Reviews (1)

Decent Working Papers
These are basic working papers to do your problems on. Their are no examples or anything to help explain. However the paper has the correct number of spaces for some problems which can help make sure you gain find all the information in the problem. ... Read more

Book Description

Now in its Third Edition, Financial Accounting by Kimmel, Weygandt, and Kieso has been tested and approved in the classroom. This best-selling text has helped students hit the road with a practical set of tools, and the confidence they need to use those tools effectively in making business decisions.

Financial Accounting provides students with an understanding of those concepts that are fundamental to the use of accounting. Starting with a "macro" view of accounting information, the authors present real financial statements and establish how a financial statement communicates the financing, investing, and operating activities of a business to users of accounting information. They motivate students by grounding the discussion in the real world, showing them the relevance of the topics covered to their future career.

Student Workbook:  This valuable study guide, written to use side-by-side with the Financial Accounting textbook provides the guidance and assurance you need to exceeed in the course.  Included a re study objectives, demonstration problems, true/false and multiple-choice questions, solutions, to exercises, chapter outlines, and blank working papers. ... Read more

Book Description

Available Now!

Get the Study Guide designed to ensure your success in Financial Accounting!  This study guide is a powerful tool for in classroom use and for preparing for exams. Each chapter of the guide includes study objectives, a chapter review consisting of 20-30 key points, and a demonstration problem linked to study objectives in the textbook. True/false, multiple-choice, and matching questions provide additional practice opportunities. Solutions to the exercises are detailed and therefore provide substantial feedback. ... Read more

Book Description

The Fifth Edition presents current issues and adapts auditing approaches to business and economic complexities, focusing on the analysis of business risk and identifying fraud in the new auditing environment. Due to recent accounting, governance, and auditing scandals, and the overhaul of the regulatory environment in auditing, Rittenberg Fifth Edition contains the most comprehensive and up-to-date look at audit regulation, concepts, and practices while also adapting traditional techniques and procedures to a technological, systems-oriented environment. ACL audit software is provided with every new copy, and its use is integrated into text and end-of-chapter problems. An ACL Case Appendix provides practice in audit techniques. Audit case modules using Biltrite Bicycles, Inc., are tied to related chapters. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

A Bargain at Thrice the Price
As a connoiseur of auditing texts, I found Rittenberg and Schweiger's work to be pure genius. The authors' use of real-world examples and well-placed and helpful exhibits, interspersed with the occasional comfortable aside, make this a work not to be missed. Well done, Dr. Rittenberg. Well done, Dr. Schweiger. Well done, indeed.

Poor Excuse for a Book
Auditing: Concepts for a Changing Environment, is not only poorly written but it lacks in-depth, real life situations which makes up the auditing profession. Not only are the chapter questions mediocre at best, but after the first five chapters everything else is a review. I would advice no one to buy this book, not even the biggest accounting nerds.

more complicated then neccessary
I read this book as well as was a student of Larry Rittenburg at the UW-Madison. If his teaching were not as solid his book would seem confusing and uninformitive to any other reader. This book seems to have been hurried to the market to compete with his fellow professors. I would recommend a more straight forward and interesting text one that better represents the Audit practice. ... Read more

Book Description

A complete guide to deciphering the real meaning of financial reports

Especially relevant in today's climate of suspicion and corporate malfeasance, this helpful, straightforward guide helps readers mine financial reports for the vitally important information they reveal about a company-what shape it's in and where it's going. Reading Financial Reports For Dummies offers a quick but thorough introduction to everything readers, especially investors, need to know to decipher the information in financial reports and make sound financial decisions based on that information. Written specifically for those without a background in accounting, this is a welcome resource for anyone who relies on financial reports.

Lita Epstein (Coconut Creek, FL) designs and teaches online courses on retirement, taxes, and investing. She holds an MBA from Emory University's Goizueta Business School. ... Read more

Book Description

Updated, refocused, and revised, this Eighth Edition of ACCOUNTING THEORY AND ANALYSIS will help you build strong critical thinking skills and a sound theoretical background, so you can evaluate accounting practice in today’s increasingly global world economy. The text’s unique and timely collection of cases covers all major areas of accounting and shows how the latest accounting standards impact decision making. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

