Skip to Main Content

Wharton Research Data Services (WRDS) at Brooklyn College

Wharton Research Data Services (WRDS) provides web-based access to financial datasets from various vendors. Currently, the library can access The Center for Research in Security Prices (CRSP) and Compustat data through the Koppelman School of Business.

Welcome to WRDS at Brooklyn College

Wharton Research Data Services (WRDS) is a comprehensive data management and research platform widely used in the academic and financial research communities. Access to WRDS is supported by the Koppelman School of Business. [Fall 2023  Zoom Training Video] passcode y.c4z3!F

New users will need to request an account. New accounts will be approved in 24 to 48 hours.

Registered Users Login Here

For Advanced Users WRDS supports a range of statistical analysis tools and programming languages, including SAS, Python, R, and MATLAB, allowing users to directly run analyses and queries within the platform.

Brooklyn College has subscription access to two datasets:

Compustat [Reference Guide] [Knowledge Base]

Compustat data is created through a comprehensive process involving data collection of Regulatory Filings.  Information is extracted from documents filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), like the 10-K, 10-Q, and 8-K reports. 
data may come from company press releases, investor presentations, and other public disclosures. Compustat standardizes financial data from various companies to ensure consistency. This includes aligning reporting periods, converting all figures to a common currency, and standardizing accounting practices to make comparison across companies and industries easier.

CRSP (Center for Research in Security Prices) [Manual] [Knowledge Base]

CRSP collects data from stock exchanges, primarily the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), NASDAQ, and the American Stock Exchange (AMEX). This includes data on stock prices, dividends, and volume of trading.
Information regarding stock splits, dividends, and other corporate actions is often collected directly from the companies or through their filings.
 

CRSP and Compustat [Approaches to Merging the Datasets]

The combination of Compustat’s detailed financial statement data and CRSP’s extensive stock market data provides a rich environment for accounting students to explore various aspects of corporate finance, financial reporting, market analysis, and valuation. These datasets allow students to apply accounting principles and theories in practical, real-world contexts, enhancing their analytical skills and understanding of financial markets.