Podcast
AICPA Personal Financial Planning (PFP)
Hosted by AICPA & CIMA · EN
Welcome to the AICPA Personal Financial Planning Section podcast. Follow us to receive unlimited access to free podcasts from nationally known experts on topics such as retirement, estate, tax, investment planning, and more.
Visit us online at aicpa-cima.com/pfp to join our community and gain access to valuable member-only benefits.
38episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Smart Planning with AI: Real-World Strategies with Chris Benson
Nov 1400:22:21Summary readyArtificial intelligence is transforming how CPA financial planners approach research, analysis, and communication. In this episode, Chris Benson shares how he moved from curiosity to confident integration of AI in his daily practice. He explains how AI helps him generate first drafts of client communication, brainstorm planning strategies, and reduce research time from hours to minutes. Chris also provides a balanced perspective on data privacy, compliance risks, and how planners should evaluate new tools without getting distracted by every new release. Whether you are just beginning to explore AI or already incorporating it into your workflows, Chris's insights will help you find practical, responsible ways to harness the power of AI in your practice. Topics Covered How to begin experimenting with AI as a CPA financial planner The role of AI as a research assistant, communication partner, and brainstorming tool Time-saving examples from client questions, financial modeling, and planning scenarios Risks related to privacy, cybersecurity, and client impersonation Cautious evaluation of emerging AI tools and what to look for in early demos A realistic forecast for how AI may be embedded in future tax and planning software AICPA Resources: Upcoming webcast: AI & Technology updates for PFP Resources: AI Tax Resource Center Empowering tax professionals with AI Leveraging Generative AI Business in the age of AI Getting started with generative AI/ChatGPT This episode is brought to you by the AICPA's Personal Financial Planning Section, the premier provider of information, tools, advocacy, and guidance for professionals who specialize in providing tax, estate, retirement, risk management and investment planning advice. Also, by the CPA/PFS credential program, which allows CPAs to demonstrate competence and confidence in providing these services to their clients. Visit us online to join our community, gain access to valuable member-only benefits or learn about our PFP certificate program. Subscribe to the PFP Podcast channel at Libsyn to find all the latest episodes or search "AICPA Personal Financial Planning" on your favorite podcast app.
SummaryHow CPAs Are Shaping the Future of Financial Planning with Jimmy Williams
Oct 3100:24:32Summary readyJimmy Williams, CPA/PFS, shares how the role of the CPA is evolving from compliance technician to holistic financial planner. In this episode, Jimmy and host Cary Sinnett explore how trust, technical excellence, and human connection are converging in a new era of planning, and why CPAs are uniquely positioned to lead it. · Learn how CPAs can step into their fullest potential as advisors. · Hear about the added value to your clients and to your practice. · Discover what's driving this shift—and what's holding some back. · Gain insight into delivering deeper value through personal connection. · Explore the future of the profession and how you can be part of it. AICPA Resources: Article: Member perspectives: Get support with the PFP Section Article: Raising awareness of the importance of PFP through the CPA Exam Video: Use your client's tax return to provide valuable financial advice Upcoming event: Rise2040: Shaping the Future of Finance and Accounting Article: Sid Kess on the History and Future of CPAs in Financial Planning Article: Get to know your community & learn from each other in this series This episode is brought to you by the AICPA's Personal Financial Planning Section, the premier provider of information, tools, advocacy, and guidance for professionals who specialize in providing tax, estate, retirement, risk management and investment planning advice. Also, by the CPA/PFS credential program, which allows CPAs to demonstrate competence and confidence in providing these services to their clients. Visit us online to join our community, gain access to valuable member-only benefits or learn about our PFP certificate program. Subscribe to the PFP Podcast channel at Libsyn to find all the latest episodes or search "AICPA Personal Financial Planning" on your favorite podcast app.
