The CPE course provides a concise overview of how practitioners can improve and diversify their online research by using non-Google search tools. Attendees will discover a whole new universe of prime information that is essential in due diligence, enterprise research and financial audits but mostly invisible to Google. Participants will walk away with scores of new information sources and streams that will complement their use of Google and sharpen their due diligence skills as trusted business advisers.

Learning Objectives:

Upon successful completion of this course, you will be able to:

• When evaluating the Google search results page, practitioners will be able to identify at least 7 ways this information needs to be interpreted to ensure the results are taken in their proper context
• Practitioners will be able to use at least 4 general search engines that complement their use of Google.
• Practitioners will be able to uitilize at least 5 cluster search engines that group information by topic and discover unexpected relationships between topics.
• Practitioners will be able to use at least 8 privacy search engines that do not store your queries or track your steps on the Internet.
• Practitioners will be able to access at least 12 user-generated content search engines that index any contenttext, videos, images, reviews.created by people, rather than brands.

Topics Covered:

• Why Online Research Skills Are so Critical for Accountants In Their Roles as Arbiters and Ultimate Deciders of Truth
• Why Accountants Have a Greater Ethical Standing Compared to Other Professions
• Why You Need More Than Google to Search the Web
• Google is Great But Not Perfect
• Vertical vs. Lateral Searching
• Online Research Strategy Tips
• General Search Engines
• Cluster Search Engines
• Privacy Search Engines
• User-Generated Content (USG) Search Engines
• Image Search
• Podcast Search
• Public Records Search
• Company Search
• People Search
• News Aggregators

Who Will Benefit/Target Audience:

Practitioners who want to use more than Google when searching the Internet, and diversify their online due diligence toolbox and strategies

Prerequisite Knowledge

Participants should have a basic understanding of Internet technology, online navigation, and digital productivity services.