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 education

AICPA looks to ease accountant shortage in public sector

The American Institute of CPAs teamed up with the National Association of State Auditors, Comptrollers and Treasurers on a joint report calling attention to the urgent need for accountants in state and local governments.

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

October 21
Accounting standards

FASB plans updates on contract assets and liabilities, credit losses

The Financial Accounting Standards Board has decided to tweak some of its standards related to contract assets and liabilities for construction contractors.

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

October 21
Accounting standards

IPSASB releases new strategy and work program

The International Public Sector Accounting Standards Board issued its updated five-year strategy and work program.

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

October 21
Tax

PTIN renewal season kicks off

The IRS is reminding tax pros to register for or renew their professional ID number by Dec. 31.

By Jeff Stimpson
Freelance writer

October 19
Accounting standards

GASB issues guidance on capital asset disclosures

The Governmental Accounting Standards Board's Statement No. 104 requires separate disclosures for certain types of capital assets.

By Paige Hagy
Reporter

October 18
AT Think Enforcement vs. progress: Audit reform amid heavy regulation

The PCAOB's aggressive enforcement agenda overshadows the profession's achievements.

October 18

Allison Henry

PICPA
SEC

SEC subpoenas CSX over years of accounting errors

The commission is focused on accounting errors the railroad had previously disclosed and certain non-financial performance metrics.

October 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.