Accounting and Auditing Research and Databases: Practitioners Desk Reference

The easy–to–use, do–it–yourself desk accounting and auditing research database

Focusing on the practical aspects of professional accounting and auditing research and databases, Accounting & Auditing Research and Databases: Practitioner′s Desk Reference is the one–stop reference to help professionals navigate these rapidly evolving systems.

Featuring step–by–step guidance to research resources, Accounting & Auditing Research and Databases provides CPAs, accountants, and finance professionals with the skills they need to achieve maximum results for the organization. The "whats," "whys," and "hows" of practical professional accounting, auditing, and tax research are discussed, with an emphasis on:

The most effective methods to research How to apply a practical research methodology in a timely manner The generally accepted accounting principles, auditing standards, and tax authorities What constitutes substantial authoritative support The available sources of authority for accounting, auditing, and tax The databases available for finding relevant authorities or assisting in researching a particular problem The role of the Internet in the modern research process How to conduct research using databases, including RIA, CCH, AICPA′s Online Library, FASB Codification, GARS, and eIFRS

The professional accountant must possess the knowledge and the skills to critically analyze various problems. Acquire these requisite skills with the hands–on guidance found in Accounting & Auditing Research and Databases: Practitioner′s Desk Reference.

Preface xiii

Acknowledgments xv

Chapter 1 An Introduction to Applied Professional Research 1

What Is Research? 2

Research Questions 4

The Nature of Professional Research 7

Critical Thinking and Effective Communication 9

The Economic Consequences of Standard Setting 14

The Role of Research in the Accounting Firm 15

Remaining Current in Knowledge and Skills 27

International Complexities in Practice 29

Summary 29

Notes 30

Appendix: Abbreviations Commonly Used in Citations 31

Chapter 2 The Environment of U.S. Research the SEC and the FASB 37

The Accounting Environment 37

SEC Accounting for Public Companies 38

American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) 47

U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (U.S. GAAP) 49

The Financial Accounting Standards Board, Advisory Boards, and the Emerging Issue Task Force 52

The Levels of U.S. GAAP and FASB

Accounting Standards Codification 61

Locating U.S. GAAP 65

The FASB Accounting Standards Codification Research System (the Codification) 65

Codification Access 66

Navigating the Codification 68

The Research Process 73

Email, Print, and Copy/Paste Functions 81

Summary 85

Notes 85

Chapter 3 The Environment of International Research 87

The International Accounting Environment 87

Other Regional and National Standard–Setting

Bodies and Organizations In fluencing IFRS 94

IASB Authorities 95

The IASB s Conceptual Framework 101

IFRS Funding, Regulation, and Enforcement 103

International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) Research 106

Summary 119

Notes 120

Chapter 4 Other Research Databases and Tools 121

Governmental Accounting Sources (FASAB and GASB) 121

Other Databases for Accounting Authorities 127

Researching Industries and Companies 131

Industry Research 133

Major Databases 135

Researching Corporate News 149

Research Tools 154

Research Strategies 156

Summary 157

Appendix 1: Checklist for Industry Research 158

Appendix 2: Checklist for Company Research 159

Appendix 3: Websites 160

Chapter 5 Tax Research for Compliance and Tax Planning 163

Tax Research Databases 164

The Internal Revenue Code 170

Treasury Regulations 172

Other Administrative Authorities 174

Judicial Sources 180

Original Jurisdiction Courts 183

Steps in Conducting Tax Research 185

The Tax Research Environment 196

Regulation of Tax Professionals 211

Summary 212

Notes 213

Appendix: Selected Tax Websites 213

Chapter 6 Assurance/Auditing Research 215

Introduction 215

Assurance Services 216

Consulting Services and Standards 217

Auditing Standard–Setting Environment 218

Auditing Standard–Setting Process 228

AICPA Code of Professional Conduct 231

Auditing Standards in the Public Sector 236

Compilation and Review Services 238

Role of Judgment in Accounting and Auditing 239

Economic Consequences 240

Summary 241

Notes 241

About the Authors 243

Index 247

THOMAS R. WEIRICH, PhD, CPA, is the Jerry and Felicia Campbell Endowed Professor of Accounting at Central Michigan University and former chair of its School of Accounting. He has served in the Office of the Chief Accountant at the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission; as a consultant to the Public Oversight Board′s Panel on Audit Effectiveness; and as an expert witness for the SEC and several other organizations. He has written numerous articles in professional journals.

NATALIE TATIANA CHURYK, PhD, CPA, is the Caterpillar Professor of Accountancy at Northern Illinois University. She is a contributor to the annual Wiley CPA Exam Review: Financial Accounting and Reporting and Wiley Focus Notes: Financial Accounting and Reporting. A frequent contributor to academic and professional journals, Dr. Churyk has received research grants from PricewaterhouseCoopers and the Institute of Management Accountants.

THOMAS C. PEARSON, LLM, JD, MBA, CPA, is a Professor of Accounting at the University of Hawaii at Manoa and former director of its School of Accountancy. Pearson has published a number of articles in professional and leading academic accounting journals and has won numerous teaching awards.