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.

Audit

U.K. regulator recommends stiffer sanctions against Big Four audit firms

Big Four firms in the United Kingdom should be subject to fines of 10 million pounds ($13.2 million) or more for seriously poor audit work, according to an independent review by the U.K.’s Financial Reporting Council.

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

November 21
Payroll software

Gusto appoints head of accounting and partner channel

New exec promises continued investment in payroll built specifically for accountants.

By Ranica Arrowsmith
Technology Editor

November 21
Obamacare

The ACA: Still with us

For this tax season, it looks like the reporting requirements remain in full swing.

By Roger Russell
Senior Editor

November 21
Corporate philanthropy

BlumShapiro donates 1,200 bags of Thanksgiving items

Over two dozen staff and family members of the Connecticut firm collected nonperishable food for Christian Community Action.

By Sean McCabe
Senior Editor

November 20
Practice management

The value drivers of the modern firm

A host of other factors has joined the size of a practice’s book of business.

By Sean McCabe
Senior Editor

November 20
Cyber Security

Cherry Bekaert establishes new technology arm

The Top 100 Firm acquired a local technology consultancy to expand its services.

By Ranica Arrowsmith
Technology Editor

November 20
Audit

PCAOB passes slimmer budget and plans to reduce headcount

The Public Company Accounting Oversight Board has approved a reduced budget for fiscal year 2018 of approximately $259.9 million along with a strategic plan for 2017-2021, plus a smaller accounting support fee and staff.

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.