Accounting and Auditing Research

Preface XIII
About the Authors XVII
Chapter 1 INTRODUCTION TO APPLIED PROFESSIONAL RESEARCH 1
What is Research? 2
Research Questions 3
Nature of Professional Research 5
Critical Thinking and Effective Communication 6
Economic Consequences of Standards Setting 7
Role of Research in the Accounting Firm 7
Research and the CPA Exam 9
Overview of the Research Process 10
Step One: Identify the Relevant Facts and Issues 11
Step Two: Collect the Evidence 12
Step Three: Analyze the Results and Identify the Alternatives 12
Step Four: Develop a Conclusion 13
Step Five: Communicate the Results 13
Summary 14
Discussion Questions 15
Appendix: Research Focus on the CPA Exam 15
Chapter 2 CRITICAL THINKING AND EFFECTIVE WRITING SKILLS FOR THE PROFESSIONAL ACCOUNTANT 19
Critical Thinking Skills 19
Levels of Thinking 21
Universal Elements of Reasoning 23
An Example of Using Critical Thinking Skills 23
Effective Writing Skills 26
Writing as a Process 27
Punctuation Primer 29
Improved Writing Skills Required 29
Active Voice 29
Short Sentences 32
Definite, Concrete, Everyday Language 32
Tabular Presentation 33
Limited Jargon and Technical Terms 33
No Multiple Negatives 33
Elements of Plain English 33
Writing Effective Texts, E-mails, and Letters 34
Writing Memos to the File 36
Summary 36
Discussion Questions 37
Exercises 37
Chapter 3 THE ENVIRONMENT OF ACCOUNTING RESEARCH 41
The Accounting Environment 41
The SEC and the Standard-Setting Environment 42
Rules-Based Versus Principles-Based Accounting Standards 44
Financial Accounting Standards Board 44
FASB Strives to Simplify Standards 45
Content of Authorities 45
FASB Due Process 47
FASB Conceptual Framework Project 48
Statements of Financial Accounting Concepts Nos. 1-8 49
American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) 49
Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) 50
Other Organizations Influencing Standard Setting 52
U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (U.S. GAAP) 54
The FASB Accounting Standards CodificationTM 56
Using Authoritative Support 59
Reading an Authoritative Pronouncement 59
Accounting Choices have Economic Consequences 60
Summary 61
Discussion Questions 61
Exercises 62
Chapter 4 FINANCIAL ACCOUNTING RESEARCH TOOLS 63
Accounting Research Online 63
Database Research Strategies 64
Step One: Define the Information Needed 64
Step Two: Determine the Sources to Search 64
Step Three: Use Appropriate Search Methods 65
Step Four: View the Results and Manage the Information 65
Step Five: Communicate the Search Results 65
FASB Accounting Standards CodificationTM Research System 65
The Research Process 67
Locating U.S. GAAP Using the Codification 70
Examples Using the Codification 71
SEC Accounting for Public Companies 72
SEC Regulations and Sources 73
The SEC's Published Views and Interpretations 73
SEC Staff Policy 74
Accessing SEC Filings and Regulations 76
Cases to Practice Accounting Research 76
Summary 77
Discussion Questions 77
Exercises 78
Appendix: CPA Exam-Financial Accounting Simulations 80
Chapter 5 THE ENVIRONMENT OF INTERNATIONAL RESEARCH 85
International Accounting Environment 85
International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) 87
IASB Authorities 89
IASB Due Process 90
Interpretations Committee Due Process 92
IASB's Conceptual Framework 92
Principles-Based Accounting Standards 93
IFRS Funding, Regulation, and Enforcement 93
International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS)
Research 95
IFRS Hierarchy 95
Electronic International Financial Reporting Standards (eIFRS) 95
Summary 100
Discussion Questions 100
Exercises 100
Chapter 6 OTHER RESEARCH DATABASES AND TOOLS 103
