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

VSCPA honors 2021 Distinguished CPAs

The state society's annual awards recognize local CPAs and their commitment to service, diversity and innovation.

By Sean McCabe
Senior Editor

May 5
SEC enforcement

Under Armour to pay $9M to settle SEC probe

The commission said the sports apparel company booked revenues earlier than it should have because it was at risk of missing analyst estimates.

By Matt Robinson

May 4
CAQ

CAQ offers advice on auditing SPACs

The Center for Audit Quality released an alert Monday discussing the audit considerations surrounding a private company entering the public markets through a merger with a special purpose acquisition company.

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

May 3
Accounting standards

FASB clarifies accounting for call options

The board released a standards update to improve the accounting for modifications or exchanges of freestanding equity-classified written call options, such as warrants.

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

May 3
Joe Biden

Biden plan would give IRS authority to regulate tax preparers

The American Families Plan includes provisions that would expand Internal Revenue Service oversight of tax preparers.

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

May 3
M&A

CSH acquires Strategic HR

Clark Schaefer Hackett, a Top 100 Firm based in Cincinnati, has bought a human resources outsourcing firm also based there.

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

May 3
ESG

Sustainability accounting: ‘The biggest disrupter’

A look inside the growing demand for assurance services for ESG reporting.

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

May 3

Resources

The latest Accounting Today research and discussion:

Predicting the next 15 years in accounting

Take a look at what the accountant and the accounting firm of the future will look like with AICPA chief Mark Koziel.

Sponsored by BILL
The changing world of government financial reporting

The serious new pressures facing governments of all sizes are changing their financial reporting, says GASB Chair Joel Black.

Sponsored by Intuit Quickbooks
Special Report Technology and CAS

Handling the compliance work that is the foundation of modern CAS while also creating time and insights for the advisory overlay that really drives its value to clients requires the careful deployment of a suite of technology tools — and that suite is constantly evolving, meaning accountants need a strategy to keep up.

Sponsored by Canopy

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.