Book Description

This classic text for MBA programs offers balanced coverage of concepts, methods, and uses of managerial accounting with an increasingly strong emphasis on management decision-making. This approach helps focus on concepts and managerial uses of financial information rather than techniques of cost accounting. The current edition emphasizes international issues, strategic effects of decisions, ethics, and new management accounting trends. Also emphasized are process improvement, integration of financial reporting issues for management decision-making, and application of managerial accounting tools to the emerging service sector, government, and nonprofits in examples and problem material. ... Read more

Book Description

A step-by-step approach for planning and performing an assessment of internal controls

In addition to financial results, companies must now analyze and evaluate the quality of the processes and controls used to report these results. How to Comply with Sarbanes-Oxley Section 404 provides a comprehensive, logically structured approach to help readers test and evaluate internal control in their companies.

Designed specifically for Sarbanes-Oxley Section 404 compliance, How to Comply with Sarbanes-Oxley Section 404 features:

• A step-by-step approach to engagement performance
• Original material from a leading expert in auditing and accounting
• Practice aids, including forms, checklists, illustrations, diagrams, and tables
• In-depth explanations to help professionals understand how best to approach the internal control engagement
• Examples and action plans providing blueprints for implementing requirements of the Act

Reviews (1)

Exceptional resource
This book does not much dwell on the details of Sarbanes-Oxley - the reader is assumed to have an understanding of the salient details - but, instead lays out a comprehensive action plan for complying with Section 404.

The author begins with three chapters covering the overall goals and objectives, roles and responsibilities, assessment issues, and an excellent chapter about internal control criteria. Each of these chapters ends in appendices that support the compliance initiative.

Milestones, covered in Chapters 3 through 7, are clearly defined with respect to what it will take, key issues, and appendices that provide examples, guidelines, checklists and other material that support compliance. I was impressed by the straightforward approach, the complete and clear identification of all issues - and especially so regarding IT, developing documentation, and testing the controls - and the fact that the control objectives were carefully mapped to the COSO Framework.

If you want a realistic view of the scope and complexity of Section 404 compliance this book will provide it. If you are an IT professional I strongly recommend visiting Information Systems Audit and Control Association (ASIN B00006BW74), which makes available a free 84-page document titled "IT Control Objectives for Sarbanes-Oxley". For more general information, there is a commercial site that provides news and updates on Sarbanes-Oxley issues (ASIN B0000AM23N), as well as the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (ASIN B00013Y80Y), which provides rule making information and a means to comment on proposed rules. You can reach these sites by pasting the ASIN numbers in the search box at the top of this page, selecting all products and clicking GO. ... Read more

Book Description

The text is current, concise, and clearly written, with cases at the end of each chapter to illustrate the material.
* An interactive CD lets students test and expand their understanding with multiple-choice questions, key term matching exercises, demonstrations of various concepts and techniques, critical thinking exercise, interactive cases, and videos.
* A dynamic Web site provides test study guides, exercises, games, web testing, relevant articles, from The Wall Street Journal and other sources linked to the text, links to relevant web sites, additional cases, and other materials. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

This was my class textbook
Don't be deceived by the many colorful photos and illustrations used throughout this textbook - it is not an elementary "Dummies Guide to Cost Accounting" primer.

I found Jiambalvo's book clearly communicated all of the relevant accounting topics one would expect to learn in an MBA level managerial accounting course. The accounting examples in the book are interesting, nicely explained, and the chapter progression does a good job of incrementally building on previous lessons.

The CD that comes with the book is surprisingly well-done. It is well-produced and provides very good supplementary support to each chapter in the book.

It would have been nice though if the CD would have included electronic versions of the cases. There were many times I spent an extra ten minutes or so simply retyping in spreadsheets from the book that could have been done for the reader.

Basics
Good book but most of the time it remains pretty basic with very simple concepts. There are more pictures than actual information. Nice first book on the topic. ... Read more

Book Description

Financial Accounting 6e, is designed to prepare users to succeed as future business managers. The text demonstrates how financial statements are useful and interesting tools for diagnosing a companys problems or strengths, and for making loan, investment, acquisition, employment, and political decisions. The sixth edition interweaves analytical principles with real examples and real data from well-known companies. This text takes a business-activities approach to link accounting to what a business really doesoperating, investing and financing. The result provides students with the practical skills they need to understand complex business issues and make smart strategic decisions. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Very good initial approach to Financial Accounting
This is the textbook we were given for our Financial Accounting class in our MBA. So far, it's proven to be an excellent complement to the lectures, and even as a stand alone book, it contains enough information to guide you through the initial steps of financial statement generation and analysis. It definitely is very pricey, but it is a very good book. ... ... Read more

Book Description

Praise for Enterprise Risk Management

"In the aftermath of Enron, WorldCom, and Sarbanes-Oxley, every publicly traded company should be concerned about risk management. This book takes a pragmatic approach to risk management that can benefit any CEO or senior executive. Lam lays out clear strategies to address what is often a highly complex issue."
–William L. Walton, Chairman and CEO, Allied Capital Corporation

"James Lam provides one of the most practical, insightful books on risk management that I have read in the last thirty years. It clearly reflects experience and deep understanding of the art as well as the science in risk management practices. A must-read for all who wish to advance risk management practices in their businesses."
–Sandra Jansky, Executive Vice President, Chief Credit Officer, SunTrust Banks, Inc.
Chairperson, Risk Management Association