A shamefully badly written book
Unfortunately, the professor of my accounting theory course assigned this book as the sole textbook for the class. Since this book is wholly inadequate for studying accounting theory, I had to use other books to properly prepare for the tests. The book purports to describe accounting theory - i.e., the purpose and rationale behind accounting practices - but is largely a very badly written survey of current accounting standards. Even those areas that do describe aspects of accounting theory are so poorly written that the book is sometimes rendered incomprehensible. The book's one paragraph description of "enterprise theory," for example, is unintelligible without outside reference. The lack of copyediting is also glaringly obvious; the text itself has multiple punctuation errors and the authors constantly shift tenses, often within a single sentence. In other instances the authors even shift between topics: they describe one topic for a paragraph or two, shift to another topic, and finally shift back to the first, referring to the first paragraphs as if the intervening paragraph did not exist. There are many other problems with this book, but since it would take too much space to than list them here, I will simply advise potential readers to avoid this book if at all possible. It will teach them nothing about accounting theory. The authors and the publishers should be ashamed to have their names on this book.

A review of Accounting Theory text
Inmy opinion, this is an outstanding text.It is easy to read and it covers all the important areas of accouning theory.In my view, this text eliminates the need for the student to study sentences trying to understandwhat is being said.The writing is clear and straight to the point.Thus,one can concentrate on learning, not trying to unscramble sentences formeaning.If you are looking for an accounting theory text, give this one alook-see.My guess is that you will like what you read.Like all theory texts, however, this one does NOT come with much material to assist aninstructor (e.g., no test bank, no transparencies to assist in teaching,etc.).About the only thing I found was an accompanying booklet that givesanswers to "cases" that are in given for each chapter.However,this is not a serious drawback, in my view.Because of skimpy supportingmaterial, I would think that authors would notice this and "corner themarket" by trying to please educators.Given the excellence of thistext, my guess is that ample supporting materials would put this text inlots of classrooms.But that is just my opinion.

Well presented and simple to understand. But lack.....
This book has presented the Accounting Theory in a simple to understand manner. It is useful for those who need to acquire simple to understand theories in the FASB. Unfortunetly, the book does not go into the explaining of the many theories in details, eg. the prescriptive anddescriptivetheories. ... Read more

Book Description

This text presents concepts simply while ensuring the best, most accurate coverage. College Accounting is designed to make accounting understandable to virtually everyone without sacrificing substance and technical correctness. A step-by-step, straightforward approach helps readers build practical accounting skills that are needed when entering the world of work. The text presents simple topics first and gradually builds to more advanced topics, so learners are not overwhelmed. The narrative approach covers a simpler example of a service business before moving to a merchandising business, and finally, a manufacturing environment. ... Read more

Book Description

Accounting is about decision making using financial information. The text focuses on developing a student's the ability to critically analyze accounting information and make informed business decisions. Students are exposed to a lot of real-world examples where they can see the effect that accounting information has on the decisions made by real companies. Also chapters are split into basic and expanded material so that the professor can easily cover the basics of a topic or, if he or she prefers, delve deeper into a selected topic. Finally, analysis is incorporated throughout the text so that students can learn to use accounting information as they learn how that information is prepared. ... Read more

Book Description

How to Use Financial Statements explains in clear, easy to understand methods how to read a financial statement. Written for the non-financial professional, this book is ideal for:

• Professionals that have been promoted to a job that requires reviewing financial statements
• Investorsthat have accumulated enough savings to begin looking at alternatives
• Spouses that have suffered the loss of the member of the family who has always dealt with financial matters
• Readers who work in non-financial areas and have no interest in investments

This practical guide includes:

• An overview of financial statements­­what they are and what they tell us
• A thorough, yet basic introduction to the accrual concepts
• Easy to understand explanations of profit and loss
• Statement of cash flows and special reporting issues

Reviews (3)

Great for understanding & interpreting financial statements
This book teaches anyone (from owners, to managers, to employees, to customers, to lenders, to suppliers, and to attorneys) how to obtain answers from financial statements by asking the right questions. This book is not filled with esoteric symbols and mathematical babbles, but with clear diagrams and down to earth explanations of the applications of each part of the financial statements. The author has done an excellent job on making this seemingly confusing subject very easy to understand and useful to those who needs to make decisions from it.

Good Things Come In Small Packages
The best book of its type: covers key points in a direct and effective way. If you need to refresh understanding of financial statements, or learn the basic in a concise format you will be pleased with this book. As a finance professor and practioner (CFA) I have recommended Bandler to numerous students and associates.

As an primer, excellent
This is an excellent little book. For those who are not financial types, but need to have a basic ability for work or personal investing, this is the perfect start. The chapter explaining cash-flow statements is particularly good.

