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.

AT Think FASB: Don’t make big changes to the lease standard

While organizations would like to see improvement, the consensus is that big updates could make future implementations more confusing.

December 24

Ane Ohm

LeaseCrunch
Growth strategies

2020 Top 100 People extra: Urgent issues

As part of this year’s Top 100 Most Influential People survey, Accounting Today asked, “What is the most important issue currently facing the accounting profession?”

December 23
AT Think Bookkeepers are embracing the role of trusted advisor

A recent survey shows that many bookkeepers have begun offering strategic advice this year — some without even realizing it.

December 22

Jeannie Ruesch

Bill.com
Accounting standards

FASB proposes goodwill alternative for private cos., nonprofits

The change would make it easier for private companies and nonprofit organizations to evaluate a goodwill triggering event.

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

December 21
Audit

Trump signs bill that could remove Chinese stocks from U.S.

President Donald Trump on Friday signed legislation that could kick Chinese companies off of U.S. exchanges unless American regulators can review their financial audits, a move likely to further escalate tensions between the two countries.

By Jordan Fabian
Reporter

December 21
Audit standards

IAASB releases audit quality management standards

The International Auditing and Assurance Standards Board has issued a set of three revised standards aimed at improving quality management for auditors across the globe.

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

December 18
AT Think The outsourced controller: Who’s monitoring the bookkeeper?

Business owners don't have the time or expertise to deter bookkeeping fraud.

December 17

Luke Templin

a2advisery.com

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.