"In this book, James Lam has provided an effective overview of business risk. Enterprise Risk Management will be useful to professional risk managers and business executives seeking to understand the latest tools and organizational approaches."
–Robert Simons, Charles M. Williams Professor of Business Administration,
Unit Head–Accounting & Control, Harvard Business School

"The most comprehensive and engaging handbook on enterprise risk management, written by the pioneer of the Chief Risk Officer function. Filled with practical examples and lessons learned, this book is destined to become one of the most widely read primers on today’s top business initiative. James Lam is the authority on enterprise risk management, and I highly recommend this book to all board directors, senior executives, and risk managers."
–Cassandra R. Schultz, Vice President and Chief Risk Officer, KeySpan Corporation

"James Lam’s book Enterprise Risk Management: From Incentives to Controls provides an insightful road map to best practices in risk management. Based on a solid and successful career in risk management, James’s advice is both timely and relevant and should be required reading for all risk management professionals."
–Michael J. Litwin, Chief Credit and Risk Officer, Merrill Lynch Capital ... Read more

Reviews (4)

The book for ALL CROs and CFOs
Thank you for writing this book. This book is must read for all CROs and CFOs. Looking forward to reading your coming Risk Management books.

Critical but Easy to Read and Comprehend
Anyone whose career interests intersect with the risk management discipline will find this book extremely valuable in understanding the risk management discipline and viewpoint. Anyone who is considering a career in risk management will find this book a critical help for success. James Lam writes in an easy to read style and the ease with which one can grasp and understand the material might fool one into under estimating the rigor and logic James has built into his work. I recommend this book without reservation.

Edward P. Paules, Managing Director Risk Management
Investors Bank & Trust
Boston, MA 02116

ERM Made Practical and Executable
James Lam, the founder of ERisk and the pioneer for the chief risk officer concept has penned the best and most comprehensive book yet on enterprise risk management and how this emerging business practice can add practical, measurable value to any business concerned about how risks affect performance and stakeholder value.

For the first time, a true ERM expert has articulated in user friendly terms, what ERM is and how it can be applied to many different business types in many industries. This book makes clear that there is no one way to design and ERM model and that customizing it to the needs of the business will be the one way to optimize the outcomes desired.

The book is well organized and starts with a section on setting the "context" for delving into risk management; outlining the framework of a comprehensive approach; showing real world applications in various industry contexts; and closing with some prognostications on the future of the practice.

I highly recommend this book to all business managers who want to take risk management and their careers to the next level.

Enterprise Risk Management: From Incentives to Controls
Excellent resource on Enterprise Risk Management.

The author draws upon his 20 years' rich real world experience to drive the subject to home. It offers valuable insight, which is rare to find elsewhere. This book is not only up to date and comprehensive, but also particularly practical.

As a risk analyst with more than 6 years experience, I highly recommend this book to those who are in this field and to those who have interests in this field. ... Read more

Book Description

Term Sheets & Valuations is the first ever in-depth look at the nuts and buts of terms sheets and valuations. The book, written by leading venture capitalist Alexander Wilmerding of Boston Capital Ventures, covers topics such What is a Term Sheet, How to Examine a Term Sheet, A Section-by-Section View of a Term Sheet, Valuations, What Every Entrepreneur & Executive Needs to Know About Term Sheets, Valuation Parameters, and East Coast Versus West Coast Rules. In addition, the book includes an actual term sheet from a leading law firm with line by line descriptions of each clause, what can/should be negotiated, and the important points to pay attention to. A must have book for any executive, entrepreneur, or financial professional.

Praise for Term Sheets & Valuations:

"This primer should be required reading for every entrepreneur. It is short, authoritative and worth its weight in gold." - Murray Low, Executive Director, Columbia Business School, Eugene M. Lang Center for Entrepreneurship

"An invaluable resource for executives and financial professionals." - Graham D.S. Anderson, General Partner, EuclidSR Partners

"A valuable resource for entrepreneurs..." - Jeffrey Donohue, Esq. ... Read more

Reviews (12)

Most Insightful Book Ever Written on Venture Capital
I would spend $1,000 for this book - simply put. Even though I am a VC, I was completely awe struck by the detailed information on raising capital, term sheets and valuations this book presented. Besides having great insight into raising venture capital, the highlight of the book is clearly an actual term sheet, put together by one of the leading law firms, with line by line descriptions of what the wording means and actual "legal wording" for "investor favorable," "entrepreneur favorable," and "neutral" terms. This is information you pay $20,000 for with your lawyers. This book is a must have for any entrepreneur, venture capitalist or financial executive.

The Book Every Management Team, VC & Lawyer Should Have
This is by far the most widely used title by every venture capitalist. I would highly recommend this book to every vc, lawyer, and management team member (especially) of every company looking to obtain venture financing. You could not find better advice on negotation points, changes to wording or overall guidance on a term sheet than Wilmerding's advice in this book. Especially look at Chapter 3 where Wilmerding goes through line by line what every parapraph means on a term sheet. Also check out Wilmerding's other book, Deal Terms, or Raising VC From a Tier 1 Firm (which includes the entire text from Term Sheets & Valuations and Deal Terms).

