The INSIDE Public Accounting Podcast

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• Special Repost: Chelsea Summers Joins Accounting Voices' AI Reality in Firms Series 25.06.2026 11min

  Earn free CPE with Earmark! Take your learning on the go and earn NASBA-approved CPE just for listening to The INSIDE Public Accounting Podcast. Simply listen, take a short quiz, and download your certificate. Start now on the IPA channel in the Earmark app: INSIDE Public Accounting | Earmark CPEChelsea Summers joins Rob Brown's Accounting Voices podcast for a practical conversation about how AI is reshaping accounting firms.Drawing on data from IPA's practice management and technology surveys, Chelsea shares where firms are seeing real change, what leaders are still getting wrong and what may separate leading firms from the rest by 2027.Topics include the future of pricing, AI training, leadership responsibility, change management and why investing in people may be the most important AI decision a firm can make.If you're looking for a realistic discussion about AI adoption inside accounting firms, this episode delivers insights grounded in data, not hype.
• Why Hourly Billing No Longer Works 23.06.2026 45min

  Earn free CPE with Earmark! Take your learning on the go and earn NASBA-approved CPE just for listening to The INSIDE Public Accounting Podcast. Simply listen, take a short quiz, and download your certificate. Start now on the IPA channel in the Earmark app: INSIDE Public Accounting | Earmark CPEFor decades, hourly billing has been the foundation of the accounting profession. But as AI accelerates efficiency and firms continue expanding advisory services, many leaders are questioning whether the traditional pricing model still works.In this episode of the INSIDE Public Accounting podcast, Chelsea Summers talks with Michelle Golden-River, founder of Fore LLC, about the evolution of pricing inside CPA firms and why worth-based pricing is gaining attention across the profession.The conversation explores why firms struggle to move away from hourly billing, how pricing models shape firm culture and operations and why AI is putting pressure on firms to rethink the relationship between time and revenue. Michelle also shares practical advice on scope management, client communication and how firms can begin experimenting with new pricing approaches without overhauling everything overnight.Throughout the episode, Michelle offers a grounded perspective on the mindset shifts, leadership and confidence required to modernize pricing in today’s accounting environment.
• Advisory Reality, AI Results and the Metrics That Matter 16.06.2026 21min

  Earn free CPE with Earmark! Take your learning on the go and earn NASBA-approved CPE just for listening to The INSIDE Public Accounting Podcast. Simply listen, take a short quiz, and download your certificate. Start now on the IPA channel in the Earmark app: INSIDE Public Accounting | Earmark CPEIn this episode of the INSIDE Public Accounting Podcast, Rob Brown and Chelsea Summers unpack key findings from the June IPA Insights Report.They discuss early practice management survey results, including slowing growth, rising technology investments and an unexpected decline in advisory revenue. They also explore findings from a joint advisory survey with Rosenberg Associates, revealing that talent and partner alignment, not client demand, are the biggest barriers to advisory growth.The conversation examines rapidly growing niche practice areas, the current reality of AI adoption, overlooked KPI metrics such as net revenue retention and concerning succession planning trends across firms.Whether you're evaluating advisory services, considering niche specialization or preparing your firm for leadership transitions, this episode provides practical insights grounded in IPA's latest data.Learn more and order the IPA Insights Hot Topics Report at: https://insidepublicaccounting.com/about/ipa-quarterly-insights/
• The Confidence Gap in Advisory Services 09.06.2026 40min

