The accounting profession continues to change, and this week’s headlines highlight several developments. New products, changing expectations, and updated IRS processes influence how accounting practices manage their work and support clients. Staying current gives practice leaders more context for deciding which developments deserve attention and where a new tool or approach might make sense.
The Woodard Report has launched Dear Deb, a new column featuring advice from Debra Kilsheimer on challenging business and client situations. In the first article, Deb considers whether businesses should add credit card surcharges to invoices and how unexpected fees can affect trust and the customer experience. Read more...
In this week’s The Woodard Report Podcast, Joe Woodard and Heather Satterley discuss software companies moving into the mid-market and the role empathy plays in difficult client conversations. The episode also covers AI-assisted work, online authority, and the progress that can come from focused coaching and intentional practice growth. Read more...
Jina Etienne explains how storytelling can help leaders build trust, strengthen connections, and make ideas easier to understand. The article offers practical ways to use relevant and authentic stories in team communication, recognition, leadership, and periods of change. Read more...
Shopify is retiring Stocky on August 31, 2026, and information stored in the inventory management application will no longer be available after that date. Rachel Dauchy outlines steps merchants and the accounting professionals who support them should take, including exporting records and evaluating replacement options. Read more...
Woodard’s upcoming webinar will focus on making better use of the tools, systems, team members, and time already available within a practice. The session is scheduled for July 30 from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. Eastern and will help attendees identify underused resources and decide when outside support may be needed. Register here...
Registration is now open for Woodard Summit, taking place November 4–7, 2026, in Scottsdale, Arizona. Attendees can choose from three hands-on workshops focused on pricing, AI, or overall practice advancement, each designed to produce a specific, actionable plan for 2027. Practices can also bring team members to participate in multiple tracks. Woodard Summit is available to Woodard members, with memberships starting at $145 per month and no annual commitment. Seating is limited. If you’re not a member, now is the perfect time to join so you can start 2027 with a clear plan for your practice. Join here...
The IRS announced a new Automatic Exemption from Penalty process for eligible taxpayers with a history of filing and paying on time. The program begins phasing in during summer 2026 and will eventually replace First Time Abate for eligible returns, with relief applied automatically when taxpayers qualify. Read more...
Intuit introduced a business credit card that connects directly with QuickBooks and combines credit, spend controls, rewards, and financial insights. Transactions and receipts sync with QuickBooks, giving businesses a more connected view of spending and cash flow. Read more...
Ramp introduced stablecoin accounts and payments, giving business customers one place to hold, transfer, and account for both traditional and stablecoin funds. Read more...
Billtrust launched Billtrust MCP Server, to directly connect live invoice-to-cash intelligence to AI assistants using Model Context Protocol (MCP). Finance teams can query live invoice-to-cash data in Microsoft Copilot or Claude using plain language and get data-backed answers in seconds without switching platforms or combining multiple data sources. Read more...
Technology and policy changes continue to shape the day-to-day work of accounting practices. New financial tools create more connected workflows and offer more options for supporting clients and planning for growth. Staying informed gives practice leaders more context for deciding what makes the most sense for their teams and the clients they serve.
This article was written with the assistance of AI and edited by a human.