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Deadlines, Deductions & Decisions: Year-End Planning for the New Tax Era with Bob Keebler
Oct 1700:22:52Summary readyBob Keebler joins Cary Sinnett to unpack why this year-end is anything but routine. With shifting tax thresholds and surprise penalties lurking under the surface, every decision matters more than ever. This rapid-fire episode arms CPA financial planners with critical year-end strategies, from Roth conversions to trust distribution traps. Don’t miss your chance to finish strong and plan ahead with confidence. AICPA Resources: Article: Tax code changes: What H.R. 1 means for you and your clients Article: Tax Trifecta Trust after H.R. 1, known as the One Big Beautiful Bill Act Chart: PFP Tax Bracket Management Chart This episode is brought to you by the AICPA’s Personal Financial Planning Section, the premier provider of information, tools, advocacy, and guidance for professionals who specialize in providing tax, estate, retirement, risk management and investment planning advice. Also, by the CPA/PFS credential program, which allows CPAs to demonstrate competence and confidence in providing these services to their clients. Visit us online to join our community, gain access to valuable member-only benefits or learn about our PFP certificate program. Subscribe to the PFP Podcast channel at Libsyn to find all the latest episodes or search “AICPA Personal Financial Planning” on your favorite podcast app.
SummaryWealth, Meaning and the Future of Advice with Dr. Brian Portnoy
Oct 300:25:40Summary readyBuilding wealth is one thing. Defining what wealth means is another. In this episode, Cary Sinnett sits down with Dr. Brian Portnoy, one of the world’s leading experts on the psychology of money, to explore why the future of financial advice isn’t just about technical expertise — it’s about emotional intelligence, perspective, and purpose. Brian unpacks his powerful concept of “funded contentment” — the idea that true wealth is the ability to live a meaningful life, not just grow a bigger balance sheet. He shares practical ways advisors can help clients escape the hedonic treadmill, have deeper conversations about what matters, and reframe financial planning around purpose before numbers. They also dive into how AI and technological disruption are reshaping the advisor’s role, pushing EQ skills like empathy, self-awareness, and connection to the forefront of practice. As the financial landscape evolves, the ability to understand and guide clients as humans, not just portfolios, is becoming a defining skill. Key Topics Covered The difference between being rich and being truly wealthy How to help clients define their future selves and avoid future regrets Why financial conversations should start with meaning, not money The advisor’s evolving role from mechanic to guide Why EQ is becoming an essential advantage in the age of AI AICPA Resources: PFP Podcast: How emotions affect financial decisions PFP Learning: Emotional Intelligence PFP Learning: MBAexpress: Emotional Intelligence PFP Podcast: Turning Panic into Trust with Dr. Lurtz
SummaryBuilding Financial Capability Across Generations
Sep 1900:28:06Summary readyWhen families look to CPA financial planners, they’re often asking more than just tax or investment questions. They want to know: Will my kids be ready when it’s their turn to inherit? In this episode, Cary Sinnett welcomes Mindy Kalinowski Earley, consultant to ultra-high-net-worth families and Chief Learning Officer at Family Office Exchange. With two decades of experience at the intersection of family dynamics and education, Mindy challenges planners to move beyond balance sheets and into legacy stewardship. Together, they explore: · Why preparing heirs is about purpose, values, and emotional intelligence—not just financial literacy. · How advisors can help design learning experiences that build resilience, trust, and stewardship across generations. · The hidden lessons families pass down through behavior and how advisors can help surface values more intentionally. · Practical ways to start the conversation about rising-generation education with clients. For CPA financial planners, this conversation offers insight into one of the most complex and rewarding areas of planning: ensuring that wealth transitions are not just tax efficient, but truly human-centered. Resources: Podcast: How to talk to your kids about your estate plan Podcast: Guiding families in their philanthropic endeavors Article: Talking to your kids about money Video: Financial independence: Rethinking retirement Video: Discover how to hae impactful legacy conversations This episode is brought to you by the AICPA’s Personal Financial Planning Section, the premier provider of information, tools, advocacy, and guidance for professionals who specialize in providing tax, estate, retirement, risk management and investment planning advice. Also, by the CPA/PFS credential program, which allows CPAs to demonstrate competence and confidence in providing these services to their clients. Visit us online to join our community, gain access to valuable member-only benefits or learn about our PFP certificate program. Subscribe to the PFP Podcast channel at Libsyn to find all the latest episodes or search “AICPA Personal Financial Planning” on your favorite podcast app.