  Earn free CPE with Earmark! Take your learning on the go and earn NASBA-approved CPE just for listening to The INSIDE Public Accounting Podcast. Simply listen, take a short quiz, and download your certificate. Start now on the IPA channel in the Earmark app: INSIDE Public Accounting | Earmark CPEAdvisory services continue to be one of the biggest growth opportunities for firms, but many firms are still struggling to scale them effectively. In this episode of the INSIDE Public Accounting podcast, Chelsea Summers talks with Eric Eager, CEO and co-founder of 4impactdata, about the “confidence gap” that may be holding firms back. The conversation explores why advisory work feels different from traditional compliance services, how AI is changing the pace of learning inside firms and why many professionals hesitate to make forward-looking recommendations. Eric also discusses the growing importance of human guidance in an increasingly automated environment and explains how emerging technologies like decision intelligence may help firms scale advisory while also accelerating staff development. Throughout the episode, Eric shares practical advice for firm leaders looking to strengthen client relationships, improve confidence across teams and rethink the role of CPA firms in the future business landscape.
• A First Look at Early Data from the 2026 IPA Survey 04.06.2026

  Earn free CPE with Earmark! Take your learning on the go and earn NASBA-approved CPE just for listening to The INSIDE Public Accounting Podcast. Simply listen, take a short quiz, and download your certificate. Start now on the IPA channel in the Earmark app: INSIDE Public Accounting | Earmark CPEWhat are the latest numbers telling us about the accounting profession?In this episode of the INSIDE Public Accounting podcast, Sarah Noonan joins Chelsea Summers to discuss preliminary findings from the 2026 IPA Practice Management Survey. With more than 350 firms already participating, the early data offers a glimpse into some of the profession’s biggest trends.The conversation explores slowing revenue growth, rising technology investments, increasing profitability and continued shifts away from traditional hourly billing. Chelsea also shares insights into turnover, advisory services and the impact of AI on firm operations and pricing strategies.While the data is still preliminary, the discussion highlights where firms appear to be gaining momentum and where important questions remain unanswered.For firm leaders looking to benchmark their performance and better understand where the profession may be headed, this episode offers an early look at the trends shaping public accounting today.
• Designing a Firm for the Future 02.06.2026 31min

  Earn free CPE with Earmark! Take your learning on the go and earn NASBA-approved CPE just for listening to The INSIDE Public Accounting Podcast. Simply listen, take a short quiz, and download your certificate. Start now on the IPA channel in the Earmark app: INSIDE Public Accounting | Earmark CPEWhat does it actually look like to build an accounting firm designed for the future?In this episode of the INSIDE Public Accounting podcast, Chelsea Summers talks with Rachel Farris, CPA, founder of a boutique advisory firm and TaxStack AI, about specialization, talent, pricing, AI adoption, and the evolving narrative around accounting careers.Rachel shares why narrowing a firm’s focus can strengthen client relationships and reduce operational friction, how firms can rethink hiring and onboarding, and why the profession’s talent challenges are about more than compensation alone.The conversation also explores fixed-fee pricing, responsible AI adoption, and the importance of building firms around flexibility, curiosity, and people-first leadership.Rachel offers a candid perspective on what accounting firms may need to rethink over the next decade: From the way they recruit talent to the way they define value for both employees and clients.
• Is Your Governance Built for What’s Ahead? (Part 2) 26.05.2026 24min

  Earn free CPE with Earmark! Take your learning on the go and earn NASBA-approved CPE just for listening to The INSIDE Public Accounting Podcast. Simply listen, take a short quiz, and download your certificate. Start now on the IPA channel in the Earmark app: INSIDE Public Accounting | Earmark CPEIn part two of this conversation, Rob Brown continues the discussion with Gary Thomson and David Bundy on one of the biggest challenges facing accounting firms today: governance that no longer fits the complexity of the modern firm.The conversation explores the warning signs of outdated governance structures, why consensus-driven decision making can slow firms down and how leaders can navigate the difficult transition from partner-led management to more scalable leadership models.Gary and David share practical insights on accountability, trust, change management and the importance of aligning governance with the firm’s future strategy. They also discuss why governance isn’t just a compliance exercise, it’s a foundational element that either enables or limits growth, innovation, and succession planning.For managing partners and firm leaders asking whether their current structure is ready for what’s ahead, this episode offers a candid and practical perspective on where to start.
• Is Your Governance Built for What’s Ahead? (Part 1) 19.05.2026 27min

