Accounting and Auditing Research & Databases: Practitioner's Desk Reference

Preface Acknowledgments Chapter 1 An Introduction to Applied Professional Research What Is Research? Research Questions Nature of Professional Research Critical Thinking and Effective Communication Economic Consequences of Standards Setting Role of Research in the Accounting Firm Overview of the Research Process Step 1--Identify the Issues and Establish the Facts Step 2--Collect the Evidence Step 3--Analyze the Evidence and Identify the Alternatives Step 4--Develop a Conclusion Step 5--Communicate the Results Lessons Learned for Professional Practice Remain Current in Knowledge and Skills International Complexities in Practice Summary Appendix 1: Abbreviations Commonly Used in Citations Chapter 2 The Environment of United States Research -- The SEC and the FASB The Accounting Environment SEC Accounting for Public Companies SEC Regulations and Sources SEC Releases SEC Staff Interpretations Accessing SEC Filings and Regulations Example: American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) U. S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (U.S. GAAP) The Financial Accounting Standards Board, Advisory Boards, and the Emerging Issue Task Force Statements of Financial Accounting Concepts Nos. 1--8 FASB SFASs and ASUs FASB Due Process The Levels of U.S. GAAP and FASB Accounting Standards CodificationTM Authoritative Level Nonauthoritative Level Locating U.S. GAAP FASB Accounting Standards CodificationTM Research System (The Codification) Codification ACCESS Navigating the Codification Browse Tab -- Left Navigation Panel The Codification Other Sources Browse Tab - Middle Screen The Research Process Master Glossary Example: Topical Categories Example: Keyword Search: Basic and Advanced Basic Advanced Moving Within a Codification Search and Section Links The Section Tabs: Document, Archive, and What Links Here E-mail, Print, and Copy/Paste Functions Summary Chapter 3 The Environment of International Research International Accounting Environment International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) Other Regional and National Standard-Setting Bodies and Organizations Influencing IFRS IASB Authorities IASB Due Process Interpretations Committee Due Process IASB's Conceptual Framework IFRS Funding, Regulation, and Enforcement International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) Research IFRS Hierarchy eIFRS Access Entering eIFRS Left Navigation Panel Subscribers Only Registered Users Other Information Center Screen Area Top Right Screen Area IFRS Research Process Terminology Lookup Example Glossary Search Direct Search (Perusal of Standards) Example Basic Search Advanced Search Example Print and Copy/paste functions Summary Chapter 4 Other Research Databases and Tools Governmental Accounting Sources (FASAB and GASB) Example Other Databases for Accounting Authorities Example Researching Industries and Companies Industry Codes Example Industry Research Company Research Major Databases Mergent Online Example Example LexisNexis Standard & Poors NetAdvantage Example Other Databases Example Researching Corporate News Research Tools Research Strategies Summary Appendix 2: Checklist for Industry Research Appendix 3: Checklist for Company Research Appendix 4: Website Addresses Chapter 5 Tax Research for Compliance and Tax Planning Tax Research Databases The Internal Revenue Code Treasury Regulations Other Administrative Authorities Revenue Rulings and Revenue Procedures Non- Precedential Authorities Judicial Sources Original Jurisdiction Courts Steps in Conducting Tax Research Step One: Investigate the Facts and Identify the Issues Step Two: Collect the Appropriate Authorities Step Three: Analyze the Research Steps Four and Five: Develop the Reasoning, Conclusion, and Communicate Example Tax Research Memo Facts Issue Conclusion Discussion of the Law Application of the Law to the Facts The Tax Research Environment Individual Face-to-Face Tax Audits Small Business Audits Partnership Tax Audits LB&I Tax Audits Transfer Pricing and International Tax Audits Audits of Specialized Industries Pension Plan Audits Employment Tax Audits Estate Tax Audits Exempt Organizations Examinations Regulation of Tax Professionals Summary Appendix 5: Selected Tax Websites Chapter 6 Assurance/Auditing Research Assurance Services Consulting Services and Standards Auditing Standard-Setting Environment Attestation Services and Standards Auditing Standards Auditing Standard-Setting Process Public Company Accounting Oversight Board AICPA Online Professional Library Database AICPA Code of Professional Conduct Auditing Standards in the Public Sector International Auditing Standards Compilation and Review Services Role of Judgment in Accounting and Auditing Economic Consequences Summary About the Authors Index