Accounting and Auditing Research

ISBN-13: 9781119698135 / Angielski / Miękka / 2020 / 256 str.

Thomas R. Weirich;Thomas C. Pearson;Natalie Tatiana Churyk

Spis treści

Preface ixAbout the Authors xiii1 Introduction to Applied Professional Research 1What is Research? 2Research Questions 3Nature of Professional Research 5Critical Thinking and Effective Communication 6Economic Consequences of Standards Setting 7Role of Research in the Accounting Firm 7Skills Needed for the CPA Exam and Practice 9Overview of the Research Process 11Step One: Identify the Relevant Facts and Issues 11Step Two: Collect the Evidence 12Step Three: Analyze the Results and Identify the Alternatives 13Step Four: Develop a Conclusion 14Step Five: Communicate the Results 14Data Analytics/Emerging Technologies in Accounting and Auditing Research 14Summary 16Discussion Questions 16Exercises 17Appendix: Research Focus on the CPA Exam 182 Critical Thinking and Effective Writing Skills for the Professional Accountant 22Critical Thinking Skills 22Levels of Thinking 24Universal Elements of Reasoning 27An Example of Using Critical Thinking Skills 28Effective Writing Skills 29Writing as a Process 30Punctuation Primer 31Improved Writing Skills Required 34Active Voice 34Short Sentences 34Definite, Concrete, Everyday Language 35Tabular Presentation 35Limited Jargon and Technical Terms 35No Multiple Negatives 36Elements of Plain English 36Writing Effective Texts, e-mails, and Letters 37Writing Memos to the File 38Summary 39Discussion Questions 39Exercises 403 The Environment of Accounting Research 43The Accounting Environment 43The SEC and the Standard-Setting Environment 44Rules-Based vs. Principles-Based Accounting Standards 46Financial Accounting Standards Board 46FASB Strives to Simplify Standards 48Content of Authorities 48FASB Due Process 49FASB Conceptual Framework Project 51Statements of Financial Accounting Concepts Nos. 1-8 52American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) 52Governmental Accounting Standards Board 53Other Organizations Influencing Standard Setting 55U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (U.S. GAAP) 57The FASB Accounting Standards Codification(TM) 58Using Authoritative Support 59Reading an Authoritative Pronouncement 60Accounting Choices Have Economic Consequences 62Summary 62Discussion Questions 63Exercises 634 Financial Accounting Research Tools 65Accounting Research Online 66Database Research Strategies 66Step One: Define the Information Needed 66Step Two: Determine the Sources to Search 66Step Three: Use Appropriate Search Methods 67Step Four: View the Results and Manage the Information 67Step Five: Communicate the Search Results 67FASB Accounting Standards Codification(TM) Research System 67The Research Process 68Locating U.S. GAAP Using the Codification 72Examples Using the Codification 72SEC Accounting for Public Companies 73SEC Regulations and Sources 74The SEC's Published Views and Interpretations 74SEC Staff Policy/Interpretations 75Accessing SEC Filings and Regulations 77Cases to Practice Accounting Research 78Data Analytics for the Accounting Researcher 79Summary 80Discussion Questions 80Exercises 81Knowledge Busters: The Codification 84Appendix: CPA Exam--Financial Accounting Simulations 89Document Review Simulation 935 The Environment of International Research 95International Accounting Environment 95International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) 97IASB Authorities 99IASB Due Process 100Interpretations Committee Due Process 101IASB's Conceptual Framework 102Principles-Based Accounting Standards 102IFRS Funding Regulation, and Enforcement 103International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) Research 105IFRS Hierarchy 105Electronic International Financial Reporting Standards (eIFRS) 105Summary 107Discussion Questions 107Exercises 108Knowledge Busters 1096 Other Research Databases and Tools 111Other Database Research Strategies 111Step One: Define the Information Needed 112Step Two: Determine the Sources to Search 112Step Three: Use Search