Next Starts Now: New Practice Niches Evolve

Estate planning and industry-specific niches like life sciences continue to be popular in accounting practices, while others, such as digital assets, data analytics and cannabis are seeing growth as firms and individuals look to stand out in a crowded field. Hear from those who are thriving in new specialties. 

Digital Assets

“If you are considering accounting as a career, forget everything you know about spreadsheets and dusty ledgers. The digital asset taxation space is reshaping what accounting looks like in 2026, and it is nothing like traditional practice.

The trend is undeniable. The new IRS Form 1099-DA, Digital Asset Proceeds from Broker Transactions, is forcing CPAs to confront crypto and blockchain assets head on. Meanwhile, major institutions like BlackRock and JPMorgan are moving into tokenized assets. This is not fringe anymore, it is the future of finance   and accounting needs to catch up.

Here is why this matters for your career: you are working with cutting-edge technol ogy, real-time data and problems that did not exist five years ago. You are not filing returns in a vacuum. You are helping clients navigate decentralized financial (DeFi) protocols, reconcile on chain transactions and untangle records that, frankly, caught most traditional CPAs completely off guard.

Is it easy to break in? Not exactly. Start by learning to read on-chain data and getting familiar with DeFi protocols first hand that foundation makes everything else click.

Here’s the reality: blockchain transactions create chaos. But that is the appeal. You are not automating the same processes your predecessors did 20 years ago. You are building new frameworks, establishing best practices and literally creating the playbook as the industry matures.

Traditional accounting is predictable. This is anything but.” 

— Greg Monaco, CPA, owner of Monaco CPA

Data Analytics

"Data analytics is a growing area because clients no longer want their accountant or advisor to simply hand them reports after the fact. They want help understanding what is happening now, why it is happening and what to do next. As technology continues to make compliance and routine processing more efficient, the value is shifting toward interpretation, insight and decision support.

On the client side, the demand is being driven by a few things at once. Businesses have more data than ever, but it is often spread across multiple systems and not organized in a way that leads to clear answers. AI and modern software have made analytics more visible and more accessible. Clients can now see dashboards, ask questions in natural language and get basic answers faster than ever before. That is a great step forward, but basic analytics often only gets them part of the way there. That is where the need for experienced professionals has grown. Many clients get a taste of what is possible, then realize the underlying data, structure and context are not strong enough to support deeper analysis.”

— Ryan P. Warnet, CPA, MSA, president at FourZeroNine Solutions

Artificial Intelligence (AI), Automation & More

“Accounting is no longer operating under the same expectations it once did. Traditional compliance work alone is no longer enough to sustain growth, and firms are being pushed to rethink how they deliver value. This shift has led to the emergence of new practice niches, most notably in AI and automation. Tasks that once took professionals hours to complete can now be done in a fraction of the time. As efficiency increases, so does the expectation that CPAs will deliver more value through their services. The challenge is determining how AI and human insight can be integrated without compromising accuracy or professionalism.

Client advisory services are also on the rise. As more tools become available that allow clients to complete basic tasks on their own, the perceived value of traditional services has evolved. There is still a desire to work with professionals, but now in a way that makes clients feel understood. Value can be added through services such as cash flow planning, forecasting and strategic decision-making that is tailored to their specific situation. This allows professionals to move from a reactive role into one that is more forward-looking and impactful, while making clients feel as though the service they are paying for is personalized to them.”

— Sara E. Grant, MBA, EA, accountant at Richard C. Malesich & Associates, LLC

Cannabis

“As New Jersey’s cannabis market matures, it has transitioned from a speculative gold rush to a complex, highly regulated industry. For Garden State CPAs, this niche represents one of the most significant growth opportunities in decades but it is not without its hurdles.

Two key trends driving demand for CPA expertise include IRC Section 280E mitigation and mergers and acquisition (M&A) and valuation. For the former, while federal reform looks likely with Trump s executive order to move cannabis to Schedule III, 280E remains the biggest financial burden for New Jersey operators. Section 280E simply states that companies that traffic in Schedule I or Schedule II drugs (including cannabis), get no deductions or credits on their tax returns. With the imminent move to Schedule III, the 280E tax ends, and we expect cannabis net margins to move from 0-5% to 25-30%, meaning a huge cash windfall for operators and investors in the space. That will lead to rapid growth, M&A and new startups.

>In M&A and valuation, as the market consolidates, there is a surge in demand for world-class CFOs, forensic accounting and valuation services for license transfers and acquisitions. We are already seeing new buyers looking to acquire dispensaries ahead of the Schedule III move.

Is it a good time to jump in? The answer depends on your appetite for risk. The first-mover advantage is still available. Many traditional firms remain hesitant due to the federal status of cannabis, leaving a massive opening for new CFOs and CPAs.”

— Andrew Hunziker, CPA, CEO and founder at Dope CFO Certified Advisors 

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Andrew Hunzicker Andrew Hunzicker, CPA, is the founder of Dope CFO Certified Advisors and has taught over 1,000 CPAs and accountants how to enter the cannabis niche.

Gregory Monaco Greg Monaco, CPA, is the owner of Monaco CPA and he is a member of the NJCPA.

Ryan P. Warnet Ryan Warnet, CPA, MSA, is co-founder and president of FourZeroNine Solutions, Inc. He is the leader of the NJCPA Emerging Technologies Interest Group.

Sara E. Grant Sara E. Grant, MBA, EA, is an arccountant at Richard C. Malesich & Associates, LLC.