It’s been a little while since our last roundup, and we’re excited to be back with a fresh edition and big savings on Scaling New Heights 2026! With year-end planning in full swing, new regulations landing, big news in accounting education, and AI continuing to influence both workflows and workplace expectations, there’s a lot to catch up on. Let’s dive in.
What’s Happening at Woodard
Scaling New Heights 2026 is officially open for registration—and this week comes with a Cyber Monday sale of over 20% off. With the 2026 theme, Strange New Worlds, the conference will explore the future of work, intelligent automation, and what it means to lead firms in the age of agentic AI. If you’ve been waiting for the right moment to secure your spot, this is it. Read more…
In the latest episode of The Woodard Report Podcast, Joe Woodard and Heather Satterley break down Intuit’s recent product announcements—including enhancements for accountants, automation upgrades, and a surprising life lesson from a rodeo champion that holds meaning for firm owners. Read more…
IRS & Regulatory Updates
The IRS has issued new guidance aimed at helping individuals who earned tips, overtime, or other variable wages in 2025 understand their withholding and reporting obligations. The update clarifies how taxpayers should reconcile income fluctuations with year-end withholding to avoid penalties under the new rules taking effect for 2025 returns. Read more…
NASBA has issued a strong response to the federal government’s decision to classify accounting degrees as “non-professional” for student loan and aid purposes. NASBA argues the designation is inaccurate and risks harming the pipeline at a time when the profession is working hard to attract new talent. They are urging regulators to reverse or clarify the classification. Read more…
Going Concern provides a more candid—and slightly incredulous—look at the same federal reclassification issue, highlighting how the new One Big Beautiful Bill loan rules leave accountants out of the “professional worker” category despite the credentialing, required education, and public oversight the field demands. Read more…
Technology, AI & Innovation
Xero has announced the winners of the Global App Awards 2025, recognizing standout applications across categories such as workflow automation, payments, productivity, and AI-enabled advisory. Xero highlights how these integrations are helping advisors simplify processes and deliver deeper insights. Read more…
New research from HBR shows a disconnect between leaders and employees around AI adoption. While executives often expect enthusiasm, many employees report anxiety, uncertainty about job impact, and lack of clarity around AI guidelines. The article encourages leaders to replace assumptions with conversations—and provide more transparency about how AI will be used. Read more…
An exploration of how AI is reshaping—not replacing—human work. The article identifies emerging “meta-tasks” that only humans can do, such as contextual judgment, oversight of automated processes, creative problem solving, and ethical decision-making. For accountants, this echoes the emerging need for advisory and interpretive skills in AI-assisted workflows. Read more…
As we head into the final stretch of 2025, the profession is balancing rapid tech innovation, regulatory curveballs, and renewed focus on the accounting pipeline. There’s never been a more important time to stay informed—and we’re excited to be back bringing you the news that matters. See you next week!
This article was written with the assistance of AI and edited by a human.