With the long-anticipated release of the FASB Accounting Standards Codification (trademark) (Codification) on July 1, 2009, companies now need to quickly understand what they need to do in regards to their own financial statements and accounting policies to best prepare for the transition.

To assist in this process, we would like to inform you about a free online tool that provides access to the Codification and detailed information regarding the Codification. The Codification is available online, after a quick registration, at http://asc.fasb.org and as a link from fasb.org. There is free access to a basic view of the Codification as well as a fee based subscription to the professional view which has enhanced functionality (search and retrieval functions, printer-friendly with courses utility, cross reference features, personal annotations and dynamic linking capabilities). There is also a cross reference tool available online.

For background information on the Codification, please refer to the Notice to Constituents provided by FASB.