Is private equity turning firms into a 'dumpster fire'? Blake and David unpack Accounting Today's survey showing partners are upbeat while staff are sour on PE. They hit Andersen's $176M IPO, why Big Four ties to Big Tech raise independence questions, and how AI could finally kill the billable hour. Plus, what tax pros really charge in 2025 - and the wild 'Middle Finger Ranch' fraud.

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• (00:56) - Private Equity in Accounting Firms

Show Notes

PE in accounting firms: From 'dumpster fire' to excitement

https://www.accountingtoday.com/news/pe-in-accounting-firms-from-dumpster-fire-to-excitement

Andersen Group Shares Gain 47% After $176 Million US IPO

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-12-17/andersen-group-shares-jump-34-after-176-million-us-ipo

Andersen goes public, hits $2.6B valuation

https://thefinancestory.com/andersen-group-ipo-2-6b-valuation

The Big Four consulting firms are embedded in Big Tech. Here's who audits each of the Magnificent 7 companies

https://www.businessinsider.com/big-four-accounting-audits-magnificent-seven-financial-records-2025-12

What do tax preparers charge? 

https://www.accountingtoday.com/news/what-do-tax-preparers-charge

How much do tax professionals charge in 2025? Insights from NATP's Fee Study

https://www.natptax.com/news-insights/blog/how-much-do-tax-professionals-charge-in-2025-insights-from-natp-s-fee-study/

U.S. economic growth surges in third quarter to 4.3%

https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2025/12/23/gdp-economy-consumer-spending/

The US economy expanded at the fastest pace in two years as wealthier Americans kept spending 

https://www.cnn.com/2025/12/23/economy/us-gdp-q3

Kansas accountant diverted family funds to fictitious 'Middle Finger Ranch'

https://kansasreflector.com/briefs/kansas-accountant-diverted-family-funds-to-fictitious-middle-finger-ranch/

Kansas Accountant, Who Created Fictitious 'Middle Finger Ranch' for Fraud Scheme, Sentenced to 4 Years in Jail

https://www.cpapracticeadvisor.com/2025/12/04/kansas-accountant-who-created-fictitious-middle-finger-ranch-for-fraud-scheme-sentenced-to-4-years/174381/

PCAOB to tighten budget in 2026 

https://www.accountingtoday.com/news/pcaob-to-tighten-budget-in-2026

PCAOB Approves 2026 Budget 

https://pcaobus.org/news-events/news-releases/news-release-detail/pcaob-approves-2026-budget

Accounting Firms Must Stop Charging for Time

https://cpatrendlines.com/2025/12/02/accounting-firms-must-stop-charging-for-time/

Dirty money gangster jailed over plot worth almost £12m

https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/dirty-money-gangster-jailed-over-36410033

PCAOB Sanctions CPA for Violations Related to Audit Evidence and Her Former Audit Firm for Quality Control Issues

https://pcaobus.org/news-events/news-releases/news-release-detail/pcaob-sanctions-cpa-for-violations-related-to-audit-evidence-and-her-former-audit-firm-for-quality-control-issues

Ahead of Tax Filing Season, Warren, King, 15 Senators Warn of Tax Filing Chaos After Trump Admin Attacks on IRS

https://www.warren.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/ahead-of-tax-filing-season-warren-king-15-senators-warn-of-tax-filing-chaos-after-trump-admin-attacks-on-irs

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