Spreadsheet and data solutions provider Sourcetable launched a “self-driving” spreadsheet that allows users to simply tell the spreadsheet what they want done through natural language commands.
Sourcetable developed the solution as a way to bring advanced spreadsheet functionality to people who might struggle with basic functions like VLOOKUP or creating a pivot table. The “self-driving” autopilot capabilities give the AI complete write access and edit control to complete multi-step operations.
“AI is the biggest platform shift since the browser, with a bigger opportunity for disruption,” said Sourcetable CEO and co-founder Eoin McMillan. “Sourcetable is building the AI spreadsheet for the next billion users, be they human or AI. As AI makes analysis easier, everybody will become an analyst. Sourcetable’s AI automation ushers in a new era of productivity and human cognition.”
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Sourcetable’s autopilot mode can complete a wide range of complex tasks, including creating and editing financial models, generating spreadsheet templates, building pivot tables, cleaning data, creating charts and graphs, editing formatting, enriching data and analyzing entire workbooks. The AI can understand data context without requiring users to pre-select ranges, interpret multiple ranges across different tabs, work with messy data, and seek human clarification when instructions are unclear.
The AI is capable of accessing anything that is publicly available on the internet, McMillan said in an email, and it can also extract data from URLs if instructed to do so. This includes Federal Reserve Economic Data, stock ticks and trading data, Yahoo finance, futures, geopolitics, market sentiment, macroeconomic analyses, Wikipedia data and much more. “There’s even a full fund manager Easter egg included in this release,” he added.
This ability to access tools outside itself also means that users, via a virtual machine with hundreds of libraries and AI tools available, can ask the autopilot to find a more advanced tool to serve their needs by requesting the system to “download data” or “use Python” to solve a task. McMillan said Sourcetable plans to make this feature more user-friendly in the future as the technology ultimately moves toward becoming a full agentic platform and operating system.
To discourage the AI from providing false information, the solution is built around a code-driven evaluation loop developed internally that verifies AI response in real time. Without this foundation, according to Sourcetable, self-driving spreadsheet automation would be too slow and unreliable to be trusted. McMillan said the company uses a combination of techniques to optimize results while minimizing latency. First, there’s AI-driven process supervision of inputs, outputs and prompts, effectively AI watching AI. This is combined with a code-driven audit of quantitative outputs (e.g., Python, SQL and spreadsheet output evaluation) and, finally, thought-driven techniques (e.g., Chain of Thought Reasoning and Deliberate Reasoning) to drive better results, particularly for multi-step processes.
The new solution uses not one but many models to deliver results. While certain companies are locked into their own proprietary AI models, Sourcetable’s AI selects the optimal model for each task–including OpenAI, Anthropic, Groq, Meta (Llama), Nvidia, Prior Labs, DeepSeek and Hugging Face—and even combines multiple models for better results. McMillan explained that different models are better suited to different tasks and run better on different kinds of hardware. For example, he noted, Claude is currently best at coding, TabPFN at interpreting tabular data, Groq at fast inference, etc. Sourcetable’s AI knows model specifications and strengths, so i’s able to understand what a user is trying to do and find the best tool for it.
While accessing public models can sometimes come with a per-prompt cost, McMillan said the company has established relationships with many service providers to ensure high rate limits and the ability to handle a large number of requests. He added that, right now, Sourcetable use a combination of manual and automated controls to prevent abuse of the system that could conceivably create large fees, though he believes the long-term cost curve indicates that AI will essentially become free, with the price of software being more aligned with value than cost of goods sold.
Prior to this release, Sourcetable did offer an AI copilot similar to many in the market that was more for formula assistance, charting and answering questions, according to McMillan. This was initially included as a SQL assistant to retrieve database data to help users who didn’t know how to write SQL, and this is how the company learned that users really wanted to use the AI for their regular spreadsheet workflows, leading Sourcetable to develop this current solution.
