Award recognizes accounting and finance pioneers helping to reshape the profession

NEW YORK (June 10, 2026) — CPA.com, the trusted partner in accounting and finance transformation, today opened submissions for the 2026 Digital CPA (DCPA) Innovative Practitioner Award. The annual award recognizes practitioners who demonstrate forward-thinking leadership and innovative approaches that inspire positive change across the accounting profession.

"Accounting professionals of all levels and across every practice area are driving innovation and rethinking how they work, serve clients and shape the future of their firms," said Michael Cerami, EVP, CPA.com. "The DCPA Innovative Practitioner Award spotlights that leadership and ingenuity, and the practitioners who are moving the profession forward."

The 2026 recipient will be recognized at CPA.com’s DCPA Conference, taking place Dec. 6–9, 2026, in San Diego. The premier event brings together more than 1,000 progressive firm leaders and practitioners to learn and exchange insights on the transformative technologies and business strategies reshaping the future of accounting.

The Innovative Practitioner Award winner will receive complimentary conference registration and benefit from profession-wide recognition at the event and through CPA.com media and social media channels. The individual’s organization will also have the opportunity to highlight the achievement with their clients, customers, staff and key stakeholders.

Self-nominations and nominations from peers or colleagues are welcome. Applications close late July.

Submit a nomination or learn more about the award criteria visit the CPA.com Digital CPA Innovative Practitioner Award page.

About CPA.com
CPA.com is the trusted partner in accounting and finance transformation, enabling firms and finance teams to evolve and innovate across audit, tax and advisory services. It delivers leading-edge strategies, resources and technologies to help firms and finance teams of all sizes stay ahead of a rapidly changing marketplace, deliver more value to clients, and position for long-term success. CPA.com is an affiliate of the American Institute of CPAs (AICPA). For more information, visit www.CPA.com.

New resource gives firm leaders a strategic framework to help make informed technology decisions around artificial intelligence.

NEW YORK (June 9, 2026) — CPA.com, the trusted partner in accounting and finance transformation, today released Build vs. Buy: The Decision Framework for AI in Accounting Firms, a practical guide to help firm leaders make strategic AI investment decisions. The resource is part of CPA.com’s ongoing AI initiative, which aims to accelerate the profession’s understanding and application of this transformative technology.

“The firms that will differentiate in the AI era are not necessarily the ones moving the fastest — they're the ones moving most intentionally,” said Michael Cerami, EVP, CPA.com. “Each technology decision is also a business model decision. Leaders who understand this will build practices that are more adaptable, more resilient and better positioned to deliver long-term value to clients."

Developed by the CPA.com AI Working Group — a task force made up of firm, finance and technology leaders from across the profession — and in collaboration with radical, an innovation and business transformation consulting firm, the framework guides firms through a three-condition decision model and a six-question litmus test for evaluating AI capabilities and tools.

Key focus areas include:

• When to build vs. buy vs. build around — A three-condition model covering one-off utilities, core competencies, and commodity systems, with a capability grid for plotting any AI tool by how unique and how strategic it is to the firm.
• The six-question litmus test — A structured set of questions to help leadership assess uniqueness, differentiation potential, ownership, vendor risk and security maturity before committing to any approach.
• The vibe-coding iceberg — A breakdown of the hidden operational, risk, governance and people costs that firms consistently underestimate when a promising prototype is mistaken for production-ready software.
• Common failure patterns — Practical guidance on avoiding shadow IT, cross-client data leakage, pricing-model whiplash, key-person risk and maintenance blind spots.

The framework complements CPA.com’s AI Solution Due Diligence Guide for Accounting Firms, which provides deeper guidance for firms that have made a buy decision and are evaluating AI solution partners.

The CPA.com AI working group continues to explore emerging opportunities and challenges in AI, and will help deliver practical insights, guidance, tools and resources to support practitioners on their AI journeys.

To access the framework and additional AI-focused tools and resources, visit CPA.com/AI.

About CPA.com

CPA.com is the trusted partner in accounting and finance transformation, enabling firms and finance teams to evolve and innovate across audit, tax and advisory services. It delivers leading-edge strategies, resources and technologies to help firms and finance teams of all sizes stay ahead of a rapidly changing marketplace, deliver more value to clients, and position for long-term success. CPA.com is an affiliate of the American Institute of CPAs (AICPA). For more information, visit www.CPA.com.

