That stress-free accountant life?

Is accounting just a Zen retreat with spreadsheets? According to U.S. News, it’s one of the least stressful jobs. We’ll wait while you stop laughing.

Meanwhile, The Unique CPA podcast advocates for shaking up firm management while Canopy Practice Success Podcast tackles workplace bullying.

Plus, ever had a client forget to mention an IRS notice? We want to hear about it! (Just hit reply to this email.)

Keep reading for practical tips, juicy industry news and a little motivation to finally delegate that work piling up in your inbox.

How to pay $0 in taxes (legally... eventually): Henry Huie, CPA, breaks down the real math behind a real estate investor's dream of tax-free living. Spoiler alert: Self-employment taxes are still a thing.

Ten influential women shaping accounting in 2025: These powerhouse professionals are making waves in the industry, and yes, you should absolutely know their names.

Growth is great... until it isn't: Jake Demi gets real about the challenge of too much success in bookkeeping—because saying "no" is harder than it sounds.

Big 4 life, but make it aesthetic: Hope Dougherty's TikTok takes you inside the life of a Big 4 accountant in Boise—coffee, leather pants and stunning views included.

Maybe double-check your bookkeeper's work? Another former Louisiana school bookkeeper is arrested for (allegedly) making some very creative accounting moves.

Challenge norms, grow smarter

Traditional CPA firm growth often follows a predictable path. But what if breaking from convention is the smarter move? In a recent episode of The Unique CPA Podcast, host Randy Crabtree spoke to Logan Graf, owner of Graf Tax and founder of Counter, a community for accounting firm owners who want to build firms that blaze a new path. 

They discuss challenging the old-school grid mentality, advocating for smaller firm management, work-life balance and leveraging community support to solve industry-wide challenges.

Why this matters: The profession is changing, and firms that embrace new ways of working will attract top talent, grow smarter and avoid burnout. If you're still trying to do it all alone, it might be time to rethink your approach. (The Unique CPA Podcast)

Here's what gets your clients in hot water with the IRS

Nobody plans to run afoul of the IRS, but every year, taxpayers, maybe some of your clients, face unexpected tax issues—sometimes with serious financial and even legal consequences. 

Reem Khatib, partner at Tax Law Advocates, helps taxpayers navigate audits, penalties and other disputes, so she knows exactly where clients typically go wrong—and shares advice on how accountants can help their clients stay on the right side of the IRS and state tax authorities. –Janet Berry-Johnson

What are the most common tax issues that lead individuals and businesses into trouble with the IRS, and how can accountants and bookkeepers help their clients avoid them?

Some of the biggest problems I see for our clients include people not understanding the tax ramifications of retirement withdrawals. Many clients pull money out of their retirement accounts and don’t realize they should have taxes withheld. Advise your clients to withhold at least 20% from their disbursement.

The second thing is, self-employed clients not making estimated tax payments. These days, most tax pros have many more clients who get paid without having taxes withheld. Advise 1099 workers to put away at least 20% to 25% of their income for taxes.

And lastly, many of our clients have an out-of-the-ordinary income event, such as a home sale, stock sale or gambling/lottery winnings. Since this income isn’t typical, they forget to report it. Have conversations with clients to ensure you pick up all their income.

When handling tax audits or disputes, what best practices should accountants follow to protect their clients and achieve the best possible outcome?

For business owners, audits and disputes can cost tens of thousands of dollars. I always recommend encouraging clients to always maintain good records. Having good bookkeeping could be the difference between paying and saving. If the IRS finds a business owner didn’t keep good records, they’re an easy target and the auditor will likely look at other years not initially included in the audit.

Also—don't avoid notices. Taking immediate action and responding appropriately is crucial. So many business owners get in trouble with the IRS simply because they don’t respond promptly. Building trust with your client is important.

Encouraging your clients to tell you the good, the bad and the ugly. Knowing everything about their situation helps you determine the best resolution.

Edited for brevity and clarity.

Bullying at work? It's more common than you think

Toxic workplace culture isn't just in movies like Horrible Bosses and Office Space—it can be a real issue in accounting firms, and Brittany Malidore isn't afraid to talk about it. In this eye-opening podcast episode from the Canopy Practice Success Podcast, Malidore, the co-founder of Ledgerly Consulting, shares how a life-altering event led her to reevaluate workplace dynamics. The conversation digs into the hidden problem of bullying in the profession, how it affects staff and client relationships and why firm leaders need to step up.

Why this matters: A healthy work environment isn't just about perks and ping-pong tables. It's about fostering respect, accountability and a culture where people actually want to stay. Ignore these issues, and you risk burnout, high turnover and a serious hit to morale. (Canopy Practice Success Podcast)

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Where "accountant" ranks in this list of the top 15 low-stress jobs. Wut? (U.S. News)

• Independence debate: The AICPA wants your thoughts on whether private equity should have a seat at the CPA firm table.
• Buzzword burnout: Synergy? Paradigm shift? Let's circle back to why we keep using these overhyped buzzwords.
• Coke vs. IRS: Coca-Cola isn't just mixing flavors; it's mixing up tax strategies in a high-stakes appeal.
• IRS upgrade: The IRS just made it easier for businesses to manage taxes online.
• Missouri's $100M mess: A pricey new accounting system causes budget delays, proving tech upgrades aren't always seamless.

Are you leading? Or just keeping up? 

If your to-do list looks more like a giant game of Tetris (but with fewer wins), you're not alone. A recent Journal of Accountancy article tackles a hard truth: many firm leaders are so buried in client work and daily operations that they have no time left for, well, actual leadership.

The author discusses why firm owners and managers need to step back from the grind, delegate effectively and focus on strategy, culture and growth. Hint: Micromanaging tax returns isn't the key to long-term success.

Why this matters: Great firms don't happen by accident—they're built by leaders who make time to lead. If you're constantly drowning in emails and client work, it's time to delegate and focus on the big picture. (Journal of Accountancy)

The Net Gains is your one-stop shop for fresh, FREE accounting insights. You can reach the newsletter team at thenetgains@mynewsletter.co. We enjoy hearing from you.

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The Net Gains is curated and written by Janet Berry-Johnson and edited by Bianca Prieto.