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.

CPAs

FICPA announces 2017 'Emerging Leaders' graduates

The Florida Institute of CPAs hosted 32 up-and-coming professionals at a summit earlier this month.

By Sean McCabe
Senior Editor

December 11
Artificial Intelligence

Data science: The next evolution for accountants?

To keep up with the changes to come from artificial intelligence, firms will need to boost their skills around information.

By Daniel Hood
Editor-in-chief

December 11
Accounting fraud

Steinhoff’s Wiese said to be in talks for standstill on loan after accounting scandal

Steinhoff International Holdings NV Chairman Christo Wiese, seeking to stabilize the embattled retailer, is negotiating a standstill agreement on a 1.5 billion-euro ($1.8 billion) margin loan under which banks would suspend the sale of stock until next year, according to people with knowledge of the discussions.

December 11
Accounting firm services

Asgeirsson: See the opportunity in technology

Accountants need to look beyond disruption to leverage the power of emerging tools and software.

By Daniel Hood
Editor-in-chief

December 11
Accounting standards

GASB proposes interest cost capitalization guidance

The Governmental Accounting Standards Board is circulating a pair of exposure drafts proposing accounting and financial reporting guidance pertaining to the capitalization of interest cost along with a proposed Implementation Guide discussing a variety of topics.

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

December 8
Accounting fraud

Steinhoff bonds plunge after accounting scandal

Steinhoff International Holdings NV bonds extended losses after Moody’s Investors Service slashed the credit rating to junk in the wake of an accounting scandal that’s threatening the survival of the global furniture and clothing retailer.

December 8
M&A

Ceterus acquires Sandwich Math

Ceterus, a Charleston, S.C., firm that provides managed bookkeeping and tax services for quick-service restaurants, has acquired Sandwich Math, an accounting and bookkeeping firm that focuses on sandwich restaurant franchises.

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

December 7

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.