Best firms to work for, disaster tax relief legislation, and the weight of manual work drags on finance leaders

Welcome to our weekly digest—a space to reflect on where the accounting profession is headed and how it’s evolving in real time. Each week, we bring you a curated roundup of recent headlines, ideas, and innovations shaping the future of the industry.

From emerging technologies and shifting talent pipelines, to strategic mergers and evolving client expectations, the profession is in motion. Our goal is to surface stories that matter—whether you’re leading a firm, advising clients, or just ruminating about what comes next.

In last week’s issue, we explored declining CPA licensure rates, emerging M&A strategies amid market volatility, and how firms are using AI agents and platform upgrades to adapt and grow. This week, we look at Accounting Today’s 2025 Best Firms to Work For list, new legislation streamlining tax relief for disaster-hit areas, and the “modernization Catch-22” facing finance leaders who are expected to serve as strategic advisers, yet are buried in manual work. We also highlight career lessons from Big Four partners and the evolving conversation around how to best support today’s CPAs.

Let's dive in.

🔍 Top headlines

Accounting Today names 2025 Best Firms to Work For

Accounting Today and Best Companies Group unveiled the “2025 Best Accounting Firms to Work For” list, spotlighting 100 firms across the US that excel in culture, benefits, and employee experience. The annual program is built on a two-part evaluation: an in-depth review of workplace policies and demographics, which accounts for 25% of the score, and a comprehensive employee survey, which accounts for 75% of the score.

Nearly 200 firms entered this year, reflecting growing interest in workplace recognition as a recruitment and retention tool. Among those landing in the top 100 this year are well-known names such as Warren Averett, WilkinGuttenplan, and BeachFleischman, representing a mix of regional powerhouses and niche specialists that reflect the profession’s range.

Ranked results, along with a more comprehensive report, will be released in September. Additional follow-up lists, including “Best Firms for Women” and “Best Firms for Young Accountants” will be released this fall.

Congress passes act allowing tax relief when a state declares disaster

Congress has passed the Filing Relief for Natural Disasters Act, allowing the IRS to grant tax deadline extensions as soon as a governor declares a disaster or emergency, rather than having to wait for a federal disaster declaration, which often doesn’t occur until weeks later.

The bill, now headed to the Oval Office for signature, expands IRS authority to cover state-level declarations in all US states and territories, while also doubling automatic deadline extensions for certain relief workers and impacted taxpayers from 60 to 120 days. The AICPA praised the bipartisan effort, noting it will spare taxpayers “additional hardship” in moments of crisis.

For accountants and tax preparers, this shift means faster relief, more precise guidance, and fewer disruptions when clients are navigating the devastating aftermath of natural disasters or crises.

Manual tasks still clogging finance teams’ capacity

Despite years of investment in automation, finance teams are still drowning in manual tasks, according to a new Zuora survey of nearly 1,000 finance leaders. Examining data from across various industries, including hospitality, financial services, retail, and consumer products, the vast majority of finance leaders (79%) reported that their teams are overwhelmed with manual work. The problem is most notable in SaaS companies, where financial complexity is particularly high. In fact, 97% of respondents report that manual processes dominate.

Leaders are also navigating what the report calls a “modernization Catch-22,” where leaders are increasingly expected to act as strategic advisers, yet feel hamstrung by outdated technology and current systems that block progress.

While 93% say they are prioritizing AI in future investments, the survey suggests that CFOs must take a more active role in shaping their tech strategy to unlock capacity, and shift from reporting to providing forward-looking guidance.

💻Technology & innovation

Deloitte expands GenAI and agentic AI capabilities for its auditors

Deloitte is deepening its AI push with a major expansion of generative and agentic AI tools inside its global cloud-based audit platform, Omnia. The new suite reimagines core audit tasks—from documentation review to drafting memos—using GenAI to accelerate processes while maintaining quality and trust.

Auditors can now navigate financial statements more intuitively, extract and summarize data across documents, and even generate first drafts of audit communications. Deloitte is also embedding AI agents to handle specific tasks, such as data gathering, anomaly detection, and project management.

For firms watching AI’s evolution, this move shows how the technology is shifting from experiment to embedded practice, setting new expectations for speed, insight, and auditor skill sets.

🧠 Practice management

The importance of mastering soft skills in financial advisory

A session at AICPA & CIMA ENGAGE 25 made one thing clear: technical chops alone won’t make you a great adviser. Panelists, including personal financial coach Kelley Long, CPA/PFS; wealth adviser Jean‑Luc Bourdon, CPA/PFS; and accounting professor Sridhar Ramamoorti, CPA/CITP/CFF, CGMA, Ph.D.  shared stories showing how trust, empathy, and even humor can draw out the truths clients often hold back; truths that can derail financial plans if left unspoken. 

