In our Q1 2025 in Review Blog, we look at the standard setting activities of the FASB, GASB and AICPA. The first quarter had a flurry of activities with promises of more standards coming down the pike. This is a great way to keep up to date during busy season without getting in the weeds!
March experienced a flurry of activities in standard setting. The FAF issued the first ever PCC Annual Report which highlights the work done by the PCC on behalf of private companies. The FASB met with several of its advisory committees (NAC, PCC, and EITF). While no standards were issued the Board voted to ballot Determining the Accounting Acquirer in the Acquisition of a Variable Interest Entity, Hedge Accounting Improvements and Measurement of Credit Losses for Accounts Receivable and Contract Assets for Private Companies and Certain Not-for-Profit Entities which likely means a flurry of standards are forthcoming.
In this week’s blog, we take a closer look at the UAA Exposure Draft and the recent AICPA Regional Council Meeting. The AICPA hosted four Regional Council Meetings across the country, with each location bringing together different state council members. The discussions were engaging, energizing, and focused on the future of the CPA profession.
February was an eventful month in the accounting world! PEEC revised guidance on Executive Recruiting, effective January 1, 2026, and clarified that 529 plan owners hold an indirect financial interest, effective May 31, 2025. GASB advanced key projects, including Going Concern, Revenue Recognition, and EFR taxonomy. The PCAOB withdrew its firm metrics proposal, while the ASB prepared new exposure drafts. AICPA and NASBA proposed a third CPA licensure pathway to address talent shortages. Meanwhile, FASB had a quiet month, with only one meeting on share-based consideration. Expect more developments ahead!
On December 16, 2024 the AICPA’s Professional Ethics Executive Committee (PEEC) issued proposed revisions related to simultaneous employment or association with an attest client. Key changes from this exposure draft include a new definition of being simultaneously employed or associated with the client, as well as the addition of a new exception to the rules for USERRA/compliance with employment laws. In addition, the proposed revised interpretation uses both a rules-based approach and a principles-based approach in making determinations regarding independence. Comments are due March 16, 2025.
Melisa F. Galasso is the founder and CEO of Galasso Learning Solutions LLC. A CPA with nearly 20 years of experience in the accounting profession, Melisa designs and facilitates courses in advanced technical accounting and auditing topics, including not-for-profit and governmental accounting.
Her passion is providing high-quality CPE that is meaningful, creates efficiencies and improves quality, and positively impacts ROI. She also supports essential professional development, audit level training, and train the trainer efforts.
Melisa is a Certified Speaking Professional, a Certified Professional in Talent Development (CPTD), and has earned the Association for Talent Development Master Trainer™ designation. Her passion for instructional design and adult learning techniques is one of the differentiators that set her apart from other CPE providers.
She also serves on the FASB’s Not-for-Profit Advisory Committee (NAC), AICPA Council, and the AICPA’s Women’s Initiative Executive Committee (WIEC). She also serves as a Subject Matter Expert for the Center for Plain English Accounting. She previously served on the AICPA’s Technical Issues Committee (TIC), the VSCPA’s Board of Directors, and is a past Chair of the NCACPA’s A&A committee. In addition, Melisa is the author of Money Matters for Nonprofits: How Board Members Can Harness the Power of Financial Statements by Understanding Basic Accounting which is available on Amazon or anywhere you purchase books online.
Melisa received a Top 50 Women in Accounting Award in 2021 by Ignition, is a 2020 Enterprising Women of the Year Award recipient, and was honored as a “40 under 40” by CPA Practice Advisor in 2017, 2018, and 2019. She was also named the 2019 Rising Star by her regional NAWBO chapter, received the Don Farmer award for achievement in technical content instruction, and earned several other awards for public speaking and technical training.
