States eye CPA services for tax
Plus: Is being slower to hire the key to retention?
Innovation-blocking traditions, cashing in when everyone else quits, QBO cleanup secrets and why women-led conferences just might be the future of accounting. This week's lineup proves the profession is anything but boring.
We've also got a hiring tip that will help you dodge the great talkers who are lousy at doing and a look at whether state sales tax is creeping a little too close to your firm's front door.
But first, check out Jason Staats' latest video on why now might be the perfect time to sell your firm.
Firm barriers: Why tradition stifles innovation in accounting
Talent exodus? When everyone else quits, smart accountants cash in
Keys to QBO cleanup: Spot the skipped reconciliations, sneaky beginning balances and lurking transactions
Leading change: Five lessons for surviving today's constant business chaos
Watch out: State sales tax creeps into professional services
Some states are eyeing professional services as their next targets for sales tax, and accountants are squarely in the mix. Expanding sales tax beyond goods to include tax prep, audits and advisory could mean higher costs for clients, compliance headaches for firms and a ripple effect that stifles small business growth. The rules vary wildly by state. What counts as a taxable service in one jurisdiction may be exempt in another, and this makes planning and advocacy crucial. The AICPA and state CPA societies are already on guard, but this issue isn't going away. Expect new bills in 2026.
Why this matters: Taxing professional services could hit your clients' wallets and your firm's margins. Stay engaged in advocacy to protect both. (AICPA & CIMA)
Women-led conferences are changing accounting's future
If your best takeaways happen in hallway chats, you'll love this trend: women are building smaller, intentional accounting industry conferences where real talk isn't a sideshow. Events like Erin Pohan's WAVE, Sharrin Fuller's Women Who Count and Madeline Reeves' Advisory Amplified include hands-on workshops, pre- and post-event Zooms to keep the momentum going, vendors contributing expertise (not just swag) and even fundraising for the AICPA's scholarship fund. The themes hit home: battling firm-owner loneliness, navigating the messy middle of growth and putting women's leadership and pricing conversations on the main stage instead of a breakout session. The result is a community you can actually call on when you need a sounding board.
Why this matters: If you want growth without burnout, these women-led formats show how to scale smarter and feel less alone while doing it. (She Counts)
37%
The average time managers spend making decisions, over half of which is spent ineffectively. (McKinsey & Company)
- Karbon snaps up Aider to prove robots can reconcile faster
- Turns out private equity isn't always the corporate villain
- Shutdown drama leaves SBA staff at home and small businesses stranded
- Top 12 accounting programs for 2026 make the honor roll
- AI startups play fast and loose with ARR growth numbers
Hire slow, regret less
We've all been burned by a perfect-on-paper hire who turned out to be... less than perfect in practice. One firm, striveX, decided to fix the problem by creating a structured two-step filter: a values-focused interview followed by a paid technical test. The idea is simple: check if candidates align with your culture, then confirm they can actually do the work. The result? Fewer mis-hires, higher retention and a hiring process that doesn't rely on gut instincts or founder heroics.
Why this matters: Firms are stretched thin, and a bad hire costs money and drags down morale, efficiency and client trust. By borrowing a page from striveX and pairing vibe checks with hands-on testing, you can safeguard your firm's culture and protect profitability. In a talent market this tight, hiring right beats hiring fast every time. (AccountingWEB)
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The Net Gains is curated and written by Janet Berry-Johnson and edited by Bianca Prieto.