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.

Tax tools

Intuit updates ProConnect Tax Online

Updates include new forms, e-file capabilities, and behind-the-scenes software upgrades.

By Ranica Arrowsmith
Technology Editor

December 13
Accounting firm services

Rapid change creates unique attest opportunities

CPAs are in a great position to benefit from a heightened need for certainty in the future, says the AICPA’s Barry Melancon.

By Daniel Hood
Editor-in-chief

December 12
KPMG

KPMG sees global revenue increase 6.2% to $29.75B

The Big Four firm is seeing growth across geographic regions and service areas.

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

December 12
Technology

2019 Top 100 People extra: Preparing for the future

As part of this year’s Top 100 Most Influential People survey, Accounting Today asked, “What one thing would you recommend accountants do to prepare for the future?”

December 11
IRS

IRS names new head of OPR

Tax professor Sharyn Fisk will take the helm early in 2020.

By Jeff Stimpson
Freelance writer

December 10
Financial reporting

Goodwill impairment charges climbed to $78.9B

The total amount of goodwill impairment recorded by U.S. public companies reached $78.9 billion in 2018, up a staggering 125 percent from the prior year, according to a new report.

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

December 10
FASB

How accounting standards are like Ford v Ferrari

Financial Accounting Standards Board Chairman Russell Golden compared the standard-setting process to the new race car movie, “Ford v Ferrari,” even though he admitted the process usually isn’t so speedy.

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

December 10

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.