Consumer sentiment rises amid persistent job, price worries: UMichigan

Recent federal government data suggest the outlook for the economy — and consumer spending — is brightening.

By Jim Tyson • Jan. 23, 2026

SEC cuts PCAOB budget 9.4%, slashes compensation, accounting fees

The auditor watchdog, created after the Enron accounting scandal, has faced pressure as the Trump administration seeks to soften regulation.

By Maura Webber Sadovi • Jan. 22, 2026

Explore the Trendline➔

Navigating risk in turbulent times

CFOs must help their organizations mitigate risks by balancing the need for both growth and stability. 

By CFO Dive staff

Fed’s preferred inflation gauge falling below policymakers’ forecast

The central bank will probably leave the federal funds rate unchanged after a two-day meeting ending on Jan. 28, according to the CME Group’s FedWatch tool.

By Jim Tyson • Jan. 22, 2026

The false promise of growth through acquisition

Acquisitions don't work for most businesses — at least not in the way their leadership hopes, Alvarez & Marsal’s Conor Johnston writes. 

By Conor Johnston • Jan. 21, 2026

US bears 96% of tariff costs, belying Trump’s claims: Kiel Institute

President Donald Trump plans talks with European leaders in Davos, Switzerland, over his threat to impose a 10% tariffs on the exports of NATO members if Denmark does not sell Greenland to the U.S.

By Jim Tyson • Jan. 20, 2026

Accounting student enrollment rises 7.3%, outpacing rate across majors

CPA licensing changes making accounting degrees more affordable are helping drive enrollments, Daniel Tinkelman, a Brooklyn College accounting professor, said.

By Maura Webber Sadovi • Jan. 20, 2026

[Podcast] Santander US Prosperity Exchange

Even moments of uncertainty can unlock great opportunity. For Santander Bank, it led to one of the largest commercial real estate transactions in recent memory.  That’s the focus of the Santander US Prosperity Exchange podcast, featuring leaders from Santander in conversation with other finance leaders to explore the market’s current challenges and hidden opportunities.

Updated Jan. 20, 2026

[Podcast] Humans + Machines: Rethinking Insurance Talent in the Age of AI

This podcast explores how AI is transforming insurance workforces and what leaders must do to build effective human-machine teams that drive lasting competitive advantage.

By CFO Dive's studioID • Jan. 19, 2026

Will 2026 be a decisive or disruptive year for CPA pathways?

By year’s end, experts expect roughly 40 states to have joined the push to widen on-ramps into accounting by lowering the 150-hour college credit hurdle.

By Maura Webber Sadovi • Jan. 16, 2026

OECD deal should ease global tax compliance, but not immediately

U.S. companies will still likely have to complete all Pillar 2 calculations for this year despite the exemptions, KPMG principal Marcus Heyland said.

By Stephen Joyce • Jan. 16, 2026

Majority of CFOs expect to increase operational spending: Grant Thornton

The results likely reflect anticipated tax savings from the One Big Beautiful Bill Act and growing impatience with delayed interest rate cuts, the consulting firm said.

By Alexei Alexis • Jan. 15, 2026

Tenants seek space for peak in-office days: Newmark

Employers seeking to accommodate hybrid workers are among the bright spots buoying the still-protracted recovery of the U.S. office market, according to Newmark’s Jessica Morin.

By Maura Webber Sadovi • Jan. 14, 2026

Retail sales rose 0.6% in November despite weak consumer sentiment

The outlook among consumers, though brighter than in September, is still gloomier than in early 2025, according to recent surveys.

By Jim Tyson • Jan. 14, 2026

Inflation holds steady, affirming Fed focus on weak job market

“Risks to employment have increased as the labor market cooled, while the upside risks to inflation have lessened somewhat,” Federal Reserve Bank of New York President John Williams said.

By Jim Tyson • Jan. 13, 2026

DOJ probe of Powell triggers bipartisan fire against Trump administration

Powell said the motive behind the investigation “should be seen in the broader context of the administration’s threats and ongoing pressure.”

By Jim Tyson • Jan. 12, 2026

Trump deregulation era requires CFOs to tread carefully

Finance chiefs still need strong internal controls because the absence or easing of regulation does not absolve responsibility, Armanino’s Chris Gagliardi writes.

By Chris Gagliardi • Jan. 12, 2026

Hiring declines as employers take cautious view of new year

Following release of employment data, traders in interest rate futures raised the odds that the Fed will leave the main rate unchanged at a meeting late this month.

By Jim Tyson , Alexei Alexis • Jan. 9, 2026

Productivity speeds up to fastest clip in two years: BLS

Declining wage pressures, as revealed in Bureau of Labor Statistics data released Thursday, may slow inflation toward the Federal Reserve’s 2% target.

By Jim Tyson • Jan. 8, 2026

Growth-oriented Seismic CFO advocates ‘mindful’ cost-cutting

Just cutting costs for the sake of profit is “not the right way to do it,” Seismic CFO Evan Goldstein said.

By Grace Noto • Jan. 8, 2026

‘Strategic openings’: 5 CFO trends for 2026

Financial executives in the new year must keep a competitive edge by adapting to trends including fluctuating tariff rates and refocusing of priorities at the Securities and Exchange Commission.

By Jim Tyson • Jan. 7, 2026

US multinationals get global minimum tax relief deal

The new agreement exempts U.S. companies from OECD 15% global minimum tax rules that aimed to shut down tax havens and curtail international tax competition.

By Stephen Joyce • Jan. 5, 2026

NJ Senate passes CPA licensing bill

The licensing changes coming to many of the country’s most densely populated states will give the majority of aspiring accountants options when choosing career and education paths.

By Maura Webber Sadovi • Jan. 5, 2026

CFO security tips: Beyond bodyguards

The 2024 fatal shooting of a UnitedHealthcare executive in Midtown Manhattan has led many companies to reexamine their corporate security procedures.

By Maura Webber Sadovi • Dec. 23, 2025

Accounting orgs to Education Department: We are a ‘profession’

The proposal to exclude accounting graduate programs from being classified as professional would cap students’ federal loan limits, according to the DOE.

By Colleen Lutolf • Dec. 22, 2025

Consumer sentiment inches up despite anxiety over jobs, inflation

Recent data have likely done little to ease consumer worries, with the unemployment rate rising last month to 4.6%, the highest level in four years.

By Jim Tyson • Dec. 19, 2025