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AICPA, FASB, GASB seek accounting students

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9 months ago

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The American Institute of CPAs and state CPA societies have launched a monthlong initiative in November to introduce high school students to opportunities in the accounting profession, while the Financial Accounting Standards Board and the Governmental Accounting Standards Board are separately looking for university graduates to join their Postgraduate Technical Assistant Program.

The AICPA is teaming up with state CPA societies and CPA firms on the Accounting Opportunities Experience for high school students. Throughout this month, CPAs and state CPA societies across the country will host classroom visits, career fairs and community events aimed at inspiring the next generation of accounting professionals. The goal is to reach 50,000 high school students through in-person and virtual engagement activities.

A number of states have officially designated November — or specific weeks and days within the month — as “Accounting Month,” “Accounting Week,” or “Accounting Day.” AOE month also includes International Accounting Day on Monday, November 10, a global celebration recognizing the essential contributions of accountants to business transparency, economic growth and public trust.

“The future of accounting depends on reaching students early and showing them that this profession is about far more than numbers — it’s about trust, purpose and impact,” said AICPA president and CEO Mark Koziel in a statement Monday. “When we all work together to bring the profession into classrooms and communities, we make the pathway to accounting more visible. Every conversation we have this month with a student can spark an interest that lasts a lifetime.”

The AICPA is encouraging CPAs to visit their state CPA society website to find out how to participate in local AOE month initiatives, including classroom presentations, student mentorships and community events. Educators and professionals can find free resources and ready-to-use templates on the ThisWayToCPA.com website.

FASB and GASB Technical Assistant Program

Separately, FASB and GASB said in an email Monday they are kicking off the nomination period for their Postgraduate Technical Assistant Program. The highly selective program provides individuals interested in an accounting-related career with an opportunity to play an active role in the financial reporting standard-setting process.

During the year-long program, Postgraduate Technical Assistants will learn about the standard-setting process from start to finish, getting the opportunity to work alongside senior members of project staff and will be involved in all phases of their assigned projects. This includes, but is not limited to, conducting technical accounting research, performing outreach with stakeholders, preparing memos on technical accounting issues, drafting due process documents, and presenting their findings to the FASB and GASB members or external stakeholders.

In addition to gaining professional experience, PTAs will be exposed to leaders in different professional fields, including private-sector accounting, not-for-profit accounting, governmental accounting, auditing, investing, business and academia. The professional experience seen on a PTA’s resume is highly regarded by employers, FASB and GASB noted. Former PTAs often become leaders in accounting firms (including the Big Four), Fortune 500 companies and notable organizations, such as the Federal Reserve.

Nomination packages are now being accepted for the FASB or GASB Summer 2026 and/or Winter 2027 PTA program. A school can nominate one qualified candidate for each of the four programs: FASB Summer, GASB Summer, FASB Winter and GASB Winter for a total of four candidates from each school. It should be noted that each candidate can also elect to be considered for their preference of either the FASB or GASB programs and/or either Summer and Winter starting dates. Due to the level of rigor that our programs require, we ask that you only submit nominees who 1) are in or who have recently completed a graduate program, or 2) have or will have completed 150 credit hours by the start of the PTA Program.

Individuals who are successful in the PTA program generally have:

  • Strong critical thinking skills and are creative; they have a genuine interest in the theoretical aspects of accounting;
  • The ability to be a self-starter; they complete tasks with minimal supervision;
  • Effective communication skills; superior writing ability is essential;
  • The ability to work effectively as a member of a team;
  • Strong leadership skills; they are mature and motivated; and,
  • A career interest in auditing or technical accounting.

To nominate an individual or individuals for the PTA Program, schools should submit a nomination package on their behalf containing the following:

  • A formal letter of recommendation from a faculty member indicating the nominee’s program of interest (FASB Summer, GASB Summer, FASB Winter, GASB Winter or a combination of either Boards or terms). The process is to consider candidates for either board or either start date unless indicated otherwise. The letter of recommendation should say whether a candidate would prefer to not be considered for FASB or GASB or a specific term. In addition, it should indicate in the nomination form if the candidate has an interest in working on the eXtensible Business Reporting Language team as a FASB PTA.
  • The nominee’s resume, including full name, address, phone number and email address.
  • An essay written by the nominee on why they want to participate in the FASB/GASB PTA Program. The essay should be no more than two pages in length. If a nominee would like to be considered for both the FASB and GASB PTA Programs, their essay should indicate such. Please ensure that the candidate’s name is displayed clearly on their essay.
  • Nominee’s transcripts. Successful candidates generally have either a master’s degree in accounting, an undergraduate double major, or both. 