They urged advisers to create “shame‑free spaces,” ask thoughtful questions, and build a warmer relationship to put clients at ease. As Ramamoorti put it, clients don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care. For practitioners, the message is clear: soft skills aren’t optional extras, but key to doing the work as effectively as possible.

Is the answer more CPAs or better support for existing ones? 

The CPA pipeline problem has dominated headlines, but a growing chorus of voices is asking a different question: Is the real issue a lack of new accountants, or the neglect of those already in the field?

Accounting professional and licensed CPA Lance Mason argues the profession has poured energy into attracting candidates while ignoring the “sweet spot” of mid-career CPAs, who often carry the heaviest load, yet tend to be overlooked for support and development. Mason suggests that, beyond removing barriers for new CPAs entering the professions such as adjusting the 150-hour rule, it’s critical to also invest in retention, modern tools like AI, and clear career paths. In his view, the future of accounting may depend less on how many CPAs we produce, and more on how well we empower the ones we already have.

🏢 Firms news and mergers

Armanino expands outsourced services with SAOS team addition

Armanino is bolstering its outsourced accounting capabilities by bringing on the team from Strategic Accounting Outsourced Solutions (SAOS), a fast-growing firm known for its tech-driven, relationship-first approach. SAOS has appeared on the Inc. 5000 list for three years running, thanks to its focus on long-term client success and operational excellence. CEO Matt Armanino said the move reflects surging demand for turnkey solutions in areas such as finance, payroll, tax, and nonprofit advisory. For SAOS, the combination is about shared values and culture as much as growth,  aligning two firms committed to integrity, innovation, and client impact.

Doeren Mayhew deepens Houston footprint with RMH acquisition

Doeren Mayhew is expanding its presence in Houston with the acquisition of Reimer McGuinness Hess CPAs & Advisors (RMH). The deal brings 38 RMH employees into the fold, and adds tax, assurance, and outsourced accounting expertise across various industries, including healthcare, manufacturing, and real estate. Former RMH co-founder Tom McGuinness will serve as senior advisor, while the rest of the partner group joins Doeren Mayhew’s leadership ranks. Leaders from both firms say the combination pairs RMH’s strong local reputation with Doeren Mayhew’s resources and entrepreneurial culture, a match they believe will benefit both clients and teams.

🏅 Featured accountants and firms

Big Four partners share the career advice that shaped their rise

What does it take to climb to the top of a Big Four firm? Business Insider asked seven current and former partners—including Jason LaRue and Rema Serafi from KPMG, and Carla DeSantis and Yolanda Seals‑Coffield from PwC—to share the one piece of advice that stayed with them. Their insights ranged from the tactical (“think three steps ahead” and “specialize to stand out,” said KPMG’s LaRue and PwC’s Mark Truchan) to the personal (several stressed the value of doing things that scare you). Across stories, a common thread emerged: success isn’t just about technical skills, it’s about curiosity, courage, and a willingness to stretch beyond your comfort zone.

📅 Events, podcasts & webinars

WATCH

In the Know: Mineral HR guidance for QuickBooks Payroll

In this episode, Jaclyn Anku and Intuit product manager Kev Lubega demo new HR resources available to QuickBooks Online Payroll Premium and Elite users through Intuit’s partnership with Mineral. The integration gives ProAdvisors and their clients access to compliance dashboards, state‑specific law alerts, and tools for building employee handbooks. You’ll also see features like wage maps, cost‑per‑hire calculators, and pre‑built templates for hiring and benefits, all designed to simplify HR decisions and reduce compliance risk.

LEARN

ProAdvisor Academy: Advance your skills, grow your impact

ProAdvisor Academy is your hub for career‑spanning education, from foundational bookkeeping courses to advanced QuickBooks certifications. Explore interactive lessons, earn official ProAdvisor badges, and gain CPE credits while sharpening the skills that set you apart. With tools to master workflows, expand advisory services, and stay current on product updates, the Academy helps you deliver more value to clients and grow your firm in the process.

🗣️ Quote of the week

The future of accounting is unfolding every day, and it’s being shaped by professionals like you who are exploring new ideas, testing what works, and finding better ways to support clients. Whether you’re growing your skill set, expanding your services, or simply staying curious about what’s next, we hope this issue gives you a few useful sparks.

We’ll be back next week with more insights, trends, and tools to help you keep moving forward—one step, one win, and one update at a time.