News
There’s more than one way to scale
March 19, 2026
Private equity can open doors, but it’s not the only way to scale. Paul Randall, managing partner at RPGCC, shares his view on investment readiness, deal pressure and why independence still works for some firms.
SEC Accepts 2026 FASB Taxonomies
March 17, 2026
The Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) today announced that the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has accepted the 2026 GAAP Financial Reporting Taxonomy (GRT) (including the 2026 GAAP Employee Benefit Plan Taxonomy (EBPT)) and the 2026 SEC Reporting Taxonomy (SRT). The FASB also finalized the 2026 DQC Rules Taxonomy (DQCRT) and the 2026 GAAP Meta Model Relationships Taxonomy (MMT), which together with the GRT, the SRT, and the EBPT are collectively referred to as the “FASB Taxonomies.”
SEC’s enforcement chief steps down
March 17, 2026
Margaret Ryan has resigned as director of the agency’s division of enforcement after about six months on the job.
PEEC proposes revised definition of ‘attest engagement team’
March 16, 2026
The AICPA Professional Ethics Executive Committee (PEEC) issued an exposure draft proposing revisions to the definition of “attest engagement team” in the AICPA Code of Professional Conduct (the Code). The proposal is intended to align the Code’s use of “attest engagement team” with other AICPA professional standards.
Private Company Council Publishes 2025 Annual Report
March 16, 2026
The Private Company Council (PCC) has published its 2025 Annual Report to highlight the PCC’s accomplishments and activities.
Enhancing Audit Quality 2025 Highlights Report
March 13, 2026
During 2025, audit and assurance professionals continued to operate in an environment marked by sustained economic uncertainty, evolving regulatory expectations, ongoing workforce constraints, and rapid advances in technology. Elevated interest rates, continued inflationary pressures in certain sectors, geopolitical instability, and increased focus on supply chains and liquidity heightened risks for many entities and increased the complexity of audit engagements.
Rhode Island, Louisiana join nationwide CPA licensure reform push
March 13, 2026
The two states are among the last and latest to officially start the process of changing laws that determine how candidates become certified public accountants.
Update on IRS Commissioner position
March 13, 2026
Consistent with applicable law and longstanding practice, the Secretary of the Treasury oversees the operations of all Treasury offices and bureaus, including the Internal Revenue Service. Secretary Scott Bessent’s service as Acting Commissioner of the IRS under the Federal Vacancies Reform Act has expired, and he has not served in that capacity since that time.
SEC and PCAOB enforcement grinds to a near halt under new leaders
March 12, 2026
The Securities and Exchange Commission initiated only 10 accounting and auditing actions last year — its lowest level in nine years.
Updated Tax Withholding Estimator lets millions of taxpayers take One, Big, Beautiful Bill changes into account when calculating their withholding
March 12, 2026
The Internal Revenue Service recently unveiled enhancements to the IRS Tax Withholding Estimator to reflect changes to credits and deductions under the One, Big, Beautiful Bill, including no tax on tips, no tax on overtime, and other tax benefits.
CTCPA State Tax Group Testifies in Support of Proposal to Simplify Bond Premium Rules, but Urges Further Action
March 11, 2026
CTCPA State Tax Group Chair Alan Clavette recently testified before the Connecticut General Assembly’s Finance, Revenue and Bonding Committee in support of the State Tax Group’s proposal, HB 5445 – An Act Concerning the Amortizable Bond Premium Subtraction for Purposes of the Personal Income Tax. More than a dozen group members and CTCPA Executive Director Bonnie Stewart also submitted written testimony supporting the proposal.
Early Legislative Win: Provisions Threatening State Board of Accountancy Oversight Removed from HB 5222
March 11, 2026
Earlier this session, we alerted members to concerns about Sections 1 and 2 of HB 5222. Introduced as part of the Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection (DCP) clean-up bill, these sections would have significantly changed how CPA regulation is enforced in Connecticut by allowing DCP to independently exercise enforcement powers in CPA matters. We are pleased to report that DCP leadership has agreed to remove Sections 1 and 2 from HB 5222.
EY doubles CPA exam bonus to $10,000
March 10, 2026
The bigger bonuses are part of a $1 billion initiative announced by the Big Four firm in 2024 which aims to attract more people to the accounting profession.
US, Canada, Mexico extend CPA mobility agreement through 2028
March 10, 2026
An agreement between professional accounting bodies in North America’s three largest countries will extend cross-border practice mobility for CPAs through the end of 2028.
Top 50 firm announces new majority private-equity investment
March 09, 2026
Schellman is the latest large firm to execute a flip within its private-equity-driven ownership model.
Treasury, IRS issue proposed regulations for Trump Accounts pilot program, Treasury Department to deposit $1,000 into the account of each eligible child
March 06, 2026
The Department of the Treasury and the Internal Revenue Service today issued proposed regulations providing guidance regarding the pilot program for Trump Accounts, which are a new type of individual retirement account for eligible children. Trump Accounts and the Trump Account Pilot Program were established under the One, Big, Beautiful Bill enacted on July 4, 2025.
CT small businesses hope their latest R&D tax credit push pays off
March 05, 2026
Industry advocates and small business owners argue that the credit would help boost the economy and spur innovation in the state.
Michael Palombella, CPA Joins The Innovative CPA Group as Director
March 04, 2026
The Innovative CPA Group is pleased to announce that Michael Palombella has joined the firm as a Director. Michael brings extensive experience in tax planning, compliance, and strategic advisory services, serving closely held businesses and high-net-worth individuals with proactive, solutions-oriented guidance.
CT Comptroller Projects $77.3M Budget Surplus, Touts Quantum Tech As Key To State’s Future Economy
March 03, 2026
Can Connecticut become the Silicon Valley of quantum tech? Comptroller Sean Scanlon thinks it’s at least a possibility.
IRS issues higher 2026 depreciation limits for passenger automobiles
March 03, 2026
After issuing a decrease last year, the IRS on Tuesday posted slightly higher depreciation limitations for passenger automobiles. These limits are updated annually for inflation, based on the automobile component of the Chained Consumer Price Index for Urban Consumers.