The Tax Translator™ with Cecily Welch, CPA

GSCPA

No one ever explains: taxes. Whether you're looking at your budget, retirement, saving, investing....really, anything - you're swimming in the tax ocean. With over three decades of experience working with individuals, families, and organizations on real-life tax decisions, she knows how overwhelming it can all feel. She advocates for real change in our financial lives through her service on IRS advisory committees, several AICPA committees, and through board work for the Georgia Society of CPAs. She wants everyday people to be empowered to make informed decisions about their financial lives.

Episodes

  1. Aug 11

    The Bill Behind the Bill, Georgia State Representative, CPA, Business Owner, Past Democratic Minority Whip, and Champion for the Middle Class, David Wilkerson - The Tax Translator™ Episode 8

    The Tax Translator ™  Show Notes The Bill Behind the Bill, Georgia State Representative, CPA, Business Owner, Past Democratic Minority Whip, and Champion for the Middle Class, David Wilkerson - Episode 8 In this episode of The Tax Translator, Cecily Welch sits down with Georgia State Representative and CPA David Wilkerson to pull back the curtain on how tax legislation is actually created. They discuss why tax policy is often far more complicated than the headlines suggest, using Georgia's Senate Bill 33 as a real-world example of how legislative process, constitutional requirements, and local government funding all intersect. Beyond the technical details, David explains how citizens can effectively engage with their elected officials and why thoughtful tax policy requires time, transparency, and public participation. 💡 What You’ll Learn How tax laws are created in the Georgia General Assembly—and why the legislative process matters.Why Senate Bill 33 generated so much discussion around constitutionality, property taxes, and local funding.How constituents can effectively communicate with their elected representatives to influence public policy.Why good tax policy requires balancing tax relief with the long-term costs of providing public services.  💬 Quote of the Episode “You can't sit in the back of the Capitol and come up with good tax policy in a matter of hours.” —David Wilkerson 🎧 Earn CPE by Listening to The Tax Translator ™ Thanks to growing interest from members like you, we've streamlined the process with a brand-new podcast self-study exam. Each episode of The Tax Translator ™ offers the option to purchase a self-study test for CPE credit. Episodes will feature a 3-question exam and will be worth 1 hour of CPE credit. A passing grade of 70% or better is required to earn credit. Exams may be submitted for CPE up to one year after the purchase date. Here’s the link to purchase the exam for this episode: https://www.gscpa.org/Public/Products/ProductDetails.aspx?ProductID=POD.TAXTRN.8   RESOURCES: Cecily Welch, CPA, The Accountant You Can Understand® https://www.linkedin.com/in/cecilywelch/ https://cecilywelch.cpa/   This Week’s Guest: Georgia Representative David Wilkerson, CPA David.Wilkerson@house.ga.gov https://www.wilkersonforgeorgia.com/   Subscribe to The Tax Translator ™ LinkedIn Newsletter https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/the-tax-translator%E2%84%A2-7130174142623977473/   The Georgia Society of Certified Public Accountants Not a Member of The Georgia Society of CPAs?  Check out the benefits of becoming part of the community. https://www.gscpa.org/content/Membership.aspx Check out all of The Tax Translator™  episodes here: https://www.gscpa.org/content/olc/VirtualSeries/Tax-Translator.aspx Need more CPE? GSCPA’s CPE Cataloghttps://www.gscpa.org/public/catalog/search.aspx

  2. Jul 28

    The Story You Tell Yourself About Money with NIL Money Coach CC Clark - Episode 7

