Tax Pro Roundup: October Edition
SurePrep, part of Thomson Reuters
SurePrep integrates with leading tax software to streamline the 1040 process for tax pros and taxpayers.
The Wall Street Journal
[10/2] Bypassing a fifth year of school may be on the horizon for CPA licensure. The proposal from the American Institute of CPAs (AICPA) and the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) went out for public comment in September. Accounting students and state accountancy boards are voicing support, concerns, or exploring other options.
"Candidates would be required to exhibit all seven professional competencies and at least one of the three technical competencies, which would be verified by at least one evaluator in their organization, the groups said. Supervisors already sign off on CPA candidates’ work experience, but that process appears more intensive under the proposal. The public has until December to provide feedback."
CPA Practice Advisor
[9/23] Atrium released their 2025 Salary Guide with projections for finance and accounting positions. According to the data, professionals working in the audit space stand to command the highest salaries next year.
"'After carefully categorizing and standardizing job roles for accurate comparisons, our in- house experts rigorously validate the data,' Atrium said. 'This includes cross-referencing with multiple sources and consulting industry experts for accuracy.'"
CPA Practice Advisor
[9/25] In an ongoing mission to rejuvenate the staffing pipeline in tax and accounting, AICPA & CIMA are launching an apprenticeship program that promises hands-on mentorship and a progressive wage scale for entry level employees.
"'The battle for talent is increasing, making the need for more skilled accounting and finance talent even more pressing,' Tom Hood, executive vice president of business engagement and growth at the AICPA & CIMA, said in a statement."
Accountancy Age
[9/12] A new set of Thomson Reuters solutions called Audit Intelligence Analyze was announced at their Toronto headquarters on Thursday. The suite promises to improve audit accuracy and efficiency by employing AI automation and focusing on high-risk areas.
"[Dave Wyle, General Manager of Audit at Thomson Reuters] highlighted the transformative potential of Analyse, noting that it can 'cut sample sizes by half, saving valuable time for auditors and their clients.' This efficiency gain not only streamlines the audit process but also allows auditors to dedicate more attention to high-risk areas, thereby improving overall audit quality."
TechCrunch
[9/9] Accounting and finance startup Finally has raised $50 million in a Series B round of funding and secured a $150 million credit line. Focused on helping small- and medium-sized businesses manage finances, Finally was launched in 2018 by Felix Rodriguez and his wife, Glennys Rodriguez.
"Since announcing its $95 million Series A in March of 2022, Finally says it has seen annual revenue growth of 300%, although it declined to reveal hard figures. The company serves over 1,500 business in the United States, and makes money through a combination of SaaS subscription fees, interchange fees and interest income."
Yahoo Finance
[8/29] Sequoia Financial Group and Eide Bailly LLP have agreed to a strategic partnership in which they will acquire each other’s wealth management practices and work together to provide their clients with more services.
"As part of the contract, Sequoia Financial Group will acquire Eide Bailly Advisors, LLC, an SEC-registered business with approximately $1.58bn in assets under management as of 30 April 2024, and Eide Bailly will make an equity investment in Sequoia. The firms anticipate that the transaction will be completed in the fourth quarter."
Bloomberg Tax
[9/18] Nearly one-quarter of CFOs at large U.S.-listed companies in the S&P 500 index bring past work experience at PwC and its Big Four firm peers EY, Deloitte, and KPMG, according to an analysis of Bloomberg data on company management profiles, LinkedIn profiles, and corporate leadership biographies. But the remaining two-thirds of CFOs at S&P 500 companies have taken a different path.
"Attention on CFOs’ past experience comes against the backdrop of a shrinking pipeline for accounting professionals, with fewer workers and a decline in graduates in recent years. Some companies have cited insufficient staff in accounting and other departments as a reason for potential earnings statement errors."
Chicago Tribune
[9/22] Like any metropolitan area, the skyscrapers of Chicago are teeming with investment bankers and financial consultants. But one vital profession remains scarce even in these finance hotbeds: public accountants.
