October 13, 2025

AI for Tax Professionals: Beyond the Hype

59 minutes

Roger and Annie sit down with Blake Oliver, founder of Earmark, to cut through the AI confusion. Blake explains why AI is more like a brilliant Harvard-trained intern with amnesia than a tax professional replacement, sharing practical applications from document organization to quality control that can work in firms today. The conversation explores which AI tools are worth trying, why voice mode changes everything, and why tax professionals who start experimenting now are still early adopters, not late to the party.

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Chapters

(00:00) - Welcome to Federal Tax Updates

(01:19) - Guest Introduction: Blake Oliver

(03:27) - Diving into AI: Initial Thoughts and Comparisons

(07:58) - Understanding AI and Its Limitations

(15:47) - Effective Use of AI in Accounting

(21:41) - Choosing the Right AI Tools

(24:49) - Security and Cost Considerations

(30:46) - Best Practices and Pitfalls in AI Usage

(33:17) - AI Struggles with Tax Complexity

(34:34) - Human Verification in Tax Analysis

(35:01) - AI's Limitations and Cost

(36:29) - Misconceptions About AI in Tax

(40:25) - AI's Role in Administrative Tasks

(41:47) - AI in Quality Control and Research

(43:26) - AI in Radiology and Tax

(50:10) - Future of AI in Transportation

(53:05) - AI in Manufacturing and Economy

(56:17) - Adapting to AI in the Accounting Industry

(57:21) - Conclusion and Final Thoughts

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Connect with Blake Oliver
https://www.linkedin.com/in/blaketoliver
Connect with the Hosts on LinkedIn
Roger Harris
Annie Schwab

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This podcast is a production of Earmark Media

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

All content from this podcast by SmallBizPros, Inc. DBA PADGETT BUSINESS SERVICES is intended for informational purposes only.

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