Successful applicants receive a grant, expert mentorship and visibility at premier profession events

NEW YORK (Aug. 7, 2025) — The American Institute of CPAs (AICPA) and CPA.com today announced the opening of applications for the 2026 Startup Accelerator cohort, a program designed to empower and accelerate growth for early-stage companies developing future-ready solutions for the accounting and finance profession.

Startup and early-stage technology companies focused on accounting, tax, audit and advisory solutions are encouraged to apply. Selected participants will receive a $25,000 grant, mentorship from industry subject matter experts and access to high-profile opportunities at premier profession events, including AICPA & CIMA ENGAGE and CPA.com’s Digital CPA conference.

"The Startup Accelerator program helped us develop key relationships with leading firms and provided valuable guidance around product positioning and strategy,” said Ben Stein, CEO and co-founder of Keeper, a 2025 program participant. “It made us much more informed about the accounting profession and was instrumental in accelerating our growth."

Participating startups gain access to a legacy network of advisors with deep experience in accounting, finance, emerging technology and professional services. Now in its eighth year, the program continues to spotlight cutting-edge innovation reshaping the accounting profession. Learn more about past participants.

“The Startup Accelerator is a key part of our efforts to drive innovation in the accounting profession by connecting firms and finance professionals with cutting-edge technology solutions that help enhance efficiency, transform service models and deliver deeper client value to support their long-term success,” said Michael Cerami, EVP, CPA.com.

To be eligible for consideration, companies must meet the following criteria:

• An innovative solution focused on accounting, audit, tax or advisory services
• Demonstrate the active use of artificial intelligence within the solution
• A working product with active users
• Financing at either seed or pre-Series A stage (with some exceptions)

Applications for the 2026 cohort are currently open through Nov. 30, 2025. After the application process closes, a short list of applicants will be invited to pitch their solutions to a committee of subject matter experts. The new cohort will be announced in early 2026.

To apply, visit accelerator.cpa.com. For inquiries, contact Vendela Hale at vendela.hale@hq.cpa.com.

About CPA.com

CPA.com brings innovative solutions to the accounting profession, either in partnership with leading providers or directly through its own development. The company has established itself as a thought leader on emerging technologies and as the trusted business advisor to practitioners in the United States, with a growing global focus. Our company’s core mission is to drive the transformation of practice areas, advance the technology ecosystem for the profession, and lead technology research and innovation efforts for practitioners. A subsidiary of the American Institute of CPAs, the company is also part of the Association of International Certified Professional Accountants, the world’s most influential organization representing the profession. For more information, visit CPA.com.

About AICPA & CIMA, together as the Association of International Certified Professional Accountants

AICPA & CIMA, together as the Association of International Certified Professional Accountants (the Association), advance the global accounting and finance profession through our work on behalf of 597,000 AICPA and CIMA members, candidates and registrants in 188 countries and territories. Together, we are the worldwide leader on public and management accounting issues through advocacy, support for the CPA license, the CGMA designation and specialized credentials, professional education and thought leadership. We build trust by empowering our members, candidates and registrants with the knowledge and opportunities to be leaders in broadening prosperity for a more inclusive, sustainable and resilient future.

A recent report from CPA.com says that semi-autonomous AI bots are already completing bookkeeping workflows start to finish, fully automating the entire process, and tax compliance is not far behind.

Article source: https://www.accountingtoday.com/news/bookkeeping-totally-automated-tax-compliance-not-far-behind

Latest research provides roadmap for accounting firms aiming to harness AI as a competitive advantage.

NEW YORK (June 10, 2025) – CPA.com, the business and technology subsidiary of the American Institute of CPAs (AICPA), today released the AICPA and CPA.com 2025 AI in Accounting Report, a comprehensive analysis of the current landscape, trends and future projections for AI in accounting and finance. The report is part of CPA.com’s ongoing AI initiative, which aims to accelerate the profession’s understanding and application of this transformative technology. The announcement came during a keynote session at AICPA & CIMA ENGAGE 2025.