SummaryThe Exit Blueprint: Strategies to Maximize Value and Minimize Risk
Sep 500:30:50Summary readyWhen business owners skip exit planning, the fallout can be brutal; value lost, families divided, legacies diminished. But with the right strategy, an exit isn’t chaos, it’s a launchpad: valuations climb, transitions smooth out, and owners step confidently into their next chapter. In this episode of the AICPA Personal Financial Planning Podcast, host Cary Sinnett welcomes Daniel D. Meiklejohn, JD, CPA, PFS. With his rare combination of legal, tax, and financial planning expertise, Daniel helps business owners turn exits from reactive scrambles into deliberate successes, covering everything from succession and valuation to wealth transfer and legacy planning. Listeners will learn: · The #1 risks owners overlook before selling · Why building the right advisory team changes the outcome · How early planning boosts valuations (and reduces stress) · Where CPA financial planners fit into the exit conversation · Practical ways to help clients start planning today This episode is a must-listen for CPA financial planners who work with business owners—or anyone who wants to sharpen their edge in succession and legacy planning. AICPA Resources: https://www.aicpa-cima.com/cpe-learning/webcast/business-exit-planning https://pfplanning.libsyn.com/business-exit-transitions-for-cpa-financial-planners https://www.aicpa-cima.com/professional-insights/article/pcps-succession-planning-survey
SummaryEstate Planning & Portability {PFP Section}
Feb 7, 2025Summary readyIn this episode of the AICPA Personal Financial Planning Podcast, Cary Sinnett welcomes Bob Keebler, a nationally recognized expert in estate and tax planning. Together, they break down the critical topic of portability in estate planning—what it is, how it works, and why it matters for both financial planners and clients. Key Insights: Portability: Use It or Lose It – If you don't elect portability within the required time frame, the deceased spouse’s unused estate tax exemption is lost forever. Deadlines Matter – The DSUE must be filed within 9 months of death, but an extension up to 15 months is possible. For smaller estates, a late portability election may be available for up to 5 years. Bypass Trust vs. Portability – While portability can double a surviving spouse’s exemption, a bypass trust protects future growth from estate taxes. The right choice depends on long-term tax projections. Estate Planning in 2025 & Beyond – The current $14 million exemption per person is set to sunset in 2026, potentially dropping to $7 million. Planners must prepare clients accordingly. CPAs Must Be Proactive – Even if a CPA isn’t directly engaged for estate tax returns, they should ask key questions about a client’s estate plan, especially if the surviving spouse's assets could exceed the future exemption limit. Resources & Links: AICPA PFP Section Email us your feedback Related video and slides: Estate planning deep dive (exclusive to PFP Section members)
SummaryAdvancing CPA Financial Planning: Insights from Leaders Brooke Salvini and Oscar Vives {PFP Section}
Jan 29, 2025Summary readyWelcome to the AICPA Personal Financial Planning Podcast, hosted by Cary Sinnett. In this episode, Cary is joined by Brooke Salvini, Chair of the Personal Financial Planning (PFP) Executive Committee, and Oscar Vives, Chair of the PFS Credential Committee. Together, they dive into pivotal advancements in CPA financial planning, including the integration of Personal Financial Planning into the CPA exam, updates to PFP standards, and the evolving role of technology and artificial intelligence in the profession. Key Discussion Points: Introduction and Guest Backgrounds Brooke shares her tenure as Chair of the PFP Executive Committee and the dynamic changes during her leadership. Oscar highlights his leadership role in the PFS Credential Committee and his experience in financial planning since 2007. Major Milestones in 2024 Launch of the new CPA exam featuring Personal Financial Planning topics. Simplified pathways for earning the PFS credential, including express routes for experienced professionals. Outlook for 2025 and Beyond The impact of rapidly advancing technology and artificial intelligence in financial planning. Updated roadmaps to help CPAs incorporate financial planning into their services, regardless of their current practice model. Enhancements to PFP standards to keep pace with the evolving profession. Personal Financial Planning Engagements Redefining financial planning to include services such as retirement planning, tax strategies, and business structure advice. Addressing misconceptions about investment management as a barrier to financial planning. Exciting Developments for CPA Financial Planners The upcoming PFP Advanced Conference, returning in January 2026, blending the best of previous summits and conferences. Resources available at AICPA.org/PFP, including standards, templates, and the updated PFP roadmap for 2025. Resources Mentioned: Visit aicpa.org/PFP for tools, resources, and updates. Understanding and applying the statement on standards in PFP services SSPFPS Pre-Engagement Checklist Explore the pathways to earn the PFS designation. PFS Credential PFS Infographic PFP/PFS infographic Review the tax and planning calendar for quarterly service opportunities. Digging Deeper with your clients
