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 Confessions of a Millennial CPA: The most productive generation

Wealth advisor and CPA David Isaacs defends his misunderstood peers.

April 20

David Isaacs
Accounting standards

Group aims to standardize accounting rules for gold worldwide

A gold industry trade group is looking to set up a common financial reporting framework for the lucrative commodity.

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

April 20
Audit standards

AICPA proposes standard for auditing employee benefit plans

The American Institute of CPAs is toughening the rules after a critical report from the Labor Department about the quality of ERISA audits.

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

April 20
Financial reporting

Ballmer creates a ’10-K’ for America

The former Microsoft CEO has launched a new organization to share data about the U.S.

By Daniel Hood
Editor-in-chief

April 19
Accounting standards

FAF issues last call for PCC nominees

Nominations for the Private Company Council are due by April 24.

By Daniel Hood
Editor-in-chief

April 18
Audit preparation

CAQ updates External Auditor Assessment Tool

The latest version accounts for upcoming changes in accounting standards and PCAOB rules.

By Daniel Hood
Editor-in-chief

April 18
Tax season

Did your tax season measure up?

Top firms carefully analyze their profitability. productivity, client satisfaction and more.

By Roger Russell
Senior Editor

April 18

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.