Due to the importance of strong writing skills for the programs, FASB and GASB’s expectation is that the essay is the candidate’s own work. The use of generative AI is prohibited for all nomination materials, including the essay and the recommendation letters. 
Applicants can submit their nominations by clicking here. For more information, email [email protected]. All nominations must be received by Nov. 30, 2025.

Candidates who are selected for further consideration will receive, no later than Dec. 23, 2025, an invitation to interview between January and March of 2026. FASB and GASB’s offers of employment will be made by March 31, 2026. Depending on the program they are accepted into, the FASB/GASB PTAs will begin their year with the boards in early July 2026 or early January 2027, full time and in person at the Norwalk, Connecticut office.

There is an important caveat for potential candidates who already have job offers. “While our program has always been highly selective and desirable, its timing for nomination, interviewing and selection may raise concerns about a potential conflict between participation in our program and obtaining a career position,” said the email. “Candidates for the program typically have already interviewed and accepted career positions with CPA firms or other organizations. Invariably, those organizations have viewed the FASB/GASB opportunity favorably and encouraged students to pursue it. If there are questions regarding any potential conflicts with prior commitments, we will be happy to work with successful candidates to resolve those issues.”

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Accounting

Global ESG Reporting Standards and Double Materiality Compliance

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5 days ago

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August 9, 2026

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Corporate accounting departments face expanding reporting expectations as international sustainability disclosure standards achieve regulatory enforcement across major global jurisdictions. Chief Accounting Officers (CAOs) and corporate controllers are establishing rigorous internal accounting controls to treat Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) metrics with the same data precision, auditability, and governance as traditional financial statements.

Regulatory Harmonization Under Global Sustainability Frameworks
The implementation of standardized sustainability reporting frameworks—notably rules established by international sustainability accounting boards—has created unified expectations for public and large private enterprises. Corporations must report standardized metrics covering greenhouse gas emissions (Scope 1, 2, and material Scope 3), energy utilization, workforce demographics, and supply chain governance.

In Europe and other participating international jurisdictions, double materiality principles are mandatory. Under double materiality, organizations must report both how external sustainability risks impact corporate financial performance, and how internal corporate operations affect surrounding environmental and social structures.

Integrating Sustainability Metrics into Core ERP Systems
To provide auditable non-financial data, enterprise organizations are integrating specialized carbon accounting and ESG management platforms directly into core ERP systems. Automated data collectors capture energy utility invoices, logistics fuel consumption metrics, and vendor compliance records in real time.

Establishing automated, traceable data pipelines ensures that non-financial reporting is supported by clear audit trails. This structured approach allows external financial auditors to provide reasonable assurance on sustainability disclosures during annual corporate reporting cycles.

Financial Impacts and Capital Market Disclosure
Accurate ESG reporting directly influences corporate cost of capital and institutional credit ratings. Commercial lenders and institutional asset managers systematically incorporate sustainability metrics into risk pricing models. Companies that demonstrate transparent, verifiable progress in operational energy efficiency and climate risk mitigation benefit from expanded access to green bond markets and lower debt pricing.

Action Steps for Accounting Leadership
1. Implement Double Materiality Frameworks: Conduct comprehensive assessments to identify material financial and operational sustainability metrics.
2. Build Auditable Non-Financial Data Pipelines: Automate ESG data collection within core accounting software to ensure data integrity.
3. Align Sustainability with Annual Financial Filings: Prepare non-financial disclosures concurrently with financial statements to satisfy regulatory audit expectations.

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Accounting

Modernizing Internal Controls: Machine Learning and Continuous Monitoring in Auditing

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1 week ago

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August 5, 2026

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Internal audit departments and corporate risk managers are modernizing internal control frameworks by shifting from periodic sampling techniques to continuous monitoring and machine learning analytics. As operational data volumes increase across enterprise organizations, automated control testing ensures financial integrity, prevents corporate fraud, and streamlines annual audit engagements.

