Small Business Administration

Small Business Administration – http://www.sba.gov

Representative questions that can be answered with this resource:

• How do I write a business plan?
• What are some common technologies used in small businesses?
• What sorts of business structures are available to a small business?
• What’s the difference between a partnership and a cooperative?

Description:

Information about running a small business. The site is divided into the following sections:

• Starting and Managing (Business plan, types of business, etc)
• Loans & Grants
• Contracting
• Learning Center (Online courses and videos)
• Local Assistance
• SBA Direct (search by topic)

This site will be most useful in creating details and challenges in stories featuring small business owners.

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Researching Public Companies Through EDGAR: A Guide for Investors

Researching Public Companies Through EDGAR: A Guide for Investors – http://www.sec.gov/investor/pubs/edgarguide.htm

Representative questions that can be answered with this resource:

• What’s a CIK code?
• Where can I find CEO pay?
• What’s with all these different form types?

Description:

Background information for people wishing to use the EDGAR database of the Securities and Exchange Commission to research publicly traded company. Page is a mix of the capabilities of EDGAR along with links to basic information about the forms companies must file and where to find specific pieces of company information.

Parts of this guide likely to be of special interests to writers of corporate stories include:

• Information About Publicly-Traded Companies
• Executive Compensation
• Insider Transactions
• Business Combinations
• Initial Public Offerings
• Bankruptcy
• Information About a Company’s Auditors

EDGAR Company Filing Search (SEC)

EDGAR Company Filing Search (SEC) – http://www.sec.gov/edgar/searchedgar/companysearch.html

Representative questions that can be answered with this resource:

• How much did the CEO of AT&T make in 2011?
• What business risks did Microsoft disclose about itself in 2013?
• What publicly registered companies deal in toys and hobbies?

Description:

Free search of companies required to file statements with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Database may be searched by company name, stock (ticker) symbol, file number, state, country or Standard Industrial Code (SIC). The SIC code stands for the industry a company operates in and a link to the code list is provided.

Some companies have a lot of subsidieries, so you might need to poke around for awhile. Once you’ve selected your company of interest, you’ll have a list of documents. A company’s annual report is called a 10-K and has a good deal of information about a given company’s operations and risk environment. For information about other forms, see Researching Public Companies Through EDGAR: A Guide for Investors, discussed elsewhere.

This resource will be helpful in setting fictitious CEO compensation or choosing models for companies in stories set in the corporate world.

CPA Exam – State by State Reference Guide

CPA Exam – State by State Reference Guide – http://www.becker.com/accounting/cpaexamreview/state/

Representative questions that can be answered with this resource:

• In Alaska, how many hours of college accounting must one take before being allowed to take the CPA exam?
• What coursework must one have in Colorado besides accounting to be eligible to sit for the CPA exam?
• What are the current CPA exam fees in Mississippi?

Description:

A private firm’s links to all 50 state accountancy licensing boards. Each state record includes:

• Education requirements
• State CPA exam application process
• Exam process links
• State exam fees
• State board contacts

You could also find a given state’s board for regulating accountants by searching [accountants board site:[your state name].gov]

Wholesale and Manufacturing Sales Representatives (Occupational Outlook Handbook)

Wholesale and Manufacturing Sales Representatives (Occupational Outlook Handbook) – http://www.bls.gov/ooh/sales/wholesale-and-manufacturing-sales-representatives.htm

Representative questions that can be answered with this resource:

• Would a home body be happy with being a wholesaling and manufacturing sales representative?
• What proportion of wholesale and manufacturing sales representatives work more than 50 hours a week?
• Could a high school graduate find work as a wholesale and manufacturing sales representative?

Description:

Profile is divided into the following sections: what they do, work environment, how to become one, pay, job outlook, similar occupations and contacts for more info.

Training and Development Managers (Occupational Outlook Handbook)

Training and Development Managers (Occupational Outlook Handbook) – http://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/training-and-development-managers.htm

Representative questions that can be answered with this resource:

• What industries are training and development managers mostly likely to be found?
• What professional organizations might a training manager belong to?
• What the long-term job prospects for training and development managers?

Description:

Profile is divided into the following sections: what they do, work environment, how to become one, pay, job outlook, similar occupations and contacts for more info.

Top Executives (CEO’s etc) (Occupational Outlook Handbook)

Top Executives (CEO’s etc) (Occupational Outlook Handbook) – http://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/top-executives.htm

Representative questions that can be answered with this resource:

• How many top executives are there in the United States?
• What are some important qualities for top executives?
• What percentage of top executives make less than $50,000 a year?

Description:

Profile is divided into the following sections: what they do, work environment, how to become one, pay, job outlook, similar occupations and contacts for more info.

Secretaries and Administrative Assistants (Occupational Outlook Handbook)

Secretaries and Administrative Assistants (Occupational Outlook Handbook) – http://www.bls.gov/ooh/office-and-administrative-support/secretaries-and-administrative-assistants.htm

Representative questions that can be answered with this resource:

• What’s a virtual assistant?
• What industries are most likely to have secretaries?
• What salary would be considered highly paid for a secretary?

Description:

Profile is divided into the following sections: what they do, work environment, how to become one, pay, job outlook, similar occupations and contacts for more info.

Purchasing Managers, Buyers, and Purchasing Agents (Occupational Outlook Handbook)

Purchasing Managers, Buyers, and Purchasing Agents (Occupational Outlook Handbook) – http://www.bls.gov/ooh/business-and-financial/purchasing-managers-buyers-and-purchasing-agents.htm

Representative questions that can be answered with this resource:

• What proportion of buyer’s agents work more than 40 hours a week?
• Will a master’s degree help you become a purchasing manager, buyer or purchasing agent?
• How much on the job training should a purchasing agent expect to receive?

Description:

Profile is divided into the following sections: what they do, work environment, how to become one, pay, job outlook, similar occupations and contacts for more info.

Public Relations Managers and Specialists (Occupational Outlook Handbook)

Public Relations Managers and Specialists (Occupational Outlook Handbook)

2014 Update – This page was split into two:

• Managers – http://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/public-relations-managers.htm (Now includes fundraising managers)
• Specialists – http://www.bls.gov/ooh/media-and-communication/public-relations-specialists.htm

Representative questions that can be answered with this resource:

• Where do public relations managers and specialists tend to work?
• What proportion of public relations managers hold a masters degree?
• What organizations exist for public relations managers and specialists?

Description:

Profile is divided into the following sections: what they do, work environment, how to become one, pay, job outlook, similar occupations and contacts for more info.