PREFACE IX ABOUT THE AUTHORS XIII 1 Introduction To Applied Professional Research 1 What Is Research?, 2 Research Questions, 3 Nature of Professional Research, 5 Critical Thinking and Effective Communication, 7 Economic Consequences of Standards Setting, 7 Role of Research in the Accounting Firm, 7 Skills Needed for the CPA Exam and Practice, 9 Overview of the Research Process, 11 Step One: Identify the Relevant Facts and Issues, 11 Step Two: Collect the Evidence, 12 Step Three: Analyze the Results and Identify the Alternatives, 13 Step Four: Develop a Conclusion, 14 Step Five: Communicate the Results, 14 Data Analytics/Emerging Technologies in Accounting and Auditing Research, 14 Summary, 16 Discussion Questions, 16 Exercises, 17 Appendix: Research Focus on the CPA Exam, 18 2 Criticalthinking AND EFFECTIVEWRITING SKILLS FOR THE PROFESSIONAL ACCOUNTANT 21 Critical Thinking Skills, 21 Levels of Thinking, 23 Universal Elements of Reasoning, 26 An Example of Using Critical Thinking Skills, 27 Effective Writing Skills, 28 Writing as a Process, 29 Punctuation Primer, 30 Improved Writing Skills Required, 33 Active Voice, 33 Short Sentences, 33 Definite, Concrete, Everyday Language, 34 Tabular Presentation, 34 Limited Jargon and Technical Terms, 34 No Multiple Negatives, 35 Elements of Plain English, 35 Writing Effective Texts, e-mails, and Letters, 36 Writing Memos to the File, 37 Summary, 38 Discussion Questions, 38 Exercises, 39 3 The Environment Of Accounting Research 42 The Accounting Environment, 42 The SEC and the Standard-Setting Environment, 43 Rules-Based vs. Principles-Based Accounting Standards, 45 Financial Accounting Standards Board, 45 FASB Strives to Simplify Standards, 47 Content of Authorities, 47 FASB Due Process, 48 FASB Conceptual Framework Project, 50 Statements of Financial Accounting Concepts Nos. 1-8, 51 American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA), 51 Governmental Accounting Standards Board, 52 Other Organizations Influencing Standard Setting, 54 U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (U.S. GAAP), 56 The FASB Accounting Standards CodificationTM, 57 Using Authoritative Support, 58 Reading an Authoritative Pronouncement, 59 Accounting Choices Have Economic Consequences, 61 Summary, 61 Discussion Questions, 62 Exercises, 62 4 Financial Accounting Research Tools 64 Accounting Research Online, 65 Database Research Strategies, 65 Step One: Define the Information Needed, 65 Step Two: Determine the Sources to Search, 65 Step Three: Use Appropriate Search Methods, 66 Step Four: View the Results and Manage the Information, 66 Step Five: Communicate the Search Results, 66 FASB Accounting Standards CodificationTM Research System, 66 The Research Process, 67 Locating U.S.

GAAP Using the Codification, 71 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/Interpretations, 74 Accessing SEC Filings and Regulations, 76 Cases to Practice Accounting Research, 77 Data Analytics for the Accounting Researcher, 78 Summary, 79 Discussion Questions, 79 Exercises, 80 Knowledge Busters: The Codification, 83 Appendix: CPA Exam--Financial Accounting Simulations, 89 Document Review Simulation, 92 5 The Environment Of International Research 94 International Accounting Environment, 94 International Accounting Standards Board (IASB), 96 IASB Authorities, 98 IASB Due Process, 99 Interpretations Committee Due Process, 100 IASB''s Conceptual Framework, 101 Principles-Based Accounting Standards, 101 IFRS Funding, Regulation, and Enforcement, 102 International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) Research, 104 IFRS Hierarchy, 104 Electronic International Financial Reporting Standards (eIFRS), 104 Summary, 106 Discussion Questions, 106 Exercises, 107 Knowledge Busters, 108 6 Other Research Databases And Tools 110 Other Database Research Strategies, 110 Step One: Define the Information Needed, 111 Step Two: Determine the Sources to Search, 112 Step Three: Use Search Techniques and Tools, 112 Step Four: View the Results and Manage the Information, 113 Leading Publishers of Global Financial Information, 114 