Advice from a seasoned financial professional....
After having this book referred to me by about 7 of my venture capital friends I decided to take a look. Well, I was very impressed as this is the first venture capital book I have seen to provide a true insider's perspective. This book literally tells you exactly the wording you need to use to make the section applicable to you - whether you are a:

Venture Capitalist

Entrepreneur

Lawyer

Etc.

Look at the below section and the detail it provides (you should note the book itself goes on to explain what this entire section means and what each section specifically does):

(4) Conversion: [Investor Favorable, Middle of the Road and Company Favorable are the same.]

The holders of the Series [A] Preferred shall have the right to convert the Series [A] Preferred, at any time, into shares of Common Stock. The initial conversion rate shall be 1:1, subject to adjustment as provided below.

(5) Automatic Conversion:

Investor Favorable:

The Series [A] Preferred shall be automatically converted into Common Stock, at the then applicable conversion price, (i) in the event that the holders of at least two thirds of the outstanding Series [A] Preferred consent to such conversion or (ii) upon the closing of a firmly underwritten public offering of shares of Common Stock of the Company at a per share price not less than [3 times the Original Purchase Price] per share and for a total offering with net proceeds to the Company of not less than $40 million (a "Qualified IPO").

Middle of the Road:

The Series [A] Preferred shall be automatically converted into Common Stock, at the then applicable conversion price, (i) in the event that the holders of at least two thirds of the outstanding Series [A] Preferred consent to such conversion or (ii) upon the closing of a firmly underwritten public offering of shares of Common Stock of the Company at a per share price not less than [2 times the Original Purchase Price] per share and for a total offering with gross proceeds to the Company of not less than $25 million (a "Qualified IPO").

Company Favorable:

The Series [A] Preferred shall be automatically converted into Common Stock, at the then applicable conversion price, (i) in the event that the holders of at least a majority of the outstanding Series [A] Preferred consent to such conversion or (ii) upon the closing of a firmly underwritten public offering of shares of Common Stock of the Company at a per share price not less than two times the Original Purchase Price (as adjusted for stock splits and the like) and for a total offering of not less than $5 million, before deduction of underwriters commissions and expenses (a "Qualified IPO").

The Industry Standard for Term Sheets in the VC Industry
As a VC, I can tell you this is THE book every VC, lawyer, investment banker and entrepreneur has on their desk regarding term sheets. It is a great overall reference and the line by line explanations are extremely important for anyone doing deals. I would also highly recommend Wilmerding's second book "Deal Terms" and "Executive Reports: Raising VC From a Tier 1 Firm" which includes this entire book, Deal Terms, Ways of the VC and a list of top VC Firms. I am also told this book specifically is available as a CD-Rom (sold separately), in a Word document, that you can use for your own dealings.

This Book Saved Me
As an entrepreneur trying to secure venture financing, this book was a godsend. Not only did it help me better negotiate with my investors, but it made me seem like I really knew what was going on and had experience in the area. It also saved me thousands in legal fees since I was able to make suggestions on my own time (not lawyer time). My backers were quite impressed with this book themselves and all bought copies after I shared it with them when the deal closed. If you have any ties to venture capital at all, this book is worth it's weight in gold. ... Read more

Book Description

AUDITING encourages discovery learning in its coverage of auditing practices. By integrating academic research; offering audit documentation review cases; and proposing research projects that ask students to answer challenging questions, the text exposes students to databases, annual reports, and the professional literature in a way that will prepare them for success in their future careers. The new edition focuses on fraud, restatement, and earnings management--addressing corporate governance and the audit standard setting that is evolving as a result of recent scandals (such as Enron/Arthur Andersen) and mandates (such as the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and the standards of the Public Accounting Oversight Board and the SEC). ... Read more

Book Description

MANAGEMENT CONTROL SYSTEMS 9/E builds on strengths from prior editions by offering a rich diversity of cases balanced with current material. In addition to course offerings of the same title as this text, the book is appropriate for advanced managerial accounting courses and/or MBA-level cost accounting courses with an emphasis on management control. The text is organized to develop insights and analytical skills related to how managers go about designing, and using planning and control systems to implement strategies. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

This is what you need!
Great book. Clear and helpful. If you want to learn about control systems and business management control, this is the book you need.

from Chile
Es un excelente texto de apoyo para la docencia. Tanto mis alumnos como yo lo hemos utilizado. Es importante el aporte de los autores con los casos de estudio que entregan en cada capitulo, que permite en tender y reforzar los conceptos vertidos en el mismo

Excellent!
A straight-forward no-nonsense approach backed by the right mix of cases. Expensive but worth every penny. ... Read more

Book Description

Ideal for first-year accounting courses, this market dominating text presents balanced coverage of both financial and managerial topics. In this text, the authors refine their proven approach to accounting's expanding role in business. This text uses the preparation of financial statements as the framework for understanding what accounting is all about. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

I have found this book to be a okay for college classes
The book does a alright job of teaching students how to learn accounting.It lacks answers to which could definitly help students. The book's main advantage is that it has many real life examples that help students relateto accounting.