Techniques and Tools 113Step Four: View the Results and Manage the Information 114Leading Publishers of Global Financial Information 115Commercial Accounting Databases and Tools 115U.S. Accounting Research Tools 117U.S. Government Accounting Databases 118Financial Research Databases 120S&P Capital IQ 121Mergent Online 122Other Financial Databases and Sources 123Research Challenges for Business Research 124Business Research Databases and Tools 124Article Index Sources 125Other Specialized Research 125Massive Legal Research Databases 126LexisNexis Database Products 127Westlaw Database Products 128Recent Legal Database Competitors 129Summary 129Discussion Questions 130Exercises 130Knowledge Busters 132Appendix 6A-1: Website Addresses 1327 Tax Research for Compliance and Tax Planning 135Tax Planning Concepts and Tax Research Goals 135Tax Research Goals 136Tax Research Challenges 137Specialized Tax Research Databases 138Thomson Reuters Checkpoint 139Primary Tax Authorities 139The Code 140Treasury Regulations 142Revenue Rulings and Revenue Procedures 144Lesser Administrative Sources (Nonprecedential) 145U.S. Tax Court 146Other Judicial Sources of Authority 147Steps in Conducting Tax Research 148Step One: Investigate the Facts and Identify the Issues 148Step Two: Collect the Appropriate Authorities 148Step Three: Analyze the Research 151Step Four: Develop the Reasoning and Conclusion 154Step Five: Communicate the Results 154Evolving Professional Concerns and Changes 156Professional Standards for Tax Services 158Data Analytics in Tax Research 159Summary 160Discussion Questions 160Exercises 161Knowledge Busters 164Appendix 7A-1: Website Addresses 1658 Assurance Services and Auditing Research 166Assurance Services 167Consulting Services and Standards 167Attestation Services and Standards 169Auditing Standard-Setting Environment 171Auditing Standard-Setting Process 171Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB) 172Auditing Standards Board (ASB) 173International Auditing and Assurance Standards Board (IAASB) 177AICPA Online Professional Library 177AICPA Code of Professional Conduct 178Auditing Standards in the Public Sector 182Thomson Reuters Checkpoint 182Compilation and Review Services 184Role of Judgment and Professional Skepticism in Accounting and Auditing 186Economic Consequences 187Data Analytics/Emerging Technologies in Auditing Research 187Summary 188Discussion Questions 188Exercises 189Knowledge Busters 190Appendix: CPA Exam Audit Simulation 1919 Refining the Research Process 193Method for Conducting Research 193Step One: Identify the Issues or Problems 195Step Two: Collect the Evidence 197Step Three: Analyze the Results and Identify Alternatives 201Step Four: Develop a Conclusion 202Step Five: Communicate the Results 203Remain Current in Knowledge and Skills 204Complexities in Practice 205Developing Professional Skills Needed for Practice 206Summary 207Discussion Questions 207Exercises 208Knowledge Busters 209Appendix 9A-1: Certifications and Associations for Accounting, Auditing, and Tax 210Appendix 9A-2: Research Sources from AICPA, FASB, PCAOB, and Others 211Appendix 9A-3: Abbreviations for International, Canadian, and U.K. Standards 21310 Forensic Accounting Research 216Forensic Accounting Standards 217Definition of Fraud 218Types of Fraud 218The Fraud Triangle 219Overview of a Financial Statement Fraud Examination 222Step One: Identify the Issue and Plan the Investigation 223Step Two: Gather the Evidence and Complete the Investigation Phase 223Step Three: Evaluate the Evidence 224Step Four: Report Findings to Management or Legal Counsel 224Business Investigations 225Computer Technology in Fraud Investigations 225Data-Mining Software 226Data Analytics 227MindBridge Ai Auditor 228Public Databases 230Courthouse Records 230Company Records 231Online Databases 232The Internet 232Instant Checkmate (www.instantcheckmate.com) 232Zoominfo.com (www.zoominfo.com) 233Other Websites 233Fraud Investigation Regulations 233Summary 233Discussion Questions 233Exercises 234Knowledge Busters 234Index I-1