  Earn free CPE with Earmark! Take your learning on the go and earn NASBA-approved CPE just for listening to The INSIDE Public Accounting Podcast. Simply listen, take a short quiz, and download your certificate. Start now on the IPA channel in the Earmark app: INSIDE Public Accounting | Earmark CPEGovernance may sound like a back-office topic, but it directly impacts how firms grow, compete and make decisions. In this episode of the INSIDE Public Accounting podcast, Rob Brown sits down with Gary Thomson and David Bundy of Thompson Consulting to discuss why governance has become one of the most important conversations in the profession today. The conversation explores how governance affects everything from decision-making speed and succession planning to M&A activity, technology investments and leadership development. Gary and David explain why many firms are realizing that the structures which worked in the past may not support the pace and complexity of today’s accounting environment. They also discuss the importance of having the right people making key decisions, why governance should evolve alongside firm strategy, and how firms can stay competitive while preserving the culture and values that made them successful. For managing partners and firm leaders navigating growth and change, this episode offers practical insight into what governance really means and why it matters more than ever.
• From Reactive to Intentional: What’s Emerging Across the Profession 14.05.2026 10min

  Earn free CPE with Earmark! Take your learning on the go and earn NASBA-approved CPE just for listening to The INSIDE Public Accounting Podcast. Simply listen, take a short quiz, and download your certificate. Start now on the IPA channel in the Earmark app: INSIDE Public Accounting | Earmark CPEConference season is underway, and Chelsea Summers is sharing the conversations that are surfacing across the accounting profession, not just on stage, but in hallways, dinners, and between sessions.In this solo bonus episode, Chelsea breaks down five themes showing up repeatedly across firms this year: a more mature approach to consolidation and private equity, AI moving beyond experimentation into practical application, the growing pressure to rethink traditional firm metrics, the structural barriers holding advisory growth back, and a talent market that’s finally beginning to stabilize.Rather than reacting to constant change, firms are starting to make more deliberate decisions about how they want to grow, structure their teams, and define success in the years ahead.If you’re a firm leader thinking about culture, technology, advisory, or the future of your business model, this episode offers a grounded look at where the profession stands today, and where it may be headed next.
• Benefits That Matter: Rethinking the Employee Experience 12.05.2026 24min

  Earn free CPE with Earmark! Take your learning on the go and earn NASBA-approved CPE just for listening to The INSIDE Public Accounting Podcast. Simply listen, take a short quiz, and download your certificate. Start now on the IPA channel in the Earmark app: INSIDE Public Accounting | Earmark CPECompensation matters, but it’s no longer enough.In this episode, Chelsea Summers and Rob Brown break down new insights from the 2025 IPA HR Report to explore what’s really driving recruitment and retention in today’s talent market.From remote work and flexibility to parental leave, mentoring and overlooked benefits like elder care, the conversation highlights where firms are meeting expectations and where they’re falling short.What used to be considered “progressive” is now table stakes. And firms that continue to treat flexibility and work-life balance as perks, not fundamentals, are making unintentional retention decisions.The good news? Some of the most impactful changes don’t require big budgets. Small, intentional moves like summer hours, stay interviews and better communication can significantly improve the employee experience.If your firm is still trying to solve retention with compensation alone, this episode offers a practical reset.
• The True Cost of Losing Your Best People 05.05.2026 24min

