Half of CFOs and senior finance leaders believe their companies will pursue a merger or acquisition next year, according to global research by Gartner.
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AICPA supports SEC plan to recognize CPAs as accredited investors
The AICPA agrees with the SEC in a comment letter that CPAs “possess sufficient financial sophistication to evaluate investment opportunities and risks without the protections associated with registered offerings.”
IRS eyeing Tax Pro Account enhancements for practitioners
National Taxpayer Advocate Erin Collins said the IRS is working on Tax Pro Account enhancements that could allow practitioners to upload signed powers of attorney electronically. Speaking at the AICPA National Tax Conference, Collins also discussed amended return processing, CP53E notices, and other IRS modernization efforts.
Dellinger, Gallegos honored by AICPA Tax Division
Arthur J. “Kip” Dellinger Jr. received the Arthur J. Dixon Memorial Award, and Mark Gallegos received the Jonathan Horn Distinguished Service Award during the 2026 AICPA National Tax Conference.
IRS official signals additional guidance on AI, practitioner fees
The IRS Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR) plans additional guidance on artificial intelligence and practitioner fees after concerns from the AICPA and other groups about language in earlier guidance. Speaking at the AICPA National Tax Conference, the OPR’s director said the agency was not suggesting practitioners must reduce fees simply because AI improves efficiency.
IRS expands Tax Pro Account to allow payments on behalf of business clients
The IRS has expanded the Tax Pro Account to allow authorized tax professionals to make certain payments on behalf of business clients, building on a series of recent enhancements to the online service.
U.S. employee engagement falls below 30% for first time in 15 years
U.S. employee engagement dropped below 30% for the first time in 15 years, and Gallup says manager support plays a larger role in workers’ engagement than any other factor. The firm found that fewer employees reported opportunities to learn and grow at work, while manager engagement has also declined in recent years.
IRS announces inflation adjustments for tax year 2027
The adjustments include increases in the standard deduction, income tax bracket thresholds, and the child tax credit. The changes generally apply to returns filed in 2028.
FASB proposes simpler approach for equity-linked contracts
Stakeholders have until Jan. 4 to comment on a proposal to simplify the application of guidance used to determine whether equity-linked contracts, such as warrants, should be considered indexed to an entity’s own stock and potentially classified as equity.
AICPA proposes ethics guidance for alternative practice structures
A public comment period on proposed changes to the AICPA Code of Professional Conduct will soon open after the AICPA’s Professional Ethics Executive Committee voted Tuesday to publish an exposure draft related to alternative practice structures, including those involving private-equity investment.
Center for Audit Quality taps Dave Sullivan as CEO
Sullivan currently serves as chair of the Financial Accounting Standards Advisory Council and served as an audit leader during a long career with Deloitte.
FASB proposes changes to the accounting for equity-method investments
Stakeholders have until Jan. 11 to provide feedback on a proposed Accounting Standard Update aimed at improving operability and reducing complexity and cost.
AI changes how accountants work, not what they do
Three years after tax professionals attended the AICPA National Tax Conference’s first session on generative AI, a speaker from the 2023 conference and a speaker at this year’s conference say the technology is changing how accountants work, not replacing them. They also say AI’s growing role in practice requires safeguards, oversight, and experienced professionals.
AICPA proposes improvements to SOC 2 trust services criteria
Feedback is being accepted through mid-January on proposed updates to the framework used by CPAs to evaluate controls over an organization’s information systems.
“Ghost preparers” tied to $179 million in potentially fraudulent refunds
A TIGTA report linked ghost preparers to $179 million in refund claims over two years. Its findings come as legislators consider the Taxpayer Assistance and Service Act, which would expand IRS oversight of paid tax return preparers.
PCAOB’s latest data reveals cleaner inspection findings
The board’s review of 2025 public company audit inspections revealed a significant decrease from 2024 in instances where an audit firm failed to obtain sufficient appropriate evidence to support its opinion on a financial statement.
AICPA: Trump account regulations make 2026 rollout difficult
Proposed regulations governing employer contributions to Trump accounts are “administratively burdensome” and make a 2026 rollout potentially difficult, the AICPA said. A letter to the IRS and Treasury asked for employers to be given more time and for the programs to be easier to administer.
FASB seeks to reduce inconsistencies tied to customer-related payments
Stakeholders have until Nov. 23 to comment on a proposed Accounting Standards Update related to Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers. Also, FASB is set to hold an update for private companies and not-for-profits.
AI is reshaping finance jobs rather than eliminating them, survey finds
Just 3% of CFOs report actively reducing headcount where AI has replaced work in the finance function, although few organizations are yet in position to fully implement AI across all workflows.
Ellison-Taylor, Dodaro receive AICPA’s highest honors
A pioneering former AICPA chair and the former head of the U.S. Government Accountability Office were honored as Gold Medal award recipients at Council.
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