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In the News - August 18, 2025

The Woodard Report Team
Posted by The Woodard Report Team on Aug 18, 2025 10:56:17 AM

It’s hard to believe there is only one month left of summer 2025! After a quick mid-summer reset, we’re back with this week’s top updates. From AI adoption and regulatory shifts to firm strategy and leadership insights, here’s what’s on the radar. And don’t miss the free Fireside Chat with Heather Satterley and Eric Zhou this week! Read on to learn more.

What’s Happening at Woodard

Fireside Chat: Making AI a Reality for Accounting Teams

Join Heather Satterley and Eric Zhou (CAO at Brex) for a free Fireside Chat where they will discuss practical AI adoption—not just theories. They’ll explore low-risk starting points, why experimentation matters, and how firms can begin their AI journey confidently. Eligible for one credit of CPE.  Register now!

General Ledger Showdown: My Walkthrough at Scaling New Heights (Woodard Report)

Liz Scott navigates the Innovation Tour at SNH 2025, sizing up general ledger platforms like SoftLedger, Zoho Books, Puzzle, and Digits. Her firsthand tour highlights AI capabilities, ease of migration, and standout features behind each solution. Read more...

Pricing Ethics: From Airplanes to Accounting Practices (The Woodard Report Podcast)

Joe Woodard chats with pricing guru Ron Baker on how airline yield management applies to accounting services. They unpack ethical AI pricing—good (value-driven), bad (maxed to client willingness), and ugly (exploitative)—and how firms can uphold integrity while segmenting and capturing value. Read more...

Technology & AI

Three-Way Financial Planning & Analysis Arrives in Intuit Enterprise Suite (Insightful Accountant)

Intuit adds robust three-way planning tools—balancing income, balance sheets, and cash flow—offering bigger firms enhanced, integrated forecasting capabilities. Read more...

Your AI Strategy Needs More Than a Single Leader (HBR)

This article underscores that AI success isn’t the job of one person—it requires distributed leadership. It advocates for cross-functional ownership over AI initiatives to truly unlock value. Read more...

Regulation & Ethics

IRS Shares Taxpayer Data with ICE, Court Filings Confirm

For the first time, the IRS acknowledged sharing taxpayer data with ICE under a new MOU, prompting legal scrutiny and privacy concerns. The admission follows a court filing by Public Citizen challenging the data exchange. Read more...

Proposed Circular 230 Changes (CPA Journal)

The Treasury has issued updates to Circular 230, introducing clearer ethics standards, due diligence expectations, and enforcement enhancements for tax professionals. Read more...

Illinois Adds New CPA Licensure Pathways (CPA Practice Advisor)

Signed into law under HB 2459, Illinois introduces two new CPA paths: a bachelor’s degree with 2 years’ experience and a master’s with 1 year’s experience. It also allows equivalent out-of-state CPAs to practice in Illinois, expanding access to the profession. Read more...

Firm Strategy & Talent

Ex-Accounting Professor Pleads Guilty to $670K Embezzlement (CPA Practice Advisor)

A former accounting professor was convicted of embezzling over $670,000 from a real estate venture by misusing funds—highlighting the stark consequences of ethical violations. Read more...

See you next Monday for our next news roundup!

From practical AI adoption to ethical pricing models and critical data privacy issues, firms must navigate complexity with clarity and intentionality this week. Stay tuned for more insights in next week’s roundup.

Topics: Finger on the Pulse


 

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