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 standards

FASB proposes tweaks to financial instruments standards

The proposals would make narrow improvements to the rules for credit losses, hedging, and recognition and measurement.

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

November 19
Tax preparers

IRS proposes more than doubling EA fees

The cost of the user fee for enrolled agents would rise from $30 to $67.

By Jeff Stimpson
Freelance writer

November 19
Accounting fraud

Ghosn joins ranks of executives accused of financial impropriety

The Nissan chairman was arrested in Japan for alleged financial violations and faces removal from his job.

November 19
AT Think Will accountants become the weavers of the 21st century?

Accounting is facing a slow-moving existential crisis, says institutional investor Jon Lukomnik.

November 19

Jon Lukomnik
Accounting standards

IASB proposes deferring insurance standard for a year

The International Accounting Standards Board voted to propose a one-year delay, so the new rules would take effect in 2022, instead of 2021.

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

November 16
Tax preparers

IRS should enforce preparer competency: IRSAC

The advisory committee says a bipartisan consensus has emerged on regulating tax pros.

By Jeff Stimpson
Freelance writer

November 16
CECL

FEI publishes guides to internal controls for leasing and CECL standards

The SEC is also working to help companies with a crowded implementation schedule.

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

November 16

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.