March 2025 Recap: News & Insights in 10 Mins

As Q1 2025 winds down, March 25 brought a flood of pivotal shifts across the global business and finance landscape. From billion-dollar write-downs and bold divestitures to regulatory pivots and AI-powered transformations, today’s updates cut across sectors and headlines. In this week’s recap, we unpack the financial fallout from Porsche SE’s Volkswagen ties, the evolving workplace rules at Deloitte, and what private equity really wants from the advisory world. We also dive deep into how crypto, tariffs, AI, and even baseball are reshaping the economy, one decision at a time. Let’s break it all down, by sector, by headline, and by impact.

Business Updates

Porsche SE Absorbs a $21.7B Hit From Volkswagen Investment

When it comes to high-performance financial maneuvers, even Porsche SE can hit a patch of rough road. The holding company behind Volkswagen and Porsche AG has just booked a colossal €20 billion impairment, its biggest yet, mostly stemming from its 31.9% stake in Volkswagen AG. With VW battling labor unrest, cost restructuring, and fading investor confidence, the ripple effects were inevitable. Even Porsche SE’s slice of Porsche AG wasn’t spared, facing a €3.4 billion markdown. Still, this isn’t a cash crisis, just a paper recalibration. The company’s debt remains manageable, and dividend plans for 2024 are still on track. As full financials drop on March 26, investors and analysts alike are eyeing the road ahead. Will this be a brief detour or a longer stretch of financial turbulence? Click here to read more.

Are Bonuses at Deloitte Now Tied to Office Attendance?

Deloitte just changed the game for its U.S. tax division, linking in-office attendance to performance reviews, and by extension, to bonus pay. Employees now need to clock in two to three days a week or risk losing out. Leadership frames it as fostering collaboration and growth, but not everyone’s buying it. Critics argue it punishes flexibility and adds pressure, especially for those balancing long commutes or home responsibilities. Add swipe-ins and activity tracking, and some say it feels more like surveillance than support. Deloitte isn’t alone—PwC, EY, and other giants are making similar moves. The big question: Will this shift push talent away or set a new industry norm? The hybrid work model may be in for a major shake-up. Click here to explore expert insights.

How to Scale Audit, Tax & Advisory Firms in a Changing Market?

Private equity is rewriting the growth playbook for Audit, Tax, and Advisory firms. Over the last five years, investor interest has soared, sparking aggressive acquisition strategies among top firms like Eisner Amper and Cherry Bekaert. But it’s not just about buyouts, firms now face pressure to build solid go-to-market (GTM) strategies. Identifying the right C-suite leadership, leveraging AI, and expanding recurring services are now essential for staying competitive. While tax and advisory professionals enjoy flexibility in cross-selling, audit teams grapple with independence restrictions, making collaboration across service lines vital. As firms adapt, the ability to cross-sell, innovate, and build strong GTM frameworks will be key to capturing market share in a rapidly shifting landscape. Click here to unfold the whole news and expert insights.

Economy Updates

Regulators Approve Crypto Services for Banks

In a landmark shift, the U.S. Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) now allows banks to handle crypto without prior approvals, ushering in a bold new phase for digital finance. From holding and trading to offering custody services, traditional banks are stepping into crypto territory like never before. This decision follows growing global momentum, including Japan slashing its Bitcoin gains tax from 55% to 20%. While the opportunity for banks is massive, it comes with major challenges, upgrading outdated tech, strengthening AML controls, and navigating future stablecoin regulations. Meanwhile, the White House isn’t sitting still either, with President Trump signing an executive order establishing a crypto reserve. With mainstream legitimacy comes oversight, crypto's Wild West days might be numbered. Click here to learn more about the whole news.

