As we usher in a new year, let’s take a look at the trends, issues, and stories that should be making headlines in the days, weeks, and months ahead.

The year ahead: 100 predictions for 2026 (from Maclean’s)
A guide to the people, ideas and trends that will shape the country over the next 12 months.

New quality management standards: What’s next (from the MACPA)
A new suite of quality management standards goes beyond new policies; it reflects a broader mindset focused on continual improvement, risk awareness, and firmwide accountability.

Ten predictions: PE, alternate practice structures and more (from CPA Trendlines)
How will the next 12 months will unfold? Trends? Predictions? Other thoughts? Here are some ideas from the Rosenberg MAP Survey.

Technology trends for accountants in 2026, from automation to orchestration (from CPA Practice Advisor)
The accounting profession has constantly evolved alongside technology, but the pace of change entering 2026 feels materially different.

The 8 mega trends every CPA needs to understand before 2026 (from CPA Trendlines)
For most of the past decade, “digital transformation” meant faster systems, better dashboards, and incremental automation layered on top of human decision-making. By 2026, that framing will no longer hold.

Why ‘2026 has to be a year of execution’ for CFOs (from CFO Brew)
It’s time to act on strategy after organizations had to hit pause this year amid uncertainty, expert says.

2026 outlook: Why solo firms, PE giants, and the middle are headed in different directions (from CPA Trendlines)
The U.S. accounting profession is no longer moving along a single growth continuum. It is splitting into three distinct economic paths—each governed by a different logic, facing different challenges, and offering different prospects. In 2026, these paths are likely to diverge further.

CFOs targeting both business growth and cost reductions in 2026 (from CFO.com)
A new survey by Gartner shows the “very explicit tension” finance chiefs expect to face in the year ahead.

Employers peg pay hike budgets at 3.5% for 2026 (from CFO.com)
With labor market pressure easing “considerably,” companies are taking a more conservative approach to compensation.

CFOs expect pricing pressures to continue in 2026 (from CFO.com)
CFOs are heading into 2026 expecting persistent pricing pressure and economic uncertainty.