“AI is fundamentally reshaping the accounting profession, accelerating the move toward more strategic advisory services,” said Erik Asgeirsson, president and CEO of CPA.com. “What’s especially noteworthy is that the accounting technology ecosystem is leading this transformation. Firms that embrace AI-enabled solutions—such as large language models and agentic AI—are not only creating new efficiencies, but also redefining what is possible in practice. These early adopters will gain a significant competitive advantage and be better positioned for the future.”

Developed in collaboration with radical, an innovation and business transformation consulting firm, the report synthesizes the most important insights from the recent AICPA and CPA.com AI in Accounting and Finance Symposium and includes in-depth ecosystem research, interviews with technology vendors and practitioners, and firsthand industry observations to provide finance leaders with actionable clarity to drive strategic decisions.

Key focus areas explored in the report:

• The state of AI in accounting – A current-state analysis of how firms and finance teams are navigating the balance between legacy systems and AI-native solutions and moving beyond simple automation toward true augmentation of accounting processes.
• Strategic themes shaping 2025 – Key themes shaping the year ahead, including workflow automation, human-in-the-loop verification and new ways to enhance client delivery and experience.
• Emerging trends and innovations – A look at the rapidly evolving AI landscape—from domain-specific large language models and agentic AI to audit transformation and context-aware technology.
• Talent and training in the age of AI – Insights into how AI is redefining roles within firms, shifting expectations for entry level talent and driving the development of new workforce models.
• A roadmap for the future – Practical guidance and a four-phase roadmap to help teams move from insight to action, scaling AI adoption responsibly and strategically.

“AI is not going to disrupt the accounting profession, but it will change what an accountant does,” said Mark Koziel, president and CEO, AICPA. “Firms are further ahead in their adoption of AI than business and industry. As their trusted advisors, they have an important role to play in helping their clients implement safe and effective AI strategies.”

In addition to the report, CPA.com also announced the launch of a new AI in Focus newsletter, designed to keep practitioners up to date on the latest AI trends and developments, as well as the newly formed AI in Accounting Working Group—a task force made up of firm, finance and technology leaders from across the profession. This group will explore emerging opportunities and challenges in AI, and will help deliver practical insights, tools and resources in the coming months to guide practitioners on their AI journeys.

"The question has shifted from ‘if’ AI will impact the profession to ‘how firms will lead with it’,” said Pascal Finette, co-founder, radical. “Successful adoption depends on more than just tools—it requires a mindset shift, a willingness to experiment, and the clarity to move from pilots to practice."

To learn more or access AI-focused additional tools and resources, visit cpa.com/ai.

About CPA.com

CPA.com brings innovative solutions to the accounting profession, either in partnership with leading providers or directly through its own development. The company has established itself as a thought leader on emerging technologies and as the trusted business advisor to practitioners in the United States, with a growing global focus.

Our company’s core mission is to drive the transformation of practice areas, advance the technology ecosystem for the profession, and lead technology research and innovation efforts for practitioners. A subsidiary of the American Institute of CPAs, the company is also part of the Association of International Certified Professional Accountants, the world’s most influential organization representing the profession. For more information, visit CPA.com.

Sage and CPA.com, an affiliate of the AICPA, last week announced a partnership that licenses select AICPA resources to train Sage Copilot, the accounting and business management software company’s generative AI assistant.

Article source: https://www.cpapracticeadvisor.com/2025/06/09/sage-and-cpa-com-collab-to-enhance-accuracy-of-sage-copilot/162769/

• New enhancements focus on usability, scalability and efficiency for engagements of varying complexity that speak to the needs of auditors
• New DAS State and Local Government audit module
• New content including Dealership, HUD, Insurance, Financial Institutions, Not-for-Profit and Real Estate

New York, NY (June 9, 2025) – The latest release of the Dynamic Audit Solution (DAS) delivers targeted enhancements to support auditors in executing high-quality, efficient engagements across a broad range of industries and complexity levels. With expanded content, AI-driven capabilities and optimized usability, DAS continues to evolve as the profession’s most comprehensive, cloud-based audit platform.

