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.

Financial planning

CFP Board updates exam to include new federal tax law

The updates will go into effect starting with the November 2018 exam.

By Sean McCabe
Senior Editor

May 22
Audit

Melancon calls for the transformation of the audit

The AICPA chief challenged the profession to embrace changes in auditing, technology and more.

By Daniel Hood
Editor-in-chief

May 21
Tax season

Lessons from the 2018 tax season

With the changes coming in 2019, preparers may end up being nostalgic for this year.

By Roger Russell
Senior Editor

May 21
CPAs

Accountants to Watch: Cathy Iconis

The head of the live, social media 'QBOchat' is looking for professionals to adapt to new tech and pricing models.

By Sean McCabe
Senior Editor

May 18
Accounting fraud

Steinhoff seeks three-year debt extension amid accounting probe

Steinhoff International Holdings NV is seeking a three-year extension on most of its 9.6 billion euros ($11.3 billion) of debt as the retailer battles to come to grips with an accounting scandal that’s wiped more than 96 percent off the share price.

May 18
Accounting firm networks

CPAmerica marks 40th anniversary

CPAmerica International is celebrating its 40th anniversary as the association continues to expand in the U.S. and reaches out abroad.

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

May 17
Audit

Carillion deceived on debt, lawmakers say in damning report blaming Big Four auditors

Carillion Plc deceived lenders and investors about its debt levels and was enabled by “complacent” auditors who failed to challenge its “aggressive” accounting, according to a U.K. Parliament report.

May 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.