“Ironically, solving the database retrieval problems forced us to build our own Chain of Thought equivalent before OpenAI released theirs publicly,” said McMillan. “That taught us how to leverage processes like CoT for multistep processes and automation, and this gave us a big head start once we shifted gears toward full spreadsheet automation via AI. Today’s autopilot moves us from answering questions to thinking and agency. It’s a big leap forward.”
Sourcetable offers both a free tier and a pro tier, which costs $20 a month. All Sourcetable users get the first two weeks free on the Pro tier and can continue using the system on a rate-limited free tier. All the regular spreadsheet and charting features are free and unrestricted. McMillan added that Pro users are Sourcetable’s revenue source. Free tier users generate no revenue, he said, “although happy users spread the word, which is the best form of marketing.”
Democratic lawmakers on Monday introduced a bill to block investors from using Puerto Rico as a cryptocurrency tax haven — a proposal unlikely to advance without Republican support and as Congress prioritizes extending the 2017 tax cuts.
Under current laws, qualified investors living in the U.S. Commonwealth are not required to pay local or federal taxes on capital gains, including crypto appreciation. That tax break — part of a broader package of tax incentives known as Act 60 — has made the island a haven for thousands of digital currency enthusiasts.
If passed, the Fair Taxation of Digital Assets in Puerto Rico Act of 2025 would add a new section to the Internal Revenue Code that would make digital-asset income on the island subject to federal rules.
In a statement to Bloomberg News, Velazquez said the bill will close a critical loophole, “making sure everyone plays by the same rules.”
“This wave of crypto investors hasn’t helped Puerto Rico’s recovery or strengthened the local economy,” Velazquez said. “Instead, it’s driven up housing costs, pushed out local residents, and added pressure to an island where nearly 40% of people live in poverty — all while costing the federal government billions in lost tax revenue.”
According to Velazquez’s office, Puerto Rico will lose an estimated $4.5 billion in revenue from 2020 to 2026 due to tax breaks for wealthy investors.
Earlier this month, Governor Jenniffer Gonzalez presented a package of measures that would extend Act 60 benefits through 2055, but also require new applicants for the incentives to pay 4% on capital gains. By contrast, cryptocurrency holders on the U.S. mainland might pay as much as 20% and 37% on long-term and short-term capital gains, respectively, according to Velazquez’s office.
Crypto boosters say the tax breaks are drawing high net-worth individuals with fintech expertise to the struggling island. Among those who call Puerto Rico home are Dan Morehead, the founder of Pantera Capital, a crypto-focused investment firm; crypto evangelist Brock Pierce; and YouTube celebrity and sometime digital-asset promoterJake Paul.
The Tennessee General Assembly passed legislation backed by the Tennessee Society of CPAs adding an extra pathway to a CPA license, as more states make efforts to alleviate the shortage of new accountants.
SB 1316/HB 1330, introduced by Senate Majority Leader Jack Johnson and House Majority Leader William Lamberth on behalf of the administration, was filed for introduction on Feb. 6. The legislation aligns with Tennessee Governor Bill Lee’s goal to streamline state boards and simplify licensing. Members of the Tennessee Society of CPAs lobbied for licensing changes in February.
The legislation offers two pathways to licensure for prospective CPAs starting Jan. 1, 2026. Applicants can either:
Ccomplete the traditional path of at least 150 semester hours of college education including a bachelor’s degree plus one year of accounting experience; or,
Complete at least 120 semester hours of college education including a bachelor’s degree plus two years of accounting experience.
For both options, the coursework needs to include an accounting concentration as determined by Tennessee State Board of Accountancy rule. In addition, the legislation includes CPA practice mobility provisions so CPAs can still practice across state lines. Current and future CPAs who don’t have a principal place of business in Tennessee will be able to practice in the state if they hold a valid CPA license in good standing from another state and if, at the time of licensure, they showed evidence of having passed the Uniform CPA Exam. They need to consent to the jurisdiction and disciplinary authority of the TSBOA, comply with the applicable statute and board rules of the state, and cease offering services in Tennessee if their license in the state of issuance is deemed to be no longer valid. These changes will take effect July 1, 2025.
