Product Description

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

• Amazon Sales Rank: #6074 in Books
• Published on: 2008-03-14
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 424 pages

Review
“…helps the less financially aware business owner navigate such mysteries as generating income statements, (and)… establishing budgets…” (Independent on Sunday, 19 September, 2004)

From the Back Cover
Whether you’re a small business owner or a corporate manager with budget responsibilities, having an understanding of your company’s finances is crucial. This user–friendly guide takes you through all the key elements of UK business accounting, covering everything from evaluating profit margins and establishing budgets to controlling cash flow and writing financial reports.

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.

Customer Reviews

Well worth taking the time over
I've read three books on this subject - Silberger's 10 Day MBA, Finance on a Beermat and this one. Initially I thought it was overly wordy, but after persisting I realised how valuable it is. It is the best of the three I cite. It clearly guides you through all the key concepts, reiterating and reinforcing information as the book progresses, plus using representative examples, particularly for three accounting reports. It is a well thumbed tome for me now. To give you an example of how much it has helped, I went to see my accountant recently to discuss setting up a new business, her comment was 'you really seem to know your stuff, if you talk to investors like that you'll be in a good position to inspire their confidence and get their cash'

Does what it says on the cover
As with most "DUMMIES" books, this one gives you a good overview of the topic and a basic level of understanding of the subject. Recommended.

Life saver!
Colleagues had handed me books on accounting before, which I failed to get to grips with. I have always struggled with getting to grips with the numerical side of what I do for a living. REcently, however, I found myself having no choice to get better at it. Frankly I was desperate and while I'm not the kind of person who thinks of myself as a 'dummy', I hoped that this book would be a miracle pill. Thankfully, it has been really good. The authors clearly lay out the principles and pack the book with simple answers. I also enjoyed the fact that there are plenty of tips rather than a mass of prose (which is what the other books I'd seen before were like). Great effort: someone should give these authors a medal!