  Earn free CPE with Earmark! Take your learning on the go and earn NASBA-approved CPE just for listening to The INSIDE Public Accounting Podcast. Simply listen, take a short quiz, and download your certificate. Start now on the IPA channel in the Earmark app: INSIDE Public Accounting | Earmark CPETurnover may be down, but the real cost hasn’t disappeared.In this episode, we break down what most firms miss when they think about turnover. While recruiting fees and open seats are easy to track, the biggest impacts are often invisible: lost productivity, strained teams and fragile client relationships.Using IPA data, we explore three lenses: financial, cultural and client impact, to show how turnover quietly reshapes firm performance. From six-month ramp-up periods to institutional knowledge walking out the door, the numbers and consequences add up quickly.We also discuss why firms consistently underestimate these costs and what the firms who are getting it right are doing differently. The takeaway: turnover isn’t just a staffing issue, it’s a signal about how your firm operates.If you haven’t calculated the true cost of losing a senior manager, this episode will likely change how you think about retention investments.
• Can Firms Build Enterprise Value Without Selling? (Part 2) 30.04.2026 26min

  Earn free CPE with Earmark! Take your learning on the go and earn NASBA-approved CPE just for listening to The INSIDE Public Accounting Podcast. Simply listen, take a short quiz, and download your certificate. Start now on the IPA channel in the Earmark app: INSIDE Public Accounting | Earmark CPEWhat does it actually take to sustain enterprise value over time?Brian Blaha returns to go deeper into the mechanics behind value creation inside accounting firms. From governance and succession planning to the impact of AI and talent pipelines, the discussion focuses on the operational realities firms must address.Brian also breaks down common misconceptions around scale, enterprise value and private equity, and highlights the discipline and intentionality required to stay competitive.For firms navigating growth, leadership transitions or long-term strategy, this episode offers a practical roadmap grounded in real-world experience.
• Can Firms Build Enterprise Value Without Selling? (Part 1) 28.04.2026 25min

  Earn free CPE with Earmark! Take your learning on the go and earn NASBA-approved CPE just for listening to The INSIDE Public Accounting Podcast. Simply listen, take a short quiz, and download your certificate. Start now on the IPA channel in the Earmark app: INSIDE Public Accounting | Earmark CPEPrivate equity continues to reshape the accounting profession, but does independence still have a place?Rob Brown sits down with Brian Blaha of Winding River Consulting to unpack what “enterprise value” really means for firms today. The conversation challenges a common assumption: that building value requires selling to private equity.Brian introduces the concept of strategic optionality, a disciplined approach that allows firms to remain independent while still creating long-term value. From governance and capital strategy to leadership alignment and growth planning, this episode outlines what it actually takes to compete in today’s environment.Independence isn’t passive; it’s intentional.
• The 20-Year Shift in Accounting Firms (What the Data Really Says) 21.04.2026 15min

  Earn free CPE with Earmark! Take your learning on the go and earn NASBA-approved CPE just for listening to The INSIDE Public Accounting Podcast. Simply listen, take a short quiz, and download your certificate. Start now on the IPA channel in the Earmark app: INSIDE Public Accounting | Earmark CPEThis episode takes a step back from single-issue conversations and looks at the bigger picture.Chelsea and Rob walk through the April issue of IPA Insights, pulling from 20 years of data to answer a simple question: what’s actually changed in the profession and what hasn’t?From the steady rise of advisory revenue to the surprising staying power of the billable hour, the data tells a story of progress, but not consistency. Larger firms are pulling ahead in advisory, pricing models are shifting slowly and staffing decisions are creating real operational strain.Some firms have been building toward this moment for years. Others are just getting started.If you’re trying to understand where your firm stands and what it will take to keep up. This episode is a practical place to start.
• The Real ROI of Offshoring in CPA Firms 14.04.2026 12min

