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

Updated version of CPA Exam released

April 1 marked the debut of the new test, complete with more simulations and analytical problem-solving.

By Sean McCabe
Senior Editor

April 11
Tax season

Break time: How preparers relax during tax season

Not that there's a lot of down-time, mind you ...

By Jeff Stimpson
Freelance writer

April 11
Tax preparation

Tax pro groups call out IRS on ‘unacceptable’ service

The AICPA, NAEA, NATP, NCCPAP, NSA and others have combined to ask for improvements.

By Jeff Stimpson
Freelance writer

April 4
AT Think Tax pros and IRS OPR overreach

The Office of Professional Responsibility is trying to expand its authority over preparers – and running into opposition.

April 4

Roger Russell

Accounting Today
Accounting standards

AICPA drafts revenue recognition guidance for airline, gaming, hospitality and time share industries

The American Institute of CPAs’ Financial Reporting Executive Committee has issued 11 new working drafts to help four different industries deal with the upcoming revenue recognition accounting standard.

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

April 3
AT Think Boomer’s Blueprint: Drivers of the next-generation business model

There are five capabilities firms must have to remain successful and future-ready, but too often they think they've already done or tried that.

April 3

L. Gary Boomer

Boomer Consulting Inc.
Tax season

Tax pros debate the value of mid-season marketing

Preparers are divided on the value of promoting themselves during their busiest time.

By Jeff Stimpson
Freelance writer

March 31

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.