The Accounting Podcast

IRS Chief Spied on Colleagues & Out of Control AI

Could an AI agent decide to hack a system, or cancel your software subscription just to complete its task? Blake and David examine reports of AI agents escaping guardrails, flooding IRS rulemaking with generated comments, and taking autonomous business actions. They also trace accounting from ancient clay tokens to today’s AI economy, exploring why calculating profit and trustworthy records matter more than ever.SponsorsCloud Accountant Staffing - http://accountingpodcast.promo/casThe Value Builder System - http://accountingpodcast.promo/valueOnPay - http://accountingpodcast.promo/onpayVeltrix - http://accountingpodcast.promo/veltrixChapters(00:00) - Profit First Accounting (00:33) - Dumb Accounting AI (02:40) - AI Guest Pitch Email (07:21) - When Agents Go Rogue (09:38) - OpenAI Agent Hacks Out (11:57) - Waymo Laws And Goals (16:33) - IRS Chief Spy Claims (19:28) - AI Floods IRS Comments (23:30) - SaaStr AI Cancels SaaS (28:09) - Ode To Accounting Site (29:54) - Accounting Births Writing (31:24) - Double Entry Changes Everything (32:09) - Industrial Era Standards (33:29) - Internet Cloud And AI (34:19) - Hosts React Tokens Return (36:49) - Profit Cost Accounting And AI (39:33) - Round Tripping Explained (44:00) - IRS EIN Breakdown (46:19) - Trump Accounts Adoption (48:20) - Tax Leak Sentencing Debate (50:23) - KPMG Australia Shakeup (52:09) - QuickBooks MCP Workflows (55:52) - Intuit Card Versus Ramp (57:35) - Ramp Stablecoin And Token Spend (01:00:39) - Wrap Up And Where To Find Us  Show NotesOpenAI and Hugging Face partner to address security incident during model evaluationhttps://openai.com/index/hugging-face-model-evaluation-security-incident/Trump's IRS Chief Frank Bisignano Accused of Using Hi-Tech Software to Spy on Colleagues' Emails at JPMorganhttps://www.thedailybeast.com/trumps-irs-chief-frank-bisignano-accused-of-using-hi-tech-software-to-spy-on-colleagues-emails-at-jpmorgan/IRS blitzed with AI-generated comments on proposed tax ruleshttps://www.accountingtoday.com/news/irs-blitzed-with-ai-generated-comments-on-proposed-tax-rulesYour Agents Are About to Start Firing Your Vendors. Ours Fired Marketo.https://www.saastr.com/your-agents-are-about-to-start-firing-your-vendors-ours-fired-marketo/Basis offers AI agents, love letters and an ode to accountinghttps://www.accountingtoday.com/news/basis-offers-ai-agents-love-letters-and-an-ode-to-accounting7 Million Trump Accounts Have Been Opened, Administration Sayshttps://www.cpapracticeadvisor.com/2026/07/29/7-million-trump-accounts-have-been-opened-administration-says/187586/DC Circuit Denies Littlejohn Appeal and the Need for Privacy Protections Remainshttps://www.ntu.org/foundation/detail/dc-circuit-denies-littlejohn-appeal-and-the-need-for-privacy-protections-remainsKPMG Australia appoints new CEOhttps://www.internationalaccountingbulletin.com/news/kpmg-australia-appoints-new-ceo/KPMG Fires Former COO Eileen Hoggett Over Confidentiality Breachhttps://news.ssbcrack.com/kpmg-fires-former-coo-eileen-hoggett-over-confidentiality-breach/QuickBooks Expands Into Claude and ChatGPT with New Featureshttps://www.intuit.com/blog/news-social/quickbooks-expands-into-claude-and-chatgpt-with-new-sales-invoicing-payroll-and-lending-features/Intuit Launches Business Credit Card That Brings Spend Management, Rewards, and Insights Together in QuickBookshttps://investors.intuit.com/news-events/press-releases/detail/1316/intuit-launches-business-credit-card-that-brings-spend-management-rewards-and-insights-together-in-quickbooksRamp