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 As an accountant, would you rather be a dentist or a surgeon?

Do you want to be a high-volume practice that does lots of repetitive work (like a dentist)? Or do you want to be a low-volume practice that solves complex cases and problems (like a surgeon)?

November 20

Kyle Walters

L&H CPAs and Advisors
Wirecard

Wirecard ex-CEO Braun leaves lawmakers hanging in hearing

Wirecard AG’s former chief executive officer appeared in public for the first time since his July detention in connection with the collapse of the electronic payment company, but lawmakers hoping for insights from the disgraced manager were left disappointed.

By Karin Matussek and Birgit Jennen

November 20
PCAOB

PCAOB aligns auditor independence rules with SEC

PCAOB aligns auditor independence rules with SEC

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

November 19
Accounting standards

Businesses reassess leases and accounting amid coronavirus

Nearly one-third of companies are reducing their overall real estate footprint as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, with 31 percent of companies renegotiating leases for more favorable terms, according to a new report.

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

November 18
GASB

GASB proposes new implementation guidance on leases and more

The exposure draft covers leases, fiduciary activities and other topics.

By Daniel Hood
Editor-in-chief

November 17
Accounting firm services

A focus on advisory services gave firms a leg up during pandemic

Accountants and tax pros have been crucial to helping small businesses get through COVID-19 so far, said Thomson Reuters' Charlotte Rushton.

By Daniel Hood
Editor-in-chief

November 17
FASB

FAF names two board members to FASB

The foundation also appointed five new trustees.

By Daniel Hood
Editor-in-chief

November 17

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.