    The Tax Translator ™ Show NotesThe Story You Tell Yourself About Money with NIL Money Coach CC Clark - Episode 7In this episode of The Tax Translator, Cecily Welch welcomes NIL Money Coach CC Clark for an engaging conversation about the financial realities facing today's student-athletes. While NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) opportunities have created unprecedented earning potential, many young athletes receive money before they receive financial education. Cecily and Coach CC discuss the importance of understanding taxes, money psychology, branding, and financial systems before signing deals. The conversation goes beyond tax compliance to explore how financial habits, family involvement, and mindset shape long-term success.💡 What You’ll Learn What NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) means for today's student-athletes How self-employment taxes surprise many first-time earners Why your money mindset often begins in childhood The importance of identifying your personal "money personality" How branding and financial literacy work together in the NIL era Why accountants should be viewed as an investment rather than an expense 💬 Quote of the Episode“An accountant isn't an expense—they're an investment.” —Coach CC Clark🎧 Earn CPE by Listening to The Tax Translator ™Thanks to growing interest from members like you, we've streamlined the process with a brand-new podcast self-study exam.Each episode of The Tax Translator ™ offers the option to purchase a self-study test for CPE credit. Episodes will feature a 3-question exam and will be worth 1 hour of CPE credit. A passing grade of 70% or better is required to earn credit. Exams may be submitted for CPE up to one year after the purchase date.Here’s the link to purchase the exam for this episode: https://www.gscpa.org/Public/Products/ProductDetails.aspx?ProductID=POD.TAXTRN.7RESOURCES:Cecily Welch, CPA, The Accountant You Can Understand®https://www.linkedin.com/in/cecilywelch/https://cecilywelch.cpa/This Week’s Guest: CC Clark, M.Ed. (Coach CC)https://readyforthemoney.com/https://www.linkedin.com/in/cc-clark-m-ed-25b25892/The Prosperity Leaguehttps://www.skool.com/the-prosperity-league-nil-1335/aboutSubscribe to The Tax Translator ™ LinkedIn Newsletterhttps://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/the-tax-translator%E2%84%A2-7130174142623977473/The Georgia Society of Certified Public AccountantsNot a Member of The Georgia Society of CPAs? Check out the benefits of becoming part of the community.https://www.gscpa.org/content/Membership.aspxCheck out all of The Tax Translator™ episodes here:https://www.gscpa.org/content/olc/VirtualSeries/Tax-Translator.aspxNeed more CPE? GSCPA’s CPE Cataloghttps://www.gscpa.org/public/catalog/search.aspx

  3. Jul 14

    Get a Spoonful of Tax Planning’s Alphabet Soup – Part 1 - The Tax Translator Episode 6

    The Tax Translator™ Show Notes Get a Spoonful of Tax Planning’s Alphabet Soup – Part 1 - Episode 6 In this solo episode of The Tax Translator, Cecily Welch tackles a topic that confuses many taxpayers: tax-advantaged benefits and the alphabet soup of financial planning acronyms. Through practical examples, she explains how tools such as Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) and Dependent Care Accounts (DCAs) can reduce taxable income and create real tax savings—even though those savings may never appear directly on a tax return. The episode focuses on helping listeners understand not just what these benefits are, but why they matter and how they fit into overall financial planning.💡 What You’ll Learn How tax-advantaged benefits reduce taxable income The difference between tax planning that appears on a return and tax planning that happens before income is reported Why Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) and Dependent Care Accounts (DCAs) can create tax savings How benefit elections impact your W-2 income Why most tax-preferred strategies come with limits and eligibility rulesThe importance of understanding benefit elections before open enrollment deadlines Why tax planning often involves decisions that occur outside the tax return itself How to evaluate whether the tax savings are worth the administrative requirements 💬 Quote of the Episode “Sometimes it doesn't actually show up on your return atall, but it has saved you money.”  —Cecily Welch, CPA, CFP 🎧 Earn CPE by Listening to The Tax Translator™ Thanks to growing interest from members like you, we've streamlined the process with a brand-new podcast self-study exam. Each episode of The Tax Translator ™  offers the option to purchase a self-study test for CPE credit. Episodes will feature a 3-question exam and will be worth 1 hour of CPE credit. A passing grade of 70% or better is required to earn credit. Exams may be submitted for CPE up to one year after thepurchase date. Here’s the link to purchase the exam for this episode: https://www.gscpa.org/Public/Products/ProductDetails.aspx?ProductID=POD.TAXTRN.6   RESOURCES: Cecily Welch, CPA, The Accountant You Can Understand® https://www.linkedin.com/in/cecilywelch/ https://cecilywelch.cpa/ Subscribe to The Tax Translator ™ LinkedIn Newsletter https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/the-tax-translator%E2%84%A2-7130174142623977473/ The Georgia Society of Certified Public Accountants Not a Member of The Georgia Society of CPAs?  Check out thebenefits of becoming part of the community. https://www.gscpa.org/content/Membership.aspxCheck out all of The Tax Translator™  episodes here: https://www.gscpa.org/content/olc/VirtualSeries/Tax-Translator.aspx Need more CPE? GSCPA’s CPE Catalog  https://www.gscpa.org/public/catalog/search.aspx

