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 Better client onboarding: The personal net worth statement ties it all together

As your client’s most trusted advisor, you probably spend a lot of time on their business balance sheet. But how much focus is dedicated to their personal balance sheet?

December 24

Kyle Walters

L&H CPAs and Advisors
Accounting students

NJCPA members discuss accounting careers with local students

More than 100 members of the New Jersey Society of CPAs met with high school students to talk accounting career paths as part of the state society's CPA Career Awareness program.

By Sean McCabe
Senior Editor

December 23
Payroll

6 questions to ask clients before offering payroll

A recent survey shows that small businesses are not just open to their accountants handling payroll for them, but 38 percent expect it.

By Mark McKee
president and COO

December 23
AT Think The failure of audit leadership

These five attributes are key for successfully leading auditing forward.

December 19

Alan Anderson

Accountability Plus
Technology

The Top 100 People: The major issues facing accountants

Leaders in the accounting profession share the things that are keeping them up at night.

December 19
AT Think Life insurance’s major role in business succession planning

Accountants should be engaging more deeply with business owner clients’ succession plans.

December 19

Alan Grad

American Business
AT Think Integrated thinking, reporting and sustainability

Barry Melancon lays out the role for accountants in integrated reporting.

December 18

Barry Melancon

AICPA

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.