Purpose-built for the audit lifecycle

DAS is the anchor application of the OnPoint Suite, built on the Caseware Cloud platform. It is the only fully integrated, end-to-end audit solution that offers tailored industry content and advanced capabilities to meet the needs of today’s auditors. Powered by a transformative methodology developed by the American Institute of CPAs (AICPA) and in partnership with audit professionals from leading firms, DAS features guided workflows and real-time collaboration to support enhanced auditor and client experience through a risk-focused, data-driven approach. The platform is designed to scale with firm needs, from straightforward audits to complex, multi-entity engagements.

Key enhancements of the latest releases are significant and include:

• Expanded industry content: New modules support firms performing engagements across specialized industries, including Single Audit, State and Local Government, Dealerships, HUD, Insurance, Financial Institutions, Not-for-Profit and Real Estate, to provide auditors with tailored workflows, compliance checklists and industry-specific guidance aligned with current standards.
• AI-enabled risk assessment and automation: DAS now integrates tools such as AiDa, LeaseJava, Extractly.ai and Validis to streamline data ingestion, automate document analysis and enhance risk identification. These capabilities reduce manual effort and improve the precision of audit responses.
• Support for simple and complex engagements: DAS provides a scalable audit methodology designed to accommodate both straightforward and complex engagements. Enhancements to key forms and the introduction of new workflow options empower engagement teams to tailor their approach based on the specific needs of each client’s financial reporting environment. This flexibility enables greater efficiency in simpler audits while preserving the robust, risk-based analysis essential for more complex scenarios.

What firms are saying

“The capabilities offered through the Dynamic Audit Solution methodology are helping to make our auditors better auditors,” said Pat Walsh, Managing Partner and CEO of Withum, a Top 100 firm that leverages DAS within the OnPoint Suite to support the firm’s audit engagements.

Carla McCall, Managing Partner at AAFCPAs, added, “Adopting DAS marks a significant milestone in AAFCPAs’ journey of innovation and excellence in audit services. Its data ingestion and analysis capabilities help us better understand our clients’ financial information, and with this deeper understanding we can provide more informed advice and identify opportunities for improvement.”

Training and implementation support

DAS is the premier technology enabling audit practice transformation, with CPA.com providing comprehensive support for effective change management, implementation and training. CPA.com offers migration, implementation and training services through its Professional Services team, which can be customized to meet individual firm needs. To address the growing demand for DAS training, CPA.com has also partnered with 20-20 Services, a recognized leader in professional education services for accounting and advisory firms. 20-20 Services also provides ongoing A&A training that integrates DAS beyond initial implementation.

Looking ahead

As adoption accelerates, DAS continues to evolve in response to practitioner feedback and regulatory developments. The roadmap includes further enhancements to support audits of public companies under PCAOB standards, deeper AI integration, and expanded authoring capabilities to support firm-specific methodologies.

To learn more or schedule a demo, visit cpa.com/DAS.

Shape the future of auditing. Participate in the AICPA and CPA.com audit benchmark survey

CPA.com and the AICPA have launched the audit benchmark survey with the aim to establish an understanding of firms' awareness, adoption and strategies for audit transformation through new methodologies and technologies. If you’re interested in participating or receiving a copy of the report, visit cpa.com/audit-benchmark-survey.

About CPA.com
CPA.com brings innovative solutions to the accounting profession, either in partnership with leading providers or directly through its own development. The company has established itself as a thought leader on emerging technologies and as the trusted business advisor to practitioners in the United States, with a growing global focus. The company’s core mission is to drive the transformation of practice areas, advance the technology ecosystem for the profession, and lead technology research and innovation efforts for practitioners. A subsidiary of the American Institute of CPAs, the company is also part of the Association of International Certified Professional Accountants, the world’s most influential organization representing the profession. For more information, visit CPA.com.