$95 Million Missing—and Still a Clean Audit?

How does $95 million go missing at a bank—and still get a clean audit? Blake and David unpack the Evolve Bank/Synapse meltdown, what auditors missed, and how SOC reports fall short. Plus: the penny shortage pushing cash rounding at the register, the shocking stat that even 29% of partners don’t know partner pay, and the case for semiannual reporting. Walk away with practical takeaways for clients, staff, and your own firm.


Chapters
  • (00:44) - The Penny Shortage Crisis
  • (03:52) - Evolve Bank's $95 Million Scandal
  • (17:12) - Earmark CPE and Other Podcast Recommendations
  • (22:00) - Partner Salaries and Compensation Transparency
  • (28:27) - Data Breach at SAX Accounting Firm
  • (33:28) - Semi-Annual Reporting Debate
  • (36:25) - Debating Semi-Annual Reporting
  • (37:38) - Quarterly Reporting Games
  • (38:25) - LinkedIn Comment: The Case for Quarterly Reports
  • (39:11) - The Value of Financial Statements
  • (39:58) - Challenges in Modern Accounting
  • (46:57) - 2026 Accounting Predictions
  • (52:01) - AI's Impact on Bookkeeping
  • (01:09:08) - Closing Thoughts and Farewell
 

Show Notes

Square Enables Penny Rounding 
 
CFPB Allocates $46 Million To Synapse/Evolve Victims In First-Ever Fintech Bailout 
 
The 2025 Accounting Today Salary Survey 
 
The Ultimate 2026 Accounting Salary Guide 
 
Deloitte's CTO: companies are spending 93% on tech and only 7% on people and that has to change 
 
Accounting firm waited 18 months to announce breach 
 
Should Public Companies Move to Semi-Annual Reporting? 
 
United States Mint Hosts Historic Ceremonial Strike for Final Production of the Circulating One-Cent Coin 

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

Creators and Guests

David Leary
Host
David Leary
President and Founder, Sombrero Apps Company
$95 Million Missing—and Still a Clean Audit?
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