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/

What really happens after private equity buys your CPA firm? ParkerGale partner Devin Mathews joins Blake to unpack why partners cheer while staff chafe, how PE drives returns (bill rates, utilization, acquisitions), and what managers should demand: a clear value‑creation plan and a path to upside. They also dig into AI’s true impact—raising the ceiling, squeezing entry‑level work—and why this might be your cue to start an AI‑first firm.

Chapters

• (00:00) - Private Equity Meets AI
• (02:04) - Survey Shock Partners vs Staff
• (04:18) - How PE Boosts Profits
• (06:17) - Culture Clash and KPIs
• (09:29) - The New Owner Speech
• (23:15) - Lessons From Vets and Dentists
• (25:50) - Pricing Power and Workload
• (26:39) - How Firms Decide to Sell
• (27:12) - Deal Tensions Surface
• (27:25) - LOI And Data Deep Dive
• (28:20) - Pricing Pressure And Client Cuts
• (29:48) - Spreadsheet Management Shock
• (33:20) - Career Paths And Trust
• (35:02) - Demand The Value Plan
• (37:13) - Three Problems To Fix
• (40:00) - AI Threat Or Tailwind
• (41:35) - AI Reality Check
• (45:17) - Entry Level Gets Harder
• (48:47) - Start An AI First Firm
• (50:56) - Podcast And Farewell

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, Devin Mathews

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

Learn more about ParkerGale

https://www.parkergale.com/

Connect with Blake Oliver, CPA

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