Rising accounting pay, SEC’s quarterly-report rethink, and a record-breaking PR move for the accounting profession

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 the latest accounting news, with 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 covered Gen Z’s unexpected embrace of accounting as a career path, the hidden surge in Big Tech’s AI spending through finance leases, and FASB’s debate over how to recognize intangibles. This week, we look at projected pay increases for public accountants, the SEC’s plan to make quarterly reporting optional, and a record-breaking stunt that’s giving the profession a creative PR boost. Plus, Ignition debuts an AI-driven pricing engine to help firms charge with confidence, a report that shows unchecked tech spend is outpacing strategic planning, and new FASB and PCAOB guidance aims to bring clarity to complex accounting judgments.

Let's dive in.

🔍 Top headlines

Public accounting salaries projected to rise 3.7% in 2026

Pay pressure is catching up to reality. The recently released Robert Half 2026 Salary Guide projects average pay increases of 3.7% for public accounting roles and 2.1% across finance and accounting overall, a modest but meaningful bump that slightly outpaces inflation (up 2.9% year-over-year as of August). According to the guide, compensation gains are spread across tax and audit positions, from entry-level associates to senior managers, with top-tier roles such as audit senior manager and tax director exceeding the $200,000 mark at the high end.

While the increases aren’t dramatic, they underscore a persistent theme in the profession: Firms continue to adjust pay in response to a tight labor market, evolving career expectations, and lingering talent shortages. After several years of pipeline pressure and calls for more competitive compensation, 2026 could mark a year where firms recalibrate pay scales to better attract and retain the next generation of accountants.

SEC moves to fast-track plan to end quarterly reports

The SEC is accelerating a proposal to end mandatory quarterly reporting for most public companies, giving them the option to file semi-annual reports instead. The initiative, championed by SEC Chairman Paul Atkins, would mark one of the most significant changes to US disclosure rules in decades.

Atkins argues the shift would reduce compliance costs and short-term market pressures, allowing businesses to focus on long-term strategy. “It’s time for the SEC to remove its thumb from the scales and allow the market to dictate the optimal reporting frequency,” he said in the Financial Times.

The move revives a long-running debate over transparency and market discipline. Supporters see it as a chance to curb “quarterly capitalism,” while critics warn it could weaken investor confidence and obscure early signs of corporate distress. For accountants, the proposal could redefine reporting cycles, assurance timelines, and the rhythm of financial communication across the capital markets.

Accountants set world record to challenge industry stereotypes

In a bid to spotlight the profession’s creative side—and attract new talent amid ongoing shortages—Scouts Talent led a campaign that broke the Guinness World Record for the Longest Line of Calculators, stretching 1,094 units across the Target Center in Minneapolis. The event, endorsed by FEI MN and the Minnesota Society of CPAs, brought together accountants, students, and firm leaders to reframe perceptions of the field.

“Accounting is the language of business,” said Gwen Martin, CEO of Scouts Talent. “We retired the ‘number-cruncher’ image and showcased accounting as a dynamic career offering impact and opportunity.”

This is a playful reminder that the profession’s image is shifting, but imaginative tactics like this may not be needed for long: as we covered in last week’s news roundup, Gen Z is already helping to make accounting cool again, so they may just revitalize the profession all on their own—no world records needed.

💻Technology & innovation

Ignition launches AI-powered pricing insights for accounting firms

Ignition has introduced Price Insights, an AI-driven pricing intelligence tool designed to help accounting firms set smarter, data-backed service fees. Drawing on the company’s extensive proposal database, the platform delivers tailored benchmarks, price suggestions, and reasoning directly within its workflow, giving firms clarity on how their rates compare across similar markets and services.

CEO Greg Strickland says the tool addresses a long-standing gap in pricing transparency, empowering firms to move beyond guesswork and price for profitability. The launch comes as 80% of firms plan to raise fees in 2026, underscoring the growing importance of strategic, evidence-based pricing in driving revenue and firm growth.

Is spending on technology spinning out of control?

Technology budgets are swelling, and so are the anxieties that come with them. A new West Monroe survey reveals that 86% of companies increased IT spending in the past year and 85% expect to do so again, yet 63% believe they’re outspending peers. That perception gap is fueling defensive cost-cutting over strategic spending, the report warns.

