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.

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GASB Proposes Pension Standard Changes

The Governmental Accounting Standards Board has proposed new guidance to help state and local governments that participate in certain multiple-employer pension plans meet the reporting requirements of GASBs pension standards.

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

October 14
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Corporate Directors Wary of SEC Audit Proposals

An overwhelming majority of corporate board directors oppose the Securities and Exchange Commissions proposal to require mandatory disclosure of communications between audit committees and auditors, according to a new survey.

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

October 14
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Global Accounting Organization Membership Grows to 2.8 Million

The number of accountants who belong to professional accounting organizations that are members of the International Federation of Accountants grew 16 percent from 2.4 million to 2.8 million between 2009 and 2013.

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

October 13
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FIN 48 Deterred Earnings Management

The Financial Accounting Standards Boards 2007 standard on accounting for uncertainty in income taxes, FASB Interpretation No. 48, or FIN 48, has helped discourage companies from using tax reserves to manage their quarterly earnings reports, according to a new study.

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

October 13
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Thomson Reuters Adds FASB Content to Checkpoint

Thomson Reuters has added content to its Checkpoint Catalyst research system on the Financial Accounting Standards Boards financial reporting requirements.

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

October 8
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PCAOB Permanently Bars CPA

The Public Company Accounting Oversight Board issued a disciplinary order permanently barring CPA David A. Aronson from associating with a registered public accounting firm, and permanently revoking the registration of his firm, David A. Aronson CPA PA.

By Daniel Hood
Editor-in-chief

October 5
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A Global Standards Advocate Answers Miller & Bahnson

Paul Pacter speaks up for IFRS

October 2

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.