ACADEMICS USE OF XBRL DATA
The Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) recognizes and appreciates the academic community’s critical role in accounting education and research. The FASB is committed to educating the academic community about using eXtensible Business Reporting Language (XBRL) data and structured data more broadly.
The FASB Taxonomy XBRL Team has been working with members from the academic community to create training programs to help bridge the knowledge gap and improve the use of XBRL data in academic research and in the classroom. The objective of these programs is to increase the use of XBRL data and expand the supply of relevant academic research.
This program is designed for academics interested in teaching XBRL in their classrooms. It teaches academics about XBRL and the GAAP Financial Reporting Taxonomy structure. Topics covered include: (1) how to teach XBRL in the classroom; (2) how to leverage XBRL to showcase real-world examples of company disclosures (particularly useful for financial accounting classes); and (3) how to leverage XBRL data to integrate data analytics and technology into the classroom.
Learn more on how to use XBRL data in the classroom:
Christine Tan, Co-Founder and Chief Research Officer of idaciti and Associate Professor in Accounting at Hunter College-City University of New York provides an overview of how to teach XBRL in the classroom.
Courtesy: AAA 2021 Financial Accounting and Reporting Section Virtual Midyear Meeting.
This program is designed for academics interested in using XBRL data in their research. It teaches academics how to use XBRL data for a detailed data set of financial statements and footnotes for research. It covers XBRL’s advantages over typical data sets, general research questions XBRL data can help answer, challenges to consider when cleaning data, and several possible data sources. Using discussion and hands-on exercises during the session, participants learn the basics of XBRL data collection and areas to focus on when using the data for research.
Learn more on how to use XBRL data in academic research:
Elizabeth Blankespoor from the University of Washington provides an overview of how to use XBRL data in academic research.
Courtesy: AAA 2021 Financial Accounting and Reporting Section Virtual Midyear Meeting.
If you have general questions about XBRL, please send your comments directly to xbrlweb@fasb.org.
The FASB Taxonomy Staff is interested in increasing academic participation in the XBRL Taxonomy Advisory Group (an Industry Resource Group of the FASB). For more information, please visit the Taxonomy Advisory Group Page on the FASB Website.
If you would like more information about XBRL, please contact:
Melissa Nicholson
Supervising Project Manager-XBRL
Financial Accounting Standards Board
801 Main Avenue
P.O. Box 5116
Norwalk, CT 06851
Phone: (203) 956-5226
Fax: (203) 849-9714
Email: mnicholson@fasb.org
XBRL Training Programs for Academics
The FASB Taxonomy XBRL Team has been working with members from the academic community to create training programs to help bridge the knowledge gap and improve the use of XBRL data in academic research and in the classroom. The objective of these programs is to increase the use of XBRL data and expand the supply of relevant academic research.
Program Presentations at the American Accounting Association
- 2020 Spark – American Accounting Association Virtual Spring Meeting
- 2021 Financial Accounting and Reporting Section Virtual Midyear Meeting
XBRL in the Classroom Program
This program is designed for academics interested in teaching XBRL in their classrooms. It teaches academics about XBRL and the GAAP Financial Reporting Taxonomy structure. Topics covered include: (1) how to teach XBRL in the classroom; (2) how to leverage XBRL to showcase real-world examples of company disclosures (particularly useful for financial accounting classes); and (3) how to leverage XBRL data to integrate data analytics and technology into the classroom.
Learn more on how to use XBRL data in the classroom:
Christine Tan, Co-Founder and Chief Research Officer of idaciti and Associate Professor in Accounting at Hunter College-City University of New York provides an overview of how to teach XBRL in the classroom.
Courtesy: AAA 2021 Financial Accounting and Reporting Section Virtual Midyear Meeting.
XBRL in Academic Research Program
This program is designed for academics interested in using XBRL data in their research. It teaches academics how to use XBRL data for a detailed data set of financial statements and footnotes for research. It covers XBRL’s advantages over typical data sets, general research questions XBRL data can help answer, challenges to consider when cleaning data, and several possible data sources. Using discussion and hands-on exercises during the session, participants learn the basics of XBRL data collection and areas to focus on when using the data for research.
Learn more on how to use XBRL data in academic research:
Elizabeth Blankespoor from the University of Washington provides an overview of how to use XBRL data in academic research.
Courtesy: AAA 2021 Financial Accounting and Reporting Section Virtual Midyear Meeting.
FASB Taxonomy (XBRL) Resources
| Introduction to XBRL-Brief introductory video about XBRL and the U.S. GAAP Financial Reporting Taxonomy |  |
| All elements available in the GAAP Financial Reporting Taxonomy with search and commenting capabilities at the FASB Taxonomy Online Review and Comment System (TORCS). | Development Taxonomy |
| Accounting Standards Codification with corresponding Taxonomy elements | Accounting Standards Codification |
| Taxonomy Frequently Asked Questions | Taxonomy FAQ |
| Additional XBRL Projects and Resources | Additional XBRL Projects and Resources |
If you have general questions about XBRL, please send your comments directly to xbrlweb@fasb.org.
Opportunity for Academics to Participate in XBRL Taxonomy Advisory Group
The FASB Taxonomy Staff is interested in increasing academic participation in the XBRL Taxonomy Advisory Group (an Industry Resource Group of the FASB). For more information, please visit the Taxonomy Advisory Group Page on the FASB Website.
XBRL Contact Information
If you would like more information about XBRL, please contact:
Melissa Nicholson
Supervising Project Manager-XBRL
Financial Accounting Standards Board
801 Main Avenue
P.O. Box 5116
Norwalk, CT 06851
Phone: (203) 956-5226
Fax: (203) 849-9714
Email: mnicholson@fasb.org