Tipping Point: Accountants Scramble for AI-Enhanced Tax, GL, and Workflow Apps

New workflow systems expected to cut labor problems and shore up profit margins.

Coming out of tax season, more than 55% of firms are looking for new artificial intelligence solutions, up 10 points from before the season. The scramble for practice management and workflow solutions has almost doubled. (CPA Trendlines Research)

By CPA Trendlines Research

The CPA Trendlines Busy Season Barometer shows accounting firms are already planning changes to their technology and workflows, aiming to address the same pressures that defined this year’s busy season.

The research points to a profession broadly aligned with what needs to change, but much less aligned with how quickly those changes can be put into practice.


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Firms across the spectrum, whether reporting a better or worse tax season, identify similar priorities: improving efficiency, reducing manual work and making better use of technology.

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 Busy Season 2026: Clients, Pricing, Staffing… CRUNCH

CPA Trendlines Busy Season Barometer: Modest Gains, Mixed Outlook, Cautious Tech Upgrades Ahead

Top concerns: “The returns aren’t harder—they’re just later.” (CPA Trendlines Busy Season Barometer)
Join the survey. Get the results.

By CPA Trendlines Research

The 2026 tax season shows some gradual improvement for certain firms, but most practitioners report conditions that remain largely unchanged from a year ago, according to the latest data from the CPA Trendlines Busy Season Barometer.

For More Busy Season Trends and Strategies: Join the survey. Get the results.

MORE Tax Season 2026

The good news is: 2026 hasn’t turned into the disaster some were expecting with a new tax law and diminished IRS. The bad news is: 2026 is turning into a relatively routine year — without the advances in workflow or the better margins from higher-value services that some were hoping for.

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Six Steps to Freedom: A Road Map for High-Value Tax Advisory

An action plan including what to do in 60 minutes to start.

By Jackie Meyer
The Balanced Millionaire: Advisor Edition

By now, you’ve read about the mistakes I made, the strategies I discovered, the value of leading with advisory, the power of technology, and even the ultimate exit strategy. You’ve learned how to build, scale and eventually sell a high-value tax advisory firm that works for you, instead of the other way around.

But knowledge alone isn’t enough. The real magic happens when you take what you’ve learned and turn it into action.

MORE by Jackie Meyer
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This article is designed to be a clear, actionable road map that helps you take each concept and turn it into results. We’ll break down the steps you need to take – one by one – so that you can create your own transformation. Whether you’re just starting out or you’ve been running your practice for years, this action plan will help you move toward the freedom formula: more value, less stress and a firm that can thrive without you.
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Tell Your Tax Clients about These 40 Other Services

Woman and man shaking hands across a desk

BONUS: A checklist to use for additional client services.

By Ed Mendlowitz
Tax Season Opportunity Guide

The following listing can give you ideas of additional services clients might need.

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This list is not complete, but it is a good start for you to start thinking about what types of additional services you can offer to your clients!

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Three Questions to Ask Clients about Goodwill

portrait of Randy Fox
Fox
Randy A. Fox, CFP, AEP is the founder of Two Hawks Consulting LLC. He is a nationally known wealth strategist, philanthropic estate planner, educator and speaker.

Help manage their exit readiness.

By Randy A. Fox, CFP, AEP 
The Holistic Guide to Wealth Management

For many of your clients who are successful entrepreneurs, their business represents 80 percent to 90 percent of the value of their estate.

MORE Rory Henry and The Holistic Guide to Wealth Management
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While it seems like a large number on paper, it’s often illiquid, preventing the owner from enjoying the rewards of all their hard work. The lack of liquidity can also make owners reluctant to do the right kind of planning to maximize their “walk away” money post-sale.

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