Earmark CPE

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Blake Oliver

Earn CPE with The Unofficial QuickBooks Accountants Podcast on Earmark

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We’re excited to welcome The Unofficial QuickBooks Accountants Podcast to Earmark. Hosted by Hector Garcia, CPA, CITP, and Alicia Katz Pollock, MAT, this show provides need-to-know info and updates for QuickBooks users – all while helping you earn free CPE credits.

About The Show

The Unofficial QuickBooks Accountants Podcast breaks down the latest news and tips for getting the most out of QuickBooks.

Hector and Alicia dive into topics like:

  • New QuickBooks product features
  • Integration how-tos
  • Accounting technology trends
  • Best practices for QuickBooks

Fun and engaging discussions help listeners stay up-to-date on critical knowledge for QuickBooks ProAdvisors.

The First Episode

The debut episode from The Unofficial QuickBooks Accountants Podcast recaps new features and changes to QuickBooks Online and Desktop.

In the first episode, Alicia and Hector cover:

  • New capabilities coming to QuickBooks Online like Mailchimp, custom reporting, workflow automation, and more
  • Updates to pricing, access, and features for QuickBooks Desktop
  • The shifting landscape for Desktop and what the future looks like

Listeners will be up-to-speed on all the latest QuickBooks product updates and enhancements.

How To Earn CPE

Earmark makes it simple to earn CPE by listening to top accounting podcasts like The Unofficial QuickBooks Accountants Podcast. Register for the first course here to earn CPE today.

The Unofficial QuickBooks Accountants Podcast is independently operated and is not affiliated with or endorsed by Intuit Inc. or QuickBooks®. Any references to Intuit and QuickBooks products are made solely for the purpose of discussing the topics related to the company and its software.

Expensify Launches on Earmark for Free CPE

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We’re excited to announce that ExpensiCon 3 sessions are now available on Earmark – the free mobile app that lets you earn CPE credits by listening to podcasts and watching videos.

Attendees of ExpensiCon 3 can now earn NASBA-approved CPE for the sessions they attended during the event through the Earmark app, available for iOS and Android devices. Simply find the Expensify channel and register for the session(s) you heard in person. Verify that you already watched the recording and complete the short quiz at the end to get your CPE credits.

Even if you didn’t attend ExpensiCon 3 in person, you can still earn CPE for free by watching the session recordings on YouTube. Just watch the video and complete the quiz to get your credits.

ExpensiCon sessions now available on Earmark include:

  • David Barrett Unravels the Past, Present, and Future
  • Work less to do more with the Expensify Card with Anu Muralidharan
  • Expensify Support Best Practices with Daniel Vidal and Milja Kljajic
  • Disconnect to Connect: Becoming a Connected Leader with Amy Vetter
  • How Artificial Intelligence Will Save Accounting with Blake Oliver
  • Accounting for the Infinite Game with Clayton Oates
  • CAS Transformation + Tech Partners – Smarter Together with Dixie McCurley & Nicole
  • Process Improvement Strategies to Increase Capacity & Profitability with Jim Boomer
  • How to Price, Position and Productize as Part of your VCFO Offering w/ Jody Grunden
  • Managing Remote Employees: Tips for Creating a Reliable Distributed Workforce
  • Building and Scaling Your Niche Accounting and Financial Services Practice

Earmark makes it easy and convenient to earn CPE credits on the go. You can listen and learn wherever you are – in the car, at the gym, walking your dog, or doing chores.

The Expensify channel on Earmark is the easiest way to maximize the educational value of ExpensiCon 3. Download the Earmark app and earn CPE credits today with sessions from ExpensiCon and other top accounting and tax podcasts. It’s the stress-free, productive way to complete your CPE requirement!

Get it on Google Play

Earmark CPE is registered with the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) as a sponsor of continuing professional education on the National Registry of CPE Sponsors. State boards of accountancy have final authority on the acceptance of individual courses for CPE credit. Complaints regarding registered sponsors may be submitted to the National Registry of CPE Sponsors through its website: www.NASBARegistry.org.

What’s New with Earmark for July 2023

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I’m excited to share some of the new features and updates we’ve added to the Earmark app this month.

My three favorite additions are the new built-in media player that lets you control audio playback within the app, the ability to add an email CC address to automatically forward CPE certificates, and the option to un-enroll from courses you don’t want to finish.

Here’s the full rundown:

Built-in media player

My favorite new addition is the built-in media player. When you start playing a podcast or audio course, you can access playback controls directly within the app. Tap the episode name to expand the player and get options like rewind, fast forward, play/pause, and scrubbing. You can even minimize the app while the audio keeps playing, just like a standalone podcast app. We’re rolling this out across all new courses, so stay tuned for more podcasts you can listen to right in the app.

Light mode is now default

Light mode is now the default look for new users. If you prefer dark mode, head to your profile settings and toggle it over to dark mode.

Improved channel sorting

We’ve improved channel sorting so the most recently updated courses appear at the top. You can also change the sort order to alphabetical if you prefer. Just tap the sort icon on the Channels screen.

Email CC for certificates

Add a second email address to your profile to automatically CC your CPE certificates. No more manual forwarding to collect certificates!

Subscriber-only label

Our library has grown to over 800 hours of CPE, so we’ve marked some older courses as “Subscriber-Only” to encourage Unlimited Subscriptions. These are only available to paying subscribers.