Well laid out, not a strain to follow or learn from.
This book was real easy to pick up the accounting basics that the authors presented. The text is broken up with graphic presentations and real world examples which makes it easy on the eyes and the brain. At the end of everychapter is illustrative problems, discussion questions, multiple choice,exercises and chapter problems. When you've completed a chapter you reallyfeel you know the material. Plus there are tons of internet stuff. Worththe money and cheaper than the other accounting book I was forced to buy.

good college textbook, should be cut to 900 pages
Good if you have lots of time to kill, because it has some pages devoted to useless information such as the stupid poem on page 1022 that hasnothing to do with accounting. It appears the authors placed lots of"real world" trivia that is boring and useless. Entire page of964 talks about the reason why Coca-Cola will not do business with Lakersbecause they signed Pepsi spokeman Shaq O'Neill, it has nothing to do withthe subject butthe extra pages makes you think you got something for thehigh priced book. If you absolutely need this book, go borrow it from yourpublic library and save your money.The book manuscript was NEVER approvedby a CPA or business owner but a long list of college instructors. It doescover all the basics. ... Read more

Book Description

Like the most successful businesses, this text successfully integrates innovation with tradition by showing how the preparation of financial accounting information is useful. CORPORATE FINANCIAL ACCOUNTING uses the preparation of financial statements as the framework for understanding what accounting is all about. ... Read more

Reviews (20)

Give yourself a raise--courtesy of the government!
I have to admit, I was not aware of the great opportunities available courtesy of the U.S. Government untill I read this great book by C.W.Allen et all. This book is outstanding and one of the best books that I have ever read on corporations.

I also recommend Inc. Yourself by Judith McQuown, Own Your Own Corporation via the Rich Dad Advisor series and Form Your Own Corporation and Launch a Business in Any State by J.W.Dicks.

Let the government give you a tax free raise and protect your business.

An easy read. Easy to apply
As someone who is just starting out in business, I appreciated the easy to understand and easy to apply advice in this book. I also recommend The Rich Dad advisor series book by Garret Sutton as well as the exellent books by J.W.Dicks.

After talking with dozens of other successful business people and pouring over a hundred "How to incorporate" books, these are the best.

Wow- I had NO idea!
I have seen this book recommended by others, so my roomate bought it and I read it (he's not as motivated I guess!).
Ididn't expect this book to be too interesting; I thought it would be totally referential. And after reading "Own your own Corporation" which was amazingly DULL, I expected this to be equally dull.
INC and GROW RICH is a MUCH better book to read for this topic, and told in plain, simple english. If you are building a business, at some point, you need to decide on a business structure. I firmy believe that INC and GROW RICH will help you.

Reduce taxes by 70% and protect your assets
Two of the biggest predators to business owners is taxes and lawsuits. What I learned from Inc. and Grow Rich was how to significantly reduce taxes (70% and more) and protect my assets.

Taxes are one of the biggest deterrents to wealth. The more you make, the more they (the government) wants to take. By use of the strategies in this book, you are armed with the right information tolegally reduce your taxes down to the absolute
minimum.

Once you establish yourself as a business, you immediately become a target. The information in Inc and Grow Rich will show you how to protect yourself.

Important points covered in the book

* Slash your taxes by 70%

* Tax deductible cars

* Tax deductible educational expences

* Tax deductible life, health and automobile insurance

* Tax deductible trips

* Tax Deductible food

* Tax deductible housing

* Protect your personal and business assets

* Don't pay probate costs

* Don't pay inheritance taxes

* Structure your financial affairs for wealth, not poverty

There is an interesting quote in the book that I would like to share:

"You simply need to learn how the rich get rich & do the same thing! What works for the rich will work for you too."

The book covers in detail the eight legal business structures:

I The Sole Proprietorship
II The General Partnership
III Limited PArtnerships
IV The Corporation
V "C" vs "S" Corporations
VI The Professional Corporation
VII Nonprofit or Not-for-profit corporations
VIII The Limited Liability Corporation

In the chapter called 'Building your Wealth" by C. W. Allen, we learn the four founding principles of getting and staying rich which are:

1) Get into business for yourself and incorporate your business
2) Spend first - tax later (by operating as a corporation)
3) Own nothing - control everything (All your assets protected)
4) Use the magic of compound interest (rule of 72)

The authors bring a varied and professional background and are uniquely qualified to present this information. C.W. Allen is a financial strategist and one of the nations foremost experts on the benefits of incorporating. Cheri S. Hill specializes in the practical, how to side of incorporating and is an established expert in incorporating. Diane Kennedy is a CPA as well as an owner, investor and real estate developer. She practices the advice she gives and shares her secrets, in particular how to reduce taxes. Ms. Kennedy is noted for "performing miracles" taking corporate taxes from the red and put them in the black. She has helped clients save 70% on taxes by proper use of the tax code. She also has information on how to pick a CPA that is right for you. Garrett Sutton is an attorney and an expert at asset protection. "Why work hard to accumulate assets when by doing so you become a target for frivolous litigation?" says Sutton and he addresses this question and others related to preserving family wealth and your hard earned assets.

Overall Inc and Grow Rich is a excellent book for all business people. Also recommend Own Your Own Corporation by Garrett Sutton, Retire Young Retire Rich by Kennedy and Robert Kiyosaki, The Traders Tax Survival Guide by Ted Tesser and Form a Corporation and Launch a Business in Any State by J.W.Dicks.

