Accounting Firm Revenues, Profits, Compensation Rise

Are accounting firms quietly having their best year ever? Blake and David break down why revenues and partner comp are rising—despite AI anxiety—and what it means for pricing and staffing. They unpack Gusto Money’s Melio-powered bill pay, Relay’s $1B milestone, Drake’s new workflow, and AI tools that actually help (note-takers, agents, research). Plus: Trump’s biannual reporting idea, peer review for PE-backed firms, BOI reversal, and the messy ‘no tax on tips’ proposal.SponsorsOnPay - http://accountingpodcast.promo/onpay TeamUp - http://accountingpodcast.promo/teamupBluebook - http://accountingpodcast.promo/bluebookChapters(00:00) - Introduction and Revenue Insights (00:43) - Welcome to the Accounting Podcast (01:00) - Gusto Showcase Event Highlights (04:18) - The Importance of Long-Term Relationships in FinTech (08:58) - Advisory Amplified Tour Announcement (11:06) - AI in Accounting: Honest Reflections from a Tech Founder (16:48) - AI Meeting Assistants for Accounting Firms (21:03) - Comparing AI Tools: Blue Jay vs. ChatGPT (29:43) - Accounting Firms' Revenue and Compensation Growth (31:12) - Rising Costs and Accounting Firm Strategies (32:25) - NASBA's New Mobile App for CPA Exam Candidates (33:50) - Drake Software's Workflow Automation Launch (37:13) - AI in the Workplace: Surveys and Trends (41:16) - Fiverr's Shift to AI and Layoffs (44:09) - Trump's Proposal on Financial Reporting (50:01) - Private Equity and Peer Review Oversight (52:28) - Tax-Free Tips and Proposed Regulations (54:13) - AICPA and NASBA's Earn and Learn Program Shutdown (55:20) - Conclusion and Listener Engagement  Show NotesCPA Firms Report Steady Growth in Revenue and Profit, AICPA Research Finds https://www.aicpa-cima.com/news/article/cpa-firms-report-steady-growth-in-revenue-and-profit-aicpa-research-findsVinyl Raises $2M to Build the Future of AI Meeting Assistants for Accountantshttps://www.usevinyl.com/insights/blog/vinyl-seed-funding-announcementDrake Software Unveils Powerful New Tax Workflow Automation Toolshttps://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/drake-software-unveils-powerful-new-tax-workflow-automation-tools-302558230.htmlNASBA Releases CPA Mobile App for Future CPAs https://www.accountingtoday.com/news/nasba-releases-cpa-mobile-appAICPA Seeks Comment on Peer Review Proposal for Firms with Private Equity Backinghttps://www.cpapracticeadvisor.com/2025/09/16/aicpa-seeks-comment-on-peer-review-proposal-for-firms-with-private-equity-backing/169014/Need CPE?Get CPE for listening to podcasts with Earmark: https://earmarkcpe.comSubscribe to the Earmark Podcast: https://podcast.earmarkcpe.comGet in TouchThanks 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.SponsorshipsAre you interested in sponsoring The Accounting Podcast? For details, read the prospectus.Need Accounting Conference Info? Check out our new website - accountingconferences.comLimited edition shirts, stickers, and other necessitiesTeePublic Store: http://cloudacctpod.link/merchSubscribeApple Podcasts: http://cloudacctpod.link/ApplePodcastsYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheAccountingPodcastSpotify: http://cloudacctpod.link/SpotifyPodchaser: http://cloudacctpod.link/podchaserStitcher: http://cloudacctpod.link/StitcherOvercast: http://cloudacctpod.link/OvercastClassifiedsCollective by DBA - https://collective.cpa/Want to get the word out about your newsletter, webinar, party, Facebook group, podcast, e-book, job posting, or that fancy Excel macro you just created? Let the listeners of The Accounting Podcast know by running a classified ad. Go here to create your classified ad: https://cloudacctpod.link/RunClassifiedAdTranscriptsThe full transcript for this episode is available by clicking on the Transcript tab at the top of this page