"Approximately three-fourths of CPAs today are expected to retire within the next 15 years. At the same time, the number of new candidates taking the CPA exam has plunged. High-profile errors in regulatory filings are starting to pop up, a warning that America's certified accountants could be losing their edge."
Accounting Today
[9/10] New projections show the accountant shortage could reach a 3.5-million-person deficit by 2025. Instead of fighting to hire from an increasingly scarce pool of talent, firms may be better off examining how technology can assist their current staff.
"If firms are honest with themselves, they find that half of the tasks within any given firm don't require a CPA's expertise. These tasks are often repetitive and can potentially frustrate a CPA who wants to focus on client-facing work and more challenging work."
Forbes
[9/5] Shivaram Rajgopa examines disinterest in accounting among Gen Z and college students. Is the lack of enthusiasm a salary issue, an image issue, or some combination of the two? Rajgopa examines what industry leaders and college professors can do to rejuvenate the staffing pipeline.
"Universities are better off pivoting their curriculum heavily towards either consulting jobs with audit firms or other consulting firms in general and towards creating accounting talent for industry. This means we need to change the way financial accounting is taught."
Accounting Today
[10/2] Sometimes statistics tell the story. These charts and numbers reveal when firms decide to apply new technologies, how financial restatements have reverted to normal levels, what Gen Z interns at KPMG value most in a future employer, and more.
"This week's stats focus on the number of financial restatements by public companies, where accounting firms are prioritizing their technology investments, IRS processing time for resolving taxpayer identity theft cases, the amount Ernst & Young plans to invest the next three years in technology and talent, the speed at which CPA firms adopt new technology, and the factors that Gen Z KPMG interns value most in a future employer."
CPA Practice Advisor
[9/27] While data shows that accountants vastly prefer remote work, employers don't seem to share that sentiment. Research by staffing agency Distinct shows that demand for remote accounting positions continues to rise, remote openings are drying up.
"Interestingly, audit roles bucked the trend, according to Distinct, seeing drops in both job postings and seekers. Remote audit jobs were hit harder, with a 4.8% larger decline in postings and job seekers falling to 57.3% of 2023 levels, compared to 77% for the U.S. overall."
CPA Practice Advisor
[9/15] Canopy and CPA Practice Advisor came together to survey firms on AI, security, workforce dynamics, and more. Among their findings: 67% offer remote or hybrid options, with 35% planning to increase these options in the future.
"A?notable 61% of respondents are very satisfied with their current organization, highlighting a strong sense of contentment in their professional settings."
PR Newswire
[9/17] A new Deloitte poll suggests that cyberattacks targeting accounting data are on the rise—and getting more creative. 15% of respondents experienced phishing attacks that incorporated deepfake technology to feign authenticity.
"'Deepfake financial fraud is rising, with bad actors increasingly leveraging illicit synthetic information like falsified invoices and customer service interactions to access sensitive financial data and even manipulate organizations' AI models to wreak havoc on financial reports,' said Mike Weil."
Inside Public Accounting
[10/3] Much like society sometimes stereotypes accountants as bean counters, people tend to view HR professionals as human rulebooks. But HR is also experiencing a shift toward strategy-based roles in the wake of automation.
"They measure turnover, “regrettable turnover,” proposal acceptance rates, percentage of compliance versus advisory work, conversions of interns to full-time employees, and far more."
Forvis Mazars
[10/2] In today's highly competitive atmosphere, having the right work ethic isn't always enough. It's equally important to ensure that your effort is being applied resourcefully. Working smarter in the modern age of accounting is possible.
"Reporting for reporting’s sake is a costly legacy practice; by reevaluating both the deliverable’s purpose and the audience that it currently serves, nonprofit organizations may find that information that was once critical is now either outdated, easily available somewhere else, or already being produced by someone else."
Thomson Reuters
[9/27] More than 30 jurisdictions have enforced mandates for electronic invoicing, with more on the way. Before the U.S. likely follows suit, your firm can take action to prepare and ensure compliance.
"You need a system that enhances your understanding of when and how to integrate e-invoicing into your billing process. When an invoice is rejected for not meeting all the validation rules, a change management system should be in place to fix it quickly and automatically."
