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.

IRS

PTIN renewal season begins

The IRS is now accepting applications and renewals for the tax preparer ID numbers.

By Jeff Stimpson
Freelance writer

October 21
AT Think On top of the world in Singapore

Ten years ago, I began a journey of innovation. I had no idea how the changes I was making would impact my firm, my customers and my life.

October 21

Jody Padar

"The Radical CPA"
AT Think Is it time to pull the trigger on unproductive partners?

If your firm isn’t actively addressing underperforming partners, you are looking at the world through rose-colored glasses.

October 18

Dom Esposito

Esposito CEO2CEO, LLC
ESG

Sustainability standards seen as too fragmented

Environmental, social and governance reporting is filled with competing sets of rules, according to accounting standard-setters and experts.

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

October 17
AT Think Issues with implementing cost segregation and other depreciation changes

Companies will commission a cost segregation study, but its analysis never gets implemented on the tax return.

October 17

Dave McGuire

McGuire Sponsel
AT Think Art of Accounting: On the basis of sex

Today there is considerable consternation that women and blacks are underrepresented in the partnership ranks of CPA firms.

October 17

Edward Mendlowitz

Withum
Accounting education

MSCPA updates Scholarship Program

The Massachusetts Society of CPAs will offer $10K and $5K student scholarships beginning in 2020.

By Sean McCabe
Senior Editor

October 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.