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 CAS deepens client relationships

Survey finds clients are more likely to refer their accountant if they offer client accounting services.

August 15

Jane Willis

Bill.com
Accounting standards

FASB issues insurance accounting standard

The Financial Accounting Standards Board released a long-awaited accounting standards update Wednesday to improve the financial reporting for insurance companies that issue long-duration contracts, such as life insurance, disability income, long-term care and annuities.

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

August 15
Accounting firm networks

Ernst & Young expands legal services abroad

Ernst & Young is acquiring Riverview Law, a London-based provider of legal services, expanding the Big Four accounting firm’s global presence in the legal profession.

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

August 14
Sarbanes-Oxley

SOX compliance costs rising thanks to rev rec standard

Compliance hours and costs for the Sarbanes-Oxley Act have risen in the past year for many companies, in part due to the new revenue recognition standard, according to a new survey.

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

August 14
Accounting standards

FASB proposes tweaks for leasing standard

The Financial Accounting Standards Board is proposing to make a number of narrow improvements in the lease accounting standard as public companies get ready for it to take effect at the end of the year.

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

August 13
CPA Exam

NASBA releases 2017 CPA Exam data

The National Association of State Boards of Accountancy released two publications detailing 2017 Uniform CPA Exam data and trends.

By Sean McCabe
Senior Editor

August 10
Audit

Deloitte takes the lead in SEC audit clients in Q2

The Big Four firm netted almost three times as many new engagements as any other auditor.

By Daniel Hood
Editor-in-chief

August 10

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.