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Burning It Down To Build Better: How Community Is Key To Battling Burnout

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(00:55) - Meet the Guests: Madeleine Reeves and Lynette Oss Connell (01:27) - Madeline's Burnout Story (04:36) - Lynette's Burnout Journey (17:24) - Recognizing Burnout Symptoms (20:00) - Strategies to Combat Burnout (24:04) - Building a Supportive Community (30:37) - Conclusion and Final Thoughts Sign up to get free CPE for listening to this podcasthttps://earmarkcpe.comhttps://earmark.app/Download the Earmark CPE App Apple: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/earmark-cpe/id1562599728Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.earmarkcpe.appConnect with Our Guests: Madeline ReevesLinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/madelinefearless/Learn more about Fearless FoundryOfficial website: http://www.fearlessfoundry.comLynette Oss ConnellLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lynnette-oss-connell-cpa/Learn more about Burnout Bestie Official website: https://www.burnoutbestie.com/Connect with Blake Oliver, CPALinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/blaketoliverTwitter: https://twitter.com/blaketoliver/

From Rules to Agents: Accounting’s Next Workflow

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(01:20) - Understanding Autonomous General Ledgers (02:13) - Technical Architecture of Digits (05:29) - Real-World Application of Digits (10:10) - Advanced Features and Accuracy (16:09) - Automated Reconciliation (19:11) - Innovative Reporting Capabilities (24:19) - AI Agents in Accounting (28:40) - Automating Collections and Approvals (29:59) - Customizing Agent Instructions (30:46) - Balancing Simplicity and Complexity in Product Design (46:42) - Impact of AI on Accounting Roles (48:26) - Learning and Adapting to AI in Accounting (52:45) - Conclusion and Next Steps Sign up to get free CPE for listening to this podcasthttps://earmarkcpe.comhttps://earmark.app/Download the Earmark CPE App Apple: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/earmark-cpe/id1562599728Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.earmarkcpe.appConnect with Our Guest, Jeff SeibertWebsite: https://jeffseibert.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jseibert/Learn more about DigitsWebsite: https://digits.com/Connect with Blake Oliver, CPALinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/blaketoliverTwitter: https://twitter.com/blaketoliver/

Stop Being the Bottleneck: The Six-Part Delegation Playbook for Accounting Firms

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(01:17) - Chase's Sabbatical and Transformation (02:36) - Challenges of Rapid Growth and Burnout (03:28) - Finding Purpose and Slowing Down (13:59) - Effective Delegation Strategies (19:11) - Delegation Example: Managing Team Meetings (25:16) - Approval for Meeting Cancellations (25:37) - Delegation Framework Explained (26:02) - Addressing Delegation Failures (30:48) - Team Responsibility Inventory (32:56) - Delegation Roadmap (36:28) - Defining Success in Delegation (42:11) - Encouraging Decision-Making Autonomy (49:21) - Human at Scale: Transforming Operations (51:51) - Conclusion and Next Steps Sign up to get free CPE for listening to this podcasthttps://earmarkcpe.comhttps://earmark.app/Download the Earmark CPE App Apple: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/earmark-cpe/id1562599728Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.earmarkcpe.appConnect with Our Guest, Chase DamianoLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chasedamiano/Learn more about Human at Scalehttps://humanatscale.com/https://humanatscale.com/assessmentConnect with Blake Oliver, CPALinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/blaketoliverTwitter: https://twitter.com/blaketoliver/

Breaking the "We've Always Done It This Way" Cycle

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(01:06) - Erin's Journey into Accounting (09:06) - Transition to Coaching (28:52) - Operationalizing Culture Change (30:55) - Defining Firm Values and Goals (33:12) - Balancing Client Service and Employee Well-being (35:10) - Aligning Personal and Professional Goals (38:09) - Overcoming Scarcity Mindset (46:12) - Showing Appreciation and Respect (53:21) - Strategies for Reducing Micromanagement (55:53) - Implementing and Sustaining Culture Change (57:46) - Conclusion and Contact Information Sign up to get free CPE for listening to this podcasthttps://earmarkcpe.comhttps://earmark.app/Download the Earmark CPE App Apple: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/earmark-cpe/id1562599728Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.earmarkcpe.appConnect with Our Guest, Erin DaiberLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cpacoacherin/Learn more about Well Balanced AccountantsWebsite: https://www.wellbalancedaccountants.com/Connect with Blake Oliver, CPALinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/blaketoliverTwitter: https://twitter.com/blaketoliver/

The Small-Business Economy in 2025: What Your Clients Need to Know

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.Learn more about Gustohttps://earmarkcpe.promo/gustoChapters(01:09) - Meet the Guest: Nich Tremper, Senior Economist (02:36) - Impact of Tariffs on Small Businesses (11:12) - Labor Market Trends and Challenges (20:37) - Strategies for Small Business Success (22:37) - Impact of AI (30:00) - Trends in Offshore Hiring (32:36) - Impact of Inflation on Small Businesses (39:47) - The Role of Accountants in Business Strategy (42:48) - Rise of New Business Formations (48:39) - Optimism for Small Businesses in 2026 Sign up to get free CPE for listening to this podcasthttps://earmarkcpe.comhttps://earmark.app/Download the Earmark CPE App Apple: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/earmark-cpe/id1562599728Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.earmarkcpe.appConnect with Our Guest, Nich TremperLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nichtremperConnect with Blake Oliver, CPALinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/blaketoliverTwitter: https://twitter.com/blaketoliver/