Research and development (R&D) is a driving force behind innovation across industries — from biotech breakthroughs to cutting-edge software. But while the outcomes of R&D can transform markets, accounting for these costs often presents significant complexity. Questions around capitalization, practical implementation, and evolving standards make this an area where finance teams must tread carefully. In this post, we explore the key principles of R&D accounting under U.S. GAAP, common challen...