Earmark Podcast | Earn Free Accounting CPE

Karl Paadam made partner at PwC Estonia at 26, spent a decade in tech, and came back to build United Accountants on a contrarian thesis: the future of accounting is human. He joins Blake to explain how a firm can hand bookkeeping, categorization, and reconciliation to an AI operating system that layers on top of whatever software a firm already runs, freeing CPAs to keep their local brand and focus on judgment and advisory work. They also get into outcomes-based pricing, what it means to build "the first big small firm," and why the accountant who ignores AI is the one who gets replaced.Chapters(00:00) - Welcome Karl Paadam to the Earmark Podcast (01:51) - Building a Practice (02:40) - Leaving PwC for Tech (03:29) - Accounting Is Human (05:17) - Advisory Skills Shift (06:35) - AI Productivity in Practice (09:25) - United OS Walkthrough (10:34) - Partner Model Keep Brand (14:50) - Integrations No Rip Replace (18:44) - First Big Small Firm (21:48) - Outcomes Based Pricing (25:00) - AI Like Excel Era (28:05) - What AI Does Next (29:21) - Fear Traps and Controls (32:39) - Who United Fits Best (33:25) - Wrap Up and Contact Learn more about United Accountants https://www.unitedaccountants.com/ 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, Karl PaadamLinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/in/karl-paadam-39730214Connect with Blake Oliver, CPALinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/blaketoliverTwitter: https://twitter.com/blaketoliver/

Is AI really replacing accountants—or just changing the job? Blake Oliver talks with Capterra analyst David Jani about new survey data showing where AI is gaining traction in accounting, from chatbots and data entry to forecasting and fraud detection. They unpack why 89% of users report ROI, why firms are still struggling to hire, and why weak AI data-handling policies could create serious security problems.Accounting Trends in 2026: How AI is Changing Work, Skills, and Strategyhttps://www.capterra.com/resources/accounting-trends-ai-software-changing-work/Chapters(00:00) - EAP 114 (01:26) - Survey Methodology (04:26) - AI Adoption Today (05:39) - Where AI Shows Up (19:57) - Staffing Crunch Data (24:10) - Manual Work and Spreadsheets (26:17) - Next 12 Months Ahead (28:11) - 2027 Predictions and Threats (32:04) - Where to Place AI Bets 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, David JaniLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-jani-7627872b/Learn more about Capterrahttps://www.capterra.com/accounting-software/Connect with Blake Oliver, CPALinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/blaketoliverTwitter: https://twitter.com/blaketoliver/

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 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 Richard Lynch, CPALinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/richardlynch/Connect with Blake Oliver, CPALinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/blaketoliverTwitter: 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 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, Chelsea SummersLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chelseasummers620/Learn more about Inside Public Accountinghttp://insidepublicaccounting.comConnect with Blake Oliver, CPALinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/blaketoliverTwitter: 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 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 Lawrence Zlatin https://www.linkedin.com/in/lawrence-zlatkin-880417bLearn more about Coinbasehttps://www.coinbase.comConnect with Blake Oliver, CPALinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/blaketoliverTwitter: https://twitter.com/blaketoliver/