Easy to Read & Understand
As someone just starting out in business, I found the information easy to read and understand. It's a must for anyone thinking about going into business for themselves! ... Read more

Book Description

Scott reveals vast amounts of financial accounting information drawn from recent research that has until now been hidden in academic journals. He provides a clear, easy-to-use framework for students to (1) place this information in a financial accounting context, (2) explain and analyze the information intuitively and (3) to reveal the informationÕs relevance in understanding the practice of accounting.

Reviews (2)

A must-read for junior accounting doctoral students!
Before reading any classical texts from Watts & Zimmerman and Beaver, I think any junior accounting doctoral sdudents should read this book!
Excellent introductory book for anyone who wants to do capital market research in the future!

Strongly recommend!

A Research Book
Professor Scott explains financial accounting theory drawn from recent research. He provides a clear, easy-to-use framewaork for students to 1) place this theory in a financial accounting context,2) explain and analyze the theory intuitvely and 3) reveal the theory's relevance in understanding the practice of accounting. Similar good textbooks in this field includes Positive Accouning Theory by Watts & Zimmerman, Financial Reporting: A Accounting Revolution by Beaver and An Introduction to Aplied Professional Research for Accountants by Ziebart. ... Read more

Book Description

Concepts in Federal Taxation is designed for a more conceptual, less detailed approach to federal taxation of individuals and corporations in an introductory taxation course. This conceptual approach presents taxation as a small number of unifying concepts, stressing the overriding principles that apply to all specific tax rules and regulations. Concepts in Federal Taxation offers an excellent balance between tax concepts and the Internal Revenue Code and regulations, preparing users for a future in the business environment. ... Read more

Book Description

While many texts characterize themselves as having either a “user” approach or a “preparer” approach, Williams, Financial Accounting, is written for faculty who want to strike a balance between these approaches. Business majors will find relevance in the “Management Strategy,” “Your Turn” and “Case in Point” boxes throughout the chapters while accounting majors will receive a firm grounding in accounting basics that will properly prepare them for their intermediate accounting course. Perhaps the most important new feature is the online companion, My Mentor. This text-specific online resource uses video clips, animated graphics and Excel templates to demonstrate accounting concepts, expressing accounting visually. This solves a problem that many introductory students have in accounting: It allows them to link concepts and numbers together in a interactive rather than print environment. ... Read more

Book Description

From the "guru to Wall Street’s gurus" comes a guide to one of the most profitable and enduring investment disciplines

"A must-read for all disciples of value investing. In 1934, Graham and Dodd created fundamental security analysis. Greenwald reinforces the worth of this approach, incorporates new advances, and takes their work into the 21st century." –Mario J. Gabelli, Chairman, Gabelli Asset Management, Inc.

Value investing is the one school that has proven itself consistently profitable over time. Practitioners of the value approach have produced excellent returns for investors in both good and bad markets.

Recognized nationwide for his expertise on the subject of value investing, Bruce Greenwald’s classes and seminars have been attended by some of the savviest investors on Wall Street. Value Investing presents the fundamental concepts of the discipline and illustrates its practical applications in a manner accessible to anyone with a serious interest in investing. It is sure to take its place as one of the most important investment resources of our time. ... Read more

Reviews (16)

Packed with Knowledge!
This is a very lucid, practical introduction to the principles of value investing. It is detached, relatively objective considering the authors' bias in favor of the subject, doesn't hype or hard-sell and, on the whole, would be a valuable addition to any investor's bookshelf. If you're a relative beginner, your shelf will also need to include a dictionary of financial terms - the authors assume you already know the vocabulary. And who is the Graham cited in the title? He is Benjamin Graham, who all but invented security analysis. With coauthor David Dodd, he produced the book Security Analysis in 1934. Later, Graham wrote The Intelligent Investor. Both books are investment classics and have been revised and re-issued. This one may endure, as well, based on its thorough exposition on how to value a company and its instructive profiles of value investing heavyweights. Our recommendation: strong buy, long term hold.

Value Investing in the 21st Century
I am a professional investor (CFA charter holder and portfolio manager) and would suggest this book for anyone interested in the value style of investing. I would not recommend the book for a novice investor since some terminology is not explained. (Perhaps read this book after reading and understanding Benjamin Graham's The Intelligent Investor.) However, the book is an excellent read for someone with an understanding of investing. The book is divided into two main parts: The authors' views of different ways to value a company and profiles of successful value investors.

I think the authors' Earnings Power Value (EPV) approach to valuing a company is cutting edge. (Basically EPV is a rehash of Enterprise Value.) Most investors tend to value stocks based on P/E ratios - only looking at equity in a company. However, the proper way to value a company is to look at its whole capital structure - Debt, Equity & Cash. EPV is a much better tool than the P/E ratio for calculating whether a company is undervalued.

The second part of the book that profiles a half dozen or so successful value investors is interesting. It illustrates there are many different ways to execute a value oriented approach. The profiles do not give any hard cut rules that each investor follows, but it does give you a general idea. (I have been successful at applying some of the ideas in managing my own account.) The only flaw of the profiles is the lack of any type of track record. It would have been helpful to list the year-by-year returns for each investor compared to an index. (i.e. S&P 500 Index)

Overall, it's a great book and it deserves a spot behind Ben Graham's Security Analysis and Intelligent Investor.

