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Getting Started with Accounting
This guide is designed to help students get started with accounting-related research and provides links to some of our key business resources. It also offers a comprehensive collection of materials, including books and eBooks, databases, websites, and professional organizations. Whether you're looking for articles, books, or other research materials, you'll find a curated selection of sources to support your studies and projects. Please explore the tabs to the left and don't hesitate to contact us if you have any questions.
What is accounting?
"Accounting involves the classification and recording of monetary transactions; the presentation and interpretation of the results of those transactions in order to assess performance over a period and the financial position at a given date; and the monetary projection of future activities arising from alternative planned courses of action. Accounting in larger businesses is typically carried out by financial accountants, who focus on formal, corporate issues such as taxation, and management accountants, who provide management reports and guidance." "accounting." QFinance: The Ultimate Resource. London: A&C Black, 2009. Credo Reference. Web. 12 September 2013.
Oakton College's Accounting program offers an A.A.S. degree as well as certificates in accounting, bookkeeping, income tax preparation, and professional accounting-CPA preparation. Graduates may qualify as tax aides, assistants to controllers or staff accountants.
Accounting Standards
What is an accounting standard?
An authoritative statement of how particular types of transaction and other events should be reflected in financial statements. Compliance with accounting standards will normally be necessary for financial statements to give a true and fair view.
(NOTE: These principles are recommended by the Accounting Standards Board in the United Kingdom or by the FASB in the United States.)
"accounting standard." Dictionary of Accounting. London: A&C Black, 2007. Credo Reference. Web. 24 October 2013.
See standard setting boards below.
- Federal Accounting Standards Advisory Board (FASAB)"The FASAB serves the public interest by improving federal financial reporting through issuing federal financial accounting standards and providing guidance after considering the needs of external and internal users of federal financial information." Use the "Standards" tab.
- Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB)The GASB seeks to establish and improve standards of state and local governmental accounting and financial reporting. Use the "Standards & Guidance" tab.
- International Financial Reporting Standards FoundationOne of the principle objectives of the IFRS Foundation is "to develop a single set of high quality, understandable, enforceable and globally accepted International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRSs) through its standard-setting body, the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB)." Standards and interpretations are available (under the IFRS tab) to registered users.
- Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB)PCAOB oversees the audits of public companies. This web site publishes standards for auditing, ethics and independence, quality control, and attestation as well as related guidance.
Accounting Careers
- Accountant CareersOffers an overview of the accounting profession, including information on various career paths, job roles, educational requirements, and potential salary ranges.
- Bureau of Labor StatisticsContains information about accountants and auditors, including their roles, responsibilities, job outlook, salary information, educational requirements, and other relevant data.
- InvestopediaProvides insights into accounting as a career, covering topics such as job responsibilities, required skills and qualifications, career paths, salary expectations, and the broader role of accounting in various industries and sectors.
Accounting Organizations
- American Institute of CPAs (AICPA)The AICPA represents the CPA profession nationally regarding rule-making and standard-setting.
- American Accounting Association (AAA)The academically-focused American Accounting Association promotes research and teaching.
- American Institute of Professional Bookkeepers (AIPB)AIPB states that its mission is to "achieve recognition of bookkeepers as accounting professionals; keep bookkeepers up to date on changes in bookkeeping, accounting and tax; answer bookkeepers' everyday bookkeeping and accounting questions; and certify bookkeepers who meet high, national standards."
- Illinois CPA SocietyThe Illinois CPA Society (ICPAS) represents Illinois CPAs in public accounting and consulting, corporate accounting and finance, not-for-profit, government and education organizations as well as affiliate member groups.
- Illinois Board of ExaminersThe IBOE regulates the examination and certification of CPAs in Illinois.