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For licensed users of Accounting CS Workpapers

The Fieldwork Utility enables you to access trial balance data and workpapers in the engagement binder while performing audit tasks on a local installation of Accounting CS Workpapers in the field.

See also: Workflow for audit collaboration in the field

Accessing the Trial Balance via the Fieldwork Utility

We recommend that you consult the firm's network technician to determine the specific network requirements for the firm.

Prerequisites

The following setup steps must be completed prior to taking your laptop into the field to perform audit fieldwork with access to the Trial Balance.

To avoid confusion and potential mistakes, we strongly recommend that you uninstall any network or desktop installations of the application on the laptop prior to performing a local installation.

1. Install a local installation of Accounting CS on the laptop that will be used in the field.
2. Download and apply all updates via CS Connect so that the local version of the application matches the networked version of the application at the office.

Working in the field

Note: Only one staff member who will be working at the client's office needs to complete the following task.

1. Connect the fieldwork laptop to the firm's network via Ethernet connection.
2. Open Accounting CS, and choose Help > Fieldwork Utility.
3. Enter the network server name, instance name, and click the Update button.

   Note: You can click the View available server names and SQL instances button to list the server names and SQL instances that are available at the client's office. If you are unsure about this process, consult with the firm's network technician.

4. Click OK when you are prompted to close and reopen the application.
5. When logged back into the application, you can choose Setup > Clients to confirm that the correct clients are listed.

Check out the client's data

1. Choose File > Client Data Management Utility and then choose Check out from the Action field for the selected client that you want to work on in the field and copy the backup to a laptop or removable drive that can be easily accessed.

   Switch the SQL instance back to the local machine.

2. When the backup is complete, choose Help > Fieldwork Utility and enter the server name and instance name of the fieldwork laptop.
3. Click OK when you are prompted to close and reopen the application.
4. When logged back into the application, you can choose Setup > Clients to confirm that the correct clients are listed.

Check in the client's data to the fieldwork laptop

Choose File > Client Data Management Utility and Check in the client to work on while in the field.

Working in the field with a team

1. After the restore is complete, multiple staff can update the engagement via peer-to-peer network, or workpapers can be disconnected and returned to the laptop version of the application, as needed.
2. Before updating the client's database back at the office, all audit staff must return their completed work back into the engagement when it is complete.

Updating the client's database back at the office

1. On the laptop that is returned from the field, choose File > Client Data Management Utility and Check out the updated client data from the client's office.
2. When the backup is complete, choose Help > Fieldwork Utility.
3. Enter the appropriate network server name and instance name for the office configuration, and click the Update button to re-attach to the database at the office.
4. Click OK when you are prompted to close and reopen the application.
5. When logged back into the application, you can choose Setup > Clients to confirm that the correct clients are listed.
6. Choose File > Client Data Management Utility and Check in the client data that was backed up from the field.

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