Packed With Knowledge!
This is a very lucid, practical introduction to the principles of value investing. It is detached, relatively objective considering the authors' bias in favor of the subject, doesn't hype or hard-sell and, on the whole, would be a valuable addition to any investor's bookshelf. If you're a relative beginner, your shelf will also need to include a dictionary of financial terms - the authors assume you already know the vocabulary. And who is the Graham cited in the title? He is Benjamin Graham, who all but invented security analysis. With coauthor David Dodd, he produced the book Security Analysis in 1934. Later, Graham wrote The Intelligent Investor. Both books are investment classics and have been revised and re-issued. This one may endure, as well, based on its thorough exposition on how to value a company and its instructive profiles of value investing heavyweights. Our recommendation: strong buy, long term hold.

Turkey and Where is the Beef?
There is simply not enough value in this book to justify using it. I'm sorry but words like Alta Vista and Cisco just should not appear anywhere in a value investing book. Period and discussion over. At least not up to the present. Maybe in the future but I doubt it. Also there is way too much verbage to describe much of nothing. The modern budding value investor would be better served by other book including Security Analysis by Graham. A lot of detail is missing here and much of the analysis leaves one wondering if the authors know what value investing really is.

Good book about value investing
The values are out there, it is just a matter of finding them and knowing what to look for. This book has many ideas about how to find the values.

I was somewhat disappointed in some of the math since I found some errors, for example on pg 139 of my edition, the formula for PV contains an error.

The Earnings Power Value seems to be useful for some situations, but not in all cases --- I think that point is covered in the book, yet so much time is devoted to EPV.

Even with some rough spots, this book will indeed help me in my investing walk. ... Read more

Book Description

The most complete guide available to help professionals sharpen their accounting and business skills. This unique reference features a logically structured framework that details accounting practices step-by-step, as well as all the newest innovations in the field. This new edition includes a complete copy of the Land's End Annual Report, which the authors have integrated throughout the text. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Ok for some, not Ok for others...
I purchased this for school (of course) for a really speedy condensed course on Accounting. If you have a GOOD teacher that can explain this material in layman's terms PLUS use this book as an example, then this is a great book to reflect/study the lectures & do the excercises. I think a person COULD study this on their own but they must like to work out logic problems and have the patience to figure out what is wrong when the problems don't balance.
The CD program that makes spreadsheet that comes along with this is stupid. What a person can do on the program is limited(e.g. put in your own date, make transactions active...)BUT the GREAT THING ABOUT IT IS that you don't have to make pages of SPREADSHEETS. Punch in numbers and DONE! QUICK!
The tutorial CD made the steps of accounting easier to understand. Clear.

I was afraid of taking accounting because it sounded BORING but when I took this class and read the book, it became clear and easy (to me). The people that didn't get good grades were either not absorbing the material(boring attitude all the way!),practicing the problems(who has time to do that when you can go SURF), and didn't ask questions (who wants to hang at school?).
I think a person needs to take time to practice and absorb the material to actually figure it out.

It's ok.
It's ok for a course. Which is what I did. Chapters 1-13 was Accounting 101 and chapters 14-27 was Accounting 102 for me.

I'm not wild about how it's written, organized, and method of teaching. Sometimes the material is too vague, confusing, and not true to real life accounting practices.

I'd say if you're being introduced into accounting, this book may be a bit too advanced for you. You should take an Accounting 100 course if offered. This book does not cover the bare basics, such as indepth journal entries, posting to ledgers, dealing with various accounts, etc. etc..

Also, I was lucky to have the answers supplied to me from the instructor when taking this course. If you don't, the problems are nearly impossible. The book does not explain enough to just do them off what you learned.
I'd say overall this book has too much theory and not enough application.

I used Weygandt for Accounting 100, and have been studying from various books of his for 2 years now. It's good material, but not super material. But, what else is out there, you know?

Book is just too hard to comprehend
This book has its high points. The exercises are to the point and easy to understand, but yet somewhat hard to do. However, the text has the problem many accounting books I have seen have, that is the fact it contains too many in-text examples and not enough to the point study points for someone who just needs to know the principals for quick and easy studying. If a course you are in requires this book you best go looking for an additional study manual for study help.

Not good for self study
I am taking a course which uses this book. The book is written well but there is no answer key in the book for the problems. There is no way to get feedback on the exercises. Even the practice question in the chapters do not have answers.

Personal Education!
I purchased this book because I wanted to learn more about accounting. I am finding very helpful. I find easy to read and like the examples that it has. I like all the exercises and problems it has at the end of each chapter, they help by allowing you to practice the new knowledge you have read in the chapter. ... Read more

Book Description

Dave Ramsey knows what it's like to have it all. By age twenty-six, he had established a four-million-dollar real estate portfolio, only to lose it by age thirty. He has since rebuilt his financial life and, through his workshops and his New York Times business bestsellers Financial Peace and More than Enough, he has helped hundreds of thousands of people to understand the forces behind their financial distress and how to set things right-financially, emotionally, and spiritually.