Rightworks
[9/6] Outsourcing can help your staff and your bottom line. It might be easier than you think to make outsourcing work for your firm. Still on the fence about outsourcing? Essential outsourcing tips and benefits to consider are here.
"Clearly outline specific tasks or functions to outsource. This helps identify the right outsourcing partner and sets expectations for the scope of work. Detailed job descriptions and requirements ensure the provider understands your needs and delivers."
Accounting Today
[9/26] If you're looking to make a good first impression with new clients, what better way to do so than with some tax saving maneuvers? You can scope out deduction opportunities in your incoming clients' portfolios.
"'If the financial advisor is also a tax professional, it's a single touchpoint for managing the customer relationship and guiding the client through suggested changes while explaining the rationale,' Rupa Pereira, the founder of Apex, North Carolina-based FWJ Planning, said in an email."
Rightworks
[8/30] Sustainable growth outside of busy season is possible. Your firm can drive year-round revenue through advisory services, retainer agreements, and client education. Even subscription-based, compliance and bundling services can be developed at firms of all sizes.
"If you’re ready to build your modern firm and start reaping the benefits of recurring revenue, it’s time to rethink your current business model. Build your ideal client list, identify the services you’re great at providing and get your tech stack right. Then, you can start upselling and cross-selling to your existing clients."
Bloomberg Tax
[8/29] The accounting pipeline needs a boost and investing in additional training, student outreach, and technology may be the answer. StoneTurn’s Brad Wilson examines the industry’s current shortcomings and how business leaders can rise to the challenge.
"Relationships with students and professionals can begin earlier in the pipeline as well. In our own firm, we have worked with Boston Partners in Education, which brings community members into classrooms as academic mentors. This can provide public school students with real-world examples of the opportunities a degree in accounting or a CPA license can offer."
CPA Practice Advisor
[9/23] A voluntary survey is on the way from the IRS. Tax professionals could be randomly selected to participate in the survey, which aims to help the IRS improve its services for tax practitioners and taxpayers.
"The IRS said, 'Survey invitations will arrive by mail with phone follow-ups. This is not a scam. Please don’t hang up. The survey will be conducted through Dec. 6 by ICF, an independent research firm. Tax professionals can complete the survey online or by mail in about 20 minutes. It covers topics like e-filing, due diligence requirements, data security, and electronic document submission. All responses are anonymous and confidential. The survey won’t ask for personal info about tax pros or their clients.'"
CPA Practice Advisor
[9/6] The IRS's funding boost brought on by the Inflation Reduction Act appears to be yielding results. The department announced $1.3 billion has already been recollected in their efforts to target wealthy tax cheats.
"'In 2019, the top 1% of Americans was estimated to owe over one-fifth of unpaid taxes, leaving ordinary Americans to shoulder the burden,' Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said on Sept. 6. 'To fix this, we’ve channeled Inflation Reduction Act funding toward significant investments to combat tax evasion.'"
CFO Dive
[9/16] The American Institute of CPAs (AICPA) and the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) are looking to add more paths and flexibility to CPA licensure. The plan that’s now out for public comment explains that candidates would still need a bachelor’s degree, but could bypass a fifth year of college coursework by taking a “competency-based experience pathway.”
"The process will take some time. Once the the public comments are reviewed final language must be approved by the AICPA and NASBA boards and changes will also be proposed to the Uniform Accountancy Act, which is a template for licensure requirements for states, according to the AICPA statement. States will then ultimately need to decide whether to update their licensing requirements."
Pymynts
[9/10] New standards implemented by the PCAOB and approved by the SEC require firms that audit more than 100 public companies to maintain an oversight board with at least one independent party. While these standards don't apply to the majority of practices, the industry giants need to adjust.
"'[T]he PCAOB found that 46% — nearly half — of the auditing engagements it reviewed in 2023 fell short of obtaining sufficient, appropriate audit evidence,' [SEC chair Gary] Gensler added in a separate statement."
