The Accounting Podcast

What happens when 19 states simultaneously abandon the 150-hour CPA requirement while tariffs create unprecedented uncertainty for CFOs? Blake and CFO.com reporter Adam Zaki explore the rapid transformation of CPA licensure—from New York's recent changes to the coordinated state-by-state rollout that followed Barry Melancon's AICPA retirement. You'll discover how political and economic volatility is driving demand for accounting services, why the PCAOB may disappear in the Senate's tax bill, and how AI is reshaping audit teams while raising questions about the future value of CPAs. Plus, insights on navigating everything from reciprocal tariffs to the SEC's new chief accountant.


Chapters

• (01:38) - Tariffs and Their Impact on CFOs
• (03:19) - Supreme Court and Tariff Legalities
• (05:47) - Economic Impact of Tariffs and Inflation
• (08:09) - Geopolitical Conflicts and Economic Uncertainty
• (11:17) - Federal Reserve and Economic Policies
• (18:51) - CPA Pipeline and 150 Hour Rule Changes
• (33:08) - Chief Accountant at the SEC
• (40:11) - Smart Moves by Congress: Nonprofit Pay Scales
• (40:44) - The Impact of Budget Cuts on PCAOB
• (41:34) - Challenges in Government Oversight
• (42:02) - Senate's Big Bill: Key Changes and Controversies
• (46:25) - Tax Implications and Political Dynamics
• (52:42) - Business Deductions and Higher Education
• (55:40) - AI in Accounting: Transforming the Big Four
• (57:37) - The Future of Accounting Education
• (01:02:10) - AI's Role in Auditing and the Future Workforce
• (01:05:19) - The Impact of Automation on Jobs and Society
• (01:15:48) - Concluding Thoughts and Future Outlook

 

Supreme Court Challenge to Trump Tariffs by Toy Companies
https://www.reuters.com/legal/supreme-court-trump-tariffs-toy-companies-challenge

Consumer Price Index Impact of Current Tariffs
https://www.bls.gov/news.release/cpi.nr0.htm

New York State CPA Licensure Reform Legislation
https://www.nysscpa.org/news/publications/the-trusted-professional/article/new-york-cpa-licensure-reform-passes-legislature

Pennsylvania CPA Pathway Bill Senate Approval
https://www.picpa.org/articles/advocacy/cpa-pathway-legislation-senate-approval

Maine CPA Exam Requirements Change
https://www.maine.gov/pfr/professionallicensing/professions/accountants/cpa-exam-requirements

CFO.com State-by-State CPA Licensure Tracker
https://www.cfo.com/news/cpa-licensure-changes-state-tracker-2025

Kurt Hoel Appointed SEC Chief Accountant
https://www.sec.gov/news/press-release/2025-89

AICPA Barry Melancon Retirement Impact Analysis
https://www.journalofaccountancy.com/news/2025/01/melancon-retirement-cpa-pipeline-changes

Senate Modifications to Big Beautiful Bill
https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/1/actions

Avalara 2025 Accountants Confidence Report
https://www.avalara.com/us/en/resources/reports/2025-accountants-confidence-report

PCAOB Elimination Implications Analysis
https://www.pcaobus.org/oversight/inspections/implications-elimination-analysis

KPMG Clara AI Audit Platform Interview
https://www.cfo.com/news/kpmg-thomas-mackenzie-clara-ai-audit-interview

PwC USA Tax Leader Agentic AI Implementation
https://www.cfo.com/news/pwc-tax-agentic-ai-implementation-2025

Bill.com Small Business Paperless Survey 2030
https://www.bill.com/resources/small-business-paperless-2030-survey

Universal Technical Institute CFO Interview
https://www.cfo.com/news/uti-cfo-future-higher-education-interview

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Learn more about Adam Zaki:

Website: https://www.cfo.com/editors/azaki/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamzakinyc

Thanks for listening and the great reviews! We appreciate you! Follow and tweet @BlakeTOliver and @DavidLeary. Find us on Facebook and Instagram. If you like what you hear, please do us a favor and write a review on Apple Podcasts or Podchaser. Call us and leave a voicemail; maybe we'll play it on the show. DIAL (202) 695-1040.

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The full transcript for this episode is available by clicking on the Transcript tab at the top of this page