United States: Accounting and Audit

When an internal investigation surfaces just before a filing deadline, how a company engages its external auditor in those critical first days can determine whether it meets regulatory requirements.

The SEC has established a new Financial Reporting and Accounting Unit within its Division of Enforcement, consolidating nationwide resources to investigate public company accounting and financial reporting issues. This organizational shift signals heightened scrutiny of complex accounting matters, non-GAAP measures, and disclosure practices.

Finance teams face critical implementation challenges as new GAAP amendments take effect for 2026, requiring immediate attention to accounting policies, documentation standards, and system readiness. Are your financial reporting processes prepared to handle expanded disclosure requirements, CECL practical expedients, and internal-use software accounting changes before year-end audit fieldwork begins?

IPO readiness extends far beyond technical accounting, requiring companies to operate like public entities months before filing. Finance leaders must establish robust financial architecture, align stakeholders across departments, and address historical accounting issues that can derail timelines when exposed to public-company scrutiny.

The Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Accounting Standards Update 2026-03, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820): Investment Companies with Equity Securities Subject to Contractual Sale Restrictions, on September 9, 2026. While the update is aimed at investment company accounting, it could benefit estate planners and valuation professionals who regularly defend marketability discounts on closely held and restricted stock.

Access to capital in the cannabis industry is increasingly driven by financial credibility, not just market opportunity or growth potential.

Divorce proceedings involving significant or complex assets are rarely straightforward. Beyond the emotional and legal dimensions, these cases often hinge on a clear and defensible understanding of financial reality.

For years, revenue recognition was the primary issue cited in allegations of accounting fraud, whether in enforcement investigations or securities litigation.

Consider a court case in which one side presents a chart, report, or a video reconstruction that was created entirely by artificial intelligence (AI).

Ultra-high-net-worth individuals and families face a valuation environment that is far more complex than simply determining the worth of an asset. In the context of trust, gift, and estate tax planning, valuation becomes a foundational discipline that affects wealth transfer strategy, tax efficiency, compliance, and long-term family outcomes.

In recent years, the accounting profession has been grappling with a concerning trend: a shortage of skilled workers. According to the American Institute of CPAs (AICPA)...

Cybersecurity breaches concerning workers' personal information and retirement savings have increased liability risks for benefit plans and third-party administrators under federal benefits laws.