Journal of Accountancy
[10/3] As the tax and accounting space continues to evolve, so do the marketable skills within the profession. Here's a breakdown of technical and cultural skills that employers want from CPAs going forward.
"Robin Thieme, CPA, CGMA, has similarly embraced the idea of 'tech adaptability' in her role as CEO of KBS CFO, a fractional CFO business. When hiring, she no longer looks for specific technology software competencies on a résumé. Instead, Thieme wants to know if the applicant can adopt and adapt to new technologies to solve clients’ problems."
TechRadar
[10/1] Accountants are now putting AI and automation to work, but the human touch is just as important as it was in the past. Dext Chief Product and Technology Officer Stephen Edginton shares his real-world experience on the industry's adoption of AI-powered accounting tools.
"It is important to remember that AI does not come built with the critical thinking and problem-solving skills that humans have, which highlights the importance of human oversight even with the adoption of AI technology. This is because human accountants play a crucial role in ensuring that there is accuracy and integrity of financial information and systems."
Thomson Reuters
[9/24] LiveFlow has now raised a $13.5 million Series A round led by Valar Ventures. The funding will help the company continue to build its tech stack for accountants and accounting firms.
"LiveFlow allows companies to sync real-time data from their accounting services, banks and payment platforms to the startup’s platform, which generates custom reports, automates workflows, consolidates company accounts, and enables more company-wide collaboration. You might think that sounds easy, but even in this day and age, we’re still in a world where accountants have to transfer data between systems, often manually."
Accounting Today
[9/20] Trullion launched its AI-powered Trullion Audit Suite, enabling audit teams to work in a shared ecosystem that integrates AI-powered automation. The suite’s focus is on reducing manual data entry and review. Article features various industry-wide technology news.
"Auditors and practitioners can collaborate across engagements by sharing and saving templates, creating user groups with customized access to client data, and tagging colleagues in real-time. Other modules include AI-driven matching procedures that automate vouching and tracing efforts…"
Thomson Reuters
[9/9] You've definitely heard plenty about AI and how it can impact tax and accounting work. But what do you know about Robotic Process Automation? Learn how it differs from AI and what its implications are in the accounting space.
"'Robots don’t make decisions. Robots do exactly what you tell them to. You could potentially use RPA to grab the information to feed your artificial intelligence software, but they are not really related because [RPA] is workflow based versus the AI is more data-driven, making predictions.' — Dustin Teribery"
SurePrep, part of Thomson Reuters
[8/27] It’s easy to find and hire accounting professionals. False. If you haven’t already, it’s probably time to put AI to work. See how AI-powered automation can help maximize the output of your tax team.
"Firms that use 1040SCAN receive additional assistance with the software’s patented auto-verification technology. This feature uses AI and text-layer matching to validate the accuracy of extracted OCR data on 65% of standard documents. The remaining data is highlighted and hyperlinked throughout the return, making it easy for preparers to validate without having to search."
Unchained
[9/13] The SEC’s Chief Accountant spoke at the 2024 AICPA & CIMA Conference on Sept. 9, outlining certain company exemptions from the SAB 121 rule. SAB 121 requires that a bank custodying cryptocurrency put the assets on their balance sheet and create a corresponding liability equal to the assets’ worth. This isn’t the norm for custodied assets, which are typically listed off the balance sheet, and this requirement makes it prohibitively costly to custody crypto assets.
"In Munter’s speech, he described the different ways that the three types of entities could receive an exemption. In the case of a bank, the pathway involved working with a state regulator first to ensure that crypto assets being custodied would return to the customer in the event of a bankruptcy, and that activity with customers would only comprise institutional custody with sufficient controls in place to manage risk. For a brokerage, an exemption could apply if the broker is not in possession of the cryptographic key and works directly with the customer — essentially, not custodying any crypto itself. Finally for a blockchain, Munter highlighted how a distributed ledger tracking holdings and transfers of digital assets, without custodying any crypto, could exempt it from SAB 121."