  4. Jun 30

    A Bonus, A Stipend, and a Paycheck Walk into a Tax Office - Episode 5

    The Tax Translator™ Show Notes A Bonus, A Stipend, and a Paycheck Walk into a Tax Office - Episode 5   Have you ever said, "I've already paid taxes on that bonus," or wondered why your CPA keeps asking about compensation you've already received? In this solo episode, Cecily Welch breaks down one of the most common tax misunderstandings: the difference between tax withholding and actual tax liability. Using real-world examples and straightforward explanations, she walks listeners through how bonuses, commissions, stipends, and other forms of compensation are treated for tax purposes—and why misunderstanding withholding can lead to unexpected tax bills. 💡 What You’ll Learn The difference between withholding and tax liability Why bonuses and commissions are still ordinary income How effective tax rates differ from withholding percentages Why refunds and balances due don't measure CPA performance How better communication leads to better tax planning What taxpayers can do to avoid unpleasant surprises at filing time  💬 Quote of the Episode “Withholding is just a deposit on what your eventual taxliability is.”  —Cecily Welch, CPA, CFP 🎧 Earn CPE by Listening to The Tax Translator™ Thanks to growing interest from members like you, we've streamlined the process with a brand-new podcast self-study exam. Each episode of The Tax Translator ™  offers the option to purchase a self-study test for CPE credit. Episodes will feature a 3-question exam and will be worth 1 hour of CPE credit. A passing grade of 70% or better is required to earn credit. Exams may be submitted for CPE up to one year after thepurchase date. Here’s the link to purchase the exam for this episode: https://www.gscpa.org/Public/Products/ProductDetails.aspx?ProductID=POD.TAXTRN.5 RESOURCES:Cecily Welch, CPA, The Accountant You Can Understand® https://www.linkedin.com/in/cecilywelch/ https://cecilywelch.cpa/ Subscribe to The Tax Translator ™ LinkedIn Newsletter https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/the-tax-translator%E2%84%A2-7130174142623977473/ The Georgia Society of Certified Public Accountants Not a Member of The Georgia Society of CPAs?  Check out thebenefits of becoming part of the community. https://www.gscpa.org/content/Membership.aspx Check out all of The Tax Translator™  episodes here: https://www.gscpa.org/content/olc/VirtualSeries/Tax-Translator.aspx Need more CPE? GSCPA’s CPE Catalog  https://www.gscpa.org/public/catalog/search.aspx