  Earn free CPE with Earmark! Take your learning on the go and earn NASBA-approved CPE just for listening to The INSIDE Public Accounting Podcast. Simply listen, take a short quiz, and download your certificate. Start now on the IPA channel in the Earmark app: INSIDE Public Accounting | Earmark CPEOffshoring has quickly moved from a staffing workaround to a core operating strategy in public accounting.But does it actually improve firm performance?Rob Brown and Chelsea Summers unpack what the latest IPA data shows about how offshoring is impacting growth, profitability and productivity across firms.They explore how adoption has expanded across firm sizes, why larger firms are further along in building global teams and how smaller firms are beginning to experiment with similar models.The conversation also highlights a central tension in the data. Firms using offshore staff are reporting higher partner income and slightly higher growth. At the same time, traditional productivity metrics like revenue per FTE appear lower.Rob and Chelsea discuss what is driving that shift and why it may not be a negative signal, but rather a reflection of increased capacity and different staffing structures.They also explore how offshoring is evolving beyond compliance work into areas like client accounting services, analytics and advisory support.Offshoring is no longer just a staffing solution. It is becoming part of how firms design their operating model.
• From Strategy to Results: The Role of a Chief Execution Officer 07.04.2026 29min

  Earn free CPE with Earmark! Take your learning on the go and earn NASBA-approved CPE just for listening to The INSIDE Public Accounting Podcast. Simply listen, take a short quiz, and download your certificate. Start now on the IPA channel in the Earmark app: INSIDE Public Accounting | Earmark CPEStrategy gets all the attention. Execution determines the outcome.In this episode, Chelsea Summers sits down with Jeff Pawlow, Principal and Chief Execution Officer at Brady Martz, to unpack what execution really means inside a modern CPA firm.The conversation explores why so many firms fall short after strategic planning sessions and what it takes to close that gap. They also dive into why partners understand strategy intellectually, but don’t operate with a true ownership mindset. Jeff explains how firms can shift behavior by tying performance to measurable, controllable actions and making progress visible across the organization.The episode also covers:The difference between strategy and execution (and why confusing the two is costly)How to measure “soft” metrics like employee experienceWhy controllable metrics matter more than outcomesHow dashboards and transparency can drive accountability without being punitiveWhat execution looks like in M&A and firm growth decisionsAs Jeff puts it, strategy is the compass but execution is what gets you there.
• From Compliance to Advisory, What’s Actually Changing? 31.03.2026 12min

  Earn free CPE with Earmark. Take your learning on the go and earn NASBA-approved CPE just for listening to The INSIDE Public Accounting Podcast. Simply listen, take a short quiz and download your certificate.Start now on the IPA channel in the Earmark app: INSIDE Public Accounting | Earmark CPE[CS1]Advisory services have long been positioned as the future of accounting. For many firms, it has remained more of an aspiration than a fully executed strategy.In this episode, Rob Brown and Chelsea Summers break down what is actually happening inside firms today. Drawing on IPA data and ongoing conversations with firm leaders, they explore whether advisory is truly taking hold or still largely conceptual.The data shows meaningful movement. Advisory now represents roughly one-third of firm revenue across IPA firms. That signals a real shift away from a purely compliance-driven model.But the more important question is why this shift is happening now.Several forces are converging:Client expectations are changing, with businesses looking for guidance, not just reportingTechnology is automating compliance work, limiting its growth potentialTalent expectations are shifting, with professionals seeking more consultative and client-facing rolesAt the same time, advisory is not something firms can simply layer on.It requires changes across the firm, such as:Pricing modelsTraining and skill developmentLeadership alignmentSuccess measurementsIt also requires a different mindset. One focused on insights and outcomes, not just efficiency and utilization.Looking ahead, the conversation highlights a broader transition. The past decade was about recognizing advisory as an opportunity. The next decade will be about scaling it.Firms that invest in leadership, client relationships and specialized expertise are more likely to succeed. Others may continue to struggle to move beyond compliance.
• Great Technicians Don’t Always Make Great Leaders 24.03.2026 15min

