University of Hawaii at Manoa, Shidler College of Business
Accounting 625: Accounting and Tax Research, Fall 2015
Wednesday 6:00 pm - 8:45 pm; Room D--101
(midterm and final exams in Shidler Computer Lab E-102).
Thomas C. Pearson, Professor
UH-Manoa, School of Accountancy
2404 Maile Way
Honolulu, HI 96822
Office: Shidler D-306
Telephone: (808) 956-7591
Secretary: (808) 956-7332
Email: tpearson@hawaii.edu
OFFICE HOURS in Shidler Room D-306: Wednesday 4:30-5:30 and starting in October Tuesday 3:004:00 pm. Other times are by appointment or subject to availability. Before each exam additional hours are
added.
COURSE MATERIALS:
1. Accounting and Auditing Research: Tools and Strategies (8th ed.), by Weirich, Pearson, and Churyk
(published by Wiley) (soft-cover or electronic license [just over half the paper bound cost])
laulima.hawaii.edu (acc 625 website)
2. WEBSITES:
IRS.gov, SEC.gov, FASB.org and FASB Accounting Standards Codification,TM,
IFRS.org, GASB.org, FASAB.gov, PCAOB.org, AICPA.org, IFAC.org …
3. DATABASES: those available through http://library.manoa.hawaii.edu, include:
FINANCIAL or BUSINESS: S&P NetAdvantage, Mergent Online, LexisNexis-Academic …
TAX: Checkpoint (includes a financial accounting library)
OPTIONAL: eIFRS access for all IFRS (International Financial Reporting
Standards), obtainable via IAAER.org academic membership (student cost about $25).
COURSE DESCRIPTION (University Catalog Summary Modified):
This course provides in-depth electronic accounting, auditing, and tax research, use of databases,
practice in issue identification, reading and analyzing primary authority, and
communicating results. Cases and group projects are used. Pre: Accounting 401.
COURSE OBJECTIVES:
1. Developing skills in reading and analyzing primary authorities for technical comprehension.
2. Providing practice in writing sophisticated issue statements.
3. Developing competence in locating and researching primary & secondary authorities.
4. Acquiring working knowledge of electronic resources for resolving complex issues.
5. Using the source and weight of authorities for creating strong, logical, analytical reasoning.
6. Strengthening writing skills for client communications and research memos.
7. Enhancing oral skills through classroom discussion, presentations, and simulations.
8. Increasing knowledge about standard setters, authorities, hierarchies, and
various topics in research for professional practice.
9. Understanding the professional environment and evaluation to prepare for management.
10. Practicing effective teamwork and managing potential group dynamic problems.
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11. Acquiring an exposure to international sources for authorities and information.
12. Handling time pressure, similar to the outside working environment.
TIME NEEDED:
This course requires considerable effort outside of class. The work is challenging and valuable.
Take responsibility and speak to me, if you want to negotiate some alternative timing arrangement.
COURSE GRADE GUIDELINES:
A+
97.0% ─ 96.9% AND ONLY IF THE TOP STUDENT IN CLASS
A
93.0% ─ 96.9% IMPRESSIVE GRADUATE LEVEL WORK
A90.0% ─ 92.9% ABOVE AVERAGE GRADUATE LEVEL WORK
B+
87.0% ─ 89.9% TYPICAL GRADUATE LEVEL WORK
B
83.0% ─ 86.9% SATISFACTORY GRADUATE LEVEL WORK
B80.0% ─ 82.9% WEAK GRADUATE LEVEL WORK
other Less than 80% NOT GRADUATE LEVEL WORK
TENTATIVE POINTS ASSIGNED FOR EACH COURSE ELEMENT:
Points Topic
150
Three Accounting or Tax research memos (50 each)
For the first memo, draft(s) and final submission (25-25 split)
100
Midterm exam (taxation)
100
Final exam (SEC, business and financial databases, accounting, & auditing)
20
Group Project
60
Other Homework (database Qs, etc)/ Class participation
20
Oral presentation
50
Quizzes (25 each)
500
TOTAL MAXIMUM POINTS
EXAMS: The two exams are open book, open note, and completed on a computer.
Save your work, such as on a thumb drive. Do NOT rely on the Shidler computer desktop.
Each exam usually has ten questions. Most questions involve writing two paragraphs.
