What happens when AI starts doing more than answering questions? Blake and David dig into Perplexity’s move into tax prep and bookkeeping, the IRS testing Palantir to help select audit targets, and why many firms still aren’t seeing real ROI from AI. They also unpack the surprising success of Trump accounts and what all of this could mean for accountants, firm workflows, and the future of the profession.

Sponsors
OnPay - http://accountingpodcast.promo/onpay
Cloud Accountant Staffing - http://accountingpodcast.promo/cas
REFRAME 2026 - http://accountingpodcast.promo/reframe2026
Wurthy - http://accountingpodcast.promo/wurthy

Chapters

(00:00) - TAP 482
(02:37) - Trump Accounts Boom
(07:22) - CPE With Earmark
(08:38) - Perplexity Targets Taxes
(12:32) - AI Agents And Moats
(23:43) - Claude Cowork Bookkeeping
(30:25) - Digits Outcome Pricing
(30:58) - Digits Pay For Performance
(31:25) - Zero Touch Guarantee
(31:56) - Pricing Power Debate
(32:20) - Switching GL Friction
(33:11) - Reframe Conference Sponsor
(34:26) - AI Security Banter
(35:14) - IRS Palantir Snap Audits
(39:09) - AI ROI Wrong Math
(44:27) - Find The Bottleneck
(46:14) - Automate Client Intake
(48:02) - Claude PBC Workflow
(54:40) - Weekly Close Discipline
(56:13) - DHS Tax Extension Story
(57:48) - Mentoring And Webinars
(59:15) - Future Firm Tech Stack
(01:01:45) - Wrap Up And CPE

Show Notes

4 Million Children Have Been Signed Up for Trump Accounts with 1 Million Claiming the $1,000 Pilot Program Contribution

https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/4-million-children-have-been-signed-up-for-trump-accounts-with-1-million-claiming-the-1000-pilot-program-contribution

Introducing Computer for Taxes

https://www.perplexity.ai/hub/blog/introducing-computer-for-taxes

The IRS Wants Smarter Audits. Palantir Could Help Decide Who Gets Flagged

https://dnyuz.com/2026/03/30/the-irs-wants-smarter-audits-palantir-could-help-decide-who-gets-flagged/

Digits Announces Outcome-Based Pricing

https://www.accountingtoday.com/news/digits-announces-outcome-based-pricing

Your AI Business Case Is Built on the Wrong Math

https://www.cfo.com/news/your-ai-business-case-is-built-on-the-wrong-math-throughput-accounting-productivity/816014/

Treasury and IRS Announce Tax Filing Relief to DHS Personnel

https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/sb0431

Need CPE?

Get CPE for listening to podcasts with Earmark: https://earmarkcpe.com
Subscribe to the Earmark Podcast: https://podcast.earmarkcpe.com

Get in Touch

Thanks 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.

Sponsorships

Are you interested in sponsoring The Accounting Podcast? For details, read the prospectus.

Need Accounting Conference Info?

Check out our new website - accountingconferences.com

Limited edition shirts, stickers, and other necessities

TeePublic Store: http://cloudacctpod.link/merch

Subscribe

Apple Podcasts: http://cloudacctpod.link/ApplePodcasts
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheAccountingPodcast
Spotify: http://cloudacctpod.link/Spotify
Podchaser: http://cloudacctpod.link/podchaser
Stitcher: http://cloudacctpod.link/Stitcher
Overcast: http://cloudacctpod.link/Overcast

Classifieds
REFRAME 2026 - http://accountingpodcast.promo/reframe2026

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/RunClassifiedAd

Transcripts

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

Perplexity Goes After Tax Prep, IRS Testing Palantir for Audits

The Accounting Podcast

Perplexity Goes After Tax Prep, IRS Testing Palantir for Audits