Accounting

Accounting News & Professional Insight

Accounting Today delivers news, rankings, thought leadership, and analysis for accounting professionals so they can navigate change in standards, firm strategy, technology adoption, talent, and the overall business environment.

Accounting professionals are facing rapid transformation, including shifting professional standards, demographic change, technology disruption, practice consolidation, and changing expectations for advisory services. Our coverage surfaces these strategic dynamics and provides insights and analysis for firms, leaders, and the accounting profession.

CPAs

California signs CPA pathways bill into law

California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a bill that adds alternative pathways to CPA licensure, which will go into effect Jan 1. 2026.

By Paige Hagy
Reporter

October 7
Audit

PCAOB releases guidance on audit evidence standard

The Public Company Accounting Oversight Board released staff guidance to help auditors implement Paragraph .10A of AS 1105, "Audit Evidence."

By Paige Hagy
Reporter

October 2
Tax

Block hiring tax pros ahead of tax season

The tax prep giant is looking to hire as many as 80,000 tax pro associates for 2026.

By Jeff Stimpson
Freelance writer

October 2
Payroll

Small business job and wage growth stayed steady in September

Small businesses with fewer than 50 employees maintained steady job growth and hourly earnings growth this past month, according to payroll company Paychex.

By Michael Cohn
Editor-in-chief, AccountingToday.com

September 30
Accounting standards

FASB proposes guidance on paid-in-kind dividends

The proposed ASU offers guidance on how an issuer should initially measure paid-in-kind dividends on equity-classified preferred stock.

By Michael Cohn
Editor-in-chief, AccountingToday.com

September 30
Tax

PTIN season to kick off with lower fees

The IRS is lowering the fee for PTINs from $11 to $10.

By Jeff Stimpson
Freelance writer

September 30
Financial reporting

SEC to fast-track plan to end quarterly reports

Paul Atkins said the proposal will let companies report on a semi-annual basis, though many might still choose to report quarterly.

By Jenny Surane
Finance Reporter

September 30

Resources

The latest Accounting Today research and discussion:

Accounting: Key Questions & Analysis

What are the key trends and strategies emerging from accounting industry leaders?

Top leaders are focused on structural challenges facing firms, including succession planning, evolving service mix, and long-term sustainability of traditional models.

How are accounting firms positioning themselves for the profession’s next phase?

Firm leaders are redefining and evaluating their strategy for growth. This includes investing in people and systems as well as rethinking how firms deliver value to address changing client needs and competition.

What role does professional identity play as accounting continues to change?

Debate continues over how accounting defines itself. This is due to accounting expanding into advisory, consulting, and technology-enabled services. These changes can raise questions about standards, training, and long-term credibility.

How are accounting firms managing leadership and succession risk?

Demographic shifts are accelerating in accounting. This means more firms are confronting leadership transitions and ownership succession which can create critical strategic risks that influence growth, culture, and valuation.