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 The fourth quarter can be a game changer

An aggressive posture in financial planning now can make all the difference.

October 25

John P. Napolitano

Napier Financial
The future of audit Looking ahead in a time of rapid change

The changes to the financial statement audit will be shaped by four factors: technology, methodology, standards and skills.

October 25

Susan S. Coffey

AICPA & CIMA
Change management

Pain, and then gain

The accounting profession’s leaders see the upside of massive change (mostly).

By Daniel Hood
Editor-in-chief

October 24
Tax preparers

PTIN renewal season begins

The IRS is reminding tax pros that their ID numbers will expire Dec. 31.

By Jeff Stimpson
Freelance writer

October 23
CPAs

AICPA names 'Gold Medal Award of Distinction' recipient

The American Institute of CPAs recognized Lester McKeever Jr., of Chicago, with the Institute's highest honor.

By Sean McCabe
Senior Editor

October 23
Data breaches

After a breach: How tax preparers should respond to being hacked

The IRS offers tips on what practitioners should do immediately after discovering they’ve been breached.

By Jeff Stimpson
Freelance writer

October 23
AT Think 3 reasons accountants don’t need to ‘do it all’

Specialization, curation, and intelligent workflow will make for a better practice — not trying to meet every client’s every need.

October 22

Ben Richmond

Xero

Resources

The latest Accounting Today research and discussion:

Accounting firm services

Practice management

Consulting
Trusted Advisor 2.0

By Daniel Hood

September 28
Beyond the Buzz: Moving from AI Hype to Meaningful Impact

Weaving AI into client records, workflows, documents, and billing allows accounting firms increase to by offering client accounting services. Learn why an integrated platform outperforms standalone accounting solutions.

Partner Insights from Canopy
Beyond Research: Unlocking Hidden Value from AI

Generative AI adoption among accounting firms doubled in just one year. But many firms are barely scratching the surface, using AI primarily for tax research rather than to reimagine workflows

Partner Insights from Thomson Reuters

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.