I would use this as (1) a launching-point to other, more in-depth books on finance or (2) a review of the basiscs, when you don't want to get bogged down by the minutia, but do need to understand.

The auther has an excellent sense for what is important in this subject, how to explain it in words, and how to illustrate it. ... Read more

Book Description

Cost Management: A Strategic Emphasis, by Blocher/Chen/Lin was the first cost accounting text to offer strategic management topics in conjunction with traditional cost accounting material.The text was written to help students understand more about management and the role of cost management in helping a firm or organization to succeed.This text aims to teach you about management, and how cost management is used by managers to make better decisions and improve their companies.In teaching these key management skills, this text takes on a strategic focus.It uncovers issues such as, How does a firm compete?What type of cost management information is needed by managers that are working to make the firm a success?We want students to know why, when, and how this information is used to make effective decisions that lead the firm to success. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Good for managers bad for students
I bought this book to help me studying for my part 3 CMA exam.

The reason I removed the fifth star from my rating is:
First : It does not have enough questions, or questions are irrelevant to the ones you get in a CMA exam. Besides, there are no answers given to help you evaluate your self.

Second: Though it has a good website for student support ... some main chapters are still under construction!!

My Conclusion is that If you are a manager, you will find this book very helpful more than any other book but if you are a student you better use another text book like Horngren . ... Read more

Book Description

Designed to offer a thorough understanding of business analysis using financial statements using both GAAP and economic valuation, Financial Accounting: Masters Edition makes it easy for masters in accountancy and MBA students to see how financial statements are developed and used by business managers. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

SAP Is A Life-Saver
A colleague directed me to this book after our company had to convert to SAP following a merger. The SAP system is a life-saver -- or, at any rate, a job-saver. Certain system-update tasks that formerly required about 10 minutes of work by two people (primarily due to separation-of-duties parameters) now require coordination actions by four people over the course of three days. The conversion to SAP has saved our careers, because it is extremely difficult to comprehend and takes many extra hands to run (and then follow up, with all of the end-of-period clarification requests that arise as a result of SAP's reporting weaknesses). I thank SAP every day. It is keeping me, and thousands like me, employed.

Navigating SAP FI Module
I must agree with the review "Rubik's Accounting System", there is very little that is intuitive about navigating your way thru the SAP FI module. Within the same business process different buttons/commands are required on subsequent screens to do the same thing. The user is also required to enter data for the same process different ways on subsequent screens. The FI module is not easy and there have been many changes to the menu paths and the screen layouts from version 3.11 to 4.6c.

In my experience with SAP writers/publishers they tend to underestimate the design changes from one version to another. Although a configuration process may be very well explained, the instructions are very often obsolete for your version of SAP. Writers and publishers often claim that the book is valid for a SAP releases long subsequent to the publishing of the book. How do they know? The best way to insure that the instructions will be valid for your version of SAP is by noting the copyright date and comparing that against the release date of your software. If the copyright date is earlier than your software, the book is obsolete for your needs.

We did not come to Amazon.com to scold SAP and their architects and designers. Clearly SAP was not designed from an accountant prospective. We are here to evaluate the usefulness of a technical book. Like it or not, that is the nature of the beast. It is our job to use and implement the system. Finding a good technical reference that is concurrent with your system is a gold mine.

A Waste of Company Money!
If my boss reads this review and finds out I'm wasting company money buying useless books like this I've got trouble.
This book isn't a manual. This is a nice review of accounting in general and describes a few accounting functions. For example, it devotes six pages to a description of Bills of Exchange processing - good reading for anyone but not much about how to mechanically process them in SAP.
It mentions SAP, but if you think you'll learn how to use the FI module by reading this book, forget it.

Just out of the blue
So ... never read the book, but the only other reviewer hasn't either - but I did SAP consulting for 3 years and found two points of validity:

1.) Poor implementations = poor results and I would bet the installation, training and involvement have a lot to do with the frustrations. Having completed three full lifecyle installs in one year, the biggest concern I got was getting the process up the business chain, properly configured there is rarely a reason to ever process anything for a purchase by the materials group, it flows without involvement - unless the purchasing team doesn't buy in, then well ... sorry

2.) resistance to change in any way: I recall in my first job how upset some were with the move to Excel/Windows from Lotus/DOS ... shortcuts gone, comfort level and "expertise" reduced ... oldtimers just got fried. It really came down to confidence in talent instead of comfort in status quo. I would imagine the same shock came from accountants moved from hard copy posting and 10 key adding machines to data entry. Time flies and flies gather on those stuck in time sorta thing.

