing at the speed of risk? Richard Chambers—50-year internal audit veteran and AuditBoard advisor—joins Blake to map the path forward. Hear why AI now ranks as risk #1, how to build continuous risk monitoring, and what “independence, not isolation” means for the three-lines model. Learn where CAEs should start with AI (risk assessment, analysis, reporting), how to audit culture and AI governance, and how to earn audit committee trust with no surprises.
Chapters
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Connect with Our Guest, Richard Chambers
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/richard-chambers-a5108914/
Twitter: https://x.com/rfchambers
Website: https://auditboard.com/
Connect with Blake Oliver, CPA
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/blaketoliver
Twitter: https://twitter.com/blaketoliver/
Live from Boston on the final stop of the Advisory Amplified tour, Blake sits down with James Irving from Fathom and Chris Macksey from Prefix Accounting to explore what advisory services really mean beyond bookkeeping and compliance. Chris shares how his firm requires advisory for all restaurant clients, using industry expertise and operational metrics to guide decisions on everything from menu pricing to expansion timing. The conversation covers the difference between delivering information versus being integral to decision-making, with insights on forecasting, benchmarking, and why visual KPIs help clients with low financial literacy understand their business performance.
Chapters
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Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.earmarkcpe.app
Connect with Our Guests:
James Erving
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jameserving/
Learn more about Fathom
Official website: http://fathomhq.com
Chris Macksey
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cmacksey/
Learn more about Prix Fixe Accounting
Official website: https://prixfixe.accountants/
Connect with Blake Oliver, CPA
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/blaketoliver
Twitter: https://twitter.com/blaketoliver/
On the fifth stop of the Advisory Amplified tour in Atlanta, Blake sits down with Lisa Gilreath of Acuity and Valerie Heckman of OnPay to discuss what empathetic leadership actually looks like in an industry notorious for long hours and tight deadlines. The conversation covers everything from recognizing when team members are struggling to handling toxic high performers, with real talk about building slack into capacity planning and why unused PTO is a red flag. Lisa and Valerie share concrete steps for creating a culture where people feel supported enough to lean in when it matters most.
Chapters
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Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.earmarkcpe.app
Connect with Our Guests:
Valerie Heckman
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/valerieheckman/
Learn more about OnPay
Official website: https://onpay.com
Lisa Gilreath
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisa-gilreath-2ba506a/
Learn more about Sorren
Official website: https://sorren.com/
Connect with Blake Oliver, CPA
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/blaketoliver
Twitter: https://twitter.com/blaketoliver/
Live from Austin on the Advisory Amplified tour, Blake sits down with Madeline Reeves of Fearless Foundry and Wesley McDonald of Relay to explore what it truly means to be a renegade in accounting: firms that lead clients to somewhere new rather than settle for "the way things have always been done." The conversation explores why top firms aren't afraid to say no to the wrong clients, how transparency in compensation and career pathways can address the talent crisis, and the hard-won lessons learned about building cultures of collaboration over competition.
Chapters
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Connect with Our Guests:
Madeline Reeves
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/madelinefearless/
Learn more about Fearless Foundry
Official website: http://www.fearlessfoundry.com
Wesley McDonald
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wmcdonald48/?originalSubdomain=ca
Learn more about Relay
Official website: https://relayfi.com
Connect with Blake Oliver, CPA
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/blaketoliver
Twitter: https://twitter.com/blaketoliver/
Blake sits down with Mary Delaney, CEO of Karbon, and Kenji Kuramoto, co-founder of Acuity, to explore how standardizing workflows can unlock growth without sacrificing the artistry of advisory work. They discuss Karbon's acquisition of Aider, the power of time studies to identify automation opportunities, and why getting senior advisors to embrace process requires framing workflow as empowerment rather than micromanagement. Kenji shares lessons from building Acuity's advisory practice and why workflow due diligence became critical during their 14-firm merger with Sorren.
Chapters
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Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.earmarkcpe.app
Connect with Our Guests:
Mary Delaney
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marywdelaney/
Learn more about Karbon
Official website: http://karbonhq.com
Kenji Kuramoto
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kenjikuramoto/
Learn more about Acuity
Official website: https://acuity.co
Connect with Blake Oliver, CPA
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/blaketoliver
Twitter: https://twitter.com/blaketoliver/
Most accounting firms are dramatically underpricing their services, but the fear of losing clients keeps them stuck. Marie Greene and Ryan Embry join Blake for a live conversation in LA about spotting underpricing, having the repricing conversation, and why your worst clients are often the most price-insensitive. Plus, a live role-play demonstration of how to navigate a difficult pricing conversation.
Chapters
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Connect with Our Guests:
Ryan Embree
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-embree-9463b286/
Learn more about Ignition
http://ignitionapp.com
Marie Greene, CPA
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariegreene/
Learn more about Connected Accounting
Connect with Blake Oliver, CPA
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/blaketoliver
Twitter: https://twitter.com/blaketoliver/
Recorded live in Seattle at the first stop of the Advisory Amplified tour, Blake sits down with Madeline Reeves (Fearless Foundry) and Lynette O'Connell (Burnout Bestie) to discuss the hard truths about burnout in accounting. Madeline shares how losing half her agency's revenue in 30 days forced her to stop trying to be likable and start building the business she actually wanted, while Lynette explains why nobody was coming to save her after scheduling overnight work shifts to keep up. They break down the three categories of burnout symptoms most accountants miss, why this profession attracts people whose love language is acts of service, and how to stop being the glue holding everything together.
