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CFOs expect AI to move from experimentation to enterprise-wide impact by 2026, reshaping finance into a strategic function. Fortune reports that leaders see AI driving forecasting, scenario planning, automation, and decision-making, provided governance and data foundations are strong. ServiceNow CFO Gina Mastantuono said AI will be judged “less on promise and more on proof,” emphasizing measurable ROI. Across industries, finance chiefs view AI not just as an efficiency tool, but as a catalyst for proactive strategy, risk management, and business transformation.

 

Fortune

U.S. District Judge Beryl Howell in Washington, D.C. has rejected a challenge from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce that President Donald Trump's $100,000 fee on new H-1B visas for highly skilled foreign workers conflicts with federal immigration law and will lead many employers to cut jobs and the services they provide to the public. "The parties’ vigorous debate over the ultimate wisdom of this political judgment is not within the province of the courts," wrote Howell, an appointee of Democratic former President Barack Obama. "So long as the actions dictated by the policy decision and articulated in the Proclamation fit within the confines of the law, the Proclamation must be upheld."

 

Reuters

Interviews with more than a dozen corporate legal and compliance experts suggest that the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has a high bar to clear to prove companies' diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) policies violate discrimination law, Reuters reports. New EEOC chair Andrea Lucas told Reuters last week that the agency plans to launch inquiries into corporate DEI practices to find out whether employers made race or sex-based decisions - but former EEOC chair Jenny Yang says it still has to build a case and convince the courts that a company's programs run afoul of the law.

 

Reuters

Roughly 25,000 individuals have shown interest in joining the Trump administration's Tech Force, the newly-announced program aimed at recruiting engineers with artificial intelligence expertise for federal roles, said Scott Kupor, director of the U.S. Office of Personnel Management. The administration plans to select 1,000 candidates for the first cohort, who will work on technology projects within various federal agencies, including the Departments of Homeland Security, Veterans Affairs, and Justice. The initiative marks a shift from the previous downsizing efforts of the Trump administration, and focuses instead on enhancing government capabilities with tech talent. "The recruits will spend two years working on technology projects inside federal agencies," Kupor said.

 

U.S. News

PwC has launched a new training program aimed at early-career associates, focusing on integrating AI tools into their daily tasks. The program, which began piloting in October, will be fully rolled out by July. Margaret Burke, PwC's firmwide talent acquisition and development leader, said: “We truly believe that the role of the new associate will be changing with AI and that their role will become somewhat elevated.” The training sessions emphasize hands-on experience, collaboration, and critical thinking, preparing associates to adapt to the evolving landscape of their roles. Burke and Krishnan Chandrasekhar, PwC's U.S. tax leader, highlighted the importance of blending technical skills with human judgment and creativity. As AI continues to transform the workplace, PwC aims to equip its new hires with the necessary skills to thrive in this changing environment.

 

Bloomberg Tax

FactSet projects a 14.5% year-over-year earnings growth for the S&P 500 in 2026, surpassing the 10-year average of 9.5%. Analysts forecast the index nearing 8,000 points, driven by a predicted 12.4% earnings growth in Q1 2026. Farran Powell, managing editor at Forbes Advisor, noted: "The bull market appears poised to extend its run well into 2026." This outlook aligns with LPL Research's historical analysis suggesting a 12.8% gain in the fourth year of a bull market. The Federal Reserve's rate cuts could further bolster market conditions.

 

Forbes

The U.S. Interior Department has suspended five offshore wind projects, citing national security risks from turbine interference with radar systems. The $28bn in projects include Vineyard Wind 1, Coastal Virginia, Revolution Wind, Empire Wind 1, and Sunrise Wind. Offshore wind firms including Orsted and Dominion saw stock declines following the news. Critics, including Senator Chris Murphy and New York Governor Kathy Hochul, called the suspension illegal and politically motivated. Interior Secretary Doug Burgum cited radar “clutter” as a concern, though analysts and experts dispute the validity of sudden new risks.

