2026-27 Update: The Year in Accountancy
What have been the biggest developments in accountancy in 2026, and what lies ahead? Explore the challenges facing the profession, lessons from recent failures, economic uncertainty, AI, financial reporting and audit developments as we look towards 2027.
A$285 +VAT
2026-27 Update: The Year in Accountancy
A$285 +VAT
365 days’ access
2026-27 Update: The Year in Accountancy
This course is not currently available. To find out more, please get in touch.
This course will enable you to
- Explore the current challenges and opportunities facing accountants
- Learn from the consequences of this year’s audit, accounting and business failures
- Plan for the impacts of geopolitical and economic trends on you and your organisation
- Benefit from the latest AI tools, whilst maintaining your ethics and human touch
- Stay up to date in the evolving world of financial reporting
- Anticipate potential audit challenges and meet those confidently
About the course
From geopolitical uncertainty and economic volatility to advances in AI and evolving reporting standards, 2026 has brought fresh challenges for accountants. As organisations navigate an increasingly unpredictable environment, the ability to interpret change, recognise risks and provide reliable information and advice is more valuable than ever. Looking back at the year’s developments can also help us prepare for the challenges and opportunities ahead.
This course explores six key areas that have shaped accountancy in 2026. We’ll examine the changing demands on the profession, including regulatory developments, transparency and emerging financial reporting issues, before reviewing lessons from recent accounting, audit and business failures. You’ll also consider the impact of geopolitical and economic trends, the opportunities presented by agentic AI and how to evaluate its benefits while maintaining professional ethics and the human touch.
We then turn to developments in financial and sustainability reporting, including new and proposed IFRS requirements, before exploring audit quality, professional scepticism and the challenges facing audit firms. You’ll come away with a broader understanding of the issues affecting accountants in 2026-27 and a clearer picture of what they could mean for you and your organisation as we move into the year ahead.
Contents
Module 1: Challenges – Regulation, Transparency and Emerging Risks
Explore the changing demands on accountants, from regulation, reporting requirements and transparency to debates around short-term thinking. Consider the valuation of AI companies and cryptocurrencies, the accounting treatment of cryptoassets and progress towards international tax harmonisation. Understand how these developments are shaping professional responsibilities.
Module 2: Failures – Lessons from Accounting, Audit and Business Failures
Review financial reporting, audit, cybersecurity and professional conduct failures that made headlines in 2026. Explore lessons from the Carillion collapse, the risks of cyber incidents and the influence of organisational culture on ethical behaviour. Consider how learning from failures can help organisations manage risk and maintain public trust.
Module 3: Economics – Global Trends and Geopolitical Risks for 2027
Explore the economic and geopolitical developments that shaped 2026, including international conflict, commodity price volatility and the resilience of the global economy. Consider the key economic risks facing businesses in 2027 and how accountants can help organisations navigate uncertainty through informed analysis, planning and trusted advice.
Module 4: Technology and AI – Agentic AI, Ethics and Measuring Value
Examine how AI adoption is changing the finance function, including the growing use of agentic AI and autonomous assistants. Explore how to evaluate the impact and return on investment of AI projects, manage emerging ethical risks and maintain professional judgement. Consider the importance of human relationships, adaptability and resilience in an increasingly automated profession.
Module 5: Reporting – Financial and Sustainability Standards
Stay informed about developments in financial and sustainability reporting, including proposed amendments to IFRS 7 and IFRS 9, the introduction of IFRS 20 and potential changes to IFRS 16. Explore greenhouse gas reporting, nature-related disclosures and the changing approach to ESG compliance, alongside emerging issues in corporate reporting.
Module 6: Audit – Quality, Professional Scepticism and Emerging Challenges
Explore the challenges facing audit professionals, including skills shortages, private equity investment and changing regulatory expectations. Review recent audit failures involving insufficient evidence and inadequate professional scepticism, alongside the importance of quality management. Consider the standalone auditing standard for less complex entities and efforts to make audit reports more useful.
Author
AccountingCPD
This course has been written by the AccountingCPD author team.
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