June 2025 Recap: News & Insights in 10 Mins

Buckle up, June was a rollercoaster across boardrooms, trading floors, and tech labs. From billion-dollar deals to political power plays, the business world kept everyone guessing. Whether you’re tracking corporate restructures, AI moonshots, or the next big tax shake-up, we’ve distilled the month’s top insights into bite-sized summaries. It’s everything you need to stay sharp, skip the fluff, and get back to leading with confidence. Let’s dive in.

Business Updates

How Miley Cyrus Managed to Keep Questionable Expenses Unnoticed

From teen sensation to financial force, Miley Cyrus’s journey isn’t just about Billboard hits; it’s also a masterclass in money misdirection. With millions flowing in and an empire of digital revenue, Miley’s past included a shocking twist: classifying drug purchases as “vintage clothes” to hide them from her accountant. Now sober and financially disciplined, her evolution reveals the dangers of creative bookkeeping and the power of reclaiming your narrative. But how close did she come to the edge?

McKinsey Turns the Mirror on Itself

Once the consigliere of corporate transformation, McKinsey is now performing its own reboot, shedding 10% of staff, cleaning up legal messes, and doubling down on AI with its Lilli platform. Behind the scenes, this pivot from post-pandemic boom to strategic austerity shows how even the smartest consultants face disruption. But is it truly attrition or just layoffs in disguise? And will McKinsey’s AI gamble pay off in a rapidly evolving professional landscape? 

Why Modern CFOs Hold the Blueprint for Business Success

Today’s CFOs aren’t just bean counters; they’re the architects of innovation. From Volkswagen’s Rivian venture to GE’s agile budgeting and Microsoft’s cloud pivot, finance chiefs are balancing smart risk with digital transformation. But cracks remain: nearly half say their tech stacks are holding them back. With growing pressure to lead on ESG, strategy, and global expansion, modern CFOs must adapt or be left behind. So, what’s separating the visionaries from the spreadsheets?

Warner Bros Discovery Drops Cable to Chase Streaming Supremacy

Three years after a $43B media mega-merger, Warner Bros. Discovery is calling it quits, splitting into two companies to better chase streaming glory and manage its $38B debt load. HBO Max and Warner Studios will go one way, while legacy cable brands like CNN head the other. Investors are hoping this breakup brings clarity and better valuations, but with junk-rated debt and fierce rivals, can this split really reboot the storyline?

Economy Updates

Merz Rolls the Dice on €46B Corporate Tax Breaks for Germany’s Economy

Germany’s new Chancellor Friedrich Merz is ditching fiscal caution in favor of a bold €46 billion tax reform and €1 trillion public investment push to pull the EU’s economic engine out of stagnation. With phased corporate tax cuts, R&D incentives, and targeted energy relief, the plan aims to spark industrial revival. But can Merz's high-stakes bet revive confidence and overcome political, regulatory, and inflationary risks?

US Senate Passes First Ever Stablecoin Law in Crypto Milestone

Crypto just got real. With the bipartisan passage of the GENIUS Act, the U.S. Senate has laid the groundwork for fully regulated, fiat-backed stablecoins, giving Treasury the reins and banks a reason to celebrate. The bill requires 100% reserves, audits, and AML compliance, marking a shift from crypto chaos to compliance. But with House debates and Trump ties still stirring drama, is stablecoin regulation truly settled?

Accounting & Taxes Updates

Trump Tax Plan Faces Resistance from Legal and Accounting Firms

Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill” has stirred backlash from CPAs and attorneys over a hidden clause stripping SALT workaround rights from service firms. With $73 billion in tax hikes aimed at professionals, and the SALT cap boost now gutted in the Senate, many are calling foul. AICPA and ABA are fighting to strike the carveout before it upends client planning and firm structures across the country. And this battle’s just getting started.

How Did a Trusted CPA Help Orchestrate a $19 Million Loan Fraud?

Christine Gendron’s fall from respected CPA to convicted fraudster is a stark warning. By falsifying leases and inflating rent rolls for family-run real estate loans, she helped siphon $19 million from community banks. The scheme’s impact? Shaken lender confidence, wrecked credit union balance sheets, and a legal reckoning that’s still unfolding. It’s a chilling example of how even small-scale frauds can create systemic shockwaves.