The Silent Winners of Trump’s Steel Tariffs

The U.S. has imposed sweeping 25% tariffs on all steel and aluminum imports, triggering swift retaliation from Canada, the EU, and Mexico. While U.S. steelmakers like Nucor and U.S. Steel stand to benefit from a spike in domestic demand, manufacturers and global suppliers are feeling the pinch. Automakers, beer producers, and whiskey distillers are grappling with rising costs, supply chain woes, and pricing uncertainty. As tariff tensions escalate, global trade stability and long-term investment planning hang in the balance. Financial giants like Goldman Sachs and JPMorgan warn of inflation risks and potential recession. The bigger question looms, are these protectionist wins worth the economic turbulence they’re stirring up? Click here to learn more about the whole news.

Accounting & Taxes Updates

Does Coca-Cola Owe the IRS $13 Billion for Transfer Pricing?

Coca-Cola is locked in a high-stakes legal clash with the IRS over a $13 billion tax bill tied to transfer pricing. At the heart of the dispute is the long-standing “10-50-50” formula, once accepted by the IRS, that split profits between U.S. operations and international subsidiaries. The IRS now claims this formula no longer reflects economic reality, accusing Coke of shifting profits overseas to dodge taxes. Armed with data and benchmarking comparisons, the IRS argues the soda giant underpaid billions. Coca-Cola is fighting back, citing a recent Supreme Court decision to challenge the IRS’ authority. The case could reshape how multinationals handle profits, and how aggressively the IRS goes after them. Click here to read more.

What TCJA Extension Means for You and the US Economy

With key provisions of the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) set to expire in 2025, Capitol Hill is gearing up for a tax battle with big stakes. Republicans want to lock in the cuts, touting economic growth and job creation, while Democrats warn it’s a “Reverse Robin Hood” plan favoring the wealthy at the expense of essential programs. Making the cuts permanent could add $4.5 trillion to the deficit over a decade, sparking backlash even among some Republicans. For everyday Americans, the debate centers on modest relief vs. rising costs. As both sides gear up for a high-stakes showdown, the future of U.S. tax policy, and the national debt, hangs in the balance. Here is the whole story.

Why Is KPMG Smashing Its Global Network Into Giant Clusters?

KPMG is shaking up its global structure by merging dozens of national partnerships, cutting its economic units from over 100 to as few as 32 by 2026. The goal? Streamlined efficiency, regulatory compliance, and stronger cross-border service delivery. Facing rising regulatory scrutiny, stiff Big Four competition, and economic uncertainty, KPMG is betting that centralization will boost resilience and client value. This transformation includes launching a U.S. law firm, signaling a move toward one-stop professional services. But challenges loom—internal resistance, regulatory complexity, and cultural clashes could stall progress. Still, if successful, this shift could redefine how Big Four firms operate globally. Is KPMG paving the future or repeating past mistakes? Click here to explore the news.

Baseball’s Tax League

As the 2025 baseball season kicks off, there's more than just home runs at play—Major League Baseball is also a high-stakes tax arena. Players juggle multi-state tax filings under the “jock tax,” while teams manage complex revenue streams from tickets, media, and merchandise. Stadium construction often relies on public subsidies and tax-exempt bonds, sparking debate over taxpayer funding. From player contracts to billion-dollar stadiums, taxation impacts every swing. For finance pros, it’s a real-world lesson in tax compliance, contract structuring, and public-private financing. Baseball isn’t just a sport; it’s a tax strategy in motion. Click here to learn what is behind the Tax code.

Technology Updates

EY and Deloitte Join Nvidia to Bring Agentic AI to Audit and Tax Services

Agentic AI has officially entered the accounting chat, and EY and Deloitte are leading the charge. EY's new EY.ai platform and Deloitte’s Zora AI are leveraging Nvidia’s powerhouse tech to automate everything from tax compliance to real-time finance insights. EY is deploying digital agents for millions of tax processes, while Deloitte's clients, like HPE, are already reporting major productivity gains and cost savings. This isn’t just automation; it’s a business model reboot. Advisory roles are evolving, grunt work is vanishing, and tech fluency is now a must. With AI revolutionizing workflows and even drawing Gen Z back to accounting, one thing’s clear: this is more than an upgrade, it’s the future of finance. Click here to Unfold the whole insights.

