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

Research Tools

Research tools include the AICPA's hardbound reference books, such as Accounting Trends and Techniques, Financial Report Surveys, and the AICPA Audit and Accounting Manual. Other tools include government and industry databases and websites.

Showing current practice on a particular accounting issue is Accounting Trends and Techniques. It also illustrates how companies of various sizes in a wide range of industries have complied with professional standards for financial reporting purposes. This information arose from an annual survey of accounting practices. Reporting practices of selected companies are presented, along with significant trends in reporting practices. Although this AICPA treatise was more important under old U.S. GAAP, when accounting practices occupied part of the GAAP hierarchy, Accounting Trends and Techniques still provides value in the form of nonauthoritative examples.

Note that the Financial Reporting Surveys by the AICPA provide a continuing series of surveys that supplement the overview that Accounting Trends and Techniques provides. The surveys show in detail how companies in a wide range of industries disclose specific accounting and reporting questions in their financial reports.

Utilize the AICPA Audit and Accounting Manual for guidance and extensive examples on conducting an audit. The manual explains and illustrates the procedures for an audit engagement. Auditing topics in the manual include engagement planning, audit approach, and internal ...