  5. Jun 16

    Ignorance Can Be Expensive with Dr. Sylvia Morris - Episode 4

    The Tax Translator™  Show Notes Ignorance Can Be Expensive with Dr. Sylvia Morris - Episode 4 In this episode of The Tax Translator, Cecily Welch sits down with physician, author, and wellness advocate Dr. Sylvia Morris to explore the intersection of financial health and physical health. Through candid stories about inheritance, investing, caregiving, entrepreneurship, retirement planning, long-term care insurance, and financial decision-making, they discuss why understanding money is just as important as understanding your health. The conversation highlights how trusted advisors can help translate complex topics into practical decisions that improve both quality of life and long-term security. 💡 What You’ll Learn Why financial health and physical health are deeply connected The importance of finding trusted professionals who can translate complex topics into understandable advice Lessons learned from receiving an inheritance at a young age Why women should proactively plan for retirement, caregiving, and long-term care Common misconceptions about Medicare and long-term care expenses 💬 Quote of the Episode “You can't really have physical health without financial health, and you can't have financial health without physical health.” — Dr. Sylvia Morris 🎧 Earn CPE by Listening to The Tax Translator™ Thanks to growing interest from members like you, we've streamlined the process with a brand-new podcast self-study exam. Each episode of The Tax Translator ™  offers the option to purchase a self-study test for CPE credit. Episodes will feature a 3-question exam and will be worth 1 hour of CPE credit. A passing grade of 70% or better is required to earn credit. Exams may be submitted for CPE up to one year after thepurchase date. Here’s the link to purchase the exam for this episode: https://www.gscpa.org/Public/Products/ProductDetails.aspx?ProductID=POD.TAXTRN.4 RESOURCES: Cecily Welch, CPA, The Accountant You Can Understand® https://www.linkedin.com/in/cecilywelch/ https://cecilywelch.cpa/ This Week’s Guest: Dr. Sylvia Morris https://www.drsylviamorris.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/drsylviamorris/ The Game Plan: A Woman’s Guide to Becoming a Doctor and Living a Life in Medicine https://www.amazon.com/GAME-PLAN-Womans-Becoming-Medicine/dp/B0C5YM8SFJ Boss Leap Podcast https://bossleappodcast.com/ Subscribe to The Tax Translator ™ LinkedIn Newsletter https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/the-tax-translator%E2%84%A2-7130174142623977473/ The Georgia Society of Certified Public Accountants Not a Member of The Georgia Society of CPAs?  Check out the benefits of becoming part of the community. https://www.gscpa.org/content/Membership.aspx Check out all of The Tax Translator™  episodes here: https://www.gscpa.org/content/olc/VirtualSeries/Tax-Translator.aspx Need more CPE? GSCPA’s CPE Catalog https://www.gscpa.org/public/catalog/search.aspx

  6. Jun 2

    Started a Business? Then…YOU STARTED A BUSINESS with Joey McKinnon - Episode 3

    The Tax Translator ™  Show Notes Started a Business? Then…YOU STARTED A BUSINESS with Joey McKinnon - Episode 3   In this episode of The Tax Translator, Cecily Welch talks with entrepreneur and nonprofit executive Joey McKinnon about the realities of starting and running a business while navigating taxes, compliance, and financial uncertainty. Joey shares his unconventional path from geologist to political strategist, how a side hustle unexpectedly became a business, and the lessons he learned through trial and error as an entrepreneur. The conversation explores business growth, financial clarity, compliance challenges, nonprofit operations, and the mindset shifts required to balance entrepreneurship, family life, and long-term financial planning. 💡 What You’ll Learn Why many entrepreneurs accidentally “fall into” starting a business The importance of understanding taxes and compliance early in business ownership Common financial mistakes new entrepreneurs makeWhy “being busy” does not always equal business successThe difference between nonprofit and for-profit operational challenges How accounting and financial clarity help business owners make better decisions Why flexibility and time freedom drive many entrepreneurs more than money How entrepreneurs should think about retirement planning and long-term stability 💬 Quote of the Episode “Being busy does not necessarily mean being successful.’” — Joey McKinnon 🎧 Earn CPE by Listening to The Tax Translator™ Thanks to growing interest from members like you, we've streamlined the process with a brand-new podcast self-study exam. Each episode of The Tax Translator ™  offers the option to purchase a self-study test for CPE credit. Episodes will feature a 3-question exam and will be worth 1 hour of CPE credit. A passing grade of 70% or better is required to earn credit. Exams may be submitted for CPE up to one year after the purchase date. Here’s the link to purchase the exam for this episode: https://www.gscpa.org/Public/Products/ProductDetails.aspx?ProductID=POD.TAXTRN.3  RESOURCES: Cecily Welch, CPA, The Accountant You Can Understand®https://www.linkedin.com/in/cecilywelch/ https://cecilywelch.cpa/ This Week’s Guest: Joey McKinnonhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/joey-mckinnon-p-g-a2221133b/ Subscribe to The Tax Translator ™ LinkedIn Newsletterhttps://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/the-tax-translator%E2%84%A2-7130174142623977473/ The Georgia Society of Certified Public Accountants Not a Member of The Georgia Society of CPAs?  Check out thebenefits of becoming part of the community. https://www.gscpa.org/content/Membership.aspx Check out all of The Tax Translator™  episodes here: https://www.gscpa.org/content/olc/VirtualSeries/Tax-Translator.aspx Need more CPE? GSCPA’s CPE Catalog https://www.gscpa.org/public/catalog/search.aspx

