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 The Spirit of Accounting

The FAF's 'gift' to the IASB: An unfortunate event that could have a silver lining

April 1
Audit

IIRC Signs Pact with Global Initiative for Sustainability Ratings

The International Integrated Reporting Council has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Global Initiative for Sustainability Ratings in which the two groups pledge to work together to promote and support the global alignment of corporate reporting and ratings frameworks.

March 31
Audit

GASB Votes against Delay in New Pension Standards

The Governmental Accounting Standards Board voted unanimously Monday not to delay the implementation date of its new pension accounting and financial reporting standards, despite requests from various groups for an indefinite delay.

March 24
Audit

AICPA Offers Guidance on Conflict Minerals Reporting

The American Institute of CPAs Conflict Minerals Task Force has developed nonauthoritative guidance to help companies deal with the conflict minerals reporting requirements of the Dodd-Frank Act and Securities and Exchange Commission regulations.

March 21
Audit

FASB Eases Variable Interest Entity Requirements for Private Companies

The Financial Accounting Standards Board issued guidance Thursday to make it easier for private companies to report on consolidation of variable interest entities.

March 20
Audit

FASB and IASB Work on Resolving Lease Accounting Differences

The Financial Accounting Standards Board and the International Accounting Standards Board remain at odds over crucial elements of their lease accounting standards after joint meetings this week, but said they are still committed to reducing the distinctions.

March 20
AT Think FASB Looks into Simplifying Goodwill Standards for Public Companies

Last November, the Financial Accounting Standards Board endorsed simplifying the accounting standards that private companies use in measuring and reporting goodwill, and FASB is currently looking into the possibility of changing the standards for public companies too.

March 17

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.