Brings Stablecoin Accounts and Payments to All Customershttps://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/ramp-brings-stablecoin-accounts-and-payments-to-all-customers-302830447.htmlRamp Launches AI Token Spend Controlshttps://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/ramp-launches-ai-token-spend-controls-302827389.htmlNeed CPE?Get CPE for listening to podcasts with Earmark: https://earmarkcpe.comSubscribe to the Earmark Podcast: https://podcast.earmarkcpe.comGet in TouchThanks 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.SponsorshipsAre you interested in sponsoring The Accounting Podcast? For details, read the prospectus.Need Accounting Conference Info? Check out our new website - accountingconferences.comLimited edition shirts, stickers, and other necessities

How Sam Leon Uses Claude Cowork to Prep Tax Returns 5x Faster

Can one accountant really do tax prep five times faster with AI? Blake and David talk with Sam Leon, founder of The Millennial CPA, about how he uses Claude projects to turn client documents into tax workpapers, speed up review, and run a solo firm built around software. They also dig into where AI still falls short, why review remains the bottleneck, and what firms can realistically automate today.SponsorsDigits - http://accountingpodcast.promo/digitsThe Value Builder System - http://accountingpodcast.promo/valueOnPay - http://accountingpodcast.promo/onpayCloud Accountant Staffing - http://accountingpodcast.promo/casChapters(00:00) - Autonomous AI Reality Check (00:11) - Show Welcome and Interview Tease (00:55) - Sponsor Spotlight Digits (02:34) - Trump IRS Deal Dismissed (05:20) - California Billionaire Tax Fight (07:35) - New York Pied a Terre Tax (09:29) - Sponsor Spotlight Value Builder System (11:18) - Xero CEO Pay and Stock Sale (16:39) - Verification Tax and AI Jobs (22:06) - Sponsor Spotlight OnPay (23:21) - 1948 IBM Accounting Machine Lesson (29:56) - Sponsor Spotlight Cloud Accountant Staffing (31:07) - Meet Sam Leon Millennial CPA (32:01) - Solo Firm Vision (33:15) - From Big Firms to Millennial CPA (35:42) - Why AI Agents Weren’t Ready (37:19) - Automating Tax Prep Workflow (40:33) - Smart Intake for Better Scoping (43:06) - End to End Return Automation (46:04) - AI Workpapers and Review (49:38) - Claude Setup and Time Savings (58:18) - Tech Spend and Pricing Strategy (01:02:52) - Building TaxWeave Platform (01:06:21) - Wrap Up and CPE Info  Show NotesJudge Smacks Down Trump's IRS Settlement And Orders Sanctionshttps://www.cnn.com/2026/07/13/politics/trump-irs-judge-ruling-settlement-sanctionsInstead of Uniting the Left, California's Billionaire Tax Measure Has Split Democratic Allieshttps://www.cpapracticeadvisor.com/2026/07/08/instead-of-uniting-the-left-californias-billionaire-tax-measure-has-split-democratic-allies/186379/NYC lawyers slam pied-a-terre tax as a half-baked money grabhttps://www.audacy.com/1010wins/news/local/nyc-lawyers-slam-pied-a-terre-tax-as-a-half-baked-money-grabA 1948 IBM computer with no memory at all, fed by punchcards, was still doing the accounting at a Texas filtration company as recently as 2020https://scienceblog.com/t-1948-ibm-402-punchcards-sparkler-filters-accounting-2020/Time saved by AI partially canceled out by time spent checking AIhttps://www.accountingtoday.com/news/time-saved-by-ai-partially-cancelled-out-by-time-spent-checking-aiResearch Suggests Jobs May be Safer at Companies that Embrace