Earmark Podcast | Earn Free Accounting CPE

Blake Oliver, CPA
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This show is brought to you by Earmark, your source for podcast-based continuing education for accounting and tax professionals. You can earn CPE by listening to the episodes on this podcast and more! Sign up for our mobile app to earn free CPE whenever you want, wherever you go. Learn more at https://earmarkcpe.com.

  1. 7H AGO

    Inside Thomson Reuters’ Plan to Automate the Tax Return

    AI won’t replace accountants—but AI-enabled firms will outcompete them. Blake Oliver sits down with Thomson Reuters’ Elizabeth Beastrom and Kirat Sekhon to map the end-to-end tax workflow, from document intake and auto-population (SurePrep) to delivery and e-sign (SafeSend), and into year-round advisory with CoCounsel and Ready to Advise. Learn how to “kill the questionnaire,” free staff from data entry, build an open tech stack, and turn tax prep into subscription advisory. Chapters (02:49) - Technology Expectations of New Accountants (03:38) - The Shift from Desktop to Cloud-Based Tax Software (05:14) - Thomson Reuters' Approach to Customer-Centric Tax Technology (05:55) - Automation and AI in Tax Workflow (10:58) - The Role of SurePrep in Data Entry Automation (18:34) - Advisory Services and Ready to Advise (24:53) - AI in Onboarding and Knowledge Transfer (25:35) - Empowering Junior Associates with AI (26:41) - AI in Education and Talent Attraction (30:40) - AI's Role in Tax and Accounting (33:58) - The Future of AI in Tax Preparation (41:59) - AI-Driven Advisory Services (47:41) - Practical Steps for Tax Firms to Embrace AI 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/id1562599728 Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.earmarkcpe.app Connect with Our Guests Elizabeth Beastrom https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizabeth-beastrom/Kirat Sekhon https://www.linkedin.com/in/kirat-sekhon-2172022/ Learn more about Thomson Reuters http://thomsonreuters.com/ Connect with Blake Oliver, CPALinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/blaketoliverTwitter: https://twitter.com/blaketoliver/

    49 min

  2. 12/17/2025

    Excel and AI: Code Your Way to Hours Back Every Week

    You open Excel daily, but are you using AI to make it work for you? While 58% of professionals have tried AI, only 17% use it regularly—a missed opportunity. Join CPA Kyle Ashcraft in this hands-on webinar to learn vibe coding—a no-programming approach using Cursor AI to automate repetitive Excel tasks. Watch Kyle transform messy spreadsheets, organize GL data, and reconcile transactions with simple AI prompts while keeping data secure. You'll get three ready-to-use scripts plus a framework to automate countless tasks and reclaim hours weekly. (Originally recorded on October 20, 2025, on Earmark Webinars+) Chapters (02:18) - Meet Kyle Ashcraft and His AI Journey (02:31) - The Importance of AI in Accounting (03:30) - Kyle's Background and CPA Review (04:38) - Live Webinar and Audience Interaction (05:12) - Kyle's AI Projects and Cursor Introduction (07:39) - Data Privacy Concerns with AI (17:18) - Practical AI in Excel: Examples and Demonstration (20:03) - Getting Started with Cursor (23:55) - First Cursor Project: Cleaning Up Excel Data (31:38) - Jumping into Financial Document Verification (32:50) - Exploring Cursor's Privacy Settings (33:48) - Understanding Data Retention Policies (36:23) - Comparing Excel Files with Cursor (36:48) - Analyzing Complex GL Details (42:22) - Using Cursor for Recurring Accounting Tasks (49:20) - Leveraging AI for Audit and Analysis (50:53) - Practical Tips for Implementing Cursor (53:56) - Q&A: Advanced Cursor Features (59:04) - Conclusion and Next Steps Earn CPE for this episode: https://www.earmark.app/c/2854Sign 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/id1562599728 Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.earmarkcpe.app Resources Intro to Cursor PDF Guide - https://mcusercontent.com/02dbcae4a3e3f15021db25a0c/files/deff5647-e0a3-51d7-4225-cf8b3a48532d/Cursor_AI_Quick_Guide.pdf Webinar presentation - https://ai.maxwellstudy.com/ Connect with Our Guest, Kyle Ashcraft, CPA LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kyle-ashcraft-cpa-7638a42a Learn more about Maxwell CPA Review https://maxwellcpareview.com/ Connect with Blake Oliver, CPALinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/blaketoliverTwitter: https://twitter.com/blaketoliver/

