Understanding Business Accounting For Dummies

by Colin Barrow, John A. Tracy

Overview

Not everyone is cut out to be a professional accountant, but those who want to move up the corporate ladder know that they need to master the essentials of accounting.  Understanding Business Accounting For Dummies, 2^nd Edition makes truly light work of the financial fundamentals that many businesspeople try to bluff their way through every day.

The book will show you how to evaluate profit margins, establish budgets, control profit and cash flow, stem losses, manage inventory, make wise financial decisions, survive an audit, and use the latest computer technology to help you manage the bottom line.

This updated edition also includes the latest information on International Financial Reporting Standards, capital budgeting, and break even, plus new advice on how to find financial facts and read company accounts.  New sections include links to a number of key business spreadsheets and a new chapter on financing your business.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781119992141
Publisher:	Wiley
Publication date:	11/23/2010
Sold by:	JOHN WILEY & SONS
Format:	eBook
Pages:	424
File size:	9 MB

About the Author

John A. Tracy is a former staff accountant at Ernst & Young. Colin Barrow was the Head of the Enterprise Group at Cranfield School of Management and is the author of Starting a Business For Dummies.

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Table of Contents

Introduction.

Part I: Accounting Basics.

Chapter 1: Introducing Accounting to Non-Accountants.

Chapter 2: Bookkeeping 101: From Shoe Boxes to Computers.

Chapter 3: Taxes, Taxes, and More Taxes.

Chapter 4: Accounting and Your Personal Finances.

Part II: Getting a Grip on Financial Statements.

Chapter 5: Profit Mechanics.

Chapter 6: The Balance Sheet from the Profit and Loss Account Viewpoint.

Chapter 7: Cash Flows and the Cash Flow Statement.

Chapter 8: Getting a Financial Report Ready for Prime Time.

Part III: Accounting in Managing a Business.

Chapter 9: Managing Profit Performance.

Chapter 10: Business Budgeting.

Chapter 11: Choosing the Right Ownership Structure.

Chapter 12: Cost Conundrums.

Chapter 13: Choosing Accounting Methods.

Part IV: Financial Reports in the Outside World.

Chapter 14: How Investors Read a Financial Report.

Chapter 15: Professional Auditors and Advisers.

Part V: The Part of Tens.

Chapter 16: Ten Ways Savvy Business Managers Use Accounting.

Chapter 17: Ten Places a Business Gets Money From.

Chapter 18: Ten (Plus One) Questions Investors Should Ask When Reading a Financial Report.

Part VI: Appendixes.

Appendix A: Glossary: Slashing through the Accounting Jargon Jungle.

Appendix B: Accounting Software.

Index.