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.

Tax preparation

IRS delays e-Services outages

This weekend’s outages for IRS e-Services have been postponed.

By Jeff Stimpson
Freelance writer

August 18
Audit

Deloitte takes a commanding lead in Q2 audit clients

The Big Four firm topped large and small firms in new SEC engagements.

By Daniel Hood
Editor-in-chief

August 17
AT Think Is audit ready for blockchain?

In order to use the new, highly secure technology, the foundation needs to be laid.

August 17

Jeanne Boillet

EY
AT Think Cognitive computing will transform the accounting profession

From audits to tax work, smarter machines will change everything accountants do.

August 17

Jon Baron

Thomson Reuters
AT Think Diversity: It’s (past) time to step it up

Indiana CPA Society CEO and president Gary Bolinger on the necessity of a more inclusive profession.

August 17

Gary Bolinger

Oodles
Accounting methods

NASBA runs the numbers on the solar eclipse

The National Association of State Boards of Accountancy has produced a new infographic comparing the numbers for next Monday’s highly anticipated solar eclipse.

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

August 16
Audit standards

Groups weigh in with SEC on PCAOB audit report standard

Accounting and financial firms and business groups are sending comment letters to the Securities and Exchange Commission ahead of a deadline Friday for approving a new standard from the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board on expanding the scope of audit reports.

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

August 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.