AJAG PD POD with CPA's Tabac and Tucker

In this AJAG PD Pod episode, Ivan and Jonathan are joined by Naomi Wilkins, a bookkeeping and business foundations educator, to explore why strong bookkeeping is the foundation of good accounting work. The conversation looks at the important relationship between CPAs and bookkeepers, the growing demand for well-trained bookkeeping professionals and how practical training and collaboration can improve the quality of client files. Naomi shares insights from her work supporting small businesses and bookkeepers, highlighting why better books ultimately lead to better advice and better outcomes for clients. CPB Canada Entry-Level Quiz: https://portal.cpbcan.ca/courses/cpb-canada-entry-level-quiz/

In this episode of the AJAG PD Pod, Ivan and Jonathan are joined by Guy Vadish, Founder and CEO of Artiffex, to explore the question: can investment bookkeeping really be automated?From inconsistent broker statements and FX tracking to T1135 reporting, options trading and high-volume self-directed accounts, the conversation digs into the real challenges accountants face when reconciling investment portfolios. Tune in for a candid look at what automation - and even outsourcing - might realistically look like within a CPA practice. Learn more about Artiffex here: https://artiffex.com/

In our AJAG PD Pod season 3 opener, Ivan and Jonathan are joined by Hemal Bulsara, Head of Tax, Retirement and Estate Planning at Manulife, to unpack a commonly misunderstood area that CPAs encounter in client files: life insurance. From corporate-owned policies and Capital Dividend Account (CDA) planning to ownership structures, permanent vs. term insurance, leveraged strategies and post-mortem tax considerations, this conversation highlights where CPAs can run into risk and where meaningful planning opportunities exist. Hemal shares practical insights to help CPAs ask better questions, spot red flags earlier and feel more confident navigating insurance discussions - especially when strategies are presented by third parties. A timely, practical discussion for CPAs looking to better support clients as life insurance continues to play a growing role in tax and estate planning.Resource link: https://advisor.manulife.ca/advisors/insurance/tax-retirement-and-estate-planning/search-by-topic.html

In this special year-end episode of the AJAG PD Pod, hosts Ivan and Jonathan are joined by AJAG’s COO, Alison Winton, to reflect on a year defined by constant change for CPAs. From CRA updates and legislative curveballs to shifting professional development needs, the conversation explores how 2025 reshaped the day-to-day reality of accounting professionals.They also reflect on how AJAG has evolved over the years - and the human-first approach that will always remain a constant. Along the way, they share a few favourite moments and look ahead to what CPAs can expect in 2026 as AJAG continues to support the profession through whatever comes next.Don’t miss this thoughtful, candid conversation to close out the year!

Intergenerational business transfers have always been a challenge, but the 2024 legislative updates have added an entirely new layer of complexity for CPAs and their clients. In this AJAG PD Pod episode, Jonathan sits down with Nathan Choran, who leads the Canadian Tax Group at Zeifmans, to break down what’s changed and why it matters.From estate freezes and surplus-strip concerns to voting control requirements, capital gains reserves, CRA interpretations and real client scenarios, this conversation offers practical insights for any CPA advising family-owned businesses.If your clients are planning a transition to the next generation - or should be - this episode will help ensure you’re fully informed.

The US government’s One Big Beautiful Bill brought together a massive collection of tax measures that will have some implications north of the border as well. In this episode, Ivan and Jonathan sit down with Mark Feigenbaum, FCPA, FCA, to unpack what’s inside this sweeping legislation and what it means for practitioners. From cross-border tax complexities to citizenship renunciation implications, Mark shares practical examples, real-world anecdotes and insights drawn from his experience working with clients who navigate both sides of the border. Whether you’re focused on compliance or advisory work, this is one episode you won’t want to miss.

What happens when your firm’s systems go down in the middle of tax season — or worse, client data gets exposed? This episode gets real about the cyber threats facing Canadian CPA firms. Ivan & Jonathan sit down with Fred Turner from ITS Canada Inc to discuss cyber scams, downtime, and the real risks of IT failure. To hackers CPA firms are goldmines – with tax returns, payroll and banking info – your firm has everything they want in one place. Don’t miss this episode for insights about what you can do to manage risk and protect your firm.

