The FICPA's "The Practitioner's Edge" delivers practical insights for CPAs and professionals in small firms. Each episode explores strategies, trends and real-world solutions to help you run a stronger practice, serve clients better and stay ahead in a changing profession.

This month, we're joined by Eric Cohen, CEO and founder of Merchant Advocate, to explore how payment processing reviews can become a powerful value-added service for accounting firms. Cohen explains why credit card processing fees are often one of a business's largest—and least understood—expenses, revealing how hidden rate increases and complex fee structures can quietly erode profitability. He shares practical strategies for helping clients uncover savings without changing providers, while positioning your firm as a trusted advisor that proactively protects clients' bottom lines. From navigating evolving payment regulations to monitoring ongoing fee increases, Cohen demonstrates how this often-overlooked service can strengthen client relationships and create lasting value.   

"If you do the right thing, your business will grow naturally."

Eric Cohen | LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eric-cohen-merchantadvocate/

https://vimeo.com/1215009645?share=copy&fl=sv&fe=ci

https://www.currentfederaltaxdevelopments.com/podcasts/2026/8/2/2026-08-03-on-again-off-again-on-again-plr

This week we look at:

This week we look at:

https://vimeo.com/1211218820?share=copy&fl=sv&fe=ci

https://www.currentfederaltaxdevelopments.com/podcasts/2026/7/19/2026-07-20-irs-expands-business-tax-accounts

This week we look at:

https://www.currentfederaltaxdevelopments.com/podcasts/2026/7/12/2026-07-13-a-week-of-final-regulations

This week we look at:

The FICPA's The Practitioner’s Edge delivers practical insights for CPAs and professionals in small firms. Each episode explores strategies, trends and real-world solutions to help you run a stronger practice, serve clients better and stay ahead in a changing profession. 

This month, we're joined by Dan Giddings, Account Executive with Blue J, to explore how AI is transforming tax research for accounting firms. Giddings explains why purpose-built AI tools offer a more secure and reliable alternative to general AI platforms by providing answers backed exclusively by trusted tax authorities, including IRS guidance, regulations, case law and state-specific resources. He also discusses how firms can use AI to streamline research, draft client communications, analyze tax returns and uncover proactive planning opportunities, all while maintaining data security and client confidentiality. 

The conversation also highlights how firms of all sizes can empower every team member, from junior staff to partners, with AI tools that reduce research time, improve consistency and create more capacity for higher-value advisory services. Giddings emphasizes that successful firms are not replacing professional judgment with AI. Instead, they are using it to enhance accuracy, improve efficiency and deliver better client outcomes. 

"AI should help firms create capacity, not replace professional judgment. The goal is to free your team to deliver better advice and better client service." 

Dan Giddings, Account Executive, Blue J, LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dan-giddings/ 

FICPA Members: Discover additional tools and resources in the FICPA Small Firm Suite at Small Firm Suite - Florida Institute of CPAs.

https://vimeo.com/1207214382?share=copy&fl=sv&fe=ci

https://www.currentfederaltaxdevelopments.com/podcasts/2026/7/5/2026-07-06-erc-cases-galore-week

This week we look at:

https://vimeo.com/1205155437?share=copy&fl=sv&fe=ci

https://www.currentfederaltaxdevelopments.com/podcasts/2026/6/28/2026-06-29-opr-releases-guidance-on-use-of-generative-ai

This week we look at;

https://vimeo.com/1202910896?share=copy&fl=sv&fe=ci

https://www.currentfederaltaxdevelopments.com/podcasts/2026/6/12/2026-06-15-trusts-and-the-new-section-68

This week we look at:

https://vimeo.com/1200899324?share=copy&fl=sv&fe=ci

https://www.currentfederaltaxdevelopments.com/podcasts/2026/6/12/2026-06-15-trusts-and-the-new-section-68

This week we look at: