In the News - January 12, 2026

The new year is officially underway, and the accounting profession is already facing a mix of opportunity, pressure, and change. From early-season compliance tools and IRS guidance to workforce shifts and leadership insights, this week’s headlines offer a clear snapshot of what firms are navigating as 2026 begins. Here’s what’s worth your attention.

What’s Happening at Woodard

Celebrating 2025: Woodard’s Wins, Growth, and Team Achievements (The Woodard Report)

This reflective look back highlights key milestones from 2025 at Woodard, including community growth, new education offerings, and the people who made it all possible. The article celebrates progress while reinforcing Woodard’s continued focus on supporting accounting professionals through education, coaching, and connection.  Read more…

Dancing Toward Trust: The Human Side of Accounting (The Woodard Report Podcast)

In this episode of the Woodard Report Podcast, Heather Day Satterley interviews Nancy McClelland (The Dancing Accountant). The conversation centers on trust, vulnerability, and the deeply human elements of professional relationships. The discussion explores how trust is built with clients and teams—and why technical expertise alone isn’t enough to sustain strong advisory relationships in today’s firms.  Read more…

From Compliance to Advisory: Building Trust and Value with Clients (LumiQ) 

Joe Woodard, CEO of Woodard and host of the Woodard Report Podcast, joins LumiQ to discuss the shift from compliance work to advisory relationships built on trust and value. In this episode, Joe shares practical insights on changing client conversations, rethinking firm economics, and why trust—not tools—is the foundation of sustainable advisory services. It’s a thoughtful listen for firm leaders focused on evolving their role and impact in 2026.  Listen now…

IRS & Regulatory Updates

IRS.gov Resources Can Help Answer Questions About the One Big Beautiful Bill (IRS.gov)

As questions continue to surface about provisions in the One Big Beautiful Bill, the IRS has centralized resources to help taxpayers and practitioners understand what’s changed. The guidance points readers to FAQs, tools, and educational materials designed to reduce confusion during the early weeks of filing season.  Read more…

Proposed Regulations Amend Section 3406 Backup Withholding Rules (Journal of Accountancy)

New proposed regulations would update backup withholding rules under Section 3406, aligning them with current information-reporting practices. The changes are intended to modernize how withholding applies when taxpayer identification numbers are missing or incorrect, and practitioners should review how these proposals could affect compliance workflows and client communications. Read more…

Other Interesting Things We Found

Deloitte Is Cutting Tax Staff—Yes, in January (Going Concern)

Going Concern reports that Deloitte has implemented tax staff reductions early in the year, a move that highlights ongoing workforce recalibration across large firms. The layoffs raise broader questions about capacity planning, demand forecasting, and how firms are responding to shifting service mixes and technology adoption. Read more…

Are Your Trusted Advisors Holding You Back? (Harvard Business Review)

This HBR piece challenges leaders to examine whether long-standing advisors are helping or hindering progress. The article explores how familiarity and comfort can sometimes limit innovation—and why periodically reassessing advisory relationships can be essential for growth, especially in times of change.  Read more…

The first weeks of the year often set the tone for what’s ahead. Between regulatory updates, evolving firm structures, and a renewed focus on trust and relationships, this week’s news underscores the importance of clarity and adaptability as 2026 gets underway. Stay tuned for next week’s roundup as filing season momentum continues to build.

This article was written with the assistance of AI and edited by a human.