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.

Accounting students

AICPA announces 2019 student video competition winners

Five college accounting students received $500 each for their creative entries answering the question, “Why do you want to become a CPA?”

By Sean McCabe
Senior Editor

January 28
AT Think Is the PCAOB doing enough?

A bill stuck in Congress might help improve audit oversight.

January 28

Jessica Westerman

Katz, Marshall & Banks
Government accounting

63 of the biggest cities don’t have enough money to pay their bills

The majority of the U.S.’s 75 most populous cities lack enough funds to pay their bills, but the remaining 12 have budget surpluses, according to a new report.

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

January 28
Payroll services

AccountantsWorld creates Payroll Relief API for HR apps

The two-way Payroll Relief API allows permitted data to move between it and HR and human capital management solutions.

By Ranica Arrowsmith
Technology Editor

January 27
Audit standards

PCAOB seeks feedback on changes in quality control standard for auditors

The Public Company Accounting Oversight Board released a video Monday discussing how to comment on its recent concept release on potentially revising quality control standards for audit firms.

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

January 27
AT Think What are the potential tax advantages of the LLC, C corp and S corp?

As an accounting professional, you know there are potential tax-related upsides and downsides for every type of business entity.

January 24

Nellie Akalp

CorpNet.com
Audit

KPMG predicts audit committee agenda for 2020

The Big Four firm's Board Leadership Center predicts reinforcing audit quality and setting clear expectations for external auditors will be top of mind in the year ahead.

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

January 23

Resources

The latest Accounting Today research and discussion:

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
The future of the accounting workforce

While concerns remain about the profession's pipeline of new accountants, Cathy Moy, chief people officer at BDO USA, sees plenty of ways to keep it full.

Sponsored by Intuit Quickbooks

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.