SummaryDeeper CPA Financial Planner Connections, Lyle Benson {PFP Section}
Jan 28, 2025Summary readyLyle Benson and his guests discuss how the upcoming AICPA Personal Financial Planning (PFP) Summit scheduled for January 2025 in Charlotte, North Carolina promotes the importance of networking and deepening our peer relationships. This 9th annual PFP Summit is an example of how connecting with other leaders through deep discussions on mutually beneficial topics can benefit both individuals and the CPA financial planning profession. Lyle’s conversation with guests includes these topics (and more) and how PFP Summit addresses them: Finding an environment where professionals can engage deeply with a blending expert presentations with participant discussions. Combining both larger interactive group discussions with informal and smaller gatherings that together can solidify long-term professional relationships. Prioritizing the on-going development of community that builds on the initial “study group on steroids,” experience and extends during the year with other formal and informal activities, such as the PFP Summit Presents virtual follow-up meetings. Carving out time to address broader themes providing challenges and opportunities in financial planning, such as leadership, succession planning, and emerging issues like artificial intelligence. The podcast highlights the PFP Summit’s unique approach to professional development and community building; looking forward to the new opportunities the 2025 event will offer. Access resources related to this podcast: Note: If you’re using a podcast app that does not hyperlink to the resources, visit Libsyn (PFP) to access show notes with direct links. Listen to other episodes in the Deeper CPA Financial Planner Connections podcast series. Register for the 2025 PFP Summit to be held in Charlotte, NC on January 26-29, 2025, with a current early bird registration discount. Attendance is limited to 120 people to encourage networking and interaction. This episode is brought to you by the AICPA’s Personal Financial Planning Section, the premier provider of information, tools, advocacy, and guidance for professionals who specialize in providing tax, estate, retirement, risk management and investment planning advice. Also, by the CPA/PFS credential program, which allows CPAs to demonstrate competence and confidence in providing these services to their clients. Visit us online to join our community, gain access to valuable member-only benefits or learn about our PFP certificate program. Subscribe to the PFP Podcast channel at Libsyn to find all the latest episodes or search “AICPA Personal Financial Planning” on your favorite podcast app.
SummaryDigging Deeper with your Clients, Part 3 of 3 | {PFP Section}
Jan 28, 2025Summary readyIn this final installment of Debra Taylor’s Digging Deeper series, she focuses on tax planning. After reviewing the importance of a structured service calendar and proactive client communication, she outlines five essential steps for effective tax planning and highlights 20 key tax planning strategies. This is an approach to broaden your tax planning to addressing the financial planning needs of your clients. Debra answers questions like these in the podcast: What are the five essential steps for effective tax planning? How can financial advisors use diagnostic software in tax planning? What are some key strategies for tax planning that advisors should consider? How can comprehensive tax planning benefit clients financially? Many of the PFP Section resources provide ideas on topics that can be discussed throughout the year including: Debra Taylor’s video archive Planning for Clients with $1-15M in Net Worth Debra Taylor’s previous podcasts Digging Deeper with your Clients, Part 1 and Part 2 Analysis of a Tax Return for Financial Planning Opportunities The Personal Finance Scorecard is a great tool to get feedback from your clients on what is really important and can guide your conversations throughout the year This episode is brought to you by the AICPA’s Personal Financial Planning Section, the premier provider of information, tools, advocacy, and guidance for professionals who specialize in providing tax, estate, retirement, risk management and investment planning advice. Also, by the CPA/PFS credential program, which allows CPAs to demonstrate competence and confidence in providing these services to their clients. Visit us online to join our community, gain access to valuable member-only benefits or learn about our PFP certificate program. Subscribe to the PFP Podcast channel at Libsyn to find all the latest episodes or search “AICPA Personal Financial Planning” on your favorite podcast app.
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