Other Database Research Strategies 103
Step One: Define the Information Needed 103
Step Two: Determine the Sources to Search 104
Step Three: Use Search Techniques and Tools 105
Step Four: View the Results and Manage the Information 105
U.S. Accounting Research Tools 106
Commercial Accounting Databases 106
AICPA's Reference Sources 108
U.S. Government Accounting Databases 108
GASB's Government Accounting Research System (GARS) 108
Federal Accounting Standards Advisory Board Handbook of Authorities 109
Financial Research Databases 111
Standard & Poor's (S&P) NetAdvantage 111
Mergent Online 112
Thomson Research 113
Other Financial Databases and Sources 114
Financial Research Challenges 115
Business Research Databases and Tools 116
Article Index Databases 116
International Business Sources 117
Statistical Sources 117
Specialized Research 117
Massive Legal Research Databases 118
LexisNexis 118
LexisNexis Academic 119
Westlaw 121
Other Legal Databases 122
Summary 123
Discussion Questions 123
Exercises 123
Appendix: Website Addresses 125
Chapter 7 TAX RESEARCH FOR COMPLIANCE AND TAX PLANNING 127
Tax Research Goals 127
Tax Research Challenges 128
Tax Research Databases 129
Checkpoint 130
Primary Tax Authorities 131
The Code 131
Administrative Authorities (Particularly Treasury Regulations) 133
Judicial Sources of Tax Authority 135
Steps in Conducting Tax Research 138
Step One: Investigate the Facts and Identify the Issues 138
Step Two: Collect the Appropriate Authorities 138
Step Three: Analyze the Research 141
Step Four: Develop the Reasoning and Conclusion 144
Step Five: Communicate the Results 144
Professional Standards for Tax Services 146
Summary 147
Discussion Questions 147
Exercises 147
Chapter 8 ASSURANCE SERVICES AND AUDITING RESEARCH 151
Assurance Services 151
Consulting Services and Standards 153
Attestation Services and Standards 154
Auditing Standard-Setting Environment 157
Auditing Standard-Setting Process 157
Auditing Standards Board (ASB) 157
Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB) 162
International Auditing & Assurance Standards Board (IAASB) 163
AICPA Online Professional Library 165
AICPA Code of Professional Conduct 166
Auditing Standards in the Public Sector 168
Compilation and Review Services 169
Role of Judgment and Professional Skepticism in Accounting and Auditing 170
Economic Consequences 171
Summary 171
Discussion Questions 171
Exercises 172
Appendix: CPA Exam Audit Simulation 173
Chapter 9 REFINING THE RESEARCH PROCESS 175
Method of Conducting Research 175
Step One: Identify the Issues or Problems 177
Step Two: Collect the Evidence 178
Step Three: Analyze the Results and Identify Alternatives 181
Step Four: Develop a Conclusion 182
Step Five: Communicate the Results 183
Lessons Learned for Professional Practice 184
Remain Current in Knowledge and Skills 184
International Complexities in Practice 186
Skills for the CPA and Similar Exams 186
Summary 187
Discussion Questions 187
Exercises 188
Appendix A: Sample Brief Memorandum 189
Appendix B: Abbreviations and Websites for Accounting, Auditing, and Tax 191
Chapter 10 FORENSIC ACCOUNTING RESEARCH 225
Definition of Fraud 227
Types of Fraud 227
The Fraud Triangle 229
Overview of a Financial Statement Fraud Examination 231
Step One: Identify the Issue and Plan the Investigation 233
Step Two: Gather the Evidence and Complete the
Investigation Phase 233
Step Three: Evaluate the Evidence 234
Step Four: Report Findings to Management or Legal Counsel 234
Business Investigations 235
Computer Technology in Fraud Investigations 235
Data-Mining Software 236
Public Databases 240
The Internet 243
Fraud Investigation Regulations 244
Summary 244
Discussion Questions 244
Exercises 245
Index 247