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 Codification
Authoritative Level
Nonauthoritative Level
Locating U.S. GAAP
FASB Accounting Standards Codification 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