 

Bloomberg

Reuters

FINRA has identified significant oversight gaps in firms' use of generative AI, as detailed in its Annual Regulatory Oversight Report. The report highlights that 90% of CFOs now see positive ROI from AI, yet many firms lack formal risk assessments and documentation. FINRA CEO Robert Cook said: "The rapid deployment of AI tools demands robust governance frameworks to mitigate risks." The findings underscore the need for enhanced supervisory procedures, particularly as firms increasingly rely on third-party AI vendors for critical operations.

 

PYMNTS

Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern have submitted a nearly 7,000-page application to the U.S. Surface Transportation Board to merge, intending to create the first coast-to-coast freight railroad in the nation. The filing initiates a 30-day regulatory review period, during which stakeholders, including shippers and labor unions, can express their support or opposition to the $85bn merger. While the proposal has received backing from President Donald Trump, it faces significant resistance from competitors concerned about reduced choice and potential impacts on pricing in an already concentrated market.

 

Reuters

The PCAOB has appointed William Ryan as the acting director of its Division of Enforcement and Investigations. Ryan, who has been with the PCAOB since 2007 and previously served as the Enforcement Division's chief counsel, will oversee investigations and enforcement of the board's rules and securities regulations. He is stepping in for Robert Rice, the outgoing Enforcement Director, who is retiring on December 31. George Botic, the PCAOB acting Chair, commended Ryan's experience and leadership in this critical role.

 

Bloomberg Tax

Seventeen Senate Democrats, led by Elizabeth Warren and Angus King, have expressed their "serious concerns" regarding the IRS's preparedness for the upcoming tax season. They warned that taxpayers "may face delays and difficulties in filing returns and receiving refunds." The IRS has lost up to 25% of its staff, including experienced personnel, and has seen significant leadership turnover. A report from the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration highlighted that workforce reductions could impact key processing programs and customer service. John Koskinen, a former IRS commissioner, predicted challenges in taxpayer service, saying: "I think the level of taxpayer service is going to be very difficult to deal with." The IRS's Zero Paper Initiative, aimed at improving processing, is already delayed, further complicating the situation.

 

Accounting Today

The One Big Beautiful Bill Act introduces sweeping changes to the tax code, impacting CPAs and financial planners with new rate brackets, expanded deductions, and exemptions. The Act notably alters QBI deductions, SALT deduction caps, and bonus depreciation rules. Avantax by Cetera highlights these shifts in a webinar, emphasizing the need for strategic client advising. "Understanding the new framework is critical," said Avantax Planning Partners, Inc. The bill's implications are significant, with permanent changes set to affect tax planning strategies nationwide by 2026.

 

Accounting Today

Private equity firms are increasingly engaging in circular deals, selling companies to themselves to return cash to investors amid a challenging exit environment. These transactions have surged by 30% in 2025 compared to last year, with over $50bn involved. David Rubenstein, Co-Founder of The Carlyle Group, said: "This trend reflects the difficulty in finding external buyers in the current market." Analysts warn this could inflate asset valuations and obscure true performance metrics. Firms may need to reassess exit strategies to maintain investor confidence.

 

The New York Times

U.S. Bank closed the most branches in 2025, reducing its network by 180 locations, as digital banking gains traction. This represents over half of the net 339 branch closures nationwide, according to the OCC. Jennifer Roberts, CEO of Chase consumer banking, noted: "Branches serve as storefronts for all our capabilities." Meanwhile, JPMorgan Chase expanded by over 100 branches, focusing on strategic markets. The Rust Belt faced significant reductions, with Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Ohio losing 93 branches collectively. The trend underscores a shift towards digital services.

 

U.S. News

UnitedHealth Group CEO Stephen Hemsley has pledged operational changes including more automation and increased standardization of internal processes following audits by outside consulting firms of the company's health services and pharmacy benefit units. FTI found that, in some instances, UnitedHealth lacked standardized documentation, including in its in‑home health assessment program. A separate report by Analysis Group on OptumRx found that UnitedHealth's pharmacy benefit manager could benefit from standardizing audit practices and increasing process automation.

 

Reuters