Accounting and Auditing Research: Tools and Strategies, 8th Edition

Accounting and Auditing Research: Tools and Strategies, 8th Edition

by Thomas R. Weirich, Thomas C. Pearson, Natalie Tatiana Churyk
Released September 2013
Publisher(s): Wiley
ISBN: 9781118027073

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Book description

Accounting and Auditing Research helps prepare students to conduct research in their future practice, for the CPA exam, or other professional designations. Dramatic changes continue to take place in the accounting and auditing environments, both in the United States and worldwide. Developing applied professional research skills in accounting, auditing, and tax has become even more important for the successful future professional. Accounting and Auditing Research: Tools and Strategies, Eighth Edition by Weirich, Pearson, and Churyk is designed to serve both as an educational and reference tool for the practitioner or the student who strives to become proficient in conducting professional research. The authors integrate teaching and learning capabilities through tools and strategies, enabling users to find justifiable, authoritative solutions to accounting, auditing, tax, and business problems.

Table of contents

  1. Coverpage
  2. Titlepage
  3. Copyright
  4. Contents
  5. Preface
  6. About the Authors
  7. CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION TO APPLIED PROFESSIONAL RESEARCH
    1. What is Research?
    2. Research Questions
    3. Nature of Professional Research
    4. Critical Thinking and Effective Communication
    5. Economic Consequences of Standards Setting
    6. Role of Research in the Accounting Firm
    7. Research and the CPA Exam
    8. Overview of the Research Process
      1. Step One: Identify the Relevant Facts and Issues
      2. Step Two: Collect the Evidence
      3. Step Three: Analyze the Results and Identify the Alternatives
      4. Step Four: Develop a Conclusion
      5. Step Five: Communicate the Results
    9. Summary
    10. Discussion Questions
    11. Appendix: Research Focus on the CPA Exam
  8. CHAPTER 2 CRITICAL THINKING AND EFFECTIVE WRITING SKILLS FOR THE PROFESSIONAL ACCOUNTANT
    1. Critical Thinking Skills
    2. Levels of Thinking
    3. Universal Elements of Reasoning
    4. An Example of Using Critical Thinking Skills
    5. Effective Writing Skills
      1. Writing as a Process
    6. Punctuation Primer
    7. Improved Writing Skills Required
      1. Active Voice
      2. Short Sentences
      3. Definite, Concrete, Everyday Language
      4. Tabular Presentation
      5. Limited Jargon and Technical Terms
      6. No Multiple Negatives
      7. Elements of Plain English
    8. Writing Effective Texts, E-mails, and Letters
    9. Writing Memos to the File
    10. Summary
    11. Discussion Questions
    12. Exercises
  9. CHAPTER 3 THE ENVIRONMENT OF ACCOUNTING RESEARCH
    1. The Accounting Environment
    2. The SEC and the Standard-Setting Environment
      1. Rules-Based Versus Principles-Based Accounting Standards
    3. Financial Accounting Standards Board
      1. FASB Strives to Simplify Standards
      2. Content of Authorities
      3. FASB Due Process
      4. FASB Conceptual Framework Project
      5. Statements of Financial Accounting Concepts Nos. 1–8
    4. American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA)
    5. Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB)
    6. Other Organizations Influencing Standard Setting
    7. U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (U.S. GAAP)
      1. The FASB Accounting Standards Codification™
      2. Using Authoritative Support
    8. Reading an Authoritative Pronouncement
      1. Accounting Choices have Economic Consequences
    9. Summary
    10. Discussion Questions
    11. Exercises
  10. CHAPTER 4 FINANCIAL ACCOUNTING RESEARCH TOOLS
    1. Accounting Research Online
    2. Database Research Strategies
      1. Step One: Define the Information Needed
      2. Step Two: Determine the Sources to Search
      3. Step Three: Use Appropriate Search Methods
      4. Step Four: View the Results and Manage the Information
      5. Step Five: Communicate the Search Results
    3. FASB Accounting Standards Codification™ Research System
    4. The Research Process
    5. Locating U.S. GAAP Using the Codification
    6. Examples Using the Codification
    7. SEC Accounting for Public Companies
    8. SEC Regulations and Sources
      1. The SEC’s Published Views and Interpretations
      2. SEC Staff Policy
    9. Accessing SEC Filings and Regulations
    10. Cases to Practice Accounting Research
    11. Summary
    12. Discussion Questions
    13. Exercises
    14. Appendix: CPA Exam–Financial Accounting Simulations
  11. CHAPTER 5 THE ENVIRONMENT OF INTERNATIONAL RESEARCH
    1. International Accounting Environment
    2. International Accounting Standards Board (IASB)
