What CBIZ Means for PE, Starbucks Kills Off AI Inventory Counting

Is private equity betting on the wrong accounting firms? Blake and David break down CBIZ’s stock slide, why investors may be losing faith in the traditional firm model, and how AI could help smaller firms compete far above their size. They also cover Starbucks ditching AI inventory counts, Microsoft reining in AI tool costs, and what all of it means for accountants navigating automation, pricing, and the future of firm growth.SponsorsCanopy - http://accountingpodcast.promo/canopyOnPay - http://accountingpodcast.promo/onpayC&R Consulting - http://accountingpodcast.promo/cnrMaxima.AI - http://accountingpodcast.promo/maximaChapters(00:00) - TAP 490 (02:53) - CBIZ Stock Slide (06:13) - AI Threat to Firm Models (11:32) - EisnerAmper Anti AI Take (15:42) - Livestream Shoutouts (16:13) - New England CPA Society Merge (20:42) - Starbucks Kills AI Inventory (23:34) - NASBA Exam Data Mess (26:34) - Phoenix Call Center Jobs and AI (28:36) - Will AI Really Kill Jobs (31:09) - Spreadsheets Then AI Now (33:07) - Automation Enables CFO Services (35:08) - Microsoft AI Token Shock (36:31) - Managing Token Spend (39:27) - AI Architect Role (43:36) - Trump IRS Settlement Reopened (45:04) - Beneficial Ownership Bill (45:52) - Newsom 100% Tax Threat (46:57) - KPMG Australia Whistleblower (49:35) - Xero Force No Code Agents (54:03) - Xero Earnings Melio Impact (59:03) - Vibe Coding Real Examples (01:02:35) - Wrap Up Earmark CPE  Show NotesWhat Can We Learn from CBIZ?https://www.accountingtoday.com/opinion/what-can-we-learn-from-cbizEisnerAmper on Accounting for AIhttps://www.privatefundscfo.com/eisneramper-on-accounting-for-ai/State Societies Merge to Form New England Society of CPAshttps://www.accountingtoday.com/news/state-societies-merge-to-form-new-england-society-of-cpasStarbucks Kills Off Its Automated Counting AI Tool After Just 9 Monthshttps://www.goingconcern.com/starbucks-kills-off-its-automated-counting-ai-tool-after-just-9-months-because-it-sucked-at-counting/NASBA's CPA Exam Reporting Problems Are Improving, But Not Solvedhttps://www.accountingtoday.com/opinion/nasbas-cpa-exam-reporting-problems-are-improving-but-not-solvedPhoenix Built an Empire of Cubicle Jobs. AI Is Coming to Tear It Down.https://www.wsj.com/economy/jobs/phoenix-jobs-ai-call-centers-1ca1c3b3Why the A.I. Job Apocalypse (Probably) Won't Happenhttps://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/03/opinion/ai-jobs-unemployment.htmlMicrosoft Cut Its Engineers Off from AI Because the Bill Got Too Bighttps://fortune.com/2026/05/22/microsoft-ai-cost-problem-tokens-agents/Does Your Firm Need an AI Architect?https://www.accountingtoday.com/opinion/does-your-firm-need-an-ai-architectJudge Reopens Trump's $10 Billion IRS Lawsuithttps://www.notus.org/donald-trump/trump-irs-suit-investigate-collusionNewsom Vows California Will Impose 100% Tax on Trump's Anti-Weaponization Fundhttps://abc7.com/post/newsom-vows-california-will-impose-100-tax-trumps-18-billion-anti-weaponization-fund/19188298/AICPA Backs Bill Limiting Beneficial Ownership Reportinghttps://www.accounti