Take workpapers out for work in the field
The
Disconnect/Return Workpapers
feature in the application is available for staff who need to perform audit-based engagement tasks without a connection to the main application via terminal server, Virtual Office CS, Software as a Service (SaaS), or peer-to-peer network.You can disconnect workpapers from the engagement binder, update them in their native application (for example, in Microsoft Word or Microsoft Excel), and then return the updated workpapers to the engagement binder.
To update the trial balance in the field, you'll need to have access to a full version of the client database. You can use the
File
then Client Data Management Utility
to back up the client database in the office and restore it on a fieldwork laptop that has the same version of the application installed. You can use the Fieldwork Utility
to attach to the client's database at the office and after updating the client data in the field, then use the File
then Client Data Management Utility
to create a backup of the client's database. Back at the office, you can re-attach to the local database via the Fieldwork Utility
and restore the updated client's database.remember
All changes made to the client's database at the office are replaced by the restore.
The workflow
The following workflow describes the process of disconnecting workpapers with the
Disconnect Workpapers
wizard, updating them in the field, saving them, then returning them with the Return Workpapers
wizard at the office. In the office:
- Include workpapers for remote access outside of the network (not including Trial Balance).
- Disconnect workpapers from the engagement binder with theDisconnect Workpaperswizard.
In the field:
- Update workpapers in their native application (for example, Microsoft Word or Excel).
- Save workpapers to a removable media that you can access from the office workstation.
Back in the office:
- Return the workpapers to the engagement binder with theReturn Workpaperswizard.
- Workpapers are updated and the status isAvailable.
Disconnect a workpaper
- In the Engagement Binders Tree of the Workpapers Dashboard, right-click the engagement briefcase, folder, or single workpaper, and selectDisconnect workpapersto open theDisconnect Workpaperswizard.
- Mark the checkboxes next to workpapers that you want to disconnect from the engagement.
- In theFile Locationfield, enter or go to to the location where you want to send the selected workpapers.
- SelectDisconnectto create a folder named with the client's ID, which contains the selected workpapers. If you choose to disconnect more workpapers for the same client in the future, you can go to to the same folder in theDisconnect Workpaperswizard.
- If you sent the workpapers to a file location in the workstation at the office (step 3), copy the folder with the client's ID to a removable media or fieldwork laptop.
note
- If you right-click the engagement briefcase
to open the Disconnect Workpaperswizard, all workpapers are selected by default in the Workpapers grid of the wizard. If you open the wizard from a folder, only those workpapers in the selected folder are marked to be disconnected. if you open the wizard at the single workpaper level, only the selected workpaper is marked to be disconnected. If necessary, you can manually clear or mark checkboxes in the Workpapers list after opening the wizard. - Workpapers that are disconnected from the engagement binder have a status ofDisconnectedwithread-onlyaccess.
- PPC's SMART Practice Aids that are linked to the engagement can't be disconnected and reconnected to the engagement binder. If a SMART Practice Aid document is disconnected from the engagement binder, the link is broken and they become unlinked Microsoft Word and Microsoft Excel workpapers.
Update disconnected workpapers in the field
- Go to the location of the disconnected workpapers on the workstation or laptop you saved them on. (Disconnected workpapers are contained in a folder labeled with the client's ID.)
- Open and update the workpapers in their native application (for example, Microsoft Word or Microsoft Excel) and make any necessary updates.
- Save the updated workpapers, and if prompted, selectYesto replace the originals.
- Copy the updated workpapers to the original location on the workstation on which the application is installed when they were saved with theDisconnect Workpaperswizard. For example,X:\<client ID>(where X represents the local or network drive that's accessible in the application).
note
- When workpapers are opened outside of the application in Microsoft Word or Microsoft Excel,CheckmarkandProcedure N/Aare the only options available from the Workpaper CS ribbon. (To be fully functional, theWorkpapers CS addinrequires access to theAccounting CS Workpapersdatabase.)
- The PPC toolbar is available in Microsoft Word and Microsoft Excel whenPPC Checkpoint Toolsis installed on the workstation or laptop on which the disconnected workpapers reside.
- If you want to update the trial balance outside of the office, you'll need to restore the entire client's database on the workstation or laptop using the same version of the application that you've installed in the office (version 2014.1.2 or later).
Return updated workpapers to the engagement binder
- In the Engagement Binders Tree of the Workpapers Dashboard, right-click a workpaper with a status ofDisconnectedthen selectReturn to Binder.
- In theReturn Workpaperswizard, go to the location of the updated workpapers and mark the checkboxes next to the workpapers that you want to return to the engagement.
- SelectNextthenFinishto return the updated workpapers to the engagement binder. The status of the workpapers changes toAvailableand they're available for editing from the engagement workspace.
note
When the trial balance is updated remotely, you'll need to create a backup of the client's data and restore it back into the original database at the office. All changes made in the source database in the office are replaced.