Journal of Accountancy
[10/1] The accounting profession is demanding much more of its CPAs today. Journalist Andrew Kenney digs into the topic, citing insights from industry experts Kimberly Ellison-Taylor, CPA, CGMA, Tom Hood, CPA/CITP, CGMA, Robin Thieme, CPA, CGMA, Don Tomoff, CPA, and Raef Lawson, CPA, Ph.D.
"Success today requires combining specific new tech skills, including the use of AI and automation, with the human arts of relationship building and strategizing. Developing these complementary skill sets is a top requirement for job candidates, current professionals, and finance leaders."
The CPA Journal
[9/23] CPA Edward Mendlowitz shares his accounting life in an easy-to-read format. Mendlowitz’s book takes readers on an accountancy journey, reminding them of what matters most and why accounting is cool.
"The first thing to know about this book is that the title—which admittedly sounds a bit corny and perhaps self-aggrandizing—does not do it justice. The book is arranged in meaningful vignettes, more like anecdotes than chapters. The chapters, based on personal experiences, are organized chronologically; if the reader only cares a little bit, an amazing world of accountancy can be revealed…"
CPA Trendlines
[9/19] Feeling unsure about what the future holds for tax and accounting? CPA Trendlines gathered a panel of industry experts to give their perspectives on how the profession will change and what you can do to prepare.
"Firms must diversify the types of personalities and backgrounds they attract into the accounting profession. It’s about technical skills, relationship management, and forward-thinking abilities. — Maureen Dilmore, Executive Director, PrimeGlobal accounting."
Forbes
[9/17] There’s a lot that entrepreneurs can learn from small and mid-size businesses (SMBs) and accounting firms, but BILL CEO and Founder René Lacerte boiled it down to four lessons. Being a dedicated, lifelong learner is part of his ethos—and some of his real-world expertise could give you an operational edge.
"As a CEO and founder, I have the opportunity to learn from some of the most innovative entrepreneurs out there—SMBs and accounting firms. I recently caught up with four of these businesses to hear their reflections on what it takes to build a resilient and successful business. (Full disclosure: These are current customers of my company.) Here is what we can learn from them."
Thomson Reuters
[9/16] Determining an accurate internal carbon price (ICP) is challenging, especially because ICP is a voluntary strategy assigning a monetary value to carbon emissions. It’s a complicated topic to dig into, but Director Natalie Runyon of the Thomson Reuters Institute offers some helpful advice on where to start.
"Overall, two categories of methodologies exist to pay for the social costs — taxation and ICP — and each mechanism to is imperfect; and because the total cost estimates are based on models, they do not account for variations of carbon emissions across sectors. This is why ICP might be a better option."
Boomer Consulting
[9/10] AI can transform your firm. But as your firm explores and embraces AI tools, there are several critical elements to consider. Listen in as Boomer Consulting’s L. Gary Boomer and Eric McMillen discuss what AI means to privacy and security. (Podcast)
"They explore the benefits of AI, including threat simulation and enhanced security measures, while also addressing its darker side, such as the use of AI for phishing, malware, and deepfakes. Stay tuned as they highlight the importance of staying informed, embracing AI tools, and implementing proper governance in this rapidly evolving landscape."
Bloomberg Tax
[9/6] University of Richmond professor Robert Pawlewicz has seen technology transform the industry in real time and knows that college curriculum needs to adapt to reflect the new age of accounting. He shares his thoughts on the state of tech, staffing, credit hours, and salary in the tax and accounting field.
"Remote and hybrid work arrangements initiated during the Covid-19 pandemic are still supporting work-life balance that the next generation of accountants expects. I already see new accountants and accounting education adapting to the new industry landscape. The true challenge will be for the profession and firms to respond in kind."
Accounting Today
[9/6] Many firms looking to expand and boost profitability lack the resources and liquidity to do so. Could private equity be the answer to their problems? Consider a perspective on how private equity investment can be mutually beneficial to both firms and partners.
"Strategic capital can allow firms to be more aggressive to attract and retain top talent by offering competitive compensation packages and growth opportunities through stock units and earnouts."
