Final answer:
An accountant can view all reports by period by customizing the reports to run for the desired time frames, which allows for financial data to be filtered or grouped according to specific periods.
Step-by-step explanation:
To view all reports by period, an accountant can typically customize the reports to display data for the desired time frames. While different accounting software may have variations in how this is set up, the general process involves modifying the report settings to filter or group the financial data according to specific periods such as monthly, quarterly, or yearly.
Option A, Customize the reports to run by period, is usually the correct method. It allows the accountant to generate reports that reflect the financial activity within selected time frames. This is key for making period-to-period comparisons and is essential for accurate financial analysis. Adjusting user or general preferences doesn't typically change the report periods for all reports automatically but might affect default settings for new reports created.
Moreover, the capability to customize reports often lies within the reporting feature of the accounting software itself, where one can select date ranges or fiscal periods as parameters for the data being reported. This customization facilitates the creation of periodic financial statements such as profit and loss statements, balance sheets, and cash flow statements.