Always Funny: Greg Kyte

Greg Kyte is an MBA, a licensed CPA, and a one of the funniest people you will ever see! Few people bring as much energy to the stage as Greg does. He makes accounting entertaining to the masses.

Greg has participated in the Laughing Skull Comedy Festival, Laughing Devil Comedy Festival, the Rocky Mountain Laugh-Off and won the Utah’s Funniest Clean Comedian Competition. Greg also cohosts an accounting podcast that does not suck, produces a monthly Accounting Update video and an blog about being an agnostic accountant. Pretty versatile right?

Describe yourself in 10 words or less?

I’m a comedian, a CPA, and an agnostic.

What is your least favorite part of the current tax code?

I hate how ridiculously complex the tax code is: exceptions to exceptions to exceptions, lack of uniformity among state tax regimes, eleven circuit courts able to set different precedents.

The first time I saw you perform, I literally peed myself laughing. Have you peed yourself onstage or otherwise?

This is stupid, but I pissed myself when I took the last section of the CPA exam. You have exactly two hours to complete that section, and the clock doesn’t stop if you take a bathroom break, so I wore Depends adult diapers. You don’t pull out a gun unless you intend on using it, and you don’t wear Depends unless you intend to piss yourself. I probably could have made it through the test, but I pissed my pants on principle.

Someone asked me once after I got off stage why I didn’t do my accountant jokes, I told them that I wasn’t in the mood. Is it bad that I pretended to be you?

No. It’s bad that I don’t work out more. That way people could tell us apart better.

What got you started in stand up comedy?

I wanted to do standup since I was 18. Back when I was a middle school math teacher, I would attempt to inspire my students by telling them to pursue their dreams. I could only do that so many times before it dawned on me that I was a fucking middle school math teacher. So I had to take my own medicine and start doing standup. That was 11 years ago, four years before I started pursuing a career change to accounting. I was 30 years old.

Who are your biggest inspirations in comedy?

It’s not very popular, but I totally dig Dane Cook, particularly the energy he brings to his performances. Chris Rock is another one because of his energy and because his material isn’t just hysterical; he has some really deep observations and insights into the human condition.

How long have you been doing comedy?

Eleven years.

Who has been the biggest help for you in your comedy career?

Jon Clark helped me get to my first open mic, and he gave me my first headlining gig. I cut my teeth in comedy as a result of his generosity with me. Keith Stubbs has also been great to me over the years, giving me plenty of opportunities and stage time. Ron Baker, Jason Blumer, and Jody Padar have all been instrumental in getting established as a comedian within the accounting profession.

You did several comedy festivals this year, do you have plans to do others? Which ones? What was your experience with them?

I’d like to do one comedy festival every year. I did the Laughing Skull Comedy Festival in 2012, and the Laughing Devil Comedy Festival this year. Both of those festivals were great! I really liked that every competition show was pass/fail (rather than some sort of accumulation of points over a series of shows). It’s a lot better on your self esteem when you flunk out because you can look around at everyone else who flunked out in your round and realize that you’re in good company. Next year, My goal is to do a festival that doesn’t have the word “laughing” in it. I’m considering the Ventura Comedy Festival. Andy Gold is doing that one this year. I’ll see how he likes it.

What can we expect from you in the upcoming year in relation to comedy?

In July, I started a new blog called Certified Public Agnostic (cpagnostic.blogspot.com). I write about religion and ethics from the perspective of a CPA, and there are plenty of jokes. I’m also hoping to reboot my YouTube channel with new accounting and business sketch videos.

What is the most interesting reaction you have had to you set?

I’m always amazed that I can get people to laugh their asses off about things like estate taxes or extraordinary losses. I also love it when people say that they laughed hard and understand something better because of my show.

With your style of standup being so business oriented, has it lent itself to a lot of corporate gigs? Are there any big name companies you have performed for?

Nope. The best gig I’ve had so far was performing for the Colorado Financial Planners Association.

What was one joke that you have told that has stood out the most?

Probably my joke about IRS agents packing heat. If I was an IRS agent I’d spend all day thinking up badass shit to say when I pop a cap in a tax evader’s ass.

What do you think of the local comedy scene? Good and bad?

It’s fantastic. You’d be hard pressed to find another city where you could get stage time at good shows as easily as you can here.

What would make it better?

More open mics and a club in Utah County.

Who are some of your favorite new local comics?

Dylan O’Neil is a favorite of mine. Christian Pieper is also hysterical. I’m surprised that Christian hasn’t gotten to headline yet.

What shows do you have coming up?