“This legislation is a key step in ensuring that the demand for skilled accounting professionals, specifically licensed CPAs, can be met now and in the future,” said TSCPA president and CEO Kara Fitzgerald in a statement Monday. “Tennessee was a leader in advocating for the 150-hour rule in the 1990s, and as the needs of the profession change, Tennessee will continue to lead in evolving our licensure model to make sure we meet those needs.”
The bill will now be sent to Gov. Lee and, once he signs it, will become effective on the dates stated above.
Baker Tilly and Moss Adams have made their merger official, combining to form what promises to be the sixth largest CPA firm in the U.S.
Rumors of the impending merger began to leak out earlier this month. The two firms plan to combine under the Baker Tilly name. Moss Adams already has a large presence in the West and Central regions, while Baker Tilly dominates in the East and Midwest, and their merger will give them a larger national footprint.
Baker Tilly, based in Chicago, ranked No. 11 on Accounting Today‘s 2025 list of the Top 100 Firms with $1.8 billion in annual revenue, over 600 partners and nearly 6,900 employees. Moss Adams, based in Seattle, ranked right below it at No. 12 with $1.3 billion in annual revenue, over 400 partners and more than 4,800 employees.
Baker Tilly CEO Jeff Ferro will be CEO of the combined firm through his retirement, while Eric Miles, who is currently Moss Adams’ chairman and CEO, has been named CEO-elect. Miles will assume the role of CEO on January 1, 2026, with Ferro remaining a director on Baker Tilly’s board thereafter.
“Moss Adams is a great strategic fit with Baker Tilly,” Ferro said in a statement Monday. “We’ve long respected the firm, its people and its industry-focused approach. By bringing together our strengths, we are expanding our ability to serve middle-market businesses with greater expertise, resources and insights.”
“The resources, geographic reach and go-to-market strength of the combined firm magnifies opportunities for our people to grow, collaborate and innovate,” Miles stated. “We are proud to offer our clients these expanded resources to deliver even greater value and set a new standard for advisory services in the middle market.”
As part of the deal, private equity firm Hellman & Friedman, an existing investor in Baker Tilly, will make an additional strategic investment in the business, with existing shareholder Valeas Capital Partners also increasing its investment.
The deal is expected to close in early June of this year. Once the deal closes, Moss Adams and Baker Tilly’s audit business will combine as Baker Tilly US, LLP and the firms’ business advisory, tax and other services will combine under Baker Tilly Advisory Group, LP. Both entities will remain partnerships, with all principals holding equity alongside H&F and Valeas in BTAG.
“Since we invested in Baker Tilly, we have been focused on building a differentiated firm with the ambition to change the game in the middle-market accounting industry,” said H&F partner Blake Kleinman in a statement. “This landmark merger between Baker Tilly and Moss Adams is an important step in creating a firm that will be the destination of choice for the industry’s best talent and for firms considering their strategic options in a rapidly evolving sector.”
Former AICPA president and CEO Barry Melancon recently joined as a strategic advisor to Baker Tilly and independent chair-elect of the Baker Tilly International board of directors: “The CPA and advisory profession requires firms to operate effectively at the local, national and global levels,” he said in a statement. “This combination brings together two firms at the forefront of the profession, further empowering them to deliver on their commitment to serving their clients as the needs of middle-market businesses evolve.”
Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP and Vedder Price PC served as legal advisors to Baker Tilly. Deutsche Bank Securities Inc. served as financial advisor and Dechert LLP as legal advisor to Moss Adams.
Baker Tilly is part of the Baker Tilly International network, based in London, which reported $5.6 billion in worldwide revenue in 2024. Baker Tilly has done several acquisitions since receiving private equity funding in February 2024 led by Hellman & Friedman and Valeas Capital Partners, accelerating the firm’s growth strategy. Earlier this year, it acquired CironeFriedberg, a firm based in Bethel, Connecticut, and Hancock Askew, a Regional Leader based in Savannah, Georgia.
Moss Adams does not do M&A deals as often, but last December, it entered the Salesforce.com consulting market by acquiring Yurgosky Consulted Limited LLC in New York.