Journal of Accountancy
[8/29] In 2017, the Edelman Trust Barometer reported a crisis in trust, which means the general public’s trust in four key institutions eroded to slightly above or below 50%. Accountants can be the trust builders for tomorrow by driving change in the profession. CPA Christina Ho shares her actionable insights on how to ignite a contemporary vision for industry-wide transformation.
"The accounting profession is at a pivotal moment, given the precarious trust environment, rapid technology advancement, and talent shortages. We can either maintain the status quo and risk becoming irrelevant, or we can be bold and lead the way in solving complex problems by using the most important skill all accountants are trained to have — understanding the data to discern the truth. To realize this bold vision, we need every accounting practitioner to drive changes in this profession."
Boomer Consulting
[8/21] A positive mindset can deliver a mountain of benefits. Boomer Consulting’s Shareholder and Chief Growth Officer Jon Hubbard reflects on a book about positivity, highlighting three activities from an 11-day action plan.
"Having a positive mindset doesn’t mean being blind to realities or just having happy-go-lucky thoughts. It means focusing on the good or potential good in any situation. This is even more important in environments that are undergoing rapid transformation. I think we can all agree that the CPA profession and our firms need to transform rapidly to continue to grow. Having a positive mindset will help us create our future."
University of Missouri
[9/30] KPMG is doing their part to rejuvenate the accounting pipeline with a "learn abroad" internship program in the tax, audit, and advisory field. Two University of Missouri students offer their insights on the program.
"This internship has solidified my desire to complete a longer-term global rotation in public accounting in the future. I am excited by the prospect of building a career that integrates international exposure with public accounting."
Albion College
[9/19] Who says Gen Z lacks tax literacy? A student volunteer program at Albion College in Michigan is offering tax filing assistance to those in need within the community. Economics professor John Bedient sees the program as an opportunity to give back while giving students invaluable experience.
"'I wanted to get some real-life hands-on experience,' said Enkhmaa Buyanbadrakh ’26, a native of Mongolia who is an accounting major. 'I’ve learned a lot from this. I’ve taken so many accounting classes but this helps me with hands-on learning.'"
HipLatina
[9/16] Do you think accounting means an exciting science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) career? People don’t always look at it that way. But Latina accountants like Bridget Uribe are changing minds, sparking interest in the profession, and redefining what being an accountant looks like.
"The daughter of a Peruvian immigrant family and a first-generation college student, Bridget first gained a passion for accounting in college as a student at Montclair State University. While studying accounting, she noticed the positive impact technology was having on the field as tax software became more advanced with programs like Bloomberg Tax and Thomson Reuters’ GoTax and Onesource, both of which work to simplify the tax preparation process. These early experiences sparked her interest in exploring how technology could further revolutionize accounting practices."
The Business Journals
[9/9] CPA and firm owner Kimberly Tara discusses her journey to firm ownership alongside motherhood. From experiencing burnout to finding the right way to pivot, Tara details a winning strategy that balanced her professional and personal goals.
"We have cultivated a safe, supportive space where CEO Mom Service Providers who are making multiple six figures, but we’re doing it in a way that is aligned with their life and their personal goals. They're not necessarily looking to make seven figures. They're looking to have a sustainable business, contribute to their family, and create the life of their dreams — in a way that doesn't run them into the ground and take away from the precious moments with their kids."
Accounting Today
[9/5] Who says large firms need all the recognition? Here are 35 of the best accounting firms to work for with 15-49 employees based on rankings from Accounting Today and Best Companies Group.
"This annual report on the best workplaces in the accounting profession includes benchmarking data, qualitative analysis of what makes a great accounting practice, and profiles of the top firms."
CPA Practice Advisor
[8/29] Winners and finalists for CPA Practice Advisor’s 2024 Tax and Accounting Technology Innovation Awards have been announced. The awards, which are now in their 21st year, highlight technologies that advance the tax and accounting profession.
"The winners of the CPA Practice Advisor Tax and Accounting Technology Innovation Awards are selected from nominated products by an awards committee, which includes thought leaders and professionals engaged in various practice specialties across the accounting profession. Products must be either 2 years old or newer, or have undergone significant enhancements in that time."
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