What is background information?
Background information, or reference information, is the type of information you could get from Wikipedia. These resources will give you trustworthy overviews of a topic and provide you with basic things like dates, events and facts about your topic. Generally, you can think of this information in terms of the who, what, where and when of a topic.
Where to Find Background Information
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Gale eBooks This link opens in a new window
A database of full-text encyclopedias, almanacs, and specialized reference sources for multidisciplinary research. Gale
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Checkpoint Edge This link opens in a new windowTax & accounting internet research service, Checkpoint provides access to some of the most widely used tax products, including - U.S. Tax Reporter & RIA Citator. Also included are WG&L journals - Journal of Taxation, Corporate Taxation, and Practical Tax Strategies. Also FASB Codification, GASB, AICPA standards. Refinitiv
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D&B Hoovers This link opens in a new windowD&B Hoovers delivers insightful information on more than 162 million businesses, both public and private, around the world; including the UK, Europe, Asia Pacific and emerging markets.
Search by Company Name, Executives, Industry or by using Conceptual Search and Business Signals.
Business data includes Annual Revenues, Employee Counts, Corporate Family Tree, Key Contacts, Analyst Reports, SWOT reports, stock data, financials and other vital information. Dun & Bradstreet -
Mergent OnlineThis platform was retired June 30, 2025. It is replaced by Mergent Market Atlas.
Accounting Terminology Guide
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Accounting Terminology GuideGlossary prepared by the New York State Society of CPA's as an educational tool for financial journalists.