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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Schapiro Defends SECs Approach to IFRS

Securities and Exchange Commission Chair Mary Schapiro tried to explode some of the myths about the agencys drawn-out convergence of U.S. GAAP with International Financial Reporting Standards, insisting the SEC is committed to global accounting standards and not simply protecting Americas parochial interests.

By WebCPA Staff

May 18
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Health Care Reform Means More Financial Reporting

IMGCAP(1)]From a compliance perspective, the new U.S. health care law raises a number of issues for corporate America.

May 17
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Public Sector Standards Board Publishes Handbook

The International Public Sector Accounting Standards Board has published its 2010 Handbook of International Public Sector Accounting Pronouncements.

By WebCPA Staff

May 13
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IASB Mulls Standards for Oil, Gas, Mineral Extraction

The International Accounting Standards Board has published the results of an international research project on how to account for extractive activities in the oil, gas, and mineral industries.

By WebCPA Staff

April 6
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PCAOB Proposes Rules on Audit Committee Communications

The Public Company Accounting Oversight Board has proposed an auditing standard on Communications with Audit Committees, and a series of related amendments to interim standards.

By WebCPA Staff

March 29
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PCAOB thwarted on foreign firm inspections

Washington, D.C.-At least 12 major nations - including several of the U.S.'s top international trading partners - are continuing to slam the door on efforts by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board to conduct cross-border inspections of non-U.S. audit firms as required by the Sarbanes-Oxley Act.

March 15
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PCAOB Offers Small Business Auditing Forums

The Public Company Accounting Oversight Board plans to hold seven forums around the country to discuss auditing in the small business environment.

By WebCPA Staff

March 10

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.