New enhancements help firms improve audit quality, streamline execution, and enhance efficiency

​NEW YORK (June 8, 2026) ​Caseware​, the leading AI platform for assurance and financial reporting software, today announced new updates to the ​​​Dynamic Assurance Solution​ (DAS). Operating within the Caseware AI ecosystem alongside Verity, DAS continues to unify methodology, engagement data and workflow-native intelligence across the audit lifecycle, helping firms improve audit quality while reducing complexity. ​ ​​​

​​The latest updates introduce comprehensive workflows for internal controls and risk assessment, embedded capabilities to support PCAOB engagements, and enhanced sampling capabilities – significantly reducing manual coordination while strengthening reviewer oversight and promoting compliance.​ The enhancements further strengthen the foundation for workflow-native intelligence across the audit lifecycle, ensuring firms can leverage connected data, methodology and engagement workflows. ​​

​​​DAS delivers a fully integrated solution that connects risk assessment and responses to audit workflows within a single system of record. Powered by a transformative methodology developed by the AICPA in partnership with audit professionals from leading firms, DAS enables a data- and risk-driven audit approach that eliminates the need for disconnected tools, while enabling greater efficiency, audit quality and client value. ​​

“Firms continue to look for ways to improve audit quality while navigating increasing complexity, evolving standards and compliance expectations,” said Amy Pawlicki, VP, Assurance & Advisory Innovation, AICPA. “The latest DAS updates build on our commitment to delivering connected, practitioner-driven audit workflows that help firms streamline execution while driving audit quality and client value.”

Key enhancements include:

• Enhanced Risk Assessment Workflow: A redesigned risk assessment workflow creates a direct, highly traceable path from initial observations to documented risks. Risk indicators, risk identification and risk response are now more tightly connected throughout the engagement.
• End-to-End Internal Controls: Scalable optionality for applicable entity type and audit approach, offering unified controls workflow that connects process understanding, design and implementation (D&I) assessments, and test of operating effectiveness. This centralization gives reviewers a clean, immediate summary of each control’s status.
• Integrated PCAOB workflows: Built-in support for both integrated and non-integrated PCAOB public company audits, alongside dedicated interim (10-Q) review workflows. PCAOB-specific guidance, standards and checklists seamlessly surface based on engagement set up.
• Flexible Stratification in Sampling: A redesigned sampling interface that lets users define up to five custom strata — a significant expansion from the previous single-stratum limitation. The update also includes built-in stratification guardrails to support statistically sound, standards-compliant sample design and alignment with PCAOB requirements where applicable.
• Dynamic Financial Reporting: Streamlined financial statement tools featuring added dynamic calculations and new cashflow worksheets across multiple industries to simplify financial statement preparation.
• Stronger engagement file retention and documentation support: Help firms prepare more complete files in anticipation of inspections and peer review

What firms are saying

Jeanne Barrett, a shareholder at Schneider Downs & Co., Inc., commented, “DAS stands out not only for its advanced and purposeful methodology, but also for its flexibility and agility. The team’s responsiveness ensures that our needs as practitioners are heard and addressed, allowing us to deliver high-quality audits with greater efficiency.”

About the Dynamic Assurance Solution (DAS)

DAS operates within the Caseware AI ecosystem, where workflow-native intelligence, methodology and engagement data are unified across the end-to-end audit lifecycle. It delivers a fully integrated solution that connects risk assessment and responses to audit workflows within a single system of record. Powered by a transformative methodology, developed by the AICPA in partnership with audit professionals from leading firms, DAS enables a data- and risk-driven audit approach that eliminates the need for disconnected tools, while enabling greater efficiency, audit quality and client value.

For more information about DAS, ​visit CPA.com​.

About Caseware

Caseware is the leading global AI platform for accounting professionals, serving 23,000+ firms in over 130 countries. Caseware's platform powers audit, financial reporting, and compliance workflows for firms of every size — from regional practices to the world's largest networks. Caseware enables the world of audit and accounting to unlock efficiency, deliver excellence and grow with confidence. Through precision, partnership and innovation, we are powering trust in the global economy.

About CPA.com

CPA.com is the trusted partner in accounting and finance transformation, enabling firms and finance teams to evolve and innovate across audit, tax and advisory services. It delivers leading-edge strategies, resources and technologies to help firms and finance teams of all sizes stay ahead of a rapidly changing marketplace, deliver more value to clients, and position for long-term success. CPA.com is an affiliate of the American Institute of CPAs (AICPA). For more information, visit www.CPA.com.

New resources and frameworks foster a tech-enabled methodology centered around planning and advisory

NEW YORK (June 8, 2026) — CPA.com, the trusted partner in accounting and finance transformation, introduced new resources and initiatives as part of its ongoing effort to help accounting firms move beyond compliance-first tax operations and build more AI-enabled, advisory-driven practices. As firms face growing client expectations, mounting talent challenges and rapid advances in automation and AI, CPA.com is taking an active role in equipping tax leaders with the clarity, tools and community needed to navigate this shift with confidence.

“The tax practice is at an inflection point, and firms that are thriving aren't just adopting new technology — they're fundamentally rethinking what their practice can be," said Brandon Allfrey, Senior Director, Tax Transformation, CPA.com. "The firms that approach this strategically are unlocking new ways to serve clients, grow revenue and attract the next generation of talent — and CPA.com is committed to helping them get there."

To support this effort, CPA.com has introduced three new initiatives:

• Tax Transformation Framework: A paper highlighting the five drivers of tax transformation helping tax partners and practice leaders evolve from reactive, compliance-focused operations into proactive, AI-enabled advisory organizations — spanning strategic leadership, talent and culture, technology and AI integration, service and pricing models and operational excellence.
• State of Tax Transformation 2026 Survey: A benchmarking survey capturing firm insights on tax operations, technology adoption, talent development, advisory growth and barriers impacting transformation efforts. The survey is open to tax practitioners and firm leaders in the U.S., regardless of firm size. Survey responses will be accepted through July 21, 2026.
• Firm Tax Working Group: A collaborative forum bringing together firm leaders and practitioners to share insights, identify emerging trends and help shape future guidance and resources around tax transformation.