Rubik's Accounting System: A Lovely Pile of Dung
This book is about SAP, the German-produced accounting/inventory/finance system software. It is good to read in the event you are contemplating acquiring SAP for use at your company.

Let me just tell you, buddy: A few years ago, some SAP salesmen staged their dog-and-pony shows for several major US oil companies. Never mind that SAP is a manufacturing-oriented system, unfit to be congruent with hydrocarbon industry processes. Their sales tap-dance dazzled the oil executives beyond all belief. They were somehow convinced that SAP was the way of the future, and that industry functionality would be served if every oil company ran its accounting systems from the same basic platform. The executives, none of whom had ever worked in the trenches -- and without consulting anyone who had worked in the trenches -- bought this pile of excrement hook, line and sinker.

SAP is an accounting process nightmare. It requires armies of people to run the thing, and its functionality is so counter-intuitive that EXTENSIVE training is required; there is NOTHING on the system that you can simply figure out from following menu paths. It is indeed Rubik's Accounting System, a broad minefield strewn with mis-steps and unintended consequences. NOTHING on SAP is ever easy, from ascertaining the business unit to which a cost center is assigned, to determining the set of vendor invoices that comprise the costs of a project.

And, Heaven help you, if you must run SAP in tandem with some other system, such as your payroll program or a custom division-of-interest database. It's tantamount to being busted for drugs in a foreign country: You're in for the HASSLE OF YOUR LIFE.

On the other hand, if you are a member of the accounting profession, SAP can guarantee you a job for life (if you don't particularly mind NEVER being able to complete anything). SAP is rife with unpleasant tasks that NO little kid ever dreams about doing when he grown up. Accordingly, you will never hear footsteps behind you, never face the prospect of someone else plotting to take your job from you. SAP is the tar baby of accounting systems if you want job security: You are stuck to it, and nobody else wants to come near you.

If you are reading this, it is quite likely that your company already has SAP, or is about to acquire it -- and you are one of the frightened, desperate, skippy-dog little bookkeeper minions, seeking reference information about this monstrous new system that's about to be shoved down your throat.

Good luck, chump. And, goodbye to your nights and weekends. ... Read more

Book Description

Everything you always wanted to know about those confusing financial statements but were too embarrassed to ask! This friendly primer of basic business finances takes you step-by-step through all the fundamentals from balance sheets to profit and loss statements—and translates them into meaningful, usable information.

Learning Objectives:To describe how the three primary financial statements are prepared and what each means to a business.To explain the difference between cash and profit from an accrual prospective.To introduce ratios and proportions and show how easily they are developed and used.To explain how to examine and get better productivity from your expenses.To provide tested techniques for gaining better control over your business finances ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Waste Of Time
This is one of those books that expects that you have some knowledge of the material already, and if you do its really nothing new. The examples lack substance. Its a learn everything in "50 Minutes" bbok (Which I didn't notice that until I received it in the top right hand corner). To anyone who is learning this the first time, stay away and go with the other reader's recommendations because you are going to have to relearn this again, and this this stuff is just to dry for that to happen... ... Read more

Book Description

``Harold's diligent and scholarly approach to investing theory makes Wealth Management a thoughtful book that should be on every advisor's reading list.''--Charles R. Schwab, Chairman & CEO, The Charles Schwab Corporation. Wealth Management outlines the current state-of-the-art in financial planning, and describes respected financial planning speaker and author Harold Evensky's effective, optimal asset allocation policy that is designed to account for each client's unique goals and constraints. It provides you with concise yet thorough information on current investment theories, along with detailed reference for further study. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

A Great Treatise on Wealth Management
Mr. Evensky's book has had a profound impact on my wealth management philosophy. He is very effective in blending the broad scope of investment management theory with "real world", practical application. I found it particularly useful because it is not a book written by an academic who has never sat across the table from a client and held their hand through the good times and the tough. This is a must read for any serious manager of wealth.

A. Todd Black, CFP

Excellent mixture of practical advice and theory
I had expected a typical fluff, despite Evensky's fine reputation. I has very surprised at this mixture of practical advice and theory. Pointers are given to other sources for those more theoretically inclined. Some of the practical advice (software recommendations and such) won't age as gracefully as the text itself, these packages will become obsolete before the book. Nevertheless, I'd highly recommend it for anyone who is looking to understand the basics of risk/reward, the importance of asset allocation, and the theoretical material that led to these ideas.