    1 hr

  3. 11/09/2025

    Auditing at the Speed of Risk with Richard Chambers

    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 (01:37) - Richard Chambers' Career Journey (03:15) - Evolution of Internal Audit (05:34) - Emerging Risks in Internal Audit (08:13) - AI and Cybersecurity Challenges (10:51) - Continuous Risk Monitoring (25:30) - Connected Risk and AI Integration (27:42) - Introduction to the Three Lines of Defense (30:01) - Evolution to the Three Lines Model (31:18) - Connected Risk and Collaboration (32:08) - AI's Impact on Risk Management (35:20) - AI in Internal Audit: Opportunities and Challenges (40:32) - The Human Element in Internal Audit (44:40) - The Future of Internal Audit and AI (54:00) - 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/id1562599728 Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.earmarkcpe.app Connect with Our Guest, Richard Chambers LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/richard-chambers-a5108914/Twitter: https://x.com/rfchambersWebsite: https://auditboard.com/ Connect with Blake Oliver, CPALinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/blaketoliverTwitter: https://twitter.com/blaketoliver/

    55 min
  4. The Future of Advisory: Unlocking Your Firm’s CFO Potential

    10/22/2025

    The Future of Advisory: Unlocking Your Firm’s CFO Potential

    Live from Boston on the final stop of the Advisory Amplified tour, Blake sits down with James Erving from Fathom and Chris Macksey from Prix Fixe 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 (00:22) - Welcome to the Earmark Podcast (01:15) - Prix Fixe Accounting: A Niche in Hospitality (02:25) - Advisory Services in the Restaurant Industry (06:20) - Forecasting and Budgeting for Restaurants (06:59) - Getting Started with Advisory Services (13:40) - Defining Advisory Services (17:35) - The Value of Metrics and Visuals (25:24) - Advice for Firms Starting Advisory Services (27:40) - 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/id1562599728 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, CPALinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/blaketoliverTwitter: https://twitter.com/blaketoliver/

    28 min
  5. Leading with Empathy: Building Teams That Thrive

    10/16/2025

    Leading with Empathy: Building Teams That Thrive

    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 (01:17) - Defining Empathy in Accounting (02:24) - Implementing Processes to Reduce Stress (03:26) - Balancing Workloads and Mental Health (10:15) - Client Relationships and Empathy (16:42) - Adapting to Change and Hiring for the Future (19:07) - Using Data to Spot Problems Early (24:35) - Handling Toxic High Performers (26:22) - Practical Tips for Leading with Empathy (30:55) - 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/id1562599728 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, CPALinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/blaketoliverTwitter: https://twitter.com/blaketoliver/

    32 min
  6. Banking on Change: How Renegade Firms Redefine Success

    10/10/2025

    Banking on Change: How Renegade Firms Redefine Success

    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 (00:37) - Defining a Renegade Firm (02:18) - Innovative Client Experiences (03:56) - Modern Banking and Accounting (08:03) - Aligning Business Values (10:47) - Renegade Firm Values (12:55) - Innovative Leadership and Career Paths (26:57) - Mistakes and Lessons Learned (32:57) - 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/id1562599728 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 Wesley McDonald LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wmcdonald48/?originalSubdomain=ca Learn more about Relay Official website: https://relayfi.com Connect with Blake Oliver, CPALinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/blaketoliverTwitter: https://twitter.com/blaketoliver/

    33 min
  7. Unlocking Capacity: The Workflow Revolution

    10/09/2025

    Unlocking Capacity: The Workflow Revolution

    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 (01:14) - Introducing the Guests: Mary Delaney and Kenji Kuramoto (01:31) - Big News: Carbon's Acquisition of ER (02:41) - Defining Workflow Revolution in Small Firms (04:35) - Kenji's Journey: From Big Four to Acuity (07:03) - Challenges in Building Advisory Workflows (08:59) - Empowering Teams Through Workflow (17:46) - The Importance of Time Studies (19:14) - Kenji's Hands-On Approach to Workflow (25:16) - The Role of Workflow in Mergers and Acquisitions (28:08) - AI and the Future of Workflow in Accounting (30:39) - 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/id1562599728 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 KuramotoLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kenjikuramoto/ Learn more about Acuity Official website: https://acuity.co Connect with Blake Oliver, CPALinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/blaketoliverTwitter: https://twitter.com/blaketoliver/

    31 min
  8. Pricing For Profit: Unlocking Your Firm’s True Value

    10/04/2025

    Pricing For Profit: Unlocking Your Firm’s True Value

    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. ChaptersSign 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/id1562599728 Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.earmarkcpe.app Connect with Our Guests: Ryan Embree LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-embree-9463b286/ Learn more about Ignition http://ignitionapp.comMarie Greene, CPA LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariegreene/Learn more about Connected Accounting http://connectedaccounting.co Connect with Blake Oliver, CPALinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/blaketoliverTwitter: https://twitter.com/blaketoliver/

    27 min
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4.9
out of 5
26 Ratings

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This show is brought to you by Earmark, your source for podcast-based continuing education for accounting and tax professionals. You can earn CPE by listening to the episodes on this podcast and more! Sign up for our mobile app to earn free CPE whenever you want, wherever you go. Learn more at https://earmarkcpe.com.

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