In this new edition of Financial Peace, Ramsey has updated his tactics and philosophy to show even more readers:

* how to get out of debt and stay out
* the KISS rule of investing-"Keep It Simple, Stupid"
* how to use the principle of contentment to guide financial decision making
* how the flow of money can revolutionize relationships

With practical and easy to follow methods and personal anecdotes, Financial Peace is the road map to personal control, financial security, a new, vital family dynamic, and lifetime peace. ... Read more

Reviews (18)

Awesome book! Get it. Read it. Do it.
In Dave's Financial Peace Revisited, he tells the story of how he got rich then went broke and what he learned from it. Then, Dave tells how he took a long, hard look at our society and how totally "stupid" he was (and most Americans still are) in terms of how he viewed debt and money. Dave then relates how he re-started his own climb to financial independence in a totally different way than he did the first time. This book doesn't have a bunch of conceptual, theoretical junk. It gives you PRACTICAL, immediately implementable steps that anyone can take to get their financial house in order and tells you exactly how to go about it. If you are handling your money well, this book will help you get better. If you're struggling with your money or your relationship with your spouse due to money troubles, this book may change your life. Learn how to manage your money instead of having it manage you. I've been buying copies of this book online and giving them to the people in my life that I care about most. I couldn't recommend it higher. Good luck and may God bless you.

Awesome
No matter your financial situation this book will help you improve your finances. This book shows the dangers of all debt period. Dave provides 7 easy "Baby Steps" to follow to get out of debt and acquire wealth. Following his 7 baby steps will change your family tree. He stresses the importance of having a written budget each month before the month starts, but I really think this should have been the first baby step due to how important it is.
Baby Steps:
1.) ...emergency fund
2.) Debt Snowball
3.) Fully Funded Emergency Fund (3-6 months of expenses)
4.) 15% income towards retirement
5.) College Fund for children
6.) Pay off the mortgage
7.) Acquire wealth and give
I would highly recommend one of his live events if you ever get the opportunity.

Mutual funds do not guarantee financial peace
One of the authors failed at a real estate business (even though he came from a real estate family). He is living proof that not everyone can be Donald Trump. And that is a good thing for people to be aware of.

The essence of the advice this book is offering can be found on page 133: "Disciplined savings will outpace any investment scheme." Next the question is, what do you do with your savings? Their answer is mainly mutual funds. The risk in buying individual stocks, they claim, is astronomical. If the stock market continues to be relatively stable, "financial peace," I think, can be achieved by following the authors' formula, but not if there is an extraordinary financial crisis. If an unusually large stock market crash did occur, a lot of mutual funds would start to look like "investment schemes." Financial peace for many people would be shattered.

I deduct one star because the authors place too much faith in mutual funds. Mutual funds, after all, do invest in individual stocks that are traded on the stock market.

very accessible, to the point reading
Financial Peace is above all common sense--something most of us could use a lot more of, or at least I can, when it comes to money. I had confidence that Ramsey was hitting the topics I should think about, regardless of where I am at in my journey with finances. The Christian aspect of his teachings was a challenge now and then, but basically I decided: if that faith or any faith helps people live more peaceful, productive and happy lives, this is a good thing. The very last chapter gets a little proselytizing but I got the feeling the husband and wife Ramsey team were just doing what they felt they should. All in all, a good read, simple yet contemplative.

Life Changing Advice
Sometimes the obvious is right in front of you, but it takes someone else to point it out. Dave Ramsey does just that in this great book. His advice is sound and doable. By following his baby steps and starting my own debt snowball, I have changed the way my family and I look at our finaces and provided for a much better future. ... Read more

Book Description

This readable examination of accounting theory and practice offers extensive real-world examples and illustrations throughout—from corporations such as Microsoft, Coca Cola, Hershey Foods, IBM, General Motors, and General Electric. A book-specific Website is available that contains less-frequentlycovered topics, additional exercises, links to additional references, and more.Is updated for the latest FASB pronouncements including Business Combinations, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets. Focuses on parent company accounting using the full or complete equity method in coverage of consolidations. Offers separate coverage of parent company accounting under the cost and incomplete equity methods. Adds a chapter on governmental and not-for-profit accounting.The perfect reference for accounting professionals looking to check facts or brush up on their skills. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

errors all over
This text should correct all the errors before it published.

solution for the excercises
it is a very good book actually, but i'm having some difficulties in solving the exercise, so i think this book need a complementary book or some kind of manual or solution. But if there is, I would like to be informed about where i can get that kind of book. Thank U!

Advanced accounting
I used this book as my self-study material and I benefited from this book a lot. I would recommend using it either as a textbook for Advanced Accounting course or as a reference book for professionals. Here are the few points that I would like to share with you:

1. Logical order The order to display the topics in this book is logical and consistent. This is important for self-study users. At the beginning of each chapter, there's always a paragraph or two summarize the main points that are going to present in the chapter. This gives the reader a whole picture.

2. Clear explanation and examples The book uses easy explanatory languages and the examples are very representative. Each example, the author is showing us every detail steps, so it is easy to follow.

3. Relevant exercises and problems. At the end of each chapter, there are questions that can help to reinforce the concepts. Most questions can be found directly from the material. There are also exercises and problems that are related to the topic presented in the chapter. I remember there is an accounting book I used before that the problems required more knowledge than the chapter actually covered. This not the case in this book. Some of the examples in the chapter could be used as quick reference while working on the problems, too.