  7. May 19

    Tax Credits: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly with Erica Stephens - Episode 2

    The Tax Translator ™  Show Notes Tax Credits: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly with Erica Stephens - Episode 2 In this episode of The Tax Translator, Cecily Welch sits down with Erica Stephens, Executive Director of Nana Grants, to unpack the realities of childcare tax credits and whether they truly help the families they’re intended to support. Through candid conversation and real-world stories from low-income single mothers pursuing college degrees, Cecily and Erica explore the disconnect between policy intentions and lived experiences. The episode dives into refundable vs. nonrefundable tax credits, the hidden assumptions behind tax policy, and the broader challenges families face navigating financial systems while simply trying to survive and build a better future.💡 What You’ll Learn The difference between refundable and nonrefundable tax credits Why many low-income families cannot effectively use child care tax credits How tax credits function more like reimbursements than immediate assistance The hidden cash-flow assumptions built into many tax incentivesWhy child care affordability impacts education, workforce participation, and economic mobility How financial systems and bureaucracy disproportionately burden low-income familiesThe role nonprofits like Nana Grants play inchanging multigenerational poverty trajectories💬 Quote of the Episode “A tax credit feels like encountering someone outside a grocery store who’s starving and saying, ‘Go buy groceries for the week, hang on to your receipt, and 12 months from now I’ll give you 15% back.’” — Cecily Welch🎧 Earn CPE by Listening to The Tax Translator™ Thanks to growing interest from members like you, we've streamlined the process with a brand-new podcast self-study exam. Each episode of The Tax Translator ™  offers the option to purchase a self-study test for CPE credit. Episodes will feature a 3-question exam and will be worth 1 hour of CPE credit. A passing grade of 70% or better is required to earn credit. Exams may be submitted for CPE up to one year after thepurchase date. Here’s the link to purchase the exam for this episode: https://www.gscpa.org/Public/Products/ProductDetails.aspx?ProductID=POD.TAXTRN.2  RESOURCES: Cecily Welch, CPA, The Accountant You Can Understand®https://www.linkedin.com/in/cecilywelch/ This Week’s Guest: Erica Stephenshttps://www.linkedin.com/in/ericamstephens/ Nana Grantshttps://www.nanagrants.org/ Nana Grants supports low-income single mothers pursuingcollege degrees by covering 100% of their childcare costs while they complete school. Their mission is built around the belief that childcare plus college equals economic mobility. The organization provides direct support that changesthe long-term trajectory of entire families.Subscribe to The Tax Translator ™ LinkedIn Newsletterhttps://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/the-tax-translator%E2%84%A2-7130174142623977473/ The Georgia Society of Certified Public Accountants Not a Member of The Georgia Society of CPAs?  Check out thebenefits of becoming part of the community.https://www.gscpa.org/content/Membership.aspx Check out all of The Tax Translator™  episodes here:https://www.gscpa.org/content/olc/VirtualSeries/Tax-Translator.aspx Need more CPE? GSCPA’s CPE Catalog https://www.gscpa.org/public/catalog/search.aspx

