Are you ready for global talent?

Before we dive into a buffet of CPE freebies, global staffing wake-up calls and mildly terrifying cybersecurity stories, do yourself a favor and check out this piece on keeping your brain younger through a few surprisingly doable habits. It just might convince you not to let your workout routine slide this busy season. 

Now onto the good stuff. We've got a spicy take on why menu-style packages are holding your expertise hostage and a reminder that your dusty tech stack isn't the quaint personality trait you think it is.

It's CPE crunch time! Industry pros team up to offer up to 14 free hours for accounting and tax pros.

Packaging problem: Real experts don't give clients a menu. They give them a map.

Accountability boost: Try these three simple shifts to keep your team actually following through. 

Thought leadership wins: How niche insights turn accountants into go-to experts.

Build global capacity before you need it

If you've been feeling the talent squeeze, here's a story that might make you rethink your whole people strategy. Nick Sinclair, founder and chairman of TOA Global, didn't set out to build a 4,500-person global staffing powerhouse. He just took a leadership trip to the Philippines and realized his own firm was missing out on world-class accounting talent.

Cue a few offshoring hiccups, a lot of demand and a mission fueled by watching his parents lose everything. Sinclair breaks down why global teams expose your firm's weak spots, how to build competency faster and what it really takes to lead people across borders without losing your mind.

Why this matters: Capacity problems don't magically fix themselves. A global talent bench can be the difference between scaling and stagnating. Consider this your nudge to build a real people plan. (Poe Group Advisors)

One click can wreck your whole week

You might think your firm's security is locked down, but are you double-checking every email in your inbox? You might want to start. Accountant John Barucci had cyber insurance, firewalls, security training and a written information security plan (WISP) and still fell victim to a single fake Social Security Administration email that let bad actors access nine client files, alter tax returns and reroute refunds in under 40 minutes. In this episode of the "Federal Tax Updates" podcast, Barucci walks through the blow-by-blow of the breach, the scramble to contain the damage, the IRS and software vendor, the forensic cleanup and the emotional toll of carrying that responsibility. 

Why this matters: Even great security can't stop one really convincing phishing email. This episode is a not-so-subtle reminder to tighten your controls, refresh your training and verify your cyber insurance coverage. (Federal Tax Updates)

13%

Average increase in company holiday party budgets for 2025. (CFO)

• Apparently, calling someone "leader" makes them talk 3X more
• Light traffic at CPA booths at a Tech Expo signals the credential's slipping influence
• New research shows companies bragging about equity often hide the biggest pay gaps
• AICPA and state societies united to push for recognition of accounting programs
• Big AI bets raise awkward accounting questions nobody wants to answer

Tech is the new busy season muscle 

In a few months, some tax firms will be strangely calm while others appear to be drowning. The difference comes down to one thing: technology. The firms investing in automation, workflow tools and AI are more efficient and they're widening the gap so fast that manual-work holdouts can't keep up. Meanwhile, the firms clinging to outdated systems deal with clogged processes, burnout and client expectations they can't possibly meet at scale. As the IRS modernizes and clients demand speed and security, the idea that you'll upgrade someday is starting to look like a slow-motion exit plan. 

Your reputation is also on the line. Modern tools signal competence before a client even signs the engagement letter, while a dusty tech stack quietly tells clients they'd better be patient. When trust is everything, that's not the message you want floating around.

Why this matters: Tech is no longer a back-office decision. It's your firm's competitive edge. Better tools support advisory work, protect capacity, strengthen security and help you keep your team from burning out. If your tech stack feels more 2012 than 2025, it might be time to treat upgrades as a growth strategy rather than a wish list. (Insightful Accountant)

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The Net Gains is curated and written by Janet Berry-Johnson and edited by Bianca Prieto.