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 Generational Viewpoints: The evolution of flexibility

The different work styles of different generations.

March 2
AT Think The Spirit of Accounting: Debunking myths about market values – Part 4

We’re now in the homestretch of our four-part marathon.

March 1

Paul B.W. Miller

University of Colorado and Colorado Springs
Accounting education

The changing face of professional education

Just because it’s continuing doesn’t mean it won’t transform – a lot.

By Ted Needleman
Contributing editor

March 1
Audit

BDO, Marcum lead large firms in new SEC audit clients for 2016

Overall, smaller firms gained by far the most new and net engagements for the year.

By Daniel Hood
Editor-in-chief

March 1
Accounting standards

FASB updates accounting standards for employee benefit plans

The Financial Accounting Standards Board aims to improve financial reporting for an interest in a master trust.

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

February 27
AT Think Do accountants have low self-esteem?

It turns out that the profession has many of the symptoms -- and its holding them back.

February 27

Bill Tsotsos

BD Consultants
Tax season

A famous robot wants to ease tax pain

H&R Block is out to wrest back market share from its online tax-prep rivals with such aggressive measures as free services and interest-free advances on refunds—oh, and plunking a supercomputing Jeopardy star down on the desks of its 70,000 tax preparers.

By Bloomberg News

February 27

Resources

The latest Accounting Today research and discussion:

Accounting firm services

Practice management

Consulting
Trusted Advisor 2.0

By Daniel Hood

September 28
Beyond the Buzz: Moving from AI Hype to Meaningful Impact

Weaving AI into client records, workflows, documents, and billing allows accounting firms increase to by offering client accounting services. Learn why an integrated platform outperforms standalone accounting solutions.

Partner Insights from Canopy
Beyond Research: Unlocking Hidden Value from AI

Generative AI adoption among accounting firms doubled in just one year. But many firms are barely scratching the surface, using AI primarily for tax research rather than to reimagine workflows

Partner Insights from Thomson Reuters

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.