How Did a NJ CPA End Up in a $1.3B Tax Shelter Fraud Scheme

Ofer Gabbay wasn’t running spreadsheets; he was running point in a $1.3 billion conservation easement scam. Inflated appraisals, fake documents, and $4-for-$1 deduction lured high-net-worth clients into IRS crosshairs. His guilty plea adds to a growing list of professionals indicted in what the DOJ calls “a legion corrupted by kickbacks.” It’s a brutal reminder that not all tax shelters are safe havens, and the IRS is watching.

How a Colorado Dentist Turned Tax Tricks Into a $1.6M Tax Evasion Case

Ryan Ulibarri built a maze of fake trusts to dodge $1.6 million in taxes, then used the money on boats, baseball tickets, and mortgage payments. Despite warnings from his own attorneys and CPAs, he forged ahead with the scheme and now faces 41 months in prison. His downfall is a wake-up call for any professional tempted by too-good-to-be-true strategies. Sometimes the drill hits bone, and the feds are holding the X-ray.

Technology Updates

How AI Is Transforming Accounting and Financial Planning

AI is no longer a buzzword; it’s a billable hour booster. From automating bookkeeping to forecasting financial trends, AI is redefining how CPAs and planners operate. Big firms are racing ahead with proprietary platforms, while smaller ones are getting scrappy with ChatGPT. But despite the tech leap, the human element still anchors trust, judgment, and ethics in client work. The result? A new era of collaboration between carbon and code.

CPA Judgment Still Needed Despite Uptick in AI Use

AI might streamline filings, but it won’t keep clients out of IRS trouble on its own. As tools like Intuit’s new AI-powered platforms enter the mainstream, experts caution that flashy automation is no substitute for real oversight. Some startups promise audit-proof filings using AI alone, but they're putting clients at legal risk. The lesson is simple: tech can assist, but only trusted professionals can truly defend the return.

Intuit Debuts AI Agents for QuickBooks

QuickBooks just got smarter. Intuit has launched a suite of AI-powered agents to handle everything from reconciliations and invoices to customer outreach and financial forecasting. These tools aim to boost productivity and client engagement while keeping human experts in the loop. With a redesigned homepage and mobile app, QuickBooks is doubling down on personalized AI. The big play? Let firms focus less on paperwork and more on strategic growth.

Bookkeeping Now Fully Automated, Tax Compliance Not Far Behind

AI agents are now completing entire bookkeeping workflows; no humans needed. According to CPA.com’s 2025 report, firms are already automating over 80% of individual tax prep, shifting their talent toward strategic planning and AI oversight. Entry-level hires are expected to master tech fluency, while firms rethink roles, workflows, and even cadence. Audit and advisory are next, but with slower, more deliberate adoption. What is the ROI? It's still unfolding, but the time savings are already real.

Finance Updates

Morgan Stanley Moves $5 Billion Debt Deal for Musk’s xAI

Elon Musk’s xAI just landed a $5 billion debt deal, barely. Amid a public feud with Trump, market chaos, and aggressive terms, Morgan Stanley hustled to place the offering while keeping its own capital off the table. Investors are intrigued by rare debt access to AI, but wary of Musk’s burn rate, political volatility, and minimal collateral. Can this flashy raise become the model for AI financing, or is it just a high-stakes bluff?

Why New Zealand’s Golden Visa Sparked a Surge in US Investors

Wealthy Americans are packing their bags, and their portfolios, for New Zealand. After slashing investment thresholds and residency requirements, the Kiwi “golden visa” has seen a surge in U.S. interest. With nearly NZ$845 million in pipeline funds, it’s not just about beaches and sheep. It’s a bet on political stability, green tech, and global diversification. Could this visa revamp be the secret weapon in New Zealand’s economic comeback?

Meta to Invest $15 Billion in Scale AI to Close In on Rivals

Meta isn’t just chasing OpenAI anymore; it’s rewriting the AI race. With a $15 billion stake in Scale AI, Zuck’s empire now controls the data layer powering its Llama models, government contracts, and next-gen monetization. From lawsuits targeting shady AI apps to building world models for defense tech, Meta’s playing hardball on every front. Is this the masterstroke that vaults them past Microsoft or a high-risk moonshot with too many moving parts?

Wrapping June

From EY’s global shake-up to Meta’s aggressive AI pivot, June showed us just how fast business priorities are shifting. Regulators, investors, and innovators are all playing chess, and some pieces are moving faster than others. We’ll be watching how these headlines evolve into second-half strategies, new compliance challenges, and game-changing opportunities. Stay locked in with MYCPE ONE Insights, because next month is already in motion.