Several questions require research. Verify prof’s receipt of the electronic copy or print a hardcopy.
QUIZZES: The two quizzes are closed book. Each quiz consists of problems focused on professional
knowledge for research: standard setters, sources of authorities, citations, hierarchies of authority, relevant
databases, and search techniques.
RESEARCH MEMOS: Memos will require two or more single-spaced pages (with a blank line between
paragraphs). Also, include a one-page client cover-letter in a less technical style which emphasizes bottom
line results and planning suggestions. The normal expectation for a high quality paper is about four pages.
Submit one file with a maximum of six pages. Submit as a word or document, or web if needed.
Please include your name in both the electronic file name and as a header for each page of the file.
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MEMO GRADING: An ability to communicate effectively will affect the grade. The AICPA's six
characteristics of effective writing are: (1) cogent organization, (2) conciseness, (3) clarity, (4) use of
standard English, (5) responsiveness, and (6) appropriateness for the reader. Tax memos require using
annotations from a tax service (Checkpoint) to locate relevant cases or rulings.
ORAL PRESENTATIONS: This course requires one or two oral presentations, often for just five
minutes. Top scores requires strong eye-contact with the audience, clear organization, and maintaining the
audience's interest. Use of technology is encouraged, such as capturing information from the internet.
HOMEWORK: You may work with other students on the homework assignments. However, you are not
permitted to divide the work and just copy from each other. The grading for regular homework is
primarily based on apparent effort. Completing the homework on a timely basis is expected.
TENTATIVE SCHEDULE FOR TOPICS & READING ASSIGNMENTS:
Changes may be made in the course content as the semester progresses.
*Additional Homework will be assigned during the course of the semester.
Wk Date Tentative Topics
Due dates for
Reading
Homework Due
W
8/26
CH
7
1
Overview of Tax Research, Tax Treaties,
The Code, Regs, Practice.
2 W 9/2
Issue Spotting, Revenue Rulings, Writing a
HMWK from
CH
7
again
Client Letter, Writing a Tax Memo, & Practice
1st tax class
3 W 9/9
Time for Group Project 1, Tax Services
mini-memo
4 W 9/16 Judicial Cases, Using a Citator, Practice
Memo1 draft
5 W 9/23 QUIZ - IRS, Audits, Penalties, Ethics, &
Group case
Professional Practice, and Catch-up
6 W 9/30 Practice and Review
Memo 1 final
7 W 10/7 EXAM (TAX)
CH 8
8 W 10/14 Auditing Authorities – Sources and Locating
Memo 2
Standards from PCAOB, AICPA, and IAASB;
Inspection and Enforcement Reports
TBA
9 W 10/21 Accounting Authorities – Sources and Locating CH 4-6
Standards from FASB, GASB, and IASB
10 W 10/28 SEC Authorities – Sources and Locating
TBA
Statutes, Regs, Releases (AAER), SAB, …
11 W 11/4 Issue Spotting and Group Case
TBA
12 W 11/25 QUIZ - Communication, Business and Financial CH 1-3
TBA
Databases, and Oral Presentation Signup
13 W 12/2 Oral Presentations (6-8 minutes each)
Database Qs
(make relevant, useful, & interesting).
Memo 3
14 W 12/9 Practice and Review
15 W 12/16 FINAL EXAM
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ACADEMIC HONESTY: “The University expects students to maintain standards of personal integrity
that are in harmony with the educational goals of this institution; to respect the rights, privileges, and
property of others; and to observe national, state, and local laws and University regulations.”
Shidler and SOA also have an Honor Code Policy. Do not copy from another person's memo, exam, or
quiz. Please do not fail to cite sources of material that you have quoted or substantially paraphrased. Do
not use unauthorized assistance. Please don’t hesitate to ask questions.
Thus, Students are expected to behave with integrity in all academic endeavors. Cheating, plagiarism, as
well as any other form of academic dishonesty, are not tolerated. All incidents will be handled in
accordance with the UH Student Code of Conduct. Please review the Student Conduct Code so you can
make conscience and informed choices: www.studentaffairs.manoa.hawaii.edu/policies/conduct code/
Some relevant portions are:
Acts of dishonesty, types of behavior that conflict with the community standards that the UH values and
expects of students, include but are not limited to the following:
a. Cheating, plagiarism, and other forms of academic dishonesty,
b. Furnishing false information to any UH official, faculty member, or office,
c. Forgery, alteration, or misuse of any UH document, record, or … identification.
