[wmalvino]

I purchased CPA Excel awhile back to help me prep for the exam.

I don’t know what the problem is but the “Research” function in the TBSs never seems to work correctly. It won’t let me search for an exact phrase or do a proximity search.

For an exact phrase don’t you just enter the phrase in quotes?

Or as an alternative to do a proximity search wouldn’t you just enter w/2 or /2 or ‘2’ between words to represent that the terms have to be within 2 words of each other.

I’ve tried various methods that work in CCH, RIA, etc & nothing seems to work. For example when I enter “cost recovery” I’m getting more of cost AND recovery type results where it’s pulling up any documents that contain both words. Any ideas are much appreciated thanks!…

B - 8/30/12, 91
A - 5/25/12, 87
R - 7/28/12, 82
F - 4/18/12, 84

[Minimorty]

@wm – An alternative would be to familiarize yourself with the contents of the code. I found three out of my four research questions by using the table of contents and working my way to the more specific topic. If you understand the material, you should know where to find the answer in the code. Using a key word search can be helpful, but it might lead you to the 2nd best answer, not the best answer.

I thought you could search with quotes, not sure why that isn't working for you. I had never heard of a proximity search until you mentioned it above. Thanks.

[wmalvino]

Hey, Minimorty, I'm familiar w/ the basic sections but thought I could figure out how to use the search feature to prevent unneccessary memorizing. However, I could absolutely be wrong that this is an option. I've never seen it explained in any of my exam prep materials so was wondering how other people were handling it.

Thanks much!

B - 8/30/12, 91
A - 5/25/12, 87
R - 7/28/12, 82
F - 4/18/12, 84

[Minimorty]

Yeah, I don't remember seeing it explained anywhere either. I wrote a few detailed posts to @mena je twa about this but can't find it. These are free points though, you have to get the research right.

[PistolPete]

I use the table of contents too. I think sometimes using the keyword search can lead you down the wrong path. Especially in REG when the same topic can relate to different areas (cap losses for individuals vs corps). I like to narrow it down using the table of contents, then use the ‘search within' field to get an exact subsection.

FAR - 68, 79
AUD - 82
REG - 71, 71, 80
BEC - 76

CMA
Part 1: October 2013
Part 2: January 2014

[Anonymous]

Hello,

I was wondering about the search within field today. I subscribed to the free ASC. Is the “search within” a field? Or perhaps it just isn't in the subscription.

[latenight]

Although not specific to CPA Excel, I can understand the feeling of not being entirely comfortable with the research.

I'll research something up and down and it'll look like what I found is dead on, only to find out that it is under another section once I check the solution to the question in the sim. I envy those who feel they ace the research stuff. I'll get as close as the first three parts, like ASC-x-x, but the paragraph part may be slightly off. I suspect there is partial credit on these, so that makes it a little better.

AUD - 87
BEC - 76
FAR - 96
REG - 94

[wmalvino]

Hey, everyone, thanks much for your advice & input!

Next to the “Search Within” button on CPA Excel is an Advanced Search button. It's defunct in CPA Excel but the FASB site explains this feature in the actual codification is where you specify that you're looking for an exact phrase, etc. So obviously I'm going to try clicking that in the actual exam & see if it works.

It seems easy enough just to expand the links in the left viewing pane to browse as long as you can narrow down the major topic. Obviously it will help if I can remember where some of the key issues (software rev recognition, construction constracts) are.

HomeStretch, the Search Within feature should work & maybe just isn't provided with the (free?) subscription. It does work correctly in CPA Excel.

B - 8/30/12, 91
A - 5/25/12, 87
R - 7/28/12, 82
F - 4/18/12, 84

[Anonymous]

https://asc.fasb.org/cs/BlobServer?blobcol=urldata&blobtable=MungoBlobs&blobkey=id&blobwhere=1175823826095&blobheader=application%2Fpdf

This link is basically the ‘How to search the FASB Codification'

[oneFREAKINGpoint]

@HomeStretch – I can confirm that — the free ASC does NOT allow you to search within. And it's MUCH less functional than the research tab on the actual exam. You have to order the paid subscription to search within. Drives me nuts.

[Anonymous]

Thank you so much one! It seems though people have a better chance with searching the general area and then using the table of contents to search for it.

[wmalvino]

Hey, EELCPA, thanks much! Yup that's the doc I found last night that alerted me to the fact what I'm looking for is that “Advanced Search” functionality which is available within the actual codification but probably not on the exam interface.

But will the Glossary feature work during the exam? CPA Excel doesn't have it at all…

B - 8/30/12, 91
A - 5/25/12, 87
R - 7/28/12, 82
F - 4/18/12, 84

[Anonymous]

I honestly have no idea, I can answer that after May 3rd 🙂

[Anonymous]

Maybe I'm not sure what you are talking about but I don't remember every seeing anything on the research tab that said “glossary”. Where did you see this? I'm about to head out to church and then my anniversary lunch with my husband but I'll do some research on this when I get home so y'all can keep studying.

[Anonymous]

Okay, I have been told not to practice the research sims. but I was curious to see how I would do with a practice question. I was suppose to aim for Mars but somehow hit the sun and evaporated. I want to see how others approach this question and see if they get this right the first time. and if so, how the heck did you get to this answer?

Reston Corporation has a gain on a foreign currency fair value hedge. You have been asked to research the professional

literature to determine where the gain should be reported in the financial statements.

Place the citation for the excerpt from Professional Standards that provides this information in the answer box below.

Normally I don't commit formal definitions for the purpose of research to memory. Is that something I should worry about?

[Anonymous]

@homestretch – You need to click on the tab that says authoritative literature at the top and you can search from there. You don't have to memorize.

[Author]

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