In this 2023 wrap-up, Blake and David discuss an appeals court ruling that audit reports are so generic they are essentially useless to investors. They also explore the concept of "productivity theater" where employees pretend to be constantly working, even though it leads to disengagement and burnout. Continuing the theme, they contemplate why mandatory weekend work persists and share ideas on how firms can improve work-life balance. Rounding out the discussion, they offer up some career advice to accounting students on finding fulfilling roles and avoiding common traps such as extreme overwork. Sponsors LiveFlow - http://accountingpodcast.promo/liveflowZoho - http://accountingpodcast.promo/zohoEarmark - https://earmarkcpe.promo/EarmarkMediaKitChapters(00:21) - David will get an Earmark tattoo at 100,000 subscribers

(04:13) - Slack survey reveals forced overtime reduces productivity

(07:37) - Remote workers' surveillance

(10:17) - Mandatory Saturdays going away

(16:12) - What is keeping firms up at night?

(21:38) - What percentage of firms are filing tax extensions for their clients

(23:46) - A junior accounting student asks for some advice

(29:48) - Appeals court rules audit report is immaterial

(34:58) - SPACs accounted for at least 21 bankruptcies and $46 billion lost in 2023

(39:54) - The importance of finding and making your own work/life balance

(48:46) - Back to advice for younger accountants entering the profession

(57:45) - An accountant has a breakdown at the airport

(59:47) - Thanks for listening and remember to subscribe
 Show NotesTurning staff into workaholics makes them way less productive | FortuneBurned Investors Ask ‘Where Were the Auditors?’ A Court Says ‘Who Cares?’ - WSJAccounting in 2024: The year ahead in numbersFull PDF of study is here: https://www.accountingtoday.com/research-report/optimism-abounds-but-people-problems-persistSPAC companies accounted for at least 21 bankruptcies this year and a staggering $46 billion in lost investor value | FortuneNeed CPE?Get CPE for listening to podcasts with Earmark: https://earmarkcpe.comSubscribe to the Earmark Podcast: https://podcast.earmarkcpe.comGet in TouchThanks for listening and the great reviews! We appreciate you! Follow and tweet @BlakeTOliver and @DavidLeary. Find us on Facebook and Instagram. If you like what you hear, please do us a favor and write a review on Apple Podcasts or Podchaser. Call us and leave a voicemail; maybe we'll play it on the show. DIAL (202) 695-1040.SponsorshipsAre you interested in sponsoring the Cloud Accounting Podcast? For details, read the prospectus.Need Accounting Conference Info? Check out our new website - accountingconferences.comLimited edition shirts, stickers, and other necessitiesTeePublic Store: http://cloudacctpod.link/merchSubscribeApple Podcasts: http://cloudacctpod.link/ApplePodcastsYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheAccountingPodcastSpotify: http://cloudacctpod.link/SpotifyPodchaser: http://cloudacctpod.link/podchaserStitcher: http://cloudacctpod.link/StitcherOvercast: http://cloudacctpod.link/OvercastClassifiedsRoyalwise - https://learn.royalwise.com/Forwardly - https://www.forwardly.com/ClassifiedsWant to get the word out about your newsletter, webinar, party, Facebook group, podcast, e-book, job posting, or that fancy Excel macro you just created? Let the listeners of The Accounting Podcast know by running a classified ad. Go here to create your classified ad: https://cloudacctpod.link/RunClassifiedAdTranscriptsThe full transcript for this episode is available by clicking on the Transcript tab at the top of this page