SEC Prepares for Semi-Annual Reporting & the True Cost of the Iran War

Could public companies stop reporting every quarter? Blake and David break down the SEC’s push toward optional semiannual reporting, OpenAI’s new consulting arm, and what both moves could mean for accountants. They also cover tariff refund accounting, audit lawsuits, AI outperforming doctors in diagnosis tests, and why accountants may be better positioned than ever to build software and solve higher-value problems.SponsorsCloud Accountant Staffing - http://accountingpodcast.promo/casOnPay - http://accountingpodcast.promo/onpay C&R Consulting - http://accountingpodcast.promo/cnrFishbowl - http://accountingpodcast.promo/fishbowlChapters(00:00) - TAP 487 (02:52) - Semiannual reporting shift (06:46) - OpenAI enters consulting (09:59) - True cost of Iran war (15:40) - Xero founder scandal (18:42) - Tariffs and refund accounting (24:51) - WNBA millionaire tax myth (28:18) - NYC pied a terre tax (31:42) - Education loans and accounting (34:58) - Chat Prompts Cyber Accounting (36:15) - PwC Audit Scandal Lawsuit (38:17) - BDO First Brands Fallout (40:50) - PCAOB QC Rule Debate (44:34) - RSM Layoffs Audit Demand (46:54) - AI Beats ER Doctors (49:18) - Chegg Disrupted By AI (51:13) - Rethinking Education Model (53:17) - Accountants As Vibe Coders (56:55) - Build Accounting In Excel (01:01:44) - Wrap Up CPE And Travel  Show NotesSEC, FASB Prepare for Semi-Annual Reporting Optionhttps://www.accountingtoday.com/news/sec-fasb-prepare-for-semi-annual-reporting-optionOpenAI Launches the OpenAI Deployment Company to Help Businesses Build Around Intelligencehttps://openai.com/index/openai-launches-the-deployment-company/Opinion | The Iran War Will Cost Trillionshttps://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/08/opinion/hegseth-war-cost.htmlGlobal Economic Conditions Survey: Q1 2026https://www.accaglobal.com/us/en/professional-insights/global-economics/gecs-q1-2026.htmlXero Founder Sir Rod Drury Returns New Zealander of the Year Award Amid Misconduct Claimshttps://www.rnz.co.nz/news/business/594669/xero-founder-sir-rod-drury-returns-new-zealander-of-the-year-award-amid-misconduct-claimsRefunds on Trump Tariffs Pose Accounting Dilemmas for Companieshttps://news.bloombergtax.com/financial-accounting/refunds-on-trump-tariffs-pose-accounting-dilemmas-for-companiesWNBA Star Kelsey Plum Shows Embarrassing Lack of Tax Knowledgehttps://thespun.com/wnba/wnba-star-kelsey-plum-shows-embarrassing-lack-of-tax-knowledgeColumn: WNBA Star Kelsey Plum Is Taking Heat for Getting California Tax Law Wrong. But Don't Blame Herhttps://www.cpapracticeadvisor.com/2026/05/06/column-wnba-star-kelsey-plum-is-taking-heat-for-getting-california-tax-law-wrong-but-dont-blame-her/182897/New York's Pied-a-Terre Tax Sets Up Legal Fight Over Valueshttps://www.cnbc.com/2026/04/24/new-york-pied-a-terre-tax.htmlEducation Dept. Rejects Accounting as Professional Degreehttps://www.accountingtoday.com/news/education-dept-rejects-accounting-as-professional-degreeCorporate Travel's Accounting Shock: What It Means for PwC and the Wider Industryhttps://www.corporatekeysaustralia.com.au/accommodation/news/corporate-travels-accounting-shock-what-it-means-for-pwc-and-the-wider-industryFirst Brands Creditor Sues Auditor BDO Over Missed Red Flagshttps://news.bloombergtax.com/financial-accounting/first-brands-creditor-sues-auditor-bdo-over-missed-red-flagsLayoff Watch '26: RSM Trims Down in Audithttps://www.goingconcern.com/layoff-watch-26-rsm-trims-down-in-audit/AI Is Starting to Beat Doctors at Making Correct Diagnoseshttps://www.science.org/content/article/ai-starting-beat-doctors-making-correct-diagnosesChegg Was Dying Way Before ChatGPT – Chatbots Just Dealt the Fatal Blowhttps://www.barchart.com/story/news/1744436/chegg-was-dying-way-before-chatgpt-chatbots-just-dealt-the-fatal-blowAnthropic's Boris Cherny: Why Coding Is Solved, and What Comes Nexthttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SlGRN8jh2RINeed 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 -