Chapters
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Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.earmarkcpe.app
Connect with Our Guests:
Madeline Reeves
LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/madelinefearless/
Learn more about Fearless Foundry
Official website: http://www.fearlessfoundry.com
Lynette Oss Connell
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lynnette-oss-connell-cpa/
Learn more about Burnout Bestie
Official website: https://www.burnoutbestie.com/
Connect with Blake Oliver, CPA
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/blaketoliver
Twitter: https://twitter.com/blaketoliver/
Can an AI‑native general ledger really automate the monthly close without losing control? Blake talks with Digits CEO Jeff Seibert about an “autonomous GL” built on a vector graph model, AI agents that research unknown transactions and auto‑reconcile to pixel‑matched statements, and human‑in‑the‑loop safeguards. Learn where Digits fits best today, how to pilot it with clients, price AI‑powered CAS, and keep trust with audit trails, object‑level permissions, and deterministic reporting.
Chapters
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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, Jeff Seibert
Website: https://jeffseibert.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jseibert/
Learn more about Digits
Website: https://digits.com/
Connect with Blake Oliver, CPA
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/blaketoliver
Twitter: https://twitter.com/blaketoliver/
Still running every meeting and answering every Slack ping? Blake Oliver talks with Chase Damiano of Human at Scale about escaping founder bottlenecks. Learn a six-part delegation framework (responsibility, purpose, success, process, resources, decisions), turn 1:1s into leadership labs, build a team responsibility inventory and a delegation roadmap, and see why great prompts mirror great delegation. Leave with practical steps to hand off meetings, elevate decision-making, and reclaim time for strategy and growth.
Chapters
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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, Chase Damiano
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chasedamiano/
Learn more about Human at Scale
https://humanatscale.com/assessment
Connect with Blake Oliver, CPA
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/blaketoliver
Twitter: https://twitter.com/blaketoliver/
Why do so many accounting firms struggle to bridge the gap between their stated values and actual workplace culture? In this episode, Blake Oliver sits down with Erin Daiber, founder of Well Balanced Accountants, to explore how firms can move beyond culture theory to real operational change. You'll discover why "we've always done it this way" thinking kills retention, learn specific strategies for showing appreciation without micromanaging, and understand how being too busy prevents the culture improvements you need most. Erin shares her framework for defining your current culture honestly, creating accountability structures that stick, and making small changes that build significant cultural shifts over time.
Chapters
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Connect with Our Guest, Erin Daiber
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cpacoacherin/
Learn more about Well Balanced Accountants
Website: https://www.wellbalancedaccountants.com/
Connect with Blake Oliver, CPA
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/blaketoliver
Twitter: https://twitter.com/blaketoliver/
What should you tell clients when tariffs increase and hiring slows? Blake Oliver discusses with Gusto senior economist Nicholas Tremper the effects on small businesses of high tariffs, reduced job growth, and a tighter labor market influenced by immigration policy. Find out how advising on cash flow and employee benefits can help your clients identify opportunities in a post-pandemic startup boom driven by artificial intelligence.
Chapters
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Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.earmarkcpe.app
Connect with Our Guest, Nich Tremper
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nichtremper
Connect with Blake Oliver, CPA
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/blaketoliver
Twitter: https://twitter.com/blaketoliver/
Please note: This episode was recorded before changes were made to the Big Beautiful Bill, which eliminated the removal of the PCAOB.
What happens when AI agents start doing your journal entries and reconciliations? Mike Whitmire, founder and CEO of Floqast, explains why accounting AI is fundamentally different from other business applications—and why auditability creates unique challenges that many companies will struggle to overcome. In this conversation, you'll learn how Floqast Transform enables accountants to build AI agents using simple narrative descriptions, thereby creating comprehensive audit trails while automating repetitive tasks. Mike walks through real-world examples, from benefit allocation journal entries to variance analysis, demonstrating how the "human-in-the-loop" approach handles exceptions and ensures compliance. Plus, hear his vision for the future accounting professional as an "accounting cyborg" who manages AI agents rather than junior staff.
Chapters
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Connect with Our Guest, Mike Whitmire
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelcwhitmire/
Learn more about FloQast
Connect with Blake Oliver, CPA
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/blaketoliver
Twitter: https://twitter.com/blaketoliver/
What happens when a homeless 21-year-old musician transforms into a financial leader negotiating $20 billion deals at Google? Devon Coombs shares his remarkable journey from living in his car after his recording studio failed to becoming an ASC 606 revenue recognition expert who helped shape multibillion-dollar cloud contracts. You'll discover how he leveraged technical accounting expertise to leapfrog traditional career paths, why he cold-called a thousand controllers as a first-year auditor, and his predictions for how AI will transform accountants into "orchestrators" rather than individual contributors. Plus, learn why he's leaving Google to build a consulting practice focused on helping the profession adapt to an AI-driven future.
Chapters
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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, Devon Coombs
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/devoncoombs/
Website: https://www.devoncoombs.com/
Connect with Blake Oliver, CPA
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/blaketoliver
Twitter: https://twitter.com/blaketoliver/
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
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Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.earmarkcpe.app
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
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Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.earmarkcpe.app
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
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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
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Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.earmarkcpe.app
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
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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:
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
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Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.earmarkcpe.app
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
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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/