AIhttps://www.cpapracticeadvisor.com/2026/07/07/research-suggests-jobs-may-be-safer-at-companies-that-embrace-ai/186281/AI Is No Longer Just a Tech Occupation Story: It's Spreading Across Job Titles in the US and Europehttps://www.hiringlab.org/2026/07/08/ai-is-no-longer-just-a-tech-occupation-story/The 2026 Best Accounting Firms for Technologyhttps://www.accountingtoday.com/list/the-2026-best-accounting-firms-for-technologyNeed CPE?Get CPE for listening to podcasts with Earmark: https://earmarkcpe.comSubscribe to the Earmark Podcast: https://podcast.earmarkcpe.comMeet Our Guest, Sam Leon, CPALinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samuelaaronleon/ Website: https://www.millennialcpa.tax/Website: https://www.taxweave.ai/Get in TouchThanks 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.SponsorshipsAre you interested in sponsoring The Accounting Podcast? For details, read the prospectus.Need Accounting Conference Info? Check out our new website - accountingconferences.comLimited edition shirts, stickers, and other necessitiesTeePublic Store: http://cloudacctpod.link/merchSubscribeApple Podcasts: http://cloudacctpod.link/ApplePodcastsYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheAccountingPodcastSpotify: http://cloudacctpod.link/SpotifyPodchaser: http://cloudacctpod.link/podchaserStitcher: http://cloudacctpod.link/StitcherOvercast: http://cloudacctpod.link/OvercastClassifieds REFRAME 2026 - http://accountingpodcast.promo/reframe2026Flowglad - https://cal.com/team/flowglad/flowgladWant 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 classi...

How Much Will World Cup Players Pay in Taxes & Xero's New AI Agent Builder

What do World Cup taxes, AI-built accounting tools, and remote work have in common? In this episode, Blake and David unpack how tax rules hit global athletes and sports bettors, why Xero’s new AI products signal a shift toward accountants building their own software, and where firms still face risk with audit standards, cybersecurity, and homegrown apps. You’ll also hear what’s really happening with remote work and a listener correction on Trump accounts.SponsorsCanopy - http://accountingpodcast.promo/canopyOnPay - http://accountingpodcast.promo/onpayThe Value Builder System - http://accountingpodcast.promo/valueCloud Accountant Staffing - http://accountingpodcast.promo/casChapters(00:00) - Cold Open and Welcome (00:27) - World Cup Chat Setup (04:04) - World Cup Player Taxes (06:58) - Betting and Prediction Taxes (09:47) - Xerocon London Highlights (12:58) - Xero Ultra Midmarket Push (15:31) - Xero Force Agent Builder (20:56) - More Xero Updates (23:22) - App News Canopy Close (26:13) - TaxDome Kiosk In Person (27:34) - Rippling Banking Payroll (29:37) - Exit Readiness Pitch (30:30) - AI Audits Need Rules (32:40) - QC 1000 Rollbacks (35:58) - CBIZ Activist Pressure (39:04) - Vibe Coding Boom (40:41) - DIY Tools Hidden Risks (48:05) - WISP Versus Security (48:57) - Remote Work Reality (50:13) - AI Usage Cost Chaos (54:13) - Trump Accounts Correction (58:23) - AI Handles CPE Reporting (01:01:13) - CPE Plug And Farewell  Show NotesWorld Cup players face tax penaltieshttps://www.accountingtoday.com/news/world-cup-players-face-tax-penaltiesHow Much Will World Cup Players Pay in Taxes? In 2026, FIFA is the Real Winnerhttps://www.cpapracticeadvisor.com/2026/07/06/fifa-is-the-real-winner-of-the-2026-world-cup/186247/World Cup Betting Tax Rules Differ for Prediction Markets, Sportsbookshttps://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-07-12/world-cup-betting-tax-rules-differ-for-prediction-markets-sportsbooksXero