The Limitation of Periodic Audit Sampling
Historically, internal and external auditors evaluated internal controls by reviewing random samples of financial transactions—often analyzing less than five percent of total ledger entries. In complex enterprise environments, periodic sampling methods carry inherent risks of overlooking localized financial misstatements, unauthorized disbursements, or operational control breakdowns.

In 2026, progressive internal audit functions are utilizing automated continuous monitoring platforms that evaluate one hundred percent of financial transactions in real time. Continuous control auditing systems continuously monitor general ledger entries, procurement approvals, and expense reimbursements across all operating subsidiaries.

AI-Powered Fraud Detection and Anomaly Identification
Machine learning models trained on historical corporate financial data excel at identifying subtle transactional anomalies that indicate potential fraud or operational error. Automated systems instantly flag duplicate invoice payments, unapproved vendor creation, unusual journal entry timing, and unauthorized override of authority thresholds.

When an anomaly is detected, the automated auditing platform generates an instant risk alert, allowing internal audit teams to investigate root causes immediately. Early detection prevents minor operational errors from escalating into material weaknesses in financial reporting.

Streamlining External Audit Preparation
Continuous internal control monitoring delivers significant benefits during annual external financial audits. External audit firms can review continuous audit logs and automated control testing documentation, reducing the time required for manual field testing.

This integrated approach lowers overall audit compliance fees, reduces administrative burdens on corporate accounting staff, and provides senior management and audit committees with real-time visibility into the organization’s overall risk profile.

Core Implementation Guidelines
1. Transition to 100% Data Testing: Replace legacy sampling methods with automated continuous audit monitoring systems.
2. Deploy Anomaly Detection Algorithms: Implement machine learning models to identify unauthorized transactions and operational control overrides.
3. Align Internal and External Audit Workflows: Coordinate continuous control testing protocols with external auditors to optimize annual compliance cycles.

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Accounting

Automated Tax Compliance and Global Regulatory Harmonization in 2026

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1 week ago

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August 5, 2026

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Corporate tax accounting departments are navigating an era of unprecedented regulatory complexity as global tax harmonization frameworks take full effect alongside real-time digital tax reporting mandates. Tax directors and accounting teams are adopting cloud-based tax compliance automation tools to manage multi-jurisdictional tax liabilities and satisfy stringent reporting rules across international jurisdictions.

Implementation of Global Minimum Tax Provisions
The implementation of international tax reform agreements—notably the Pillar Two global minimum tax framework—has reshaped multinational corporate tax planning. Multinational enterprises with consolidated revenues exceeding established thresholds must ensure an effective tax rate of at least 15% across every jurisdiction in which they operate.

Accounting teams are implementing specialized tax calculation modules integrated directly into enterprise resource planning (ERP) platforms. These automated tools calculate effective tax rates per country, identify top-up tax liabilities, and generate standardized compliance documentation required by national tax authorities.

Real-Time Digital Invoicing and E-Reporting Mandates
Tax authorities across Europe, Latin America, and Asia-Pacific have enacted mandatory electronic invoicing (e-invoicing) and continuous transaction controls (CTC). Under these systems, corporate transaction data must be submitted electronically to government portals in real time at the point of sale or invoice issuance.

This shift toward continuous digital tax reporting eliminates traditional annual tax audits in favor of ongoing automated compliance monitoring. Accounting departments are upgrading invoicing software to ensure seamless XML data formatting, digital signature authentication, and real-time validation against tax authority databases.

Automation and Data Analytics in Corporate Tax Strategy
To keep pace with dynamic tax legislation, tax departments are transitioning from reactive compliance teams to proactive strategic advisors. Machine learning algorithms analyze corporate transactional data to identify tax credits, research and development (R&D) incentives, and cross-border transfer pricing adjustments.

By automating routine tax return filings and calculations, corporate tax directors can focus on long-term capital structuring, evaluating the tax implications of corporate mergers, and optimizing international supply chain networks.

Strategic Priorities for Tax Executives
1. ERP System Upgrades: Ensure enterprise software is capable of generating real-time, granular tax data required for global minimum tax compliance.
2. E-Invoicing Integration: Implement scalable e-invoicing platforms to satisfy regional continuous transaction control regulations.
3. Strategic Tax Analytics: Utilize predictive tax modeling tools to evaluate structural changes in corporate operations and cross-border trade.

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