A must read for all investment advisors!
Harold generously shares his knowledge, not only in solid investment thought, but in practical application. If you've ever wanted to know how to practically apply investment research to your own portfolios, this is the book that will do it ... Read more

Reviews (2)

This a teacher and student choice!
Best book so far for teahing accounting.This is the book for learning accounting.

This book was the salvation of my accounting class...
My accounting professor was awful and it was this book that saved my grade in the class.It provides very detailed explanations and summaries of each concept it covers throughout the chapter, not just at the end of the section.The accompanying working papers and study guide were also very informative and helpful. ... Read more

Book Description

" A much needed work in the field. Simmons' book should become compulsory reading for those working in securities operations and settlements. This book is certainly one of the best references in the area." Dr Marcelo Cruz, CEO, RiskMaths

"A thorough and long overdue insight into the world of securities processing written in everyday language which will appeal to everyone from operations professionals to executive management. The book will find itself on many bookshelves in offices around the world." Kevin Milne, Executive Managing Director, Omgeo

"By applying a clear considered approach that draws upon the author's own experiences and offers real-life examples of the costs and risks of getting it wrong', this book gives the reader a solid foundation in all operational aspects of a high-profile and evolving industry." David Tarling, WestLB

The operational activities that follow a trade are an important and essential part of the securities industry's business. Written by an author with many years experience within this sector, Securities Operations: A Guide to Trade Position Management sets out to demystify the subject and provides a thorough, step-by-step introduction to securities operations.

Securities Operations: A Guide to Trade and Position Management is a comprehensive source for understanding operational processing of securities. Explaining in detail both the individual components their relation to each other within the operations process, the reader will gain a clear and thorough understanding of the subject, and in particular the potential risks involved and strategies to mitigate them.

Securities Operations: A Guide to Trade and Position Management is essential reading for all those involved in the securities industry, from new recruits to those involved in both the day-to-day operations process and those within executive management. It will also be of value to those providing consultancy and software solutions to investment banks.

... Read more

Reviews (7)

Timely, relevant and Enjoyable
As the author says in Page 414 "A major reason for writing this book is the need for IT personnel to attain adequate level of understanding.....". This book completely meets the objective. As a practicing IT professional, reading this book was a wonderful experience. It helps professionals like me to gain useful domain knowledge. I hope we have more books like this one, covering other industry sectors.

If your work in anyway touches the trade lifecycle - buy it.
I am just about finished the book and have found it to be an excellent guide, precise and well written. As an 'IT Person' who has steadily moved closer to the business over the years and hence the need to understand how things 'work' it has allowed me to consolidate and confirm my understanding of the key areas. Although I have a number of years experience, particularly from the custodian side, this has allowed me to fully appreciate the full process. The examples that run throughout the book that explains the concepts presented are superb and ensure a firm understanding of the subject area

Excellent Training Material
This book covers all the main areas necessary for newcomers to settlement and other operational areas. The level/depth of description enables a reader to not only become aware of topics, but to understand them.

I thoroughly recommend it.

Comment by the Author
Unlike the situation 25-30 years ago where the majority of investors would trade only in securities issued in their domestic marketplace, in this day and age there is a growing trend among investors to buy and sell overseas securities.

Whether the investor is based in, for example, the Far East, North America, Australasia or Europe, and whether that investor trades in securities issued in New Zealand, the UK or the USA, many concepts of both trading and settlement absolutely apply.

The approach I have taken in this book is to explain first principles and concepts, all of which are applicable in all marketplaces to some extent, and then to quote examples from various marketplaces. I chose not to explain the specific workings of one marketplace, as this makes it more challenging for a reader to relate those specifics to other marketplaces.

Increasingly, those who work (or aspire to work) in the operations and settlement areas of brokerage houses, investment banks, institutional investors (etc.) will be required to have a broad outlook in terms of settlement and operational practices in numerous marketplaces. They will also be expected to apply known concepts to new marketplaces in which their organisation invests. In an operational sense, the modern investment organisation strives for commonality of approach across all marketplaces; by doing so its costs and risks are minimised, and its clients are serviced in a standard but efficient fashion.

