The US Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has added new features to its online Business Tax Account (BTA) platform, expanding digital self-service options for business taxpayers.

According to a statement, BTA users now have access to a wider range of digital IRS notices. These include CP081B, ‘We May Have a Refund for You’; CP211A, ‘Application to file extension of time approved’; and CP134R, ‘Federal tax deposits discrepancy – Due a Refund’, among others.

The platform allows authorised officials to download an Employer Identification Number (EIN) verification notice, CP575, ‘Notice of New Employer Identification Number’.

This can be used in place of Letter 147C, ‘EIN Previously Assigned’, at banks and other financial institutions.

Additionally, payment management tools have been expanded. Users can view the balance and details of an existing payment plan and make payments towards that plan.

Eligible taxpayers can also pay for an ‘Offer in Compromise’ to settle qualifying tax debts for less than the full amount owed.

The BTA is designed as an online self-service platform for authorised users to access and manage certain federal tax records.

According to the IRS, the updates are part of its broader push to reduce “the need for paper-based processes” and shift interactions online.

BTA access currently covers sole proprietors with an IRS-issued EIN, as well as individual partners or shareholders with a social security number or an individual taxpayer identification number.

The platform additionally supports S corporations, C corporations, federal, state and local governments, Indian tribal governments and tax-exempt organisations, among others.

IRS CEO Frank J. Bisignano said: “Business Tax Account is a key part of the agency’s digital first initiative.

“By expanding online self-service options, BTA makes it easier for eligible businesses and organisations to manage their federal tax obligations securely and conveniently online without making a phone call or travelling to a physical office.”

The US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has created a specialised unit within its Division of Enforcement to tackle accounting and financial reporting fraud, as well as wider misconduct in accounting and auditing.

The new Financial Reporting and Accounting Unit is intended to provide additional expertise, focus and capacity in these areas.

It will coordinate with staff across relevant SEC divisions and offices to ensure the enforcement of federal securities laws remains aligned with the Commission’s policy objectives.

SEC Division of Enforcement director David Woodcock said: “Since my return to the Division, I have been assessing every aspect of our staffing to ensure that we are aligned to deliver results in our core mission areas.

“This new unit – which expands on the Division’s current and historical efforts to crack down on bad actors in the accounting and auditing profession – will be critical in our efforts to pursuing financial reporting fraud, as well as accounting and auditor misconduct more generally.”

The unit will be led by Timothy Zimmerman, who joined the Division of Enforcement in May 2026 as a senior advisor to the director.

Before joining the SEC, Zimmerman spent 12 years at an international law firm and most recently served as deputy general counsel at an international accounting and professional services company.

The Financial Reporting and Accounting Unit will be staffed by both lawyers and accountants, bringing specialised skills in financial reporting, accounting and auditing.

Last month, the SEC appointed Paul Knight as its new chief operating officer.

The International Auditing and Assurance Standards Board (IAASB) is seeking public feedback on proposed revisions to three key International Standards on Auditing (ISAs).

The IAASB has called for public consultations on ISA 330, the auditor’s responses to assessed risks; ISA 500, audit evidence; and ISA 520, analytical procedures.

It said these proposals are intended to complete an “important phase” of its effort to modernise the ISAs, following earlier updates including ISA 315 (Revised 2019), Identifying and Assessing the Risks of Material Misstatement.

The draft changes are aimed at further embedding, clarifying and strengthening a principles-based, risk-focused audit approach, while also responding to the increased use of technology in business, financial reporting and auditing.

IAASB chair Tom Seidenstein said: “These proposals are an important milestone in that work.

“With the benefit of stakeholder input and when finalised, the revised standards will further enhance a principles-based, risk-based audit framework that provides a stable foundation for high-quality audits while remaining flexible enough to support innovation as technology continues to evolve.”

The proposed revisions provide a comprehensive framework to support auditors’ judgments when evaluating audit evidence.

This includes a revised definition of audit evidence reflecting the digital environment, a stronger focus on the intended purposes of audit procedures, and enhanced requirements for evaluating the relevance and reliability of information used as audit evidence.

The revisions also clarify key concepts and reinforce the application of professional scepticism throughout the audit.

The IAASB also proposes clarifications on the role of tests of controls, substantive procedures and analytical procedures to improve auditors’ responses to assessed risks and encourage more consistent and effective audit responses.

The IAASB is seeking feedback from auditors, regulators, investors, stakeholders and other users of financial statements. Comments are requested by 15 December 2026.

The National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) in the US has named the recipients of its 2026 Accounting Education Research Grants.