Commercial Accounting Databases and Tools, 114 U.S. Accounting Research Tools, 116 U.S. Government Accounting Databases, 117 Financial Research Databases, 119 S&P Capital IQ, 120 Mergent Online, 121 Other Financial Databases and Sources, 122 Research Challenges for Business Research, 123 Business Research Databases and Tools, 123 Article Index Sources, 124 Other Specialized Research, 124 Massive Legal Research Databases, 125 LexisNexis Database Products, 126 Westlaw Database Products, 127 Recent Legal Database Competitors, 128 Summary, 128 Discussion Questions, 129 Exercises, 129 Knowledge Busters, 131 Appendix: 6A-1: Website Addresses, 131 7 Tax Research For Compliance And Tax Planning 134 Tax Planning Concepts and Tax Research Goals, 134 Tax Research Goals, 135 Tax Research Challenges, 136 Specialized Tax Research Databases, 137 Thomson Reuters Checkpoint, 138 Primary Tax Authorities, 138 The Code, 139 Treasury Regulations, 141 Revenue Rulings and Revenue Procedures, 143 Lesser Administrative Sources (Nonprecedential), 144 U.S. Tax Court, 145 Other Judicial Sources of Authority, 146 Steps in Conducting Tax Research, 147 Step One: Investigate the Facts and Identify the Issues, 147 Step Two: Collect the Appropriate Authorities, 147 Step Three: Analyze the Research, 150 Step Four: Develop the Reasoning and Conclusion, 152 Step Five: Communicate the Results, 153 Evolving Professional Concerns and Changes, 155 Professional Standards for Tax Services, 157 Data Analytics in Tax Research, 157 Summary, 158 Discussion Questions, 159 Exercises, 159 Knowledge Busters, 162 Appendix 7A-1: Website Addresses, 164 8 Assurance Services And Auditing Research 165 Assurance Services, 166 Consulting Services and Standards, 166 Attestation Services and Standards, 168 Auditing Standard-Setting Environment, 170 Auditing Standard-Setting Process, 170 Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB), 171 Auditing Standards Board (ASB), 172 International Auditing and Assurance Standards Board (IAASB), 176 AICPA Online Professional Library, 176 AICPA Code of Professional Conduct, 177 Auditing Standards in the Public Sector, 180 Thomson Reuters Checkpoint, 180 Compilation and Review Services, 183 Role of Judgment and Professional Skepticism in Accounting and Auditing, 183 Economic Consequences, 184 Data Analytics/Emerging Technologies in Auditing Research, 184 Summary, 185 Discussion Questions, 186 Exercises, 186 Knowledge Busters, 187 Appendix: CPA Exam Audit Simulation, 188 9 Refining The Research Process 190 Method for Conducting Research, 190 Step One: Identify the Issues or Problems, 192 Step Two: Collect the Evidence, 194 Step Three: Analyze the Results and Identify Alternatives, 198 Step Four: Develop a Conclusion, 199 Step Five: Communicate the Results, 200 Remain Current in Knowledge and Skills, 201 Complexities in Practice, 202 Developing Professional Skills Needed for Practice, 203 Summary, 204 Discussion Questions, 204 Exercises, 205 Knowledge Busters: For each problem, analyze, consider alternatives, and write a research memo., 206 Appendix 9A-1: Certifications and Associations for Accounting, Auditing, and Tax, 207 Appendix 9A-2: Research Sources from AICPA, FASB, PCAOB, and Others, 208 Appendix 9A-3: Abbreviations for International, Canadian, and U.

K. Standards, 210 10 Forensic Accounting Research 213 Forensic Accounting Standards, 214 Definition of Fraud, 215 Types of Fraud, 215 The Fraud Triangle, 216 Overview of a Financial Statement Fraud Examination, 219 Step One: Identify the Issue and Plan the Investigation, 220 Step Two: Gather the Evidence and Complete the Investigation Phase, 220 Step Three: Evaluate the Evidence, 221 Step Four: Report Findings to Management or Legal Counsel, 222 Business Investigations, 222 Computer Technology in Fraud Investigations, 223 Data-Mining Software, 223 Data Analytics, 225 MindBridge Ai Auditor, 225 Public Databases, 227 Courthouse Records, 227 Company Records, 228 Online Databases, 229 The Internet, 229 Instant Checkmate (www.instantcheckmate.com), 230 Zoominfo.com (www.zoominfo.com), 230 Other Websites, 230