Corporate governance

If you're leading an accounting firm in early 2026, you feel the pressure. Every conference promises AI will transform the profession. Every vendor has a new automation story. Every article warns that firms that do not adapt will be left behind. But most of these conversations overlook that many CPA firms are not AI-ready, and few have a transformation plan in place. You do already have something incredibly valuable: trust. Clients trust your judgment on complex issues. They trust your discretion with sensitive data. They trust you will guide them through regulatory risk. But trust alone won't carry your firm through the next 18 to 36 months.

Management systems and philosophies are a dime a dozen; it doesn't matter which you follow — as long as you follow one.

Organizations with mature agentic AI governance frameworks are in the distinct minority, but this hasn't stopped leaders from rushing to implement the technology this coming year in a wide variety of applications.

These five trends will influence accounting marketing in 2026 and distinguish firms that grow organically from those that fall behind.

The International Ethics Standards Board for Accountants outlined its views of eight fundamental elements of an ethical culture and governance framework.

Accounting's top influencers reveal what — if anything — they would do differently in their careers.

As part of this year's Top 100 Most Influential People survey, Accounting Today asked, "If you could go back, what is one thing you would change in your career?"

The Institute wants the IRS to develop an automated procedure to expedite extension requests for taxpayers to replace property destroyed by disasters.

Going from a financial professional working for someone else to a business owner running your own firm requires shifting your way of thinking.

Accounting's top influencers look back at the profession's biggest shifts.

Two-thirds of firms say they don't need outside capital, and of the third that do, the most common reason they're looking might surprise you.

While CFOs focus on external growth threats, a more insidious drain often operates undetected within their own finance departments.

Since not all markets are equal in potential at any given time, you'll want to deploy your limited resources where conditions are best.

Accounting Today is looking for firms that belong in its prestigious annual rankings of the biggest practices in the field.

Independent research firm Morningstar's latest study of the value of financial advice examines tax-efficient IRA asset location during the decumulation phase.

Zoho has bolstered its spend control and billing capacities with the release of two new products, in addition to new AI features.

The Institute of Internal Auditors has released its latest "topical requirement," this time on organizational behavior as part of a company's culture.

The accounting profession is seriously divided over the value of private equity, and its potential impact on the profession.