Industry news, innovative products and issues that concern the CPA community. That’s what circulates through some of the most widely-read CPA blogs. If you’re not keeping track, the industry might forge ahead without you.
Whether you already follow a few blogs or want to curate a new reading list, here are 5 that are worth your while.
#1: Bloomberg BNA: Broad, Deep, and Professional
Bloomberg BNA is a no-nonsense blog created for and by professional CPAs. The minds behind this blog include over 600 reporters, tax attorneys and professional editors in and around D.C. Metro and international contributors, according to their “About us” page.
You can drill down at Bloomberg BNA to find posts on the importance of the human equation in accounting, auditing topics, fraud, tax reform, transparency and many others. Under the accounting umbrella, they have fine-focus blogs on the estate tax, federal tax, international tax, payroll and State & Local Taxes (SALT).
#2: Accounting Coach: Questions Answered
Accounting Coach is designed in a Q&A format. Founded in 2003 and authored by Harold Averkamp, CPA, MBA, this blog is designed to help CPAs get quick, accurate and concise answers to industry questions.
Unlike most blogs, which post articles about industry news and areas of interest, Accounting Coach offers up answers to vital accounting questions. It’s easy to navigate with an exhaustive list of topics in the left sidebar. Some of the areas covered include accounting basics, bookkeeping, bank reconciliation, financial ratios, inventory and cost of goods sold, among numerous others.
Some content is so good you’ll want to share it.
#3: Accounting Today: Newsy and Vibrant
Accounting Today is like a fresh newspaper with its finger on the pulse of accounting. According to their About page, they’re “sharply focused” on industry hot topics and breaking industry news. With over 325,000 readers, this is a blog worth bookmarking.
This blog has a major social media presence, as well. Their vast network of contributors engage with readers, answer questions and help the Accounting Today community grow and thrive. As they say, their blog “delivers actionable and insightful content.”
#4: Cherry Bekaert: Your Guide Forward
This accounting blog covers a lot of ground. Their regular and frequent posting schedule deals with CPA news, useful tools, industry association updates. It’s brimming with external links, as well, so you can read about a topic and then find where the information originated, such as with new FAFSA tools, Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Update (ASU) updates, research and surveys.
Cherry Bekaert is a longstanding, successful firm that provides services within the U.S. and around the world. This blog can help you stay abreast of domestic accounting topics as well as international ones.
#5: Fraud Files: Forensic Accounting
Forensic accounting has unearthed some incredible tricksters. The Fraud Files blog lets you put on your detective hat and stay aware of the latest fraudulent tactics. Fraud might be as simple as nudging income amounts in a family law case or as convoluted as fooling the public into buying into a scheme.
The accountant behind the blog is Tracy Coenen, CPA, CFF. She has investigated embezzlement, fraud in family law, insurance fraud, financial statement fraud and many other sketchy dealings. Her experience with forensic accounting and as an expert court witness gives depth to her writing.
Accounting is much more than crunching numbers and preparing taxes. It’s a rich industry that touches every person’s life in some way. It also comes with great responsibility.
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