The Thursday Accrual: November 13, 2025

Accountants Gone Wild

Operations Resume After Shutdown, Backlogs and Delays Loom

The longest U.S. government shutdown has ended, but agencies face a slow restart, including back pay, backlogs, permits and inspections. Some restrictions, may take weeks to lift, and employee shortages could persist.

The shutdown disrupted programs and regulation alongside their extra costs. The six-week shutdown was estimated to cost $10–15 billion per week, along with some unrecoverable losses as agencies restart under strict oversight.

Source: Accounting Today

Cool Accounting Facts!

What’s more crowded: a tax-season inbox or a CPA-filled U.S. State?

Did you know America’s CPA workforce is large enough to fill 80 NBA arenas? With 1.6 million accountants — you’re part of an Excel powered system. 

Nearly 60% are women, with the demographic sitting in the early 40s, and the crowd spans everyone from solo practitioners to Big Four skyscraper dwellers.

So next time someone laughs at your profession, just remind them: You’re part of a state-sized squad keeping things running—one journal entry at a time.

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Numbers Don’t Lie

IRS 2026 Savings Update: 401(k) Limit $24,500, IRA Catch-Ups $1,100

For 2026, the IRS raised 401(k) and similar plan limits to $24,500, IRAs to $7,500, and catch-ups to $1,100 (IRAs) and $8,000 (workplace plans), with SECURE 2.0 catch-ups for ages 60–63 at $11,250. Income phaseouts for traditional and Roth IRAs also increased.

Traditional IRA phaseouts rise to $81,000–$91,000 (singles) and $129,000–$149,000 (joint), Roth IRA to $153,000–$168,000 (singles) and $242,000–$252,000 (joint). Saver’s credit AGI limits also climb to $80,500 (joint), $60,375 (head of household), and $40,250 (single).

Source: Journal of Accountancy

Twitter Showdown

“When Life Goes Off-Budget”

Accountant 1: Why do accountants hate surprises?

Accountant 2: Because if it’s a surprise, it’s not in the budget.

Accountant 1: If it’s not in the budget, it’s stressful.

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