About

Hi, I'm Blake

I'm a CPA. I used to audit companies at EY, one of the Big Four accounting firms, and then I worked as an accounting manager. Now I make videos that check the math behind stock headlines, for people who follow the market after work.

Why I do this

As an auditor, my job was to take a company's numbers and ask, "does this actually hold up?" That's the same question I ask in every video, just about stocks instead of clients.

I also worked in accounting at a solar company that went bankrupt. Watching a business run out of cash from the inside is a big reason I care so much about cash runway and dilution when I look at a stock.

And before any of that, I worked at In-N-Out. I've been on a lot of sides of the counter.

I started the 9to5investing YouTube channel in 2020, and I live in Texas.

How I work

Every number gets a source and a date. I go to the filing itself when I can, not an article about it.
I tell you if I own it. It's in the video, and it's on What I own, along with my trading policy.
I keep score. The analyst targets I quote go on the target scorecard, and the things I say to watch go on My calls, checked.
I fix mistakes in public. They're listed on Corrections.

Check my credentials

I'm licensed by the Texas State Board of Public Accountancy, license number 117744. You don't have to take my word for it: put that number in the board's license lookup and it shows the license as current. It's listed under my legal first name, so don't let that throw you.

What I'm not

I'm a CPA, but I'm not your CPA. I'm not a financial adviser, I don't manage anyone's money, and this site isn't a CPA firm, so nothing here is advice for your situation. If you need someone to look at your situation, here's how to find a good one.

The best way to reach me is a comment on the latest video, or email at blake@9to5investing.com. Here are my official accounts, so you can tell the real me from the fakes.