The association backed three projects that focus on AI in auditing and the effects of private equity investment in accounting practices.

From Virginia Commonwealth University, Aarati Nepal and Lindsay Andiola received a $6,770 grant for their project titled ‘Audit Client Inquiry: The Effects of Generative AI and Auditor Rank on the Client’s Persuasive Communication’.

Their study will look at how generative AI changes communication between audit clients and auditors.

The findings are intended to help companies strengthen auditor professional scepticism and improve training and review practices.

At the University of Connecticut, Tuan Doan, Steven Utke, Ying Zhou and Youli Zou were awarded $14,115 for their research, ‘The Consequences of Private Equity Investment in Accounting’.

This project examines how private equity is impacting accounting practices’ audit quality, efficiency, growth, mergers and acquisitions, profitability and talent acquisition.

The team’s findings are expected to provide insights to industry professionals and regulators.

Additionally, Joseph Reid and Kelley Duncanson from Alabama A&M University and Cynthia Lloyd of Grambling State University received a $14,115 grant to study how organisations’ use of AI in financial reporting processes influences audit risk, audit quality and auditor decision-making.

The results aim to inform future auditing practices, AI-related continuing professional education and regulatory policy.

Launched in 2011 under NASBA’s Education Committee, the annual grant programme supports research that advances accounting education and offers insights for educators, regulators and practitioners in a rapidly changing profession.

Since its inception, the programme has provided around $325,000 in funding for academic research across the US.

The Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) has congratulated students across Scotland following the publication of Advanced Higher, Higher and National 5 results.

The professional body noted that pass rates were up at every level and that a “record number” of National 5 passes were achieved this year.

CIMA underlined that automation, AI and emerging technologies are transforming the capabilities businesses are seeking.

In addition to formal qualifications, attributes such as flexibility, a commitment to ongoing learning, critical thinking, problem-solving and communication are becoming increasingly central.

Drawing on Rise2040 – an American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) and CIMA initiative built on 6,000 global insights – the organisation pointed out that accounting and finance specialists will require more than technical knowledge alone.

To respond to shifts in business models and workforce demands, professionals will also need to demonstrate adaptability and a focus on continual development.

CIMA UK and Europe vice-president Paul Turner said: “With pass rates increasing across all categories this year, this is an inspiring achievement for students across Scotland and a moment worth celebrating – well done all. As students consider their next steps, it is important to recognise how rapidly the workplace is changing.

“Entry-level roles across every sector are evolving quickly, and employers increasingly need people who can combine technical expertise, digital and data skills, with sound judgement, critical thinking and strong human skills.

“Whatever career path students choose those who keep learning, adapt to change and apply technology with confidence will be best placed to seize future career opportunities and thrive in the modern workplace.”

Last month, CIMA urged the UK Government to make business growth the core focus of its policy reset following the appointment of Andy Burnham as the new UK prime minister.

The Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) and the Accounting Standards Board of Japan (ASBJ) have held their 36th bilateral meeting in Norwalk, Connecticut, US, furthering their cooperation on the development of “high-quality” global accounting standards.

The ASBJ sets accounting standards in Japan in line with the due process rules for Japanese generally accepted accounting principles and Japan’s Modified International Standards, as established by the Financial Accounting Standards Foundation.

During the meeting in Norwalk, representatives of the two boards exchanged updates on their respective standard-setting activities.

They also discussed topics of mutual interest including business combinations and financial instruments.

ASBJ chair Yasunobu Kawanishi said: “We would like to express our sincere appreciation to the FASB for hosting this bilateral meeting in Norwalk.

“We had constructive discussions on a wide range of topics, which provided us with a valuable opportunity to deepen our understanding of these technical issues and to exchange perspectives.

“We look forward to continuing our close dialogue and further strengthening our collaborative relationship in the years ahead.”

The two boards intend to maintain their regular exchanges. Their next bilateral meeting is planned for the first half of 2027 (H1 2027) in Tokyo.

FASB chair Richard R. Jones said: “We were pleased to welcome the ASBJ to Norwalk for productive discussions on important financial reporting matters on our respective agendas.

“These meetings provide a valuable opportunity to exchange perspectives on standard-setting projects of mutual interest, including technical projects and the FASB’s research on current trends and emerging issues affecting global capital markets.

“I thank chair Kawanishi and his board colleagues for their continued engagement as we advance our shared commitment to developing and supporting standards that provide useful information to investors worldwide.”

Last month, the FASB opened a public consultation on a proposed Accounting Standards Update aimed at changing how investment companies value restricted equity securities.