The only thing I would recommend, if I need to find some, is that I hope there could be more real life issues mentioned in the book. In this way, readers can relate the knowledge to daily life even closer. ... Read more

Book Description

This book will appeal to both graduate students and practitioners. Students will value the Excel spreadsheets allowing them to develop their knowledge of modelling in finance, using a step-by-step approach accompanied by explanations using elementary mathematical statistics and probability. Practitioners will value the VBA functions as a source of up-to-date and efficient programs that can be easily used from Excel.

Standard material covered includes:

• portfolio theory and efficient frontiers
• the Capital Asset Pricing Model, beta and variance-covariance matrices
• performance measurement
• the Black-Scholes option pricing formula
• binomial trees for options on equities and bonds
• Monte Carlo simulation
• bond yield-to-maturity, duration and convexity
• term structure models from Vasicek and Cox, Ingersoll and Ross

Book Description

Too often, finance courses stop short of making a connection between textbook finance and the problems of real-world business. Financial Modeling bridges this gap between theory and practice by providing a nuts-and-bolts guide to solving common financial models with spreadsheets. Simon Benninga takes the reader step by step through each model, showing how it can be solved using Microsoft Excel. In this sense, this is a finance "cookbook," providing recipes with lists of ingredients and instructions.

Areas covered include computation of corporate finance problems, standard portfolio problems, option pricing and applications, and duration and immunization. The second edition contains six new chapters covering financial calculations, cost of capital, value at risk (VaR), real options, early exercise boundaries, and term structure modeling. A new technical chapter contains a potpourri of tips for using Excel.

Although the reader should know enough about Excel to set up a simple spreadsheet, the author explains advanced Excel techniques used in the book. The book includes chapters dealing with random number generation, data tables, matrix manipulation, and VBA programming. It also comes with a CD-ROM containing Excel worksheets and solutions to end-of-chapter exercises. ... Read more

Reviews (36)

Excellent book due to its simple practicality
I highly recommend this book to any aspiring financial analyst. It is definitely worth it, even at the list price.

Want to master the fundamentals of basic finance using Excel? then this is one of the few books on the market that really meet this need. Want to set up more advanced mathmatics modeling? well as the introduction of this explains, this book is more like a cookbook: it lists the required basic ingredients and the culinary process but if you want to spice the dish (financial model) up, it is up to the individuals to dig out those advanced formulas from the financial trade journals and apply them to the models.

I first saw the first edition of this book in my college library. took it home and was EXCITED. I was looking for a practical book that would show me the intricacies of Excel for setting up financial models and this was like a god-sent. Like one of the other reviewers said, this book combined basic finance, Excel functions, and VBA programming. To add practicality to this book, Professor Benninga even showed how to download financial data from the internet. Granted it is rather basic, but it adds to the usability of his book, making it a well-round book.

The best parts are end-of-the chapter exercises. Solutions are provided in the accompanying CD-ROM. See how many ways can you solve the same problem.

Professor Benninga always outlines the assumptions and explains the parameters of each model. We should remember that in many instances, unrealistic assumptions lead to way-of-the mark numbers, rendering the whole modeling process and its calculations useless.

Want to become a advanced-level financial modeler? then master the fundamentals first! this book gets you started.

P.S. I also highly recommend to anyone just starting with Excel modeling to read William J. Orvis's Excel for Scientists and Engineers. It is a bit outdated but still highly useful for its chapters on curve fitting, VBA programming and raw data manipulation.

Chicken Soup for the Financial Analyst's Soul
If you need to build a working valuation model, calculate the risk of a portfolio with 100+ securities, or figure out what return you might expect to get from a portfolio of high-yield bonds, then you'll find Simon Beninga's "Financial Modeling" merits far more than five stars: this is one book that is indispensable.

One of the biggest problems I ran into during my MBA program was the way my professors taught Corporate Finance. I had great profs, true, but they were teaching theoretical concepts from theoretical textbooks. Sure, you learned the basics: CAPM, net present value, basic options and futures, Arbitrage Pricing Theory, VAR and TEV, but I have always maintained that the best way of learning a subject---particularly corporate finance---is by getting your hands dirty and digging into the guts of the material.

Since Corporate Finance, off-balance sheet instruments aside, isn't very dirty, the best way to get a hands-on practical approach in terms of Capital Structure, the appropriate discount rate to use in pricing an asset, risk, and optimal debt and dividends is to program in Excel and Visual Basic. The problem is that many top finance texts don't offer supplemental material to translate the theoretical concepts into actual valuation and spreadsheet models, which any financial analyst will contend is the life-blood of the industry.

With that in mind, Simon Beninga's "Financial Modelling" is a kind of "Joy of Cooking" for initiate investment bankers, corporate financiers, controllers, analysts, and anyone who wants to use core Corporate Finance concepts in the real world. Beninga goes through the standard laundry list of Corporate Finance text topics---from the optimal risky portfolio to the term structure of interest rates---and shows you how to translate these concepts into workable spreadsheet models that can illustrate, illuminate, and get to the heart of a problem.

If you're a new MBA or financial analyst, you'll find much to love in Beninga's approach, and by pairing the newly expanded 2nd edition up with a top theoretical finance textbook (Ross, Westerfield et al.'s "Corporate Finance" is a fine example) you'll get the most out of your MBA program and have a solid foundation for bui