Together, these initiatives reflect CPA.com's broader belief that firms who successfully modernize tax operations will be better positioned to scale, retain talent, and deliver greater strategic value to clients.

For more information, please visit the CPA.com Tax Transformation page.

About CPA.com
CPA.com is the trusted partner in accounting and finance transformation, enabling firms and finance teams to evolve and innovate across audit, tax and advisory services. It delivers leading-edge strategies, resources and technologies to help firms and finance teams of all sizes stay ahead of a rapidly changing marketplace, deliver more value to clients, and position for long-term success. CPA.com is an affiliate of the American Institute of CPAs (AICPA). For more information, visit www.CPA.com.

Survey of 1,000 accountants finds 60% of firms now use AI-powered tax research, up from 33% in 2025

TORONTO and NEW YORK (June 8, 2026) Blue J, the leading AI-powered tax research solution, and CPA.com, the trusted partner in accounting and finance transformation, today released the second annual AI Tax Research Solution Outlook Report, examining how AI-powered tax research adoption is reshaping accounting firms and changing how practitioners work.

Based on a survey of more than 1,000 tax professionals across the United States, practitioners are no longer experimenting with AI — they’re increasingly relying on it as a core part of their workflows and broader firm transformation strategies.

Key findings from the report include:

• AI-powered tax research adoption has nearly doubled over the past year. 60% of respondents now use AI for tax research at least weekly, up from 33% in 2025. At the same time, the percentage of firms considering adopting AI in the near future has risen to 32%.
• AI is now embedded across different workflows. Respondents are using AI across a wide range of applications. Advisory projects (44%) and tax planning (40%) lead the list, with compliance research (39%), document analysis (36%), and drafting (35%) close behind.
• AI is changing practitioners’ relationships with time and people. 84% of respondents agree AI saves time, and many are focusing on reinvesting that time towards people: 50% toward improving client response and delivery timelines, 47% toward staff work-life balance and 46% toward delivering higher-quality advice.
• AI is changing how practitioners bill. As AI commodifies routine tax knowledge, 69% of respondents anticipate moving to a value-based, hybrid, or fixed-fee billing model.

"A year ago, we were talking about how AI-powered tax research adoption was rising. Now we’re past the tipping point," said Benjamin Alarie, CEO and co-founder of Blue J. "What we’re seeing now is AI humanizing the profession by giving practitioners the time and headspace to exercise their judgment, engage more deeply with clients, and step into the role of trusted advisors."

At the heart of these findings is the human shift. As AI takes on more of the routine work of tax research, practitioners are gaining time to focus on the uniquely human contributions AI can’t replace which includes judgment, relationships, and the kind of personalized advice that turns a one-time transaction into lasting client partnership.

"We're seeing a change in what clients are looking for,” said Matt Brewer, Tax Partner & National Tax Software and Automation Leader, at Sorren. “They're looking a lot more for that trusted advisor, that relationship. With the old processes, people are so bogged down in compliance that it's really hard to find the time to address that need. AI is freeing up our staff to move up quicker — and ultimately elevate them to become that client-facing relationship builder and build that trust with the client."

“AI-powered tax research is quickly becoming foundational to the modern tax workflow,” said Brandon Allfrey, senior director, Tax Transformation at CPA.com. “As firms advance their tax transformation strategies, AI is helping practitioner deliver more proactive, higher-value advisory services. Working alongside innovators like Blue J, we’re seeing firms reimagine how tax work gets done — creating new opportunities for growth, talent development and stronger client relationships.”

CPA.com continues to support firms navigating broader tax transformation efforts through its tax advisory services initiatives, including ongoing research, benchmarking and thought leadership focused on workflow modernization, technology adoption and advisory evolution. Firms interested in benchmarking their own tax transformation strategies and technology adoption can participate in CPA.com’s Tax Transformation Benchmark Survey.

The full report is available now for download at www.cpa.com/2026-ai-report.

About Blue J
Blue J is the leading AI-powered tax research solution, delivering defensible tax answers in seconds—all backed by a rigorously curated content library. Founded in 2015, Blue J is trusted by thousands of organizations, including Big Four firms and Fortune 100 companies. With over 8 million tax questions answered to date, Blue J empowers tax professionals to spend less time researching and more time applying their judgment where it matters most.

About CPA.com
CPA.com is the trusted partner in accounting and finance transformation, enabling firms and finance teams to evolve and innovate across audit, tax and advisory services. It delivers leading-edge strategies, resources and technologies to help firms and finance teams of all sizes stay ahead of a rapidly changing marketplace, deliver more value to clients, and position for long-term success. CPA.com is an affiliate of the American Institute of CPAs (AICPA). For more information, visit www.CPA.com.