In the News: October 13, 2025

This week in the news covers the government shutdown uncertainty, shifting workplace policies, big-firm tech moves, and fresh AI regulation coming out of California. There’s a lot for firm leaders to track this week - and all while New England battles their first Nor'easter of the season. Read on to find out what’s new.

What’s Happening at Woodard

Advisory Amplified: How to Lead with Confidence and Community (The Woodard Report Podcast)

Host Heather Satterley interviews Madeline Reeves (Fearless Foundry) about building confidence, peer learning, and repeatable frameworks that help firms productize advisory. Expect practical exercises and a community model your team can replicate locally. Read more…

What Accountants Must Know About ICE Inspections and Raids (The Woodard Report)

A timely primer on I-9 inspections, timelines, penalties, and raid protocols—plus how accountants can help clients document employment verification and prepare defensible processes. Read more…

IRS & Regulatory Updates

IRS shutters most operations as shutdown continues (Accounting Today)

Amid the federal funding lapse, the IRS has closed most functions, keeping only limited “excepted” activities running. Expect service delays and restricted phone support until funding resumes. Read more…

Workforce & Compensation

3 in 10 Companies Say They Will Eliminate Remote Work by 2026 (CPA Practice Advisor)

A ResumeBuilder survey of 978 leaders finds 30% plan to end remote work entirely by 2026; nearly half will require 4+ in-office days. Top reasons cited include culture (64%), productivity (62%), and maximizing office space (45%). Notably, only 28% offer any incentives for in-office attendance. Read more… 

Firm News & M&A

EY to Acquire Life Science Tech Firm Aqurance (CPA Practice Advisor)

EY announced plans to acquire Aqurance A.E., a Greece-based Veeva services partner. The deal expands EY’s life sciences capabilities—particularly Veeva Vault/Commercial Cloud services—and strengthens its Centers of Excellence as clients navigate platform migrations, compliance, and AI-enabled data integration. Read more… 

Technology & Policy

California becomes first state to regulate AI companion chatbots (TechCrunch)

Gov. Gavin Newsom signed SB 243, the first U.S. law regulating AI companion chatbots. Starting Jan. 1, 2026, platforms must implement age verification, crisis/self-harm response protocols, disclosures that interactions are AI-generated, break reminders for minors, and restrictions on sexually explicit content—plus penalties up to $250,000 for certain violations. Read more… TechCrunch

Technology & Practice Tools

The New QuickBooks Has Arrived (Insightful Accountant)

Intuit completed migration to the new QuickBooks experience with embedded AI Agents (including Accounting Agent). Expect updated navigation, automated assist features, and workflow changes as teams settle into the interface. Read more…

Closing Thought

Between shutdown-related IRS service limits, an accelerating return-to-office trend, major life sciences tech expansion at EY, and California’s AI guardrails, now’s a good time to update client comms, watch state-level AI policy, and plan for 2026 staffing and tech adoption. See you next week for our In the News article! 

This article was generated by AI and reviewed and edited by a human.