How Accountants Are Evolving Beyond Spreadsheets in the Age of AI

Move over, automation, agentic AI is here to transform accounting into a high-tech, high-impact field. With platforms like EY.ai and Deloitte’s Zora AI, accounting is shifting from routine number crunching to real-time decision-making and strategy. Today’s professionals must interpret AI outputs, guide cross-functional teams, and ensure tech stays ethical and transparent. Spreadsheets are just the beginning, skills like basic programming, data analysis, and emotional intelligence are becoming essential. As AI handles the grunt work, accountants are stepping into strategic, client-facing roles that demand big-picture thinking. Those who embrace continuous learning and tech fluency aren’t just adapting, they’re leading the future of finance. Read more to dive into the full impact.

Is Microsoft’s AI Collaboration the Closest Thing to Human Intelligence?

In a bold leap forward, Microsoft has teamed up with Swiss AI startup Inait to build AI systems that mimic human reasoning. Unlike traditional models that rely on pattern recognition, this brain-inspired tech can analyze, adapt, and make decisions in real-time—using far less data and energy. Backed by neuroscience, Inait’s models and Microsoft’s MAI tech are being tested in finance and robotics, offering smarter fraud detection, risk management, and autonomous decision-making. It’s a major step toward more intuitive AI, and possibly a precursor to Artificial General Intelligence (AGI). As these tools move beyond prediction into cognition, industries, and ethics, will need to evolve fast. Ready or not, AI is learning to think. Click here to see how this could transform the industry.

Finance Updates

Why Dollar Tree Plans to Sell Family Dollar for $1 Billion

After acquiring Family Dollar for $9 billion in 2015, Dollar Tree is now selling the chain for just $1 billion, cashing in its chips after a decade-long struggle. The acquisition promised market dominance, but logistical headaches, customer overlap issues, and inflation-strapped shoppers turned Family Dollar into a financial anchor. Mounting impairment charges, $5 billion over five years—sunk margins and spooked investors. With the sale to private equity firms and $804M in proceeds, Dollar Tree aims to refocus on its profitable core brand. The divestiture offers a powerful case study in impairment accounting, strategic divestment, and M&A miscalculations. As Q2 2025 earnings approach, finance professionals will be watching closely to see if this retail reset delivers a real turnaround. Click here to read more.

What X Plans to Do With the $1 Billion Equity Investment

Three years after Elon Musk bought Twitter for $44 billion, X is back at that same valuation—this time fueled by nearly $1 billion in fresh equity funding from backers like Darsana Capital and 1789 Capital. The new capital aims to chip away at X’s $12.5B debt load and fund Musk’s “everything app” vision, including peer-to-peer payments and full-length video features. With a pivot toward fintech and creator-driven content, X is positioning itself to compete with platforms like TikTok, YouTube, and Venmo. But cyberattacks, advertiser hesitation, and rising regulatory heat, especially in the EU, pose serious hurdles. Is this a bold reinvention or another Musk-fueled moonshot? Finance pros and investors alike will be watching X’s next move closely. Click here to unfold the full insights.

Why Egg Prices Are Hatching Headlines

Egg prices are soaring—again. Following last year’s avian flu impact, fresh tariffs on agricultural imports and rising feed costs are pushing prices even higher. Over 31 million birds were culled in early 2025 alone, compounding supply issues just as Easter demand spikes. Retailers like Walmart and Sam’s Club are limiting egg purchases, while inflation and supply chain woes continue to fuel volatility. The USDA forecasts a 20.3% price hike this year. Will tariffs ease or will shoppers scramble for alternatives? One thing’s clear: egg prices are anything but sunny side up. Click here to read more.

Strategy, Shakeups & What Lies Ahead

As Q2 approaches, the road ahead will test how companies respond to pressure, from regulatory crackdowns and AI disruption to volatile markets and evolving consumer demands. Expect deeper M&A recalibrations, more firms embracing agentic AI, and sharper policy debates around crypto, tax reform, and trade. For finance professionals and business leaders alike, the next quarter won’t just be about reacting, it’ll be about staying agile, spotting opportunities, and planning strategically in a world where change is accelerating.