  8. May 5

    I’m Doing Everything Right, Why Is My Money Wrong with Aisha Steptoe - The Tax Translator ™ Episode 1

    The Tax Translator ™  Show Notes I’m Doing Everything Right, Why Is My Money Wrong with Aisha Steptoe - Episode 1   Taxes touch everything from your paycheck to your plans for the future, but no one ever really explains them in plain English. That’s where I come in.  I’m Cecily Welch, The Accountant You Can Understand®. After more than thirty years of working with clients, representing taxpayers in audits, and serving on IRS advisory committees, I’ve learned one thing for sure: most people don’t need another finance podcast. They need someone to translate the tax code into real life. Taxes are the invisible thread that goes through every financial decision and every financial transaction. If you’re working on any aspect of your financial life, ignore taxes at your peril. Every other week, I break down what’s happening in tax law, financial headlines, and those viral “money hacks” everyone’s talking about. We’ll talk about what’s real, what’s not, and what actually matters to your wallet. No jargon, no scare tactics, just straight talk about the rules that run the money side of life. Because if you really want financial independence, you can’t afford to ignore taxes. In the inaugural episode of The Tax Translator, host Cecily Welch sits down with longtime client and supply chain executive Aisha Steptoe for a candid, deeply human conversation about money, taxes, and real life. From early career financial missteps to entrepreneurship, divorce, and rebuilding wealth, Aisha shares her journey navigating retirement plans, tax implications, and financial decision-making. Cecily translates complex tax concepts into relatable insights, helping listeners understand how everyday choices impact long-term financial health. 💡 What You’ll Learn The hidden costs of financial decisions involving retirement accounts Why financial literacy is often learned too late—and how to fix that The emotional side of money and how it impacts decision-making Smart strategies for rebuilding financial stability after setbacks 💬 Quote of the Episode “Anything that you are dealing with financially—if you're ignoring taxes, you're doing it at your peril.”  — Cecily Welch 🎧 Earn CPE by Listening to The Tax Translator™ Thanks to growing interest from members like you, we've streamlined the process with a brand-new podcast self-study exam. Each episode of The Tax Translator ™  offers the option to purchase a self-study test for CPE credit. Episodes will feature a 3-question exam and will be worth 1 hour of CPE credit. A passing grade of 70% or better is required to earn credit. Exams may be submitted for CPE up to one year after the purchase date. Here’s the link to purchase the exam for this episode: https://www.gscpa.org/Public/Products/ProductDetails.aspx?ProductID=POD.TAXTRN.1 RESOURCES:Cecily Welch, CPA, The Accountant You Can Understand® https://www.linkedin.com/in/cecilywelch/ This Week’s Guest: Aisha Steptoe https://www.linkedin.com/in/aisha-steptoe/ Subscribe to The Tax Translator ™ LinkedIn Newsletter https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/the-tax-translator%E2%84%A2-7130174142623977473/ The Georgia Society of Certified Public Accountants Not a Member of The Georgia Society of CPAs?  Check out the benefits of becoming part of the community. https://www.gscpa.org/content/Membership.aspx Check out all of The Tax Translator™  episodes here: https://www.gscpa.org/content/olc/VirtualSeries/Tax-Translator.aspx Need more CPE? GSCPA’s CPE Catalog https://www.gscpa.org/public/catalog/search.aspx

  • 8 Episodes

About

No one ever explains: taxes. Whether you're looking at your budget, retirement, saving, investing....really, anything - you're swimming in the tax ocean. With over three decades of experience working with individuals, families, and organizations on real-life tax decisions, she knows how overwhelming it can all feel. She advocates for real change in our financial lives through her service on IRS advisory committees, several AICPA committees, and through board work for the Georgia Society of CPAs. She wants everyday people to be empowered to make informed decisions about their financial lives.

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