Core Insights - The 2026 Benefits & Insurance Market Outlook by CBIZ aims to assist employers in navigating increasing healthcare costs and rising employee expectations [1][2][3] Group 1: Healthcare Costs - Projected healthcare costs are expected to increase by 10% per employee in 2026, primarily due to soaring prescription and specialty drug expenses, particularly GLP-1 medications, which have surged by 81% since 2023 [5] Group 2: Employee Expectations - 70% of employees believe that customizable benefits enhance loyalty, creating pressure on employers to provide more flexible and tailored total rewards to remain competitive [5] Group 3: Regulatory Changes - Significant regulatory shifts are anticipated in 2026, including the SECURE 2.0 Roth catch-up mandate for high-earning employees, new tax credits under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), and the expansion of pay transparency laws, which will require employers to adapt to compliance changes [5] Group 4: Technology in HR - Organizations are increasingly utilizing automation to improve HR operations, including recruiting, onboarding, payroll, and benefits administration, highlighting the growing need for robust AI governance [5] Group 5: Risk Management - Companies must prepare for an expansion of risk exposures across commercial insurance, including natural disasters, cyber threats, social inflation, supply chain disruptions, geopolitical instability, and workforce continuity challenges [5]

This story was originally published on CFO Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily CFO Dive newsletter. Dive Brief: The Financial Accounting Standards Board published a new standard that aims to clarify, but not change or reduce, existing reporting rules for interim reporting periods under Topic 270 of the guidance that underpins generally accepted accounting principles, according to a Monday press release. Among the new provisions, the amendment will require entities to d ...

Core Points - The Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB) has fined Beckles & Co $35,000 for repeated delays in submitting Form APs for audits conducted in 2023 and 2024 [1][6] - Beckles & Co failed to meet filing deadlines for nine audits, with late submissions occurring in August 2025 after PCAOB intervention [2] - The audits affected include those for OpGen, Token Communities, UbuyHoldings, and Eline Entertainment Group, with various audit report release dates spanning from June 2024 to June 2025 [2][3][4][5] Company-Specific Details - For OpGen, the audit report for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2023, was released in June 2024 and included in the Form 10-K submitted to the SEC [2] - Token Communities had audits for fiscal years ending June 30, 2023, and 2024, with reports issued on August 2, 2024, and December 31, 2024, respectively [3] - UbuyHoldings' audits covered periods ending May 31 for both 2023 and 2024, with reports issued on March 7, 2024, and June 6, 2025 [4] - Eline Entertainment Group's audits for the years ending December 31, 2023, and 2024, had reports issued on December 23, 2024, and April 15, 2025, respectively [5][6] Regulatory Actions - The PCAOB's order includes a censure, the $35,000 civil penalty, and a requirement for Beckles & Co to enhance its policies for timely reporting of audit participants in future filings [6] - Following the violations, Beckles & Co communicated to the PCAOB that it had implemented revised procedures to ensure compliance with reporting requirements [7]

Core Insights - Vertex Inc. and CPA.com have expanded their partnership to include an AI-driven solution for sales tax compliance, aimed at helping accounting firms automate and enhance their tax compliance processes [1][2][3] Company Overview - Vertex Inc. is a leading global provider of indirect tax solutions, focusing on delivering trusted tax technology for businesses to comply and grow confidently [5] - CPA.com is recognized as a partner in accounting and finance transformation, providing resources and technologies to help firms innovate and deliver value [9] - Kintsugi offers an AI-powered tax automation platform that significantly reduces preparation time and compliance costs for businesses [10] Partnership Details - The enhanced solution allows Client Advisory Services (CAS) and State and Local Tax (SALT) teams to automate registration, filing, and ongoing compliance management [2][3] - Firms can choose to manage compliance directly through a white-labelled platform or refer clients for hands-free automation, both options supported by Vertex and Kintsugi [2][3] - The application provides end-to-end sales tax compliance, including exposure analysis, registration, filing, and reporting, with real-time monitoring and accuracy controls [3] Future Initiatives - Vertex, CPA.com, and Kintsugi will present the enhanced application and discuss the future of AI in tax advisory services at the Digital CPA Conference from December 7-10, 2025 [4] - A webinar titled "Automate, scale, advise: The new AI-powered sales tax compliance model for CAS and SALT practices" is scheduled for January 15, 2026 [4]

The Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB) has issued a penalty against US accounting firm TPS Thayer for lapses during five audits involving two companies with main operations in China. PCAOB found that TPS Thayer did not sufficiently plan the five audits of these two companies or supervise a public accounting firm (Firm A), which is also in China. Firm A’s work formed a significant part of these audit engagements for the two companies that have their “principal place of business” in China. ...

The Institute of Singapore Chartered Accountants (ISCA) is extending its involvement in Singapore accountancy international partnerships by forming two new collaborations. These agreements are intended to increase the number of CA (Singapore)-qualified professionals and address the needs of Singapore companies operating abroad. The focus areas include talent development, professional standards, and links between industry and education. A partnership between ISCA and Jiangsu, a region in China, was forma ...

The Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB) in the US has disclosed that Christina Ho will end her tenure as board member. Her service will conclude on either 31 January 2026 or as soon as the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) names her replacement. Ho joined the PCAOB board in November 2021 after being selected by the SEC. Throughout her period at the organisation, she led the Technology Innovation Alliance Working Group, which connected the board with specialists in new technological ...

Core Insights - Azets has increased its accountancy graduate recruitment by 15%, hiring 384 graduates and school leavers in the UK, despite many firms in the sector reducing entry-level roles [1][3] - The company aims to use AI to enhance the work of junior staff rather than replace them, allowing new hires to focus on advisory roles while automating routine compliance tasks [3][4] - Azets completed the acquisition of Ensors, a chartered accountancy business, earlier in 2025, expanding its service portfolio [4][5] Regional Breakdown - The new graduate intake is distributed regionally, with 70% in the South and North East & Yorkshire, 64% in Central & West, 55% in Scotland, 46% in National Service Lines, and 40% in the North West [2] Strategic Vision - The CEO of Azets emphasized the importance of investing in graduate recruitment to prepare for future client demands and to ensure the growth of the business and the sector [3] - By automating routine tasks, Azets enables new staff to learn valuable advisory skills and progress more quickly in their careers, ultimately adding greater value to client businesses [4]

BDO UK partner pay fell 14% in its latest set of results after a slowdown in its deals practice https://t.co/KEcIkBT7wY ...

Under Labour the minimum wage has reached a point where a grad-schemer working late at a Big Four firm can earn less per hour than the person cleaning their office.Yet the party is haemorrhaging support to its left https://t.co/7dAwAHRjqi ...