What if AI wipes out the entry-level accounting work firms have relied on for decades? Blake Oliver talks with Sikich managing principal Richard Lynch about the rise of the “super accountant,” why the pyramid-shaped firm may become a diamond, and how AI could force firms to rethink training, billing, and performance metrics. You’ll hear what firm leaders must change now—and what happens to those who don’t adapt.

Chapters

• (00:00) - EAP 112
• (07:41) - Training The Next Gen
• (09:39) - Rethinking Early Career Work
• (14:17) - Learning Review Without Doing
• (18:41) - Automated Tax Prep Reality
• (21:28) - Billable Hour Under Pressure
• (26:33) - Why Timesheets Persist
• (28:21) - Why Hours Persist
• (29:53) - Timesheets Trust and Control
• (30:53) - Preventing Burnout with Targets
• (32:30) - AI Breaks Time Productivity
• (34:39) - Shift from Production to Value
• (37:02) - New Metrics Client and Staff
• (39:13) - Revenue Incentives and Attribution
• (44:24) - Basketball Team Performance Model
• (46:33) - Hours Culture and Team Standards
• (51:34) - Leaders Choose Progression

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 Richard Lynch, CPA

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/richardlynch/

Connect with Blake Oliver, CPA

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/blaketoliver
Twitter: https://twitter.com/blaketoliver/

What does the data actually say about where accounting firms are headed? Blake Oliver talks with Chelsea Summers of Inside Public Accounting about the real numbers behind firm performance, pricing, staffing, offshoring, advisory growth, and AI adoption. You’ll hear why top firms aren’t just working people harder, how offshore teams are boosting margins, and why hourly billing may be the biggest obstacle to using technology well.

Chapters

• (00:00) - EAP 112
• (04:45) - Advisory vs compliance mix
• (09:40) - Capacity and burnout signals
• (18:27) - Pricing models and billable hour
• (25:08) - AI ROI and adoption blockers
• (29:37) - About IPA and closing

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, Chelsea Summers

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chelseasummers620/

Learn more about Inside Public Accounting

http://insidepublicaccounting.com

Connect with Blake Oliver, CPA

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/blaketoliver
Twitter: https://twitter.com/blaketoliver/

Blake sits down with Lawrence Zlatkin, VP of Tax at Coinbase, to unpack the state of crypto taxation. From how the IRS treats digital assets as property to the new 1099-DA, stablecoin reporting burdens, and the policy changes Coinbase is pushing for in Washington, this episode covers what tax pros need to know now and where the rules may be headed next.

Chapters

• (00:00) - EAP 111
• (02:11) - What is Form 1099-DA
• (03:08) - Reconciling 1099 data
• (03:53) - Why cost basis matters
• (08:29) - IRS use of gross proceeds
• (12:44) - Crypto tax basics
• (14:07) - Staking and 1099-MISC
• (15:36) - Stablecoins as property
• (17:43) - Reporting thresholds and privacy
• (22:42) - Policy priorities in DC
• (23:47) - De minimis and admin burden
• (28:34) - Charity and appraisal rules
• (30:15) - Foreign investment safe harbors
• (32:20) - Why Congress moves slowly
• (34:56) - Wrap-up and thanks

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

Lawrence Zlatin

https://www.linkedin.com/in/lawrence-zlatkin-880417b

Learn more about Coinbase

https://www.coinbase.com

Connect with Blake Oliver, CPA

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/blaketoliver
Twitter: https://twitter.com/blaketoliver/