Many firms are struggling to meet the new CSQM requirements and failed inspections are becoming increasingly common. Marcus Guenther of FocusHGK LLP joins Ivan & Jonathan to break down what’s driving the tougher environment and what firms can do to stay compliant. Want to go deeper? Don’t miss his Quality Management Unplugged sessions — live on August 26th or available on-demand later this month at ajag.ca.

Tech expert and author Avery Swartz is back on the AJAG PD Pod to explore how AI adoption is evolving in Canadian workplaces - especially in accounting. Ivan and Jonathan tap into her expertise to glean insights on low-risk, high-reward use cases, must-have skills for CPAs, and considerations for rolling out AI tools while protecting sensitive client data. Plus, Avery shares her take on adoption trends, ethical usage, and what’s coming next in the regulatory landscape.

In this AJAG PD Pod episode, Ivan and Jonathan sat down with David Douglas - Principal Canadian Practice Leader SR&ED with Ryan ULC - to help demystify the Scientific Research and Experimental Development (SR&ED) program through a CPA lens. From compliance trends and audits to the growing role of AI in both R&D activities and claim preparation, David offers timely insights and practical advice. Whether you're advising clients or preparing claims yourself, this conversation will help you stay ahead of the curve and navigate SR&ED with greater confidence.

In this episode, Ivan & Jonathan sit down with Eric Pini from Ryan LLC to explore the often-overlooked world of government grants. From funding categories and eligibility tips to deadlines and emerging trends (think AI and tariffs), you’ll get expert insight to help identify opportunities for your business or your clients. Whether you're in public practice or industry, this is something CPAs should all be paying attention to for 2025 and beyond.Tune in for practical advice, real-world examples, and a breakdown of what’s on the radar for the year ahead.Want to stay in the loop on future funding programs? Sign up for email updates from Ryan LLC here. Have questions about eligibility or next steps? Click here to contact their team to learn more.

In this episode, Jonathan sits down with Jason Koenig from Accountancy Insurance and legal expert Ben Grant from Beitel Tax Law to discuss the latest trends in CRA audit activity, common misconceptions about Audit Shield, and what accountants should be thinking about when it comes to audit risk management. Whether you’re a CPA looking to enhance your client service offerings or simply want to stay ahead of the curve in today’s tax audit landscape, this episode is for you.

Bare trust reporting may be on hold for 2024 tax returns, but don’t get too comfortable as this isn’t going away. The latest draft legislation has raised concerns among tax lawyers due to its legal language and potential implications. In this episode of AJAG PD Pod, Tax Lawyer and Founder of Advotax Law, Anna Malazhavaya joins Ivan & Jonathan to break down what CPAs need to know. Tune in for real world insights - and fictional underworld lessons from hit series The Sopranos - that make these complex rules easier to understand.

In our first episode of 2025, Ivan sat down with former NHL Player & Certified Mindset Coach Adam Bennett. Ivan had a chance to find out more about Adam's sports career and how it helped lead him to coaching - not only working athletes but professionals in various roles. They discuss the challenges that come with tax season and some things CPAs can do to keep stress in check and stay at the top of their game. Don't miss out on this helpful and timely episode!

Nearly 30% of Canadians—around 8 million people—live with at least one disability, according to Statistics Canada. In this podcast, Ivan and Jonathan are joined by Roman Belenky of Doane Grant Thornton LLP for an enlightening conversation on trusts for disabled family members.We explore critical questions such as:When and why should families consider a trust for a disabled loved one?What is a Henson Trust, and how does it work?How do trusts affect eligibility for ODSP benefits?If you're a CPA or financial advisor, this episode is packed with actionable insights you won't want to miss. Tune in to stay informed and better serve your clients!

In this episode, Ivan and Jonathan tackle the latest headlines impacting tax, accounting, and assurance for Canadian CPAs, from CRA-related tax scams to high-profile firings at EY and security breaches at H&R Block. They also address some of the challenges plaguing accountants in recent months – including quality assurance manual creation and much needed software updates. Gain insights you won’t find elsewhere as they cover the full spectrum of issues shaping the profession today.

