Ramp Wants to Be the Federal Spend Card, Interview with Mark Koziel

Could you spend years earning your CPA license only to be told you can't use it? In this episode, Mark Koziel, president of the AICPA, joins Blake and David to discuss the shocking trend of firms prohibiting CPAs from identifying themselves as such in emails, on business cards, and even on LinkedIn. Blake and David also explore the economic uncertainty created by Trump's tariff policies, with major corporations cutting costs and delaying investments. Plus, learn about Republican plans to eliminate the PCAOB, the wave of states creating alternative CPA pathways, and why Ramp could become the federal government's spend management platform.

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Chapters

• (01:13) - Top News Stories of the Week
• (04:18) - Ramp's Ambitious Federal Government Plans
• (14:04) - Republican Plans to Scrap PCAOB
• (17:56) - Impact of Tariffs on Major Corporations
• (28:45) - IRS Leadership Changes
• (32:31) - Private Equity's New Accounting Firm
• (36:03) - CPA Pipeline Updates: Tennessee, Texas, and Indiana
• (37:46) - Republicans and the Millionaire Tax Idea
• (40:20) - Interview with Mark Koziel: CPA Title Controversy
• (01:06:36) - Fun Facts: The Cost of Replacing the Pope
• (01:08:43) - Earn Free CPE on Earmark

 

Show Notes

Trump Team Eyes Politically Connected Startup to Overhaul $700 Billion Government Payments Program

https://www.propublica.org/article/trump-peter-thiel-ramp-gsa-smartpay-expense-payment-system

 

Big 4 Alum Start Their Own Thing Hoping Clients Want Something Different and Conflict-Free

https://www.goingconcern.com/big-4-alum-start-their-own-thing-hoping-clients-want-something-different-and-conflict-free/

 

Texas passes CPA law as push to lower licensure barrier gains steam

https://www.cfodive.com/news/broadening-cpa-licensure-paths-marching-beyond-150-hour-rule-accounting-talent-shortage/745282/

 

Draft bill would eliminate PCAOB

https://www.accountingtoday.com/news/draft-bill-would-eliminate-pcaob-empower-sec

 

Why The IRS Went Through 4 Acting Commissioners In 3 Months

https://abovethelaw.com/2025/04/why-the-irs-went-through-4-acting-commissioners-in-3-months/

 

'Hard no': Millionaire tax hike proposal has House Republicans divided

https://www.foxnews.com/politics/hard-no-millionaire-tax-hike-proposal-has-house-republicans-divided

 

Tariffs and global trade: The economic impact on business

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