Most companies are prioritizing AI and data capabilities above all else, with nearly all respondents expecting those investments to further drive up costs. But the moral of the story isn’t to slash tech spending; it’s to prove ROI. To justify the spend, firms will need to tighten software governance, connect technology to client value, and align AI pilots with measurable outcomes.

🧠Practice management

FASB clarifies rules on complex contracts and noncash payments

The FASB has issued new guidance (ASU 2025-07) aimed at simplifying how companies account for certain complex contracts and share-based payments from customers. The update refines which agreements fall under derivative accounting rules, addressing confusion around newer arrangements, such as those tied to ESG targets, R&D milestones, or litigation outcomes that don’t fit neatly into existing definitions.

It also clarifies that share-based payments in customer contracts should be treated as noncash consideration until the company’s right to those shares becomes unconditional. The goal is to reduce inconsistencies and make revenue reporting clearer as business models and performance-linked deals evolve. The changes take effect for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2026.

PCAOB issues guidance on evaluating reliability of electronic audit evidence

The PCAOB has released new staff guidance to help auditors apply paragraph .10A of AS 1105, Audit Evidence, which becomes effective for audits of fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2025. The new paragraph requires auditors to evaluate the reliability of external information provided by clients in electronic form—for example, bank data feeds, invoices, or third-party confirmations.

The guidance provides illustrative examples showing how auditors can tailor procedures based on risk. In some cases, testing may not be necessary if the chance of data modification is remote; in others, auditors may need to test information directly or evaluate related IT controls. The goal is to ensure consistent, risk-based judgment as technology-assisted analysis becomes more embedded in audit work.

How BI and analytics are redefining management accountants’ roles

A new CIMA-sponsored study finds that while most management accountants recognize the potential of business intelligence and analytics (BI&A) to enhance decision-making, adoption still lags. Nearly 70% rely on Excel, and fewer than 40% use advanced BI tools. The study urges finance teams to move beyond descriptive analytics toward predictive and prescriptive insights powered by automation and AI—freeing up time for strategic analysis instead of manual reporting.

The takeaway: BI&A isn’t just a tech upgrade; it’s a path to elevate management accountants from report builders to strategic business partners. Firms that invest in data literacy, automation, and visualization capabilities will be best positioned to deliver faster, sharper insights that drive value.

🏢 Firm news & mergers

Former KKR partner launches SAINVUS, completes first CPA firm acquisition

A new player has entered the accounting consolidation space: SAINVUS, co-founded by former KKR partner Jonathan Smidt and Chartered Accountant Hilliard Milner, has officially launched with the acquisition of Schulman Lobel, a $23 million firm with offices in New York, New Jersey, and Los Angeles.

Positioned as a long-term growth partner rather than a traditional roll-up, SAINVUS aims to give CPA firms access to capital, operational support, and technology investment while preserving their culture and client relationships. The platform is actively seeking partnerships with growth-oriented firms and recruiting across tax and audit. For a changing industry, SAINVUS represents another sign that private capital and infrastructure-focused models are reshaping what firm independence looks like.

Healthworks joins Sorren, strengthening healthcare advisory capabilities

Sorren, an Inside Public Accounting 100 firm with $114.9 million in FY24 revenue, has announced that Healthworks, a national healthcare consulting firm, has joined the practice. The move expands Sorren’s footprint and deepens its expertise in healthcare advisory and litigation support, an area of growing demand as regulatory and valuation complexities increase.

Healthworks, known for its work with hospitals, physicians, and attorneys nationwide, brings decades of experience in fair market value assessments and expert testimony for healthcare disputes and arbitration. Sorren President Josh Tyree said the combination “strengthens our firm’s capabilities in a critical industry,” while Healthworks CEO Chris Fritz called it “an exciting milestone” that enhances resources without losing the specialized insight clients rely on.

📅 Events, podcasts & webinars

WATCH

In the Know: Payment approval workflows

In this week’s episode of In the Know, Jaclyn Anku and Priyanjolie Roy walk through QuickBooks’ latest feature: Payment Approval Workflows. Now available in the US for Bill Pay Elite and QuickBooks Online Advanced users, the update lets firms create fully customizable approval processes for releasing client payments, reducing risk and improving internal controls.

The demo shows how admins can assign approvers, set conditions based on vendor or amount, and track approvals with built-in audit trails. It’s a powerful addition for firms managing payments on behalf of clients, offering greater transparency, protection, and flexibility.

🗣️ 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.