Deloitte Caught Making AI Workslop, IRS Shutdown Continues

Could an AI catch what auditors and a CFO missed? This week, Blake and David unpack how a founder used Claude to scan QuickBooks and uncover a $2.1M embezzlement in 18 minutes. They also tackle Deloitte’s AI ‘workslop’ refund, shutdown-driven IRS and air travel woes, the IRS’s new “CEO” and crypto ties, OpenAI’s personal finance play, EY’s audit rebound, BDO’s ESOP squeeze, and crypto funds courting CPA clients.SponsorsCloud Accountant Staffing - http://accountingpodcast.promo/cas Rippling - http://accountingpodcast.promo/ripplingAssembly - http://accountingpodcast.promo/assemblyChapters(01:35) - Deloitte's AI Report Scandal (09:05) - Government Shutdown Impact on IRS and Air Travel (23:56) - AI in Accounting: Risks and Opportunities (34:49) - Competing with the Status Quo (35:38) - Pricing Bookkeeping Services (36:31) - Standardizing Services Based on Price (37:14) - Client Needs vs. Service Offerings (38:00) - The Monthly Close Obsession (40:01) - Broken Charts in Financial Reports (43:15) - Cracker Barrel Logo Controversy (47:08) - EY's Audit Quality Turnaround (49:53) - Crypto Investment Schemes (55:48) - BDO's Financial Struggles (01:00:34) - Conclusion and Announcements Show NotesDeloitte to partially refund Australia for report with apparent AI-generated errors https://abcnews.go.com/Technology/wireStory/deloitte-partially-refund-australian-government-report-apparent-ai-126281611Claude Exposed My Co-Founder's $2M Theft — AI Evidence Turned Into Lawsuit https://techbullion.com/claude-exposed-my-co-founders-2m-theft-ai-evidence-turned-into-lawsuit/New Research: 20% of Americans use AI tools 10X+/month, but growth is slowing and traditional search hasn't dippedhttps://sparktoro.com/blog/new-research-20-of-americans-use-ai-tools-10x-month-but-growth-is-slowing-and-traditional-search-hasnt-dipped/The Danger of Bad Charts https://www.cpajournal.com/2025/10/10/the-danger-of-bad-charts-2/Cracker Barrel's logo controversy was driven by bots https://www.nrn.com/casual-dining/cracker-barrel-s-logo-controversy-was-driven-by-bots-what-operators-should-learn-from-thisOur commitment to audit quality — Ernst & Young LLP's 2025 report https://www.ey.com/en_us/assurance/audit-quality-reportEY drops clients to improve audits after leading Big Four in deficiencies https://www.cfobrew.com/stories/2024/08/27/ey-drops-clients-to-improve-audits-after-leading-big-four-in-deficienciesOpenAI Buys Personal Finance App Roi https://www.pymnts.com/acquisitions/2025/openai-buys-personal-finance-app-roi/With its latest acqui-hire, OpenAI is doubling down on personalized consumer AI https://techcrunch.com/2025/10/03/with-its-latest-acqui-hire-openai-is-doubling-down-on-personalized-consumer-ai/BDO USA Expands Professional Services Capabilities Through HORNE https://www.bdo.com/insights/press-releases/bdo-usa-expands-professional-services-capabilities-through-horneAuditor BDO Cuts Jobs With Focus on Managing Apollo Debt https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-10-11/auditor-bdo-cuts-jobs-with-focus-on-managing-apollo-debtNeed CPE?Get CPE for listening to podcasts with Earmark: https://earmarkcpe.comSubscribe to the Earmark Podcast: https://podcast.earmarkcpe.comGet in TouchThanks 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 [phone].SponsorshipsAre you interested in sponsoring The Accounting Podcast? For details, read the prospectus.Need Accounting Conference Info? Check out our new website - accountingconferences.comLimited edition shirts, stickers, and other necessitiesTeePublic Store: http://cloudacctpod.link/merchSubscribeApple Podcasts: http://cloudacctpod.link/ApplePodcastsYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheAccountingPodcastSpotify: http://cloudacctpod.link/SpotifyPodchaser: http://cloudacctpod.link/podchaserStitcher: http://cloudacctpod.link/StitcherOvercast: http://cloudacctpod.link/OvercastClassifiedsCollective by DBA - https://collective.cpa/ 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/RunClassifiedAdTranscriptsThe ...