Why Wipfli?
Wipfli leverages our decades of serving distributors to understand your business and the solutions that can transform it.
Our wide range of services are all delivered with the personal attention of local support, backed by the resources of a national firm. Whether you’re navigating tariffs, facing margin pressures or planning for growth, we take the time to get to know your operations and tailor guidance to meet your unique challenges.
We’re ready to help you drive performance improvement and stay resilient despite rising costs and uncertainty.
Gain confidence in your financial reporting with Wipfli’s assurance services. From financial statement reviews to specialized inventory audits, we help ensure accuracy, compliance and transparency across your operations. We also deliver insights beyond the numbers so you can make informed business decisions.
Wipfli’s tax services help you stay compliant while optimizing your tax position for growth. Our team provides comprehensive tax planning and compliance, including cost segregation, state and local tax guidance and international tax strategies to support your global operations.
Transform your operations with technology built to streamline processes and position your business for growth. Wipfli’s digital services help you create a secure IT ecosystem that drives efficiency and insight, including support for cybersecurity, AI strategy, automation, CRM for distributors and modern cloud solutions, such as NetSuite.
Wipfli’s organizational performance team helps you improve operational efficiency, strengthen leadership and build agile strategies that drive results. Our support for strategic planning, leadership development, operations and process improvement can help you adapt and thrive in any business environment.
Wipfli provides the specialized, experienced talent you need without the overhead of full-time staff. We offer comprehensive services, including back-office and C-suite talent for your accounting, HR, technology and operations teams. Our flexible, scalable services help you stay focused on growth while we support the back-office functions that keep your business running smoothly.
Wipfli gives you critical insights for informed decisions and successful transaction outcomes. Our services cover the full deal life cycle, including buy-side and sell-side advisory, due diligence, quality of earnings and integration planning. Whether you’re preparing for private equity investment or strategic acquisitions, we’re ready to help you evaluate opportunities, mitigate risks and maximize value at every stage.
Wipfli can help you maximize wealth and mitigate taxes with private client services that connect your personal and business finances with your goals. With support for estate and gift planning, wealth management and business transition, we can help you preserve your legacy.
Wipfli’s proactive risk management support can help you identify vulnerabilities, strengthen internal controls and manage compliance. From enterprise risk assessments and cybersecurity reviews to fraud prevention and internal audit support, we deliver practical solutions that safeguard your operations and build resilience.
Reach out to our team
Let’s talk about how we can help your wholesale distribution business become more efficient, resilient and profitable. Connect with our industry advisory team to share your top challenges and develop a plan to solve them.
Insights and resources
ARTICLE
Section 122 tariffs: 10% now, 15% may be next
Manufacturers, distributors and the importing community remain on standby as senior Trump administration officials indicate that they intend to increase the Section 122 tariff rate from 10% to the maximum allowed 15%. On February 20, President Trump announced he would invoke tariffs under Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974 as a “balance of payments” matter to replace the global and sweeping International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) tariffs that just hours earlier the U.S. Supreme Court had ruled illegal. Why did Section 122 replace IEEPA tariffs? Following the Trump administration’s removal of the IEEPA tariffs at midnight ET on February 24, the U.S. immediately implemented 10% Section 122 tariffs starting at 12:01 a.m. that same morning. These Section 122 tariffs, which stand at 10% but are expected to increase to 15% , are scheduled to expire at 12:01 a.m. on July 24, 2026, if not halted earlier through court challenges. The potential rate change, combined with court challenges and an expected expansion of Section 301 tariffs this summer, will require manufacturers and distributors to reexamine the impact of the changing tariff landscape on their operations. In addition to current tariffs imposed under section 232 and section 301, the Trump administration has announced additional investigations under section 232 and section 301, targeting many different U.S. trading partners and goods. It’s expected that the administration will expedite the Section 301 investigation processes in particular, accelerating the imposing of tariffs as the Section 122 tariffs expire in late July. How do importers claim tariff refunds? If you are the importer of record and have paid IEEPA tariffs since they were imposed in February 2025, you are eligible for refunds of those tariffs. Here are some key points pertaining to the refund process: Use your ACE (automated commercial environment) account to begin the refund process. Within the ACE account, your business will need to create a CAPE (consolidated administration and processing of entries) system. At the end of March, Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) provided an update to the Court of International Trade (CIT) noting that they were more than halfway through the process of finalizing the claim portal, the review/liquidation process, refunds and mass processing. Approximately two-thirds of refunds will be granted during phase one of the refund process. This will apply to all unliquidated IEEPA tariffs paid and IEEPA entries that remain within the 90-day voluntary reliquidation window. For all entries that have been fully liquidated, the CIT has changed its original ruling and will now also manage those in the CAPE system, but in subsequent phases. Issues for businesses that are not the importer of record If you are not the importer of record and, therefore, do not have all or a portion of IEEPA tariffs paid tracked in the ACE system, but you paid IEEPA tariffs to a customer or supplier, keep in mind these considerations: You should still consider seeking refunds, but the process will be far less straightforward. If you worked with a supplier to cover a portion of IEEPA specific tariff costs they paid, you need to review and document the specific IEEPA tariffs you paid and determine what the total tariffs paid were. Note that when calculating total IEEPA tariffs paid, you must exclude any tariffs you took on from your supplier for Section 232 or Section 301 tariffs. Your supplier is likely not obligated to refund you the IEEPA tariffs paid, even after they get refunded via the CAPE portal as the importer of record. As a result, it’s important to talk to your supplier and understand their plan for refunds. Have documentation ready on the IEEPA tariffs you paid to help ensure you are refunded what you are owed after your supplier has been refunded. Read more IEEPA tariff refunds: The recent CIT ruling and Section 122 updates Supreme Court IEEPA tariff ruling released Protecting your manufacturing business amidst tariff changes
WEBINAR | March 5, 2026
What’s new in NetSuite 2026: AI-powered ERP for distribution
This webinar offers a focused look at what’s new for distributors in NetSuite’s 2026 releases , including AI‑enabled capabilities designed to streamline operations, improve decision‑making and strengthen the supply chain from end to end. Watch this webinar to learn how to: Unlock operational efficiency across the distribution life cycle using modern ERP tools that streamline inventory, warehousing, procurement and fulfillment. Improve accuracy and decision‑making with real‑time data and AI‑powered insights that strengthen forecasting, reduce stockouts and increase order reliability. Prepare for the future of distribution with emerging ERP trends — beyond AI — that support more agile, scalable and resilient operations. Smarter distribution starts with a modern, AI‑powered ERP foundation. Explore how NetSuite’s 2026 capabilities can accelerate your digital transformation — helping your team move faster, improve accuracy and operate with greater agility. See what’s possible with NetSuite for distribution.
WEBINAR | February 12, 2026
Beyond AI: The new era of digital transformation in ERP
Digital transformation in ERP isn’t just about AI. It’s about building connected, agile enterprises that can adapt quickly to change. In this session, we’ll explore how ERP platforms are evolving to meet industry-specific challenges — and how organizations can prepare for ERP-driven transformation. You’ll learn: Why ERP is the foundation for digital transformation in MRD. Key trends — beyond AI — that will shape ERP in 2026 and beyond. Practical strategies for using ERP to improve agility, visibility and growth. How leading organizations are tailoring ERP solutions to meet industry-specific needs. Step back from day-to-day system decisions and think more strategically about the role ERP plays in your organization’s future. This one-hour session will help you move beyond point solutions and toward a more integrated future.
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Discover how our distribution consulting team helps you look past today’s problems to build the resilience you need to thrive in tomorrow’s market.