  One of the most common and costly mistakes CPA firms make is assuming that technical excellence automatically translates into leadership ability.In most firms, promotions are based on utilization, billable production and technical proficiency. Those metrics matter. But the skills required to succeed at the manager and partner levels are fundamentally different.Rob Brown and Chelsea Summers unpack why so many firms unintentionally create overwhelmed managers and underprepared partners.They explore the growing complexity of leadership inside accounting firms, from private equity structures and M&A integrations to hybrid workforces and advisory expansion, and why the traditional promotion model hasn’t kept up.Rob and Chelsea also discuss:Why leadership fatigue is rising among managers and senior managersThe risks of promoting technicians without leadership developmentWhy leadership training must start earlier in careersThe importance of transparency around firm governance and financialsWhether firms should hire leaders from outside the accounting professionWhy modern firms benefit from complementary leadership strengths, not identical partner profilesThey also challenge firms to rethink traditional career paths. Not every talented professional wants or needs to manage people. Creating parallel career tracks for technical experts and leadership roles could reduce burnout and improve retention across the profession.
• INSIDE the Private Equity Shift in Accounting 17.03.2026 37min

  Earn free CPE with Earmark! Take your learning on the go and earn NASBA-approved CPE just for listening to The INSIDE Public Accounting Podcast. Simply listen, take a short quiz, and download your certificate. Start now on the IPA channel in the Earmark app: INSIDE Public Accounting | Earmark CPEPrivate equity has quickly become one of the most talked-about developments in public accounting. But the profession is still trying to determine what it really means for firms, talent and long-term strategy.In this episode, Chelsea Summers speaks with Stuart Ferguson, managing partner at Point Advisory, now Stout Strategy, a firm that has advised more than 15 of the top 25 accounting firms and dozens more globally.Together they explore how private equity investment is changing the competitive landscape for CPA firms, why PE-backed firms are growing faster and how governance (not just capital) may be driving many of the operational differences we’re seeing.The conversation also digs into the tension many firm leaders are feeling: concerns about culture, talent and long-term professional values versus the measurable growth and strategic discipline PE-backed firms are demonstrating.Stuart shares insights on where private equity is investing, why advisory services are becoming central to firm strategy and how leadership teams can rethink governance and strategy, even without outside capital.Chelsea and Stuart also look ahead to what the next five years may bring, including:Consolidation across the accounting marketIncreased investment in advisory and technologyPossible IPOs of accounting firmsGreater diversification into services like legal and wealth managementThe emergence of AI-native accounting firmsWhether firms pursue private equity or remain independent, one theme is clear: the profession is entering a period of significant change, and leadership strategy will matter more than ever.
• Designing Your Firm’s Leverage Strategy in a New Economy 10.03.2026 11min

  Earn free CPE with Earmark! Take your learning on the go and earn NASBA-approved CPE just for listening to The INSIDE Public Accounting Podcast. Simply listen, take a short quiz, and download your certificate. Start now on the IPA channel in the Earmark app: INSIDE Public Accounting | Earmark CPEFor decades, public accounting firms have operated on a simple economic engine: leverage and billing rates.Leverage — typically measured as staff per equity partner — determines how much production capacity sits under each partner. The wider the base of the pyramid, the greater the potential revenue and profit per partner.But that model relied on several assumptions:A steady pipeline of entry-level talentManageable turnoverConsistent rate increasesToday, those assumptions are under pressure.Across all IPA firms, the average staff-to-equity-partner ratio is 11.8. But it varies significantly by firm size:Firms over $150M: 16$20M–$30M firms: 13.6Firms under $5M: 7.7At the same time, more than 70% of the IPA 100 now use offshore staffing, and many firms are redesigning their operating models by building barbell structures, flatter organizations or advisory-heavy teams.The takeaway? Leverage isn’t obsolete. But it must be intentional.Profitability in a CPA firm still comes down to two drivers:Production capacity (leverage)Pricing discipline (billing rates and realization)If leverage declines and rates stagnate, margin compresses. It’s that simple.Managing partners should be asking:What is our current staff-to-partner ratio?How has it changed over five years?Have billing rates risen proportionally?Are we protecting margin intentionally or assuming “same as last year”?The firms that win the next decade won’t simply work harder. They’ll deliberately design their operating model.