Blog - Earmark CPE

The Lookback Period Mistake That Turns Valid Refunds Into Permanent Losses

Tax in Action podcast host Jeremy Wells breaks down the complex refund statute of limitations through Lenora Hamilton’s case, revealing a dangerous “due date myth” that costs taxpayers money. Understanding the two-step framework of limitation periods and lookback periods is crucial for tax professionals.

Why Your Audit Fails Before Fieldwork Even Starts

In Episode 2 of Audit Smarter, Sam & Abdullah reveal how poor risk assessment dooms audits before they begin. They share five common mistakes that derail engagements and practical solutions to transform your approach from a checkbox exercise into a strategic foundation for successful audits.

Stop Talking About Culture and Start Fixing These Three Problems

On the Earmark Podcast, host Blake Oliver interviews CPA Erin Daiber, who transformed from burnt-out Big Four accountant to culture coach. She reveals how firms can bridge the gap between stated values and actual behaviors, offering practical strategies to create authentic workplace cultures that retain talent instead of driving it away.

The R&D Credit Reality Check Every Tax Professional Should Understand

Host Jeremy Wells dives into the misunderstood Section 41 R&D tax credit on Tax in Action podcast, revealing why the “20% credit” actually delivers closer to 10% and requires scientific experimentation—not just business improvements. Most service businesses face steep qualification hurdles despite initial excitement.

The Math Is Brutal: Every CPA Must Triple Their Productivity by 2035 or Face Professional Extinction

Ascend CEO David Wurtzbacher reveals on the Earmark Podcast how accounting firms must become 2.7x more productive by 2035. He outlines three transformations: evolving managing partners into true CEOs, creating “irresistible” talent offers through equity ownership, and implementing enterprise-scale technology. His private-equity backed platform has already completed over three dozen acquisitions.

Inside QuickBooks Online’s Biggest Transformation Since Going Cloud-Based

Alicia Katz Pollock and Dan DeLong reveal QuickBooks’ revolutionary July 2025 AI-powered update on The Unofficial QuickBooks Accountants Podcast. With AI agents that explain anomalies, auto-process bank statements, and streamline client communication, this mandatory September transition will reshape accounting forever. Learn how to influence the platform before it’s finalized!

The Secret to Turning Fear Into Career Fuel

Nancy McClelland and Questian Telka reveal why “don’t be afraid” is terrible career advice. Through personal stories of go-go dancing at 40 and unexpected presentations to 500 people, they share how successful women in accounting don’t overcome fears—they harness them as powerful career accelerators.

Faith, Fraud, and False Promises: The “Doc” Gallagher Story

In the latest Oh My Fraud episode, Caleb Newquist reveals how “The Money Doctor” William Gallagher used Christian faith to swindle seniors out of $20 million through modest promises and scripture-wrapped trust. Despite victims defending him, this religious Ponzi scheme eventually earned Gallagher life sentences, with victims recovering only 20% of their money.

The Legal Default Every Tax Pro Gets Backwards About Married Filing Status

Tax pro Jeremy Wells reveals on his “Tax in Action” podcast that filing separately is actually the legal default, not joint filing. While joint returns often save taxes, separate filing can be financially advantageous for student loan repayments, protecting refunds, and avoiding joint liability—despite tax software defaults suggesting otherwise.

From Guilt to Grace: How Setting Boundaries Actually Improves Client Service

You decide to sleep in for once, rolling over in bed to ignore the world and give yourself a much-needed break. Then your phone buzzes with an email notification that makes your blood boil instantly: a one-star Google review from a client who’s furious that you won’t drop everything to…

Why S Corporation Elections Backfire More Often Than You Think

In Tax in Action’s “S-Corporation Reality Check,” CPA Jeremy Wells dismantles oversimplified S corp advice flooding social media. While helping one client escape tax debt through an S election, Wells warns about debt basis misconceptions, operating agreement conflicts, and hidden costs that can transform supposed tax benefits into costly mistakes.

QuickBooks Online’s Latest AI Update Could Save You Hours of Detective Work

In this episode of The Unofficial QuickBooks Accountants Podcast, Jim Dzundza reveals how AI agents are revolutionizing accounting workflows. Discover how QuickBooks’ new anomaly detection can spot a 624% travel expense increase, trace it to duplicate hotel charges, and deliver actionable recommendations—all without replacing human expertise.

Why Your Clients Keep Losing Good Employees and How You Can Fix It

Earmark Podcast reveals small businesses lose talent due to missing benefits. Justin Kurn of Dark Horse CPAs and Julia Miller of Gusto share how offering benefits reduces turnover by 40%. Yet 90% of accountants don’t advise on benefits—creating a massive opportunity for firms willing to guide clients toward this proven solution.

The Hidden Traps in Clean Energy Credits That Could Cost Your Clients Thousands

Tax professional Jeremy Wells breaks down the complex residential clean energy credit on his podcast “Tax in Action.” Learn which expenses qualify for the 30% credit, how to handle roof work vs. panel installation, and crucial documentation requirements before this valuable tax benefit disappears in 2025.

Protect Your Bookkeeping Practice: Essential Boundaries That Preserve Your Value

Hosts Alicia Katz Pollock and Veronica Wasek reveal “20 things accountants should never do” on The Unofficial QuickBooks Accountants Podcast. Their energetic discussion covers essential boundaries for bookkeepers – from client relationships and pricing to security practices and professional limitations – that protect both practitioners and clients while building sustainable businesses.

From the Courtroom to the Classroom: How a Former Prosecutor Views White-Collar Crime

Former prosecutor Miriam Baer reveals on “Oh My Fraud” podcast why Wall Street executives escaped charges after 2008 while Madoff went to prison. She explains how prosecutors decide which financial crimes to pursue and why structural flaws in white-collar criminal statutes create an “insider/outsider divide” in justice.

Why Military Experience Creates Exceptional Accountants

Navy veteran Mark Steinhoff reveals on the Earmark Podcast how maintaining submarine oxygen systems perfectly prepared him for accounting. The precision required underwater—where mistakes could be fatal—translates directly to financial accuracy. Discover how military experience offers unique advantages in solving the accounting talent shortage.

Admitting You Don’t Know Everything Became This Young CPA’s Secret Weapon

From eating rice and beans with a newborn to running a $1.7M firm, Nate Goodman reveals on “Who’s Really the Boss?” podcast how admitting what he didn’t know transformed his failing business. Discover how peer communities and coaching groups helped this 29-year-old CPA turn crisis into extraordinary growth.

When Your Time-Blocking Superpower Becomes Your Kryptonite

Burnout coach Lynnette Oss Connell challenges She Counts podcast hosts Nancy and Questian about efficiency obsession. On the episode, “The Burnout Bestie” reveals how time-blocking “superpowers” can lead to burnout and shares revolutionary energy-auditing techniques specifically addressing how women in accounting experience burnout differently than men.

Why Historical Cost Accounting Is Broken (And What Could Fix It)

On the Earmark Podcast, Thomas Selling reveals how accounting fundamentally fails to capture when businesses create value. From oil discoveries to subscription models, financial reporting creates dangerous timing disconnects between value creation and recognition, enabling manipulation while making successful companies appear unprofitable during growth phases.

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