      1. IASB Authorities
      2. IASB Due Process
      3. Interpretations Committee Due Process
      4. IASB’s Conceptual Framework
      5. Principles-Based Accounting Standards
    3. IFRS Funding, Regulation, and Enforcement
    4. International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) Research
      1. IFRS Hierarchy
      2. Electronic International Financial Reporting Standards (eIFRS)
    5. Summary
    6. Discussion Questions
    7. Exercises
  12. CHAPTER 6 OTHER RESEARCH DATABASES AND TOOLS
    1. Other Database Research Strategies
      1. Step One: Define the Information Needed
      2. Step Two: Determine the Sources to Search
      3. Step Three: Use Search Techniques and Tools
      4. Step Four: View the Results and Manage the Information
    2. U.S. Accounting Research Tools
      1. Commercial Accounting Databases
      2. AICPA’s Reference Sources
    3. U.S. Government Accounting Databases
      1. GASB’s Government Accounting Research System (GARS)
      2. Federal Accounting Standards Advisory Board Handbook of Authorities
    4. Financial Research Databases
      1. Standard & Poor’s (S&P) NetAdvantage
      2. Mergent Online
      3. Thomson Research
      4. Other Financial Databases and Sources
      5. Financial Research Challenges
    5. Business Research Databases and Tools
      1. Article Index Databases
      2. International Business Sources
      3. Statistical Sources
      4. Specialized Research
    6. Massive Legal Research Databases
      1. LexisNexis
      2. LexisNexis Academic
      3. Westlaw
      4. Other Legal Databases
    7. Summary
    8. Discussion Questions
    9. Exercises
    10. Appendix: Website Addresses
  13. CHAPTER 7 TAX RESEARCH FOR COMPLIANCE AND TAX PLANNING
    1. Tax Research Goals
    2. Tax Research Challenges
    3. Tax Research Databases
      1. Checkpoint
    4. Primary Tax Authorities
      1. The Code
      2. Administrative Authorities (Particularly Treasury Regulations)
      3. Judicial Sources of Tax Authority
    5. Steps in Conducting Tax Research
      1. Step One: Investigate the Facts and Identify the Issues
      2. Step Two: Collect the Appropriate Authorities
      3. Step Three: Analyze the Research
      4. Step Four: Develop the Reasoning and Conclusion
      5. Step Five: Communicate the Results
    6. Professional Standards for Tax Services
    7. Summary
    8. Discussion Questions
    9. Exercises
  14. CHAPTER 8 ASSURANCE SERVICES AND AUDITING RESEARCH
    1. Assurance Services
    2. Consulting Services and Standards
    3. Attestation Services and Standards
    4. Auditing Standard-Setting Environment
    5. Auditing Standard-Setting Process
      1. Auditing Standards Board (ASB)
      2. Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB)
      3. International Auditing & Assurance Standards Board (IAASB)
      4. AICPA Online Professional Library
    6. AICPA Code of Professional Conduct
    7. Auditing Standards in the Public Sector
    8. Compilation and Review Services
    9. Role of Judgment and Professional Skepticism in Accounting and Auditing
    10. Economic Consequences
    11. Summary
    12. Discussion Questions
    13. Exercises
    14. Appendix: CPA Exam Audit Simulation
  15. CHAPTER 9 REFINING THE RESEARCH PROCESS
    1. Method of Conducting Research
      1. Step One: Identify the Issues or Problems
      2. Step Two: Collect the Evidence
      3. Step Three: Analyze the Results and Identify Alternatives
      4. Step Four: Develop a Conclusion
      5. Step Five: Communicate the Results
    2. Lessons Learned for Professional Practice
    3. Remain Current in Knowledge and Skills
    4. International Complexities in Practice
    5. Skills for the CPA and Similar Exams
    6. Summary
    7. Discussion Questions
    8. Exercises
    9. Appendix A: Sample Brief Memorandum
    10. Appendix B: Abbreviations and Websites for Accounting, Auditing, and Tax
  16. CHAPTER 10 FORENSIC ACCOUNTING RESEARCH
    1. Definition of Fraud
    2. Types of Fraud
    3. The Fraud Triangle
    4. Overview of a Financial Statement Fraud Examination
      1. Step One: Identify the Issue and Plan the Investigation
      2. Step Two: Gather the Evidence and Complete the Investigation Phase
      3. Step Three: Evaluate the Evidence
      4. Step Four: Report Findings to Management or Legal Counsel
    5. Business Investigations
    6. Computer Technology in Fraud Investigations
      1. Data-Mining Software
      2. Public Databases
      3. The Internet
    7. Fraud Investigation Regulations
    8. Summary
    9. Discussion Questions
    10. Exercises
  17. INDEX

Product information

  • Title: Accounting and Auditing Research: Tools and Strategies, 8th Edition
  • Author(s): Thomas R. Weirich, Thomas C. Pearson, Natalie Tatiana Churyk
  • Release date: September 2013
  • Publisher(s): Wiley
  • ISBN: 9781118027073