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.

Deloitte

Deloitte and Autonomy: How two auditors can get too close to clients

The U.K. arm of Deloitte got a record fine from Britain’s accounting watchdog in September. With the full judgment against the firm laid bare last week, you can see why.

By Chris Hughes
Columnist

January 11
Artificial intelligence

AI, applied: Opening the black box

Artificial intelligence is being put to the test in service areas far beyond just audit.

By Ranica Arrowsmith
Technology Editor

January 11
AICPA

AICPA promotes Sue Coffey to CEO of public accounting

Coffey will partner with Barry Melancon on setting strategy at the association.

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

January 7
Accounting standards

FASB clarifies reference rate reform rules

The Financial Accounting Standards Board has released an update on its recent guidance on reference rate reforms to clarify its scope.

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

January 7
Audit

U.K. Financial Reporting Council reports record fine against Deloitte for Autonomy audits

The United Kingdom’s Financial Reporting Council issued a report Wednesday on its sanctions against Deloitte for audits of a British software company that was acquired by HP.

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

January 6
Audit

Foreign auditor use increasing among U.S. companies

Over one-third of U.S. public company audits rely on at least one audit firm abroad, according to new research.

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

January 5
Accounting standards

IESBA releases report on recent accomplishments

The International Ethics Standards Board for Accountants released a report on its accomplishments over the past four years in setting ethical standards around the world.

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

December 31

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.