Accounting Research Manager® AutoCheck US GAAP Disclosures Checklist

Advanced install options

The Accounting Research Manager® AutoCheck US GAAP Disclosures Checklist (ARM Checklist) is available through the Pentana Checker program. The download is designed so that it can be run ‘out of the box’ through a local install, however if you wish to install the software in a non-default location, you will need to customize the install set as required before distributing the install to your end users.

Install files

The Pentana Checker v2 software installation contains several separate installation components. The elements of the download are as follows.

Folder / File / Comprises
\ / Autorun.inf / CD auto-run facility
Dcom95.exe / System files
Mdac_typ.exe / System files
Penchec.exe / Pentana Checker
Penchecklist.exe / Checklist installer
Penmsjet.exe / System files
Penvbrun.exe / System files
Setup.exe / Main install
Setup.ini / Install configuration settings
\Include / *.PDF / Checker user guides
\Docs / *.RTF / Other documentation
\Checklist / A-56 Financial Statement Disclosure Checklist.pcq / Checklist file
Convert.map / V1 to V2 mapping

A. Installing the AutoCheck US GAAP Disclosures Checklist on a network path

To install the ARM Checklist in a path other than the local application path, follow the steps below:

  1. Copy the contents of the installation download to a network path. This path should be accessible by all users that need to install the ARM Checklist.
  2. Open the 'SETUP.INI' file in Notepad (note that as the file may be read-only - to remove this attribute, right click on the file in Windows Explorer, select properties and untick 'read-only').
  3. Locate the line that reads 'ChecklistLocation=' and append your designated network path for the ARM Checklist to the end. For example, if your network data path was 'X:\Pentana Checker\Checklists' then the line would read:

ChecklistLocation=X:\Pentana Checker\Checklists

  1. Save the SETUP.INI file and close it.
  2. From the \Checklist sub-folder in the network installation path, select the checklist (AutoCheck US GAAP Disclosures Checklist.pcq) file.
  3. Cut the ‘AutoCheck US GAAP Disclosures Checklist.pcq’ file from the checklist directory, and paste the file into the network data path used above (e.g. X:\ Pentana Checker\Checklists).

If your users now install Pentana Checker from this customized network install set (by running the 'SETUP.EXE' file in the root folder) then their local software installations will be automatically configured to pick up the ARM Checklistfrom the designated location.

Note: This strategy assumes that your users always have access to the shared network path. If your users need to use ARM Checklist stand-alone then they will need the ARM Checklist to be installed onto their local PCs.

B. Distributing AutoCheck US GAAP Disclosures Checklist updates

The ARM Checklist is updated on a quarterly basis. If ARM Checklists are stored on each user’s local PC then distributing an ARM Checklist update will involve replacing the ‘AutoCheck US GAAP Disclosures Checklist.pcq’ file on each PC. You can distribute updates in a variety of ways, depending on your IT department’s preferred approach. Please contact Pentana Support for further information.

C. Launching Checker answer files from Windows Explorer

Each ARM Checklist answer (.ANS) file stores the data in respect of a specific client assignment. Users can launch each answer file directly from Windows Explorer by simply double-clicking on it.

Some organizations prefer to treat ARM Checklist answer files as ‘work papers’ and to launch them from other applications, such as their own audit management systems. If you wish to support this process:

  1. Create an answer file ‘template’ by running Pentana Checker, opening ARM Checklist and creating a new answer file, with only the client name filled in (this will become the template file).
  2. Enter ‘PROFORMA’ as the client name and add in any other details (e.g. reference and period end) if you want them to appear in the template.
  3. Place this template answer file in a suitable path where your application can copy the file each time a user creates a new work paper.

Whenever a user opens an answer file that has the client name ‘PROFORMA’, Pentana Checker will prompt the user to edit the client details and fill in a new client name.

Note: The Pentana Checker software must be installed on all local machines that are likely to use the ARM Checklist work papers in the normal way.

Pentana Support

For support on Pentana Checker products please contact our support team by emailing or by telephone. Worldwide contacts numbers are listed under contact us on our website,

1