FASB Research Office Hours

Since October 15th, Professors Robert Bloomfield (Cornell University) and Ray Pfeiffer (University of Massachusetts, Amherst) have been holding office hours in the virtual world of Second Life® to discuss opportunities for research on standard setting for the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB).

Office hours take place every Wednesday, from 8am-9am Pacific Time (11am-noon Eastern Time).

Professor Bloomfield is the Director of FASB’s Financial Accounting Standards Research Initiative, which is conducting experimental and survey research to assess the likely effect of standards that have not yet been implemented. Professor Pfeiffer is the FASB Research Fellow, and works with staff and Board members to summarize the findings and implications of empirical research. Rob and Ray share a mission to foster communication between researchers and the FASB, and office hours in Second Life are intended to help reach that goal.

Office hours allow researchers to learn about research opportunities with FASB. As the weeks progress we expect to have a variety of staff members, Board members and researchers join us for more focused discussions on specific topics. We also focus on introducing researchers to Second Life and to the FASRI/research fellow programs.

Second Life® is a virtual world that allows people to meet in a setting that shares many of the advantages of face-to-face contact, without the expense and hassle of travel.

You will need a reasonably recent computer, a broadband internet connection, and a headset (with microphone if you wish to contribute to the conversation via voice). You will also need to download and install the free Second Life client software.

Anyone who wishes to attend FASB office hours can find more information about how to do so at the Metanomics FASB Research Office Hours page.