The facts of the matter are that each marketplace has its own operational and settlement peculiarities; every marketplace differs from every other marketplace in some respects. No two European countries operate in the same way, and Japan's practices differ from Australia's, for example. However, investing in a new marketplace should hold no fears for an investment organisation, providing its staff are aware of the types of questions to which the organisation needs answers, the internal procedures that are necessary, and the deadlines and service levels it must provide to its clients. An awareness of the concepts is therefore essential.

Brokerage houses and investment banks (whether located in the US, Europe, Asia or Australasia) must be capable of responding to the needs of their client base; if their clients wish to invest overseas, the brokerage houses/investment banks must be fully aware of and in control of settlement procedures in those overseas markets. If not, operational costs can outweigh the trading profit or commission made on the trade. In these respects, all investment organisations that trade overseas are in precisely the same position.

Securities Operations breaks the operational process into bite-size pieces, and additionally connects the relevant pieces together to form a complete view.

Relevant to newcomers and experienced people - globally
Years ago I attended an operations and settlement course developed and run by the author, Mike Simmons. It is still the best business course I have been on. On other occasions he has been vital in explaining business concepts to project teams I have been involved in, so we could fully understand the business requirements behind the software solutions. He has a natural talent in making what is often seen as complex and boring seem straightforward and interesting. Others tend to overcomplicate to either hide the fact they don't really know what they are explaining, or try to look 'clever', or fear what will happen if they pass the knowledge on. Simmons is clearly very keen for others to learn and understand and this book gives a wider audience a chance to take advantage of this. Securities Operations explains business concepts that can be applied to securities markets anywhere in the world - essential reading for newcomers to the industry and those seeking a deeper understanding of operational activities. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Errors galore
Yes, this book was very poorly edited. All the new parts such as Economics have incorrect answers in the back. Very distracting when you're trying to hunker down and study. There's one part where the answer key actually says 3 + 4 = 5 . Which, if you were just glancing over the answers, would really throw you for a loop. But on a positive note, i passed the BEC section with an 82.

Some mistakes in multiple-choice results
Some mistakes in multiple-choice results. This book really needs to be corrected. Also they don't send free stimulation CD as they promised when we buy this book. ... Read more

Book Description

The market leader, Brigham/Houston continues to grow in reputation as the most effective approach for student learning in the first undergraduate corporate finance course. It is also updated to reflect the latest in theory, research, real-world examples, and the use of technology. The seamless, integrated ancillary package - done by the authors - is a hallmark of this package that makes course preparation easier for instructors and the subject more accessible for students. ... Read more

Reviews (21)

A Good Introductory Text
I'd never had any accounting courses before. This textbook was required for my financial accounting course in an MBA program. The book does a good job of logically explaining all the important topics. Unfortunately, it takes a Herculean effort to sit down and study the material due to the dry subject matter.

The authors did a good job of using examples from real firms, which, I think, makes it more interesting. I've decided to keep this book after the course for a reference.

The best book on Financial Accounting I own! and I own many.
The book is concise, precise. The book explains in one page what other do in many pages. The authors Stickney and Weil do a superb job in explaining the Concepts and Methods. I've followed this book since its third edition, when the great Sidney Davidson was on the team. They have always use a Conceptual approach rather than a procedural. When I need to review a concept, I open this book first, and then maybe I may open others. This book is more suitable for graduate level. It is not for undergraduate.

This is a great book
I am currently enrolled in the CFA program (Level II candidate), and this book was used for my first corporate finance class. I must say that I was a bit turned off at first by the amount of colorful pictures and charts the Brigham book contained under the assumption that the more staid the book was, the less gimmicks it had and the better it was (like the Brealey-Myers book). However, I was repeatedly struck by how conscise Brighams' explanations and examples were. The book not only had exhaustive coverage, but it was very well-written. The vignettes at the beginning of each of the chapter really shows a good application of the chapter's lesson in the real world.

When ever I come across a question concerning finance, I almost always reach for the Brigham and Houston book first--it's that good.

Excellent Foundational Book
This book is taught in an excellent format for understanding the foundational and fundamental concepts of finance. The authors did an outstanding job with how this text is organized. It's also very simple in the explanation of concepts. Some finance books are written as if they were disssertations. This book brings the concepts down to the common man. I highly recommend this book for anyone who is looking to start graduate study in finance.

Get the new edition, not the 9th edition
I am the co-author of this book. the 10th edition is now out. If you are a student, you'll want that. If you're trying to learn on your own, you'll find this 9th edition adequate and much cheaper. good luck. roman ... Read more