Course Project Final Paper – Current Issues in Accounting, Auditing, or Tax
Objective

The objective of this project is for you to research a current issue in accounting, auditing, or tax that interests you in depth. The topic could be one that we will discuss in class, such as a specific topic within IFRS, XBRL, ethics, or another topic that you will find interesting. It is important that the topic be extensive enough that eight-to-ten pages can be written on it.

Paper Outline

Section

Points

Description

Title Page 5 points

Title of your research paper, your name, address, e-mail address, telephone number, course number and title, instructor, and date.

Introduction 10 points

Provide an overview of the topic that you are researching.

History 50 points

Present the history of the topic including what events led up to the topic coming into being. If applicable, present the history in multiple countries.

Current Status 50 points

Present the current status of the topic.

Future 50 points

Describe what you think the future of the topic will be.

Conclusion 15 points

Present a conclusion to your topic.

References 20 points

You must use no fewer than six library resources.

All references must be cited in two places: within the body of your paper and on a separate reference list. Choose references judiciously and cite them accurately. Cite all sources using APA format.

Do not use Wikipedia as a reference source. If you find useful information from Wikipedia, triangulate your research and find other, more credible source(s) which provide the same (or better) information, and then utilize the information from that more credible source in your paper and reference page/bibliography.

Total

200

Research Sources

1. All papers must have a minimum of six scholarly sources cited within the text of the paper and identified in the references section.

2. Additional research sources can be attached in a bibliography.

Paper Format

1. All papers should be single sided, double-spaced, and using a 12-point font.

2. Length of the paper should be between eight-to-ten pages, counting the cover page and bibliography.

3. The first page should include the title of the work, student name, address, telephone, e-mail address, course number, date, and instructor name.

4. Follow APA style for general format and citations.

The following is a list of suggested topics for the course Project. Please note these are purely suggested topics you may select your own subject to my approval.

Cloud computing and accounting

Healthcare tax and reporting issues for businesses

Current issues on Sarbanes-Oxley

Forensic accounting developments

IFRS versus US GAAP

Big GAAP versus Little GAAP

Net investment income

Passive activity losses

Developing technology issues in accounting

Fair value accounting

Comprehensive income and reporting

Internet taxation

Accounting for intangibles

US GAAP taxonomy.

Individual health care mandate

Tax issues associated with innocent spouse relief.

Preparation of tax returns and same-sex marriages

The clarity project and audit attestation

ABC or the balance scorecard: linking strategy to operation

AICPA, not for profit guide

Goodwill impairment guide

SOX 404

S shareholder: compensation versus distribution issues.

CPAs and the trust fund recovery penalty.

International tax issues.

FIN 48: accounting for uncertainty in income taxation.

New IRS rules on deducting repairs versus capitalizing costs.

XBRL issues.

Data mining and accounting.

Cyber security risk.

Proposed changes to accounting for lease agreements.

Recent PCAOB issues.

SAS number 57 and AU section 342 – allowance for doubtful accounts.

AICPA proposed responsibilities on compilation and reviews

Peer review