Cross-platform sync

Your account settings and subscription status now sync across Android and iOS. Purchase a subscription on one device, and it’s available on the other!

Filter for IRS CE in the CPE Tracker

We’ve added an IRS CE tab on the CPE tracker to easily filter courses that qualify for IRS continuing education.

Un-enroll from courses

Don’t want to finish a course? You can now un-enroll so the course will no longer display on your “In Progress” courses on your Profile.

New channels

Check out new shows like the Mr. R Show and The Lifestyle Accountant!

Subscribe before August 1 to lock in the $99/year price

Thank you for supporting Earmark this past year. If you haven’t subscribed, you can lock in the current $99/year price before it goes up on August 1 to $129.

Earmark Announces Landmark Partnership with the Maryland Society of Accounting and Tax Professionals

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PHOENIX, July 6, 2023 — Earmark, the only free, podcast-based continuing professional education provider for accountants, is thrilled to announce its first society partnership with the Maryland Society of Accounting and Tax Professionals (MSATP). Effective July 6, 2023, this strategic collaboration offers an enhanced Unlimited Subscription as a benefit to all MSATP members, adding significant value to their memberships.

Earmark’s Unlimited Subscription includes unlimited free CPE courses each week, an ad-free experience in the app, and the ability to opt out of sponsor messages during registration for sponsored courses. Designed for professionals from small firms, the subscription aligns seamlessly with Earmark’s and MSATP’s shared vision of high-quality, affordable, and accessible education.

As a NASBA-approved CPE sponsor and IRS-approved CE provider, Earmark boasts hundreds of course offerings spanning accounting, tax, technology, fraud detection, personal development, practice management, and more. MSATP’s professionals, including CPAs, CMAs, and EAs, can now conveniently satisfy all or most of their continuing education needs by listening to podcasts. One anticipated standout is the Federal Tax Updates podcast exclusive to Earmark, providing biweekly federal tax news and analysis.

MSATP members can unlock their Unlimited Subscription simply by registering for Earmark using the same email linked to their MSATP account. Should they encounter any issues, assistance is readily available at support@earmarkcpe.com.

“This partnership marks a significant milestone in our mission to provide every accounting and tax professional worldwide with high-quality, cost-effective, and effortless CPE. We’re excited to collaborate with one of the world’s most innovative professional organizations to make this vision a reality,” said Blake Oliver, CPA, founder and CEO of Earmark.

Giavante Hawkins, Executive Director of MSATP, added, “Our partnership with Earmark underscores our commitment to empowering our members with accessible and affordable professional education. This is a great opportunity for our members to expand their knowledge base, meet their CPE requirements, and ultimately, provide better services to their clients.”

Our partnership with Earmark underscores our commitment to empowering our members with accessible and affordable professional education. This is a great opportunity for our members to expand their knowledge base, meet their CPE requirements, and ultimately, provide better services to their clients.

Giavante Hawkins, Executive Director of MSATP

About Earmark: Earmark is a leading podcast-based continuing professional education provider for accounting and tax professionals. The company offers both free and paid CPE courses on various topics. Earmark CPE is registered with the Internal Revenue Service as a CE provider and the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) as a sponsor of continuing professional education. State Boards of Accountancy have the final authority on accepting individual courses for CPE credit. For more information, visit https://www.earmarkcpe.com.

Press Inquiries: Please get in touch with Blake Oliver at press@earmarkcpe.com. 

Rethinking the CPA 150-hour requirement: There must be a change

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In my latest article on the Firm of the Future blog, I delve into the challenges associated with the CPA 150-hour education requirement. This mandate, which I experienced firsthand when transitioning into accounting mid-career, often poses a significant hurdle for potential CPAs.

The high cost of obtaining a master’s degree (up to $100,000 when accounting for opportunity costs) imposes a hefty financial burden on young accountants starting their careers. Despite this, our profession desperately needs new talent.

Yet at the current rate of production of accounting graduates, we face a significant supply-demand gap. The 150-hour requirement exacerbates this issue and deters economically disadvantaged individuals and college students from considering a career in accounting.

Counterarguments exist, such as concerns about CPA mobility and lowering the bar for becoming a CPA. However, no solid evidence supports the claim that additional education produces better CPAs. Moreover, NASBA already has the discretion to waive the 150-hour requirement for accountants licensed abroad, suggesting similar accommodations could be made for domestic CPAs.

It’s time to rethink this requirement. To solve the problem, let’s restore the 120-hour option with two years of work experience, allowing future CPAs to swap an additional year of education for a year of experience on the job. This would not only remove financial barriers for aspiring CPAs but also increase diversity in the profession and put us on par with other countries where the education requirement for accountants is less demanding.

It seems the profession agrees with the need for change. In an informal poll at this year’s BDO Alliance conference, only 20% of managing partners supported the 150-hour requirement, with the remaining 80% favoring changing or removing it altogether.

Our profession is a cornerstone of our economy. We need it to be strong, vibrant, and accessible. I encourage you to join the conversation and let your voice be heard. Contact your state board of accountancy, the AICPA, and the NASBA to let them know we need a change.

Read the full article here: https://www.firmofthefuture.com/training-and-certification/rethinking-150-hour-requirement/

If You Enjoyed This Article…

…you’ll love my weekly podcast for accounting and tax professionals.

Plus, you can earn free NASBA-approved CPE and IRS CE for listening!

Sign up for Earmark CPE and start earning continuing professional education by listening to accounting, tax, and finance podcasts today.