Summer 2026
Features
PCAOB’s Oversight Shift: Leaning Into Leadership Accountability and Global Alignment
By Rikki Williams, CPA
The Public Company Accounting Oversight Board is considering changes that would place a greater emphasis on the role of firm leadership and audit practice oversight. This feature examines how the regulator may be revaluating audit quality and governance – a shift in emphasis that may reduce some of the pressure placed on individual auditors.
In Private Companies, CFOs Are Central to Building Ethical Guardrails
By J. Stephen McNally, CPA, CMA
Ethics rules are, for the most part, mandated for public companies through regulation. For private companies, these guardrails are optional and sometimes don’t exist at all. It is incumbent upon the private company CFO to review his or her ethics culture and build it up when necessary.
Responsible Technology Adoption in an AI-Enabled Profession
By Shannon H. Galletta, CPA, Jacob Crowley, CPA, and Ashley Stampone, CPA, PhD
How do firms ensure responsible AI adoption? Are there frameworks available to guide adoption? With AI on the rise, these are just a few of the questions examined in this feature emphasizing the importance of responsible and directed integration.
Columns
Accounting & Assurance
Proposed SAS Covers Auditors’ Responsibilities on Fraud
By James J. Newhard, CPA
The Auditing Standards Board is proposing a standard related to responsibilities regarding fraud in the audits of financial statements. This column explains the new expectations and how early planning will help auditors begin adjusting their processes, training, and documentation.
Legislative News
Beyond the Budget: Other Pressing Issues in Harrisburg
By Peter N. Calcara
In Pennsylvania, there is uncertainty in areas that directly affect tax planning, compliance, and client advisory. This article looks at a projected state structural deficit, certain tax provisions (which are frequently bargaining chips during budget negotiations), and the state’s tax administration and enforcement practices.
Business Succession Planning
Human Side of a Transition: Defeating Fear, Creating Comfort
By Ira Rosenbloom, CPA (Inactive)
Fear is not always a sign that something is wrong; sometimes it signals that something meaningful is happening. The most successful transitions happen when leaders treat fear not as an obstacle but as information.
State & Local Tax
Corporate State Tax Conformity in the Wake of the OBBBA
By Samantha To, CPA, and Matthew D. Melinson, CPA
Since the passage of the federal One Big Beautiful Bill Act, state legislatures have been assessing its effects on state budgets. When it comes to state corporate net income tax, there have been a wide array of state-level action in response to the OBBBA that will affect filings in many jurisdictions.
Forensic Accounting
Next Generation AI Ushers in New Era of Cyber Risk, Security
By Jacob Hough, CFE, and Anna Trolio, CPA
AI is advancing rapidly. This column looks at one of the cutting-edge tools – Anthropic’s Claude Mythos – and what advanced AI means for both the defense of cybernetworks and the risks it poses.
Employee Benefit Plans
Hot Topics for Employee Benefit Plan A&A
By Julie Verrekia, CPA
From SECURE Act plan amendments to the Department of Labor’s Voluntary Fiduciary Correction Program, this column reviews recent legislative and regulatory development affecting the management and auditing of employee benefit plans.
Federal Tax
Bonus Depreciation Expansion: Weigh Your Decision Carefully
By Sonnonedria Miller, CPA
The One Big Beautiful Bill Act provides companies with an opportunity to create significant tax deductions through bonus depreciation. However, certain qualifications must be met to maximize these benefits, and some difficult decisions may have to be made.
Technology & Cybersecurity
Beyond the Faster Close: What We Should Be Optimizing Now
By Anthony J. Borrelli
For years, technology has been drastically condensing the days to close. The time constraint has largely been relieved, so further optimization produces diminishing returns. This column looks at what the finance function should be optimizing now to enhance value.
Personal Financial Planning
Changing Qualified Opportunity Zone Rules Require Attention and Planning
By Brian M. Balduzzi, JD, LLM (Taxation), CFP
It is an important year for opportunity zone investors and qualified opportunity fund managers. Both have a mandatory deferred gain reporting date coming up as well as new rules under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.
Liability Lessons
A Stand-Alone Cyber Policy Matters More Than Ever
By Irene M. Walton
Some firms believe the risk exposure of cybercrime can be addressed with an endorsement to an existing professional liability policy. This assumption often leaves critical coverage gaps that can have serious financial and operational consequences.
Recognizing and Growing PICPA’s Influence
By Sean McVey
Meet Sean McVey, PICPA's 2026-2027 president, through his president's message to members.
