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.

Accounting standards

And Now, the Rest of the Story

The fact that the Securities and Exchange Commission last week filed a 46-page legal brief supporting the constitutionality of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board to me was not as surprising as the fact they had to do it at all.

September 10
Tax practice

IRS Announces Fees for Residency Certification

As previously announced, the Internal Revenue Service will soon begin charging user fees for the residency certification letters commonly used to avoid foreign value added taxes.

September 7
Audit

ASA Praises Pension Bill's Appraisal Standards

After a five-year effort, the American Society of Appraisers is taking credit for some of the provisions contained in the Pension Protection Act of 2006.

September 7
Regulatory actions and programs

IMA Reintroduces 'Statements on Management Accounting'

The Institute of Management Accountants is again rolling out its "Statements on Management Accounting."

September 6
Tax practice

Congress Takes a Look at Stock Options

After months of increasing reports of investigations by both the Securities and Exchange Commission and academics, Congress is now examining the sometimes-questionable timing of stock options granted to executives.

September 6
Accounting standards

Government Brief Supports PCAOB Constitutionality

The Securities and Exchange Commission and Department of Justice have formally supported the constitutionality of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board with the filing of a 46-page legal brief just before Labor Day.

September 5
Audit

Study: Vesting Used to Avoid Options Expensing

More than 900 companies have used accelerated vesting schedules to avoid an estimated $8 billion in costs, according to a Bear Stearns report issued last week.

September 4

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.