Every year brings new challenges for accountants. In this episode, Ivan and Jonathan are joined by long-time AJAG presenter, Marcus Guenther, Partner at Focus HGK, to talk about the changes to PAL CPD hours, LPA licensing challenges, practice inspection issues, and his experience with complaints and the disciplinary committee.

In this episode, Ivan and Jonathan are joined by Kim Tabac – Principal, Kim Tabac Human Resources (kimtabachr.com) They discuss the ins and outs of HR, the challenges facing accounting firms of all sizes, and what employers should be thinking about at various stages of their business. Whether you’re in need of some up-to-date HR insights, are looking to grow your firm, or are facing some specific people-related challenges, this practical - and entertaining - episode is not to be missed!

With fall hiring right around the corner and recruitment challenges growing, Ivan is joined by Jack Kalb, a CPA turned Recruiter and Partner at Minted Search Group. Together they discuss strategies for attracting top talent, the hiring process, interviewing, and more. For more information on recruitment with Minted Search Group, please visit www.mintedsearchgroup.com

Summer - and the end of both personal and corporate tax season - are finally here! With the most challenging busy season in memory behind them, Ivan and Jonathan reflect on some of the administrative issues they faced along the way. They flag their discoveries and have a few suggestions on how to bridge the gap between the CRA and CPAs in order to streamline process and promote fairness for taxpayers.

As part of our exploration of AI and how it’s changing the way we work, our conversation with Tech Expert, Avery Swartz took a little detour, so we decided to share it as a short bonus episode. After Jonathan had a strange and coincidental encounter surrounding a coffee pot, Avery, Jonathan and Ivan discussed one of the most asked questions about our technology today - is your phone listening to you?

In this special episode, Ivan is joined by Andrew Feldstein, Managing Partner, Family Lawyer, and Founder of Feldstein Family Law Group. They discuss the possibly costly implications of the new capital gains inclusion rate as it relates to child and spousal support payments. With the June 25th deadline looming and many looking to take fast action, this episode will help clarify some of the risks and cost implications in order to help CPAs assess and advise their clients accordingly.

AI is everywhere and new ways to use this technology keep popping up all the time. When it comes to utilization for business purposes - as with most new tech - there are early adopters and there are those who are waiting things out. At AJAG we have that exact scenario playing out – with Jonathan readily exploring and implementing AI tools while Ivan sticks to the tried and true for now. Whether you would consider yourself more like Ivan or more like Jonathan, this week’s episode has something for you. They had a chance to sit down with Avery Swartz, CEO of Camp Tech, Tech Educator and Author of See You on the Internet. Together they discuss how to get started, different ways to leverage this new tech, and some the of the precautions to take when using AI tools.

In this episode, Ivan & Jonathan sit down with Gila Ossip, President & Owner of Livelihood Payroll. They discuss the nuances of household payroll - including specific challenges, current trends and what CPAs need to know when working with families who employ nannies, caregivers and other household staff.

It's the end of personal tax season, and Jonathan and Ivan have really given it their all. In this mini-episode, join our hosts as they discuss the ups and downs from over the last few months, comment on the federal budget, and discuss navigating the ever-changing government tax policies.

Small and medium businesses (SMBs) are the most common targets for cyber attackers and often have the hardest time recovering after a successful attack.It's the height of tax season, and a lot of personal information and documentation is being shared, which can also increase risk for CPAs and their clients. In this episode, Ivan is joined by David Chernitzky, CEO of Armour Cybersecurity. They discuss what cyber entails, different types of attacks to look out for, and steps that CPAs and business owners can take to protect themselves from this ever-evolving threat.

In this episode all about Trusts, Ivan is joined by two guests from Aird & Berlis LLP in Toronto - Monica Carinci, Tax Associate and Megan Lambert, Estates & Trusts Associate. Together they discuss various scenarios and challenges arising out of the new trust reporting rules from the perspective of those in the legal profession as well as CPAs.

Ivan and Jonathan discuss recent changes happening in the Canadian tax world. From changes to new trust reporting rules and beyond - the pace of change for CPAs is unprecedented. Listen in to hear more about some real life scenarios, challenges and ideas for uncovering the information you need.

Jonathan and Ivan discuss the history of AJAG and their partnership together while sharing fun stories from the past.