The term "cheating" includes, but is not limited to: (1) use of any unauthorized assistance in taking
quizzes, tests, or examinations; (2) use of sources beyond those authorized by the instructor in writing
papers, preparing reports, solving problems, or carrying out other assignments; (3) the acquisition,
without permission, of tests or other academic material belonging to a member of the UH faculty, staff or
student (4) engaging in any behavior specifically prohibited by a faculty member in the course syllabus or
class discussion.
The term "plagiarism" includes, but is not limited to, the use, by paraphrase or direct quotation, of the
published or unpublished work of another person without full and clear acknowledgement. It also includes
the unacknowledged use of materials prepared by another person or agency engaged in the selling of term
papers or other academic materials.
In addition to the above, the instructor specifically prohibits the following behaviors, and includes them
within the definition of academic dishonesty: (1) providing another student with any form of direct or
indirect, unauthorized assistance on any assignment, quiz, test or exam; and (2) copying, or recording in
any manner, test or exam questions or answers.
Please NOTE that UH disciplinary proceedings may be instituted against a student charged with conduct
that potentially violates both the criminal law and this Student Conduct Code (that is, if both possible
violations result from the same factual situation) without regard to the pendency of civil or criminal
litigation in court or criminal arrest and prosecution.
If a student is caught committing an act of Academic Dishonesty, As defined in the University Student
Conduct Code, he/she will receive a grade of "F" for the course and be referred for disciplinary action as
provided for the by the University Student Conduct Code.
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ATTENDANCE AND PARTICIPATION: Class participation points encourage active learning,
assertiveness in class, and attentiveness. The classroom experience is a vital portion of the learning
process for this course. Attendance is required to the same extent as if one was working for an accounting
firm. This class is partially designed to provide experimental learning through classroom exercises for
which there is sometimes no substitute.
In general, students are expected to attend all class sessions in the sections in which they are
registered. Class sessions provide useful information for understanding the topics covered in the
course. Any reading materials alone may not be sufficient for one to do well in the course.
Students are encouraged to voluntarily ask questions, answer questions, share their thoughts (including
presentations) and answers to the class activities. Active participation in the classroom has been shown to
improve students’ understanding of the material, increase exposure to differing viewpoints, and provide a
richer classroom experience than just having an instructor lecture. Students are expected to be active,
individual contributors to classroom discussion. Activities such as sleeping in class, coming to class late
or leaving early without advanced and approved notice, reading the newspaper or doing non-class-related
work, classroom disruptions such as ongoing conversations with classmates, etc. are not allowed.
The University recognizes that there are certain events, beyond the control of the student, such as illness,
family emergency, bereavement, and certain religious observations that may result in a student’s absence
from course activity. Additionally, this course also recognizes conflicts that arise for student athletes with
regard to University-sanctioned athletic events. All such events must be supported by proper
documentation from an authorized professional or agency. Absences for any other reasons will be
considered unexcused-absences and do not require any consideration by the instructor.
WITHDRAWAL/DROP POLICY: Review Shidler College information for the last day to drop without
a W and the last day to withdraw with a W. If a student stops attending class and does not drop the
course, a grade of "F" will be assigned at the end of the semester. The student has the responsibility to
withdraw from the course.
EXTENDED ASSISTANCE:
Computer Assistance
Library Assistance
Shidler Computer Labs or UH Information Technology Services
Hamilton Library (Online help or Reference Desk)
UHM; UHM Learning Assistance Center and UHM
Writing / Learning Assistance
Advising (academic or MAcc)
Careers
Safety Concerns on Campus
Disability Access
Department of
English Writing Center; Manoa Writing Program (see resources
– Capital Community College for grammar and usage)
Shidler Office of Student Academic Services; SOA Director
Shidler or UHM Career Services, Beta Alpha Psi, Accounting Club, and
Linkedin.com
UHM Campus Security (956-6911)
KOKUA program provides free confidential assistance. Contact KOKUA at
956-7511, kokua@hawaii.edu, or Student Services Center, Room 13.
CLASS LOCATION IN CASE OF EMERGENCIES: The emergency class site is on the steps down to
George Hall out of the Shidler E-Tower.
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