CEO on AI, the builder class and Xero at 20https://www.accountingweb.co.uk/tech/tech-pulse/xero-ceo-on-ai-the-builder-class-and-xero-at-20How we're building Xero to scale with growing businesseshttps://blog.xero.com/product-updates/xero-ultra-launch-scaling-businesses/Introducing XeroForce: Your no code custom AI agent builder for financial workflowshttps://blog.xero.com/news-events/introducing-xeroforce-ai-agent-builder/Paying your bills just got cheaper: Standard ACH is now free in Xerohttps://blog.xero.com/product-updates/paying-your-bills-just-got-cheaper-standard-ach-is-now-free-in-xero/Xerocon London 2026: The Agentic Era Has Arrived for Small Business Financehttps://blog.xero.com/product-updates/xerocon-london-2026-agentic-era-small-business-finance/TaxDome Launches Kiosk: The In-Person Client Experience, Now Digitally Integratedhttps://www.cpapracticeadvisor.com/2026/06/09/taxdome-launches-kiosk-the-in-person-client-experience-now-digitally-integrated/184868/Rippling Launches Business Bankinghttps://www.cpapracticeadvisor.com/2026/06/23/rippling-launches-business-banking/185574/MindBridge urges clearer PCAOB guidance on AI auditshttps://itbrief.co.uk/story/mindbridge-urges-clearer-pcaob-guidance-on-ai-auditsPCAOB Issues Proposed Amendments to QC 1000 and Seeks Public Commenthttps://pcaobus.org/news-events/news-releases/news-release-detail/pcaob-issues-proposed-amendments-to-qc-1000-and-seeks-public-commentRestarting the M&A Flywheel — CBIZ, Inc.https://cbizflywheel.com/Starbucks starts vibe coding enterprise stackhttps://www.semafor.com/article/07/09/2026/starbucks-starts-vibe-coding-enterprise-stackSoftware vendors aren't losing sleep over vibe-coding — yethttps://www.accountingtoday.com/news/software-vendors-arent-losing-sleep-over-vibe-coding-yetMost accounting firms can be impersonated by email – we checked 275 of themhttps://www.accountantsdaily.com.au/business/22638-most-accounting-firms-can-be-impersonated-by-email-we-checked-275-of-themDespite return-to-office crackdowns, remote work is alive and well as the rate has barely changed over the last two yearshttps://fortune.com/2026/07/05/remote-work-data-shows-hybrid-and-flexible-work-arrangements-are-here-to-stay-census-data/AI bills are baffling the C-suite after shift to usage-based pricinghttps://www.theregister.com/ai-and-ml/2026/07/03/ai-bills-are-baffling-the-c-suite-after-shift-to-usage-based-pricing/5266383Need CPE?Get CPE for listening to podcasts with Earmark: https://earmarkcpe.comSubscribe to the Earmark Podcast: https://podcast.earmarkcpe.comGet in TouchThanks for listening and the great reviews! We appreciate you! Follow and tweet @BlakeTOliver and @Dav...

Aussies Want to Break up Big Four & Trump Accounts Go Live on the 4th

What if one tax break could give your child a head start or hand them a pile of money at 18? Blake and David unpack the new Trump accounts, who should use them, and why advisors are split. They also dig into Australia’s latest Big Four scandal, worsening IRS service, AI’s growing role in tax and training, and what these shifts mean for accountants, firms, and clients.SponsorsOnPay - http://accountingpodcast.promo/onpayCanopy - http://accountingpodcast.promo/canopyThe Value Builder System - http://accountingpodcast.promo/valueCloud Accountant Staffing - http://accountingpodcast.promo/casChapters(00:00) - TAP 495 (01:40) - Sponsor Break OnPay (03:11) - Trump Accounts Basics (04:39) - Risks Versus 529 Plans (08:46) - Roth Conversion Strategy (11:27) - Big Four Scandals Australia (15:02) - Sponsor Break Canopy (16:26) - Coca-Cola Transfer Pricing Fight (21:38) - IRS Data Sharing Mess (23:41) - Tax Season Report Card (26:25) - IRS Help Centers Secret Shop (28:31) - Sponsor Break Value Builder (29:47) - IRS Chatbots Gone Wrong (30:36) - IRS Chatbot Failures (31:37) - Nonprofit Enforcement Push (33:29) - Is Nonprofit Fraud Real (36:27) - Sponsor Cloud Staffing (37:46) - California Billionaire Tax (42:01) - Florida Property Tax Shakeup (45:56) - AI Changes Teamwork (49:12) - AI Automates CPE Reporting (52:17) - KPMG Tax Training Simulator (56:15) - Accounting Firms Robbed (57:10) - Wrap Up and CPE Plug  Show NotesWhy advisors do and don't recommend Trump accountshttps://www.accountingtoday.com/news/why-advisors-do-and-dont-recommend-trump-accountsThe Trump Accounts rollout is the biggest advisory opportunity most accountants are missinghttps://www.accountingtoday.com/opinion/the-trump-accounts-rollout-is-the-biggest-advisory-opportunity-most-accountants-are-missingAustralia weighs break-up of Big Four accounting firms after scandalshttps://www.investing.com/news/stock-market-news/australia-weighs-breakup-of-big-four-accounting-firms-after-scandals-4769425EY staffer fired after allegedly accessing Prime Minister's bank accounthttps://www.cyberdaily.au/security/13847-ey-staffer-fired-after-allegedly-accessing-prime-minister-s-bank-accountCoca-Cola Meets Sympathetic Judges in $20 Billion IRS Casehttps://news.bloombergtax.com/daily-tax-report/coca-cola-meets-sympathetic-judges-in-transfer-pricing-disputeTIGTA: IRS Has Data-Sharing Pacts with Over 1,120 Organizations, Some of Which It Can't Identifyhttps://www.cpapracticeadvisor.com/2026/07/06/tigta-irs-has-data-sharing-pacts-with-over-1120-organizations-some-of-which-it-cant-identify/186216/National Taxpayer Advocate issues 2026 mid-year report to Congresshttps://www.irs.gov/newsroom/national-taxpayer-advocate-issues-2026-mid-year-report-to-congressIRS Taxpayer Assistance Centers provided wrong answers to tax questionshttps://www.accountingtoday.com/news/irs-taxpayer-assistance-centers-provided-wrong-answers-to-tax-questionsIRS chatbot results may be wronghttps://www.accountingtoday.com/news/irs-chatbot-results-may-be-wrongIRS gives tax-exempt groups closer scrutinyhttps://www.accountingtoday.com/news/irs-gives-tax-exempt-groups-closer-scrutiny2026 California billionaire tax initiativehttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2026_California_billionaire_tax_initiativeSemantic schism: Ron DeSantis rebukes Wall Street Journal jab at 'progressive' property tax measurehttps://floridapolitics.com/archives/801396-desantis-wsj-progressive/KPMG Turns to AI Simulations to Replace Years of Repetitive Tax Training as Automation Reshapes White-Collar Workhttps://www.tekedia.com/kpmg-turns-to-ai-simulations-to-replace-years-of-repetitive-tax-training-as-automation-reshapes-white-collar-work/Three suspects sought after accounting firm robbery in Markhamhttps://www.cp24.com/news/2026/06/30/three-suspects-sought-after-accounting-firm-robbery-in-markham/Need CPE?Get CPE for listening to podcasts with Earmark: https://earmarkcpe.comSubscribe to the Earmark Podcast: https://podcast.earmarkcpe.comGet in TouchThanks 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.SponsorshipsAre you interested in sponsoring The Accounting Podcast? For details, read the prospectus.Need Accounting Conference Info? Check out our new website - accountingconferences.comLimited edition shirts, stickers...

