This course provides a step-by-step guide for learning and mastering navigation of the Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification (FASB ASC), or in short FASB Codification, the single source of authoritative U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) for nongovernmental entities.

Prior to 2009, U.S. GAAP was comprised of a complex hierarchy of standards issued by a variety of standard setting bodies.  In order to both reduce complexity and to set the stage for international standards convergence projects, in 2009, the FASB completely overhauled and redesigned the source and organization of U.S. GAAP standards by issuing its final Statement on Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No.168, The FASB Accounting Standards CodificationTM (FASB ASC) and the Hierarchy of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles—a replacement of FASB Statement No. 162. Thereafter, all U.S. GAAP standards were regrouped into nine distinct subject areas comprised of logical topics with consistent subtopics and sections. 

This course consists of a full walkthrough of the FASB ASC website with an in-depth discussion of how the standards are organized in order to provide a pathway for mastering navigation of the FASB ASC site content. Any accounting and finance professionals with a need to understand and/or research U.S. GAAP for nongovernmental entities will strongly benefit from learning how to navigate the Codification website through this course.

Learning Objectives
  • Explore the hierarchy of authoritative content on the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) website
  • Recognize the nine subject areas of the FASB Codification
  • Discover FASB ASC search tips and techniques, including FASB codification by topic title, subtopic or section number.
  • Identify the process for updating the Codification
Last updated/reviewed: March 22, 2024
38 Reviews (105 ratings)

Reviews

5
Member's Profile
One the best instructors I have experienced on this site. I graduated with my MBA in Accounting in 2009, right when the codification was changing. My early days of auditing were filled with FAS, FIN, SOP, etc. Switching to a new entity that reports on U.S. GAAP, I have felt lost when they referenced the new ASCs. This course helps me feel more confident navigating the (new to me) accounting guidance!

5
Anonymous Author
This course provided a great overview of the resources and search tools available on the FASB website for Accounting Standards Codification. The content presented was informative and served as an excellent refresher as it's been years since I've revisited this topic. The supporting materials were helpful; however, the FASB website was perhaps the most educational.

5
Member's Profile
I really enjoy the clear and concise way in which the information was presented. It was well presented with good examples and helpful hints. It is a course to help beginners learn about the codifications or a refresher course for those that do not use the system as regularly as others.

5
Anonymous Author
Very well taught course that allows the user to gain insight from the purpose of the codification to the hierarchy of standards. The course also gives you information on how to gain access and structure of sources of generally accepted accounting principles. Very useful!!

5
Anonymous Author
This course is very helpful for individuals that are new to navigating the ASC. I thought the instructor was great at explaining how to search through the ASC in a concise manner. I would love to see a follow up course with the new layout of the ASC.

4
Anonymous Author
I've had to look up many things on the codification system, so I am familiar with the codification research. I think the slides could have been a little more descriptive to go along with the presentation.

5
Member's Profile
I thought this was a great course on becoming familiar and getting to navigate on the FASB website. I would highly recommend to anyone looking to obtain more knowledge and skill in this area.

4
Member's Profile
Helpful course with some useful information. The presenter was speaking too fast, though, so for people unfamiliar with the codification it might be a bit difficult to follow.

3
Member's Profile
Technical course on ASC definition and standard. Good if you need to know all those details. Very specific. Even make references to the website that obviously change in time.

3
Member's Profile
This was helpful. It's hard to follow along if you don't have an online account. I thought the course might review the codification instead of how to use the website.

4
Anonymous Author
The overview of navigating the codification was excellent and the materials were extremely helpful, but the test was overly difficult given the subject matter.

3
Member's Profile
This course was very in depth regarding standards codification. While I think the explanation was strong, I don't foresee myself using this class very often.

5
Member's Profile
Very clear and straightforward explanation of FASB and ASC. The topic is really practical and no one ever really walks you through at such a granular level.

5
Anonymous Author
Great instructor, very helpful class. Some instructors can put you to sleep, not Jenny. Smart, articulate and interesting. Great knowledge of the subject.

4
Anonymous Author
Topic highly informative & useful. Presenter has in depth understanding of the material & clearly presented the material. Presenter talked a bit too fast.

4
Anonymous Author
This is a good introductory course for somebody that has not been working with the codification lately or knows how to utilize the FASB codification site.

5
Anonymous Author
This course is very clear and easy to follow. It is great help in how to explore the website of the ASC. Instructor was pleasant to listen to.

4
Anonymous Author
Great course detailing how to use the FASB codification website. Includes screenshots and multiple search functions and how each works.

5
Anonymous Author
Great course found it to be very effective. The topics were discussed in great detail to enhance your learning for the exam.

5
Anonymous Author
Interesting information I have never been exposed to before. This course would be very helpful for accounting professionals.

5
Member's Profile
great guidance and best practices overview for navigating FASB and ASC that is useful for any accounting professional

5
Member's Profile
Very nice walkthrough of the codification system. Wish I had a professional account to work with.

5
Member's Profile
Nice overall picture of how to navigate the ASC and helpful for people at all levels

5
Member's Profile
easy to understand, good wording, but the slides have not covered too much contents.

5
Anonymous Author
A very valuable resource- thank you for all the wonderful screenshots!

5
Member's Profile
This is a good overview with helpful tips on website navigation.

5
Member's Profile
Nice overview, and appreciated the fast pace of the presenter.

4
Member's Profile
Good course on something that I wouldn't have thought I needed

5
Anonymous Author
Excellent guideline about Accounting Standards Codification

5
Anonymous Author
Very informative and easy to follow. Screenshots helped alot!

5
Member's Profile
Ms. Norton provides great info and that is also well paced.

4
Anonymous Author
Information was presented in a helpful and interesting way.

5
Anonymous Author
Very helpful course for understanding navigation of FASB.

4
Member's Profile
Questions in exam are not really presented in course.

5
Member's Profile
Excellent presenter, clear examples, great content.

5
Member's Profile
Excellent presentation style, very useful content.

5
Member's Profile
Helpful, informative, and good quality instructor.

5
Member's Profile
Very informative

Prerequisites
Course Complexity: Foundational

It is recommended that you sign up for an account on the FASB ASC website (https://asc.fasb.org) so that you will have the opportunity to follow along as you learn. The FASB ASC Basic View is free of charge.

Education Provider Information
Company: Illumeo, Inc., 75 East Santa Clara St., Suite 1215, San Jose, CA 95113
Contact: For more information regarding this course, including complaint and cancellation policies, please contact our offices at (408) 400- 3993 or send an e-mail to .
Instructor for this course
Course Syllabus
INTRODUCTION AND OVERVIEW
  Introduction to a Comprehensive Walkthrough of the FASB Accounting Standards Codification3:15
  An Overview of the Codification's Origins and Purpose4:47
  Getting Started / Exploring the Homepage10:49
  ASC Hierarchy: How the Standards are Organized7:43
  Navigation Essentials7:48
  Advanced Searching Techniques10:44
  Codification Updates, Pending Content and Transition Guidance9:08
CONTINUOUS PLAY
  A Comprehensive Walkthrough of the FASB Accounting Standards Codification 54:15
SUPPORTING MATERIALS
  Slides: A Comprehensive Walkthrough of the FASB Accounting Standards Codification (ASC)PDF
  A Comprehensive Walkthrough of the FASB Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) Glossary/IndexPDF
REVIEW AND TEST
  REVIEW QUESTIONSquiz
 FINAL EXAMexam