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

SEC Wins Suit Against Waste Firm's Ex-CFO

The Securities and Exchange Commission has won the court battle over the first billion-dollar financial fraud it ever tackled, a case filed against the former chief financial officer of Waste Management Inc. back in March 2002.

July 2
Audit

Raytheon, Former Execs Settle with SEC

Defense contractor Raytheon Co. and two of its former top executives have settled improper accounting charges brought by the Securities and Exchange Commission.

June 29
Accounting standards

Morgan Stanley Hit with $10M SEC Fine

Securities giant Morgan Stanley will pay a $10 million fine to the Se curities and Exchange Commission after failing to maintain safeguards to prevent the misuse of inside information.

June 28
Regulatory actions and programs

Court Tells SEC to Leave Hedge Funds Alone

A federal appeals court has dealt a serious blow to the Securities and Exchange Commission's plans to more closely regulate hedge funds.

June 26
Audit

FASB to Hold Roundtables Proposals for Retirement Plans

The Financial Accounting Standards Board will hold two public roundtable meetings today to discuss the board's proposal to improve accounting for postretirement benefit plans, including pensions.

June 26
Audit

California Holds Off on Accounting Changes

A California state Senate committee canceled a hearing on a bill to allow out-of-state accountants to provide tax services in the state without first notifying the state's Board of Accountancy.

June 21
Audit

California Examining Its Own Accounting Regs

California officials are starting to consider making changes to accounting reforms the state adopted in the wake of Enron Corp.'s collapse.

June 19

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.