Fake AI Receipt Fraud Soars & Big Firms Losing Power

Are fake AI receipts becoming the next big headache for finance teams? Blake Oliver and David Leary unpack the surge in AI-generated expense fraud, why tax pros are rapidly adopting AI research tools, and how firms are using AI to automate month-end close and revenue recognition. They also cover NASBA’s response to criticism, Intuit’s renewed focus on accountants, and the implications of private equity and a shifting work culture for the future of accounting firms.SponsorsCloud Accountant Staffing - http://accountingpodcast.promo/casThe Value Builder System - http://accountingpodcast.promo/valueOnPay - http://accountingpodcast.promo/onpayChapters(00:00) - AI Tax Research Surge (00:23) - Show Intro and Lead Story (02:11) - AI Receipt Fraud Explodes (04:42) - Fraud Types and Detection (06:32) - Vibe Coding Goes Mainstream (10:19) - Claude for Rev Rec Workpapers (11:48) - NASBA Letter Follow Up (17:38) - Earmark CPE and New Audit Show (20:08) - Intuit Courts Accountants (23:04) - AI in Tax and IRS Guidance (28:45) - Hourly Billing Debate (29:10) - Disclosing AI Use (29:36) - NASBA Free Speech Question (31:34) - Customer Focus vs Regulation (35:52) - AI Close Tools Meridian (37:38) - DIY Agents for Accounting (39:20) - Claude Builds Rev Rec (44:46) - Eide Bailly Takes PE (48:06) - Big Firms Losing Control (53:01) - PE Meets Culture Shift (53:55) - Wrap Up CPE and Pricing  Show NotesUse of AI receipts in expense fraud soarshttps://www.accountingtoday.com/news/use-of-ai-receipts-in-expense-fraud-soarsThe future of the ecosystem: Is everyone a developer now?https://devblog.xero.com/the-future-of-the-ecosystem-is-everyone-a-developer-now-f3899ddf0b24Blue J and CPA.com Survey Finds AI Adoption Among Tax Firms Has Nearly Doubled in One Yearhttps://www.cpa.com/news/blue-j-and-cpacom-survey-finds-ai-adoption-among-tax-firms-has-nearly-doubled-one-yearIRS rolls out introductory AI guidelines for tax practitionershttps://www.accountingtoday.com/news/irs-rolls-out-introductory-ai-guidelines-for-tax-practitionersIRS electronic tax advisory committee recommends AI and preparer safeguardshttps://www.accountingtoday.com/news/irs-electronic-tax-advisory-committee-recommends-ai-and-preparer-safeguardsThe end of hourly billing Ignition's 2025 benchmark signals pricing shift for firmshttps://www.ignitionapp.com/news/the-end-of-hourly-billing-ignitions-2025-benchmark-signals-pricing-shift-for-firmsIntuit CEO to accountants You are the customer not a channelhttps://www.accountingtoday.com/news/intuit-ceo-to-accountants-you-are-the-customer-not-a-channelPilot Launches Meridian The AI Platform That Fully Closes the Books for Accounting Firmshttps://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2026/06/16/3312500/0/en/pilot-launches-meridian-the-ai-platform-that-fully-closes-the-books-for-accounting-firms.htmlKinter.ai Launches Agentic AI Accountants to Automate The Financial Closehttps://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/kinterai-launches-agentic-ai-accountants-to-automate-the-financial-close-302807330.htmlEide Bailly Advances Growth Strategy and Client Service Commitment Through Investment from Reverence Capital Partnershttps://www.eidebailly.com/insights/firm-news/2026/reverence-capital-partners-investmentWith 1.8 Billion Dollar Deal Eide Bailly Set for Explosive Growthhttps://cpatrendlines.com/2026/06/25/with-1-8-billion-deal-eide-bailly-set-for-explosive-growth/Losing Control The Erosion of Disciplinary and Pastoral Power in Accounting Firmshttps://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/1911-3846.70028Need CPE?Get CPE for listening to podcasts with Earmark: https://earmarkcpe.comSubscribe to the Earmark Podcast: https://podcast.earmarkcpe.comGet in TouchThanks 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.SponsorshipsAre you interested in sponsoring The Accounting Podcast? For details, read the prospectus.Need Accounting Conference Info? Check out our new website - accountingconferences.comLimited edition shirts, stickers, and other necessitiesTeePublic Store: http://cloudacctpod.link/merchSubscribeApple Podcasts: http://cloudacctpod.link/ApplePodcastsYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheAccountingPodcastSpotify: http://cloudacctpod.link/SpotifyPodchaser: http://cloudacctpod.link/podchaserStitcher: