The Exit Blueprint: Strategies to Maximize Value and Minimize Risk
AICPA Personal Financial Planning (PFP)
When 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...
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Portability Denied: The Compliance Misstep That Cost Millions with Bob Keebler
AICPA Personal Financial Planning (PFP)
What happens when one overlooked detail turns a thoughtful estate plan into a multi-million-dollar tax disaster? In this episode of the AICPA Personal Financial Planning Podcast, nationally recognized tax and estate planning expert Bob Keebler joins Cary Sinnett to unpack the cautionary tale of Roland v. Commissioner. Despite well-crafted trusts and modest estates, a simple misstep in making the portability election led to the loss of $3.7 million in estate tax exemption. The case underscores the reality that “substantial compliance is not enough” when filing Form 706—and the...
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A New Kind of Deduction: Advanced Planning Strategies for a Changed Tax Code
AICPA Personal Financial Planning (PFP)
Jeff Levine joins us to break down one of the most surprising features of the new tax law: a brand-new type of deduction that could significantly change the way we think about AGI thresholds, phaseouts, and entity planning. In this episode, we unpack how the latest changes in the tax code are opening up advanced strategies for clients, and where financial planners need to stay sharp to avoid stealth cliffs and missed opportunities. Key Topics Covered: The new above-the-line deduction and who can benefit Planning around AGI phaseouts and stealth tax cliffs Leveraging non-grantor trusts for...
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Future-Proof Your Firm: Attracting Gen Z to CPA Financial Planning
AICPA Personal Financial Planning (PFP)
The pipeline is aging—and the profession is feeling the pressure. But what if Gen Z isn’t just the next wave of talent, but the spark that transforms your practice? In this energizing episode, Cary Sinnett sits down with Sherron Permashwar, CPA and founder of The Modern Savvy CPA, to unpack why recruiting Gen Z isn’t just important—it’s essential. Sherron brings her insight as a 27-year CPA veteran with a digital-native following to explore: · What Gen Z really wants from a career in financial planning · How...
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Disaster-Proofing Your Clients' Finances: Lessons from the Front Lines
AICPA Personal Financial Planning (PFP)
When disaster strikes—wildfire, flood, earthquake—will your clients’ finances survive the storm? In this episode, host Cary Sinnett speaks with Mitch Freeman, CPA/PFS, a nationally recognized advisor with firsthand experience navigating the financial aftermath of natural disasters. Mitch shares practical insights on: · Proactive steps to prepare clients financially for disasters · Insurance challenges in high-risk areas · How private adjusters can ease post-disaster stress ...
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BBB Crossover Special: How the New Tax Law Changes Everything for Your Clients
AICPA Personal Financial Planning (PFP)
The One Big Beautiful Bill Act is no longer a proposal, it’s the law. That means CPA financial planners must shift gears fast. In this special crossover episode of the AICPA Personal Financial Planning Podcast and the AICPA Tax Odyssey Podcast, host Cary Sinnett is joined by nationally recognized experts Bob Keebler and Mark Gallegos to break down what the new law really means for your clients and your planning strategies. From the permanent TCJA tax brackets and QBI deduction to enhanced SALT caps, PTET elections, and new income exclusions for tips and overtime, this episode delivers...
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Latest tax proposals: Real-time tax and financial planning conversations
AICPA Personal Financial Planning (PFP)
In this special crossover episode between the AICPA’s Tax Section Odyssey and PFP Section podcasts, April Walker is joined by Bob Keebler and Mark Gallegos to break down the fast-moving tax legislation landscape. They walk through key provisions in both the House’s “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” and the Senate’s proposal, sharing what matters most for client conversations right now. Topics include: Timing and reconciliation process in Congress Section 199A and SALT cap updates PTET deduction differences and planning impact Section 174 R&D expensing changes Bonus depreciation and...
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Turning Panic into Trust with Dr. Lurtz
AICPA Personal Financial Planning (PFP)
When markets are volatile, your clients look to you for clarity—but before they can truly hear your technical advice, they may need something deeper: to feel emotionally steady and heard. In this episode, Dr. Meghaan Lurtz, behavioral scientist and partner at Shaping Wealth, joins host Cary Sinnett to explore the power of a question-led approach for CPA financial planners. You’ll learn how leading with well-timed questions—not immediate answers—can reduce client panic, build trust, and actually enhance the effectiveness of your financial guidance. 💡 Key Takeaways for CPA Financial...
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Volatile Markets, Smart Estates: Keebler’s Top Tax Plays
AICPA Personal Financial Planning (PFP)
When the markets swing, smart estate planning can make or break your client’s legacy. In this episode, Bob Keebler, CPA/PFS, joins Cary Sinnett to reveal the overlooked tax moves CPA financial planners need to know—from the strategic use of the Alternate Valuation Date (AVD) to avoiding costly missteps with the Kenan Doctrine. Learn how the 645 election can shift tax treatment in your favor, why timing and valuation matter more than ever, and how to deliver sharp planning with empathy during emotional times. If you advise estates in a volatile market, these insights could reshape your...
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How to Talk to Your Kids About Your Estate Plan
AICPA Personal Financial Planning (PFP)
As CPA financial planners, we often encounter a painful reality: adult children who are surprised, or even hurt, by their parents’ estate plans—after it’s too late for discussion. In this episode, Cary Sinnett speaks with Kelley Long, a respected fee-only financial wellness coach and former bank trust officer, about how proactive communication can help families preserve relationships and honor intentions. Kelley offers practical, thoughtful strategies for advisors to help clients initiate and navigate these conversations. Topics include: The ideal timing for involving heirs in estate...
info_outlineIn this episode of the AICPA Personal Financial Planning Podcast, host Cary Sinnett welcomes Dr. Ross Riskin, Chief Learning Officer at the Investments & Wealth Institute and author of Guide to Education Planning. They dive deep into education planning strategies, including the benefits and complexities of tools like 529 plans, the importance of multi-generational funding conversations, and how to align education savings with broader financial goals.
Here are five key takeaways from the conversation between Cary Sinnett and Dr. Ross Riskin:
- The Value of Education Planning
- Education planning remains highly valuable as it bridges generations, connects with next-gen clients, and addresses a significant knowledge gap among financial advisors. It also integrates with broader legacy and wealth transfer strategies.
- Importance of Multi-Savings Vehicles
- Financial planning for education isn't "one size fits all." Utilizing a combination of tools like 529 plans, brokerage accounts, and Coverdell accounts helps optimize funding, flexibility, and tax efficiency based on client priorities and state-specific tax benefits.
- Proactive Conversations Across Generations
- Successful advisors include grandparents, parents, and even extended family in funding discussions early on. Understanding their contributions and intentions (e.g., lump sums vs. future pledges) is critical for accurate projections and family alignment.
- Strategies for Leftover 529 Plan Funds
- Excess funds can be strategically used by transferring beneficiaries, repaying student loans (up to $10,000 per person), or rolling into Roth IRAs for beneficiaries to support retirement planning.
- Financial Aid and Investment Oversight
- Advisors must understand financial aid policies, tax considerations, and investment flexibility within 529 plans, especially during distribution years. Monitoring allocations ensures funds are managed efficiently to preserve capital in high-interest environments.
Show Notes: Conclusion
Dr. Ross Riskin reminds us that effective education planning requires proactive conversations, personalized strategies, and leveraging tools like 529 plans for tax efficiency, legacy planning, and beyond. For more resources:
- Explore the AICPA PFP Section: aicpa.org/pfp.
- Get your copy of Guide to Education Planning to build your expertise.
Thank you for listening! Don’t forget to follow the podcast for future episodes featuring expert insights on tax, estate, investment, and financial planning.