Basic Accounting Simplified
Basic Accounting Simplified is for beginning or struggling accounting students and bookkeepers. When the basics are understood, the more advanced aspects of accounting are easier to understand. By simplifying complex concepts, Basic Accounting Simplified helps students of accounting to think through, understand, and master the more difficult issues that will be taught as their accounting education progresses. Basic Accounting Simplified also provides a practical approach to solving problems. Straightforward instructions will guide the student through this process and will engage the student every step of the way. The objective of this book is to impart an in-depth understanding of the fundamentals of accounting to the beginning or struggling accounting student. It presents an easy-to-grasp technique that can be mastered in a short time. Basic Accounting Simplified is the "safety net" every accounting student should have in order to be successful in this field. Revised & corrected July 2023.
Abcs of Behavioral Forensics
Get practical insights on the psychology of white-collar criminals--and how to outsmart them Understand how the psychologies of fraudsters and their victims interact as well as what makes auditors/investigators/regulators let down their guard. Learn about the psychology of fraud victims, including boards of directors and senior management, and what makes them want to believe fraudsters, and therefore making them particularly vulnerable to deception. Just as IT experts gave us computer forensics, we now have a uniquely qualified team immersed in psychology, sociology, psychiatry as well as accounting and auditing, introducing the emerging field of behavioral forensics to address the phenomenon of fraud. Ever wonder what makes a white-collar criminal tick? Why does she or he do what they do? For the first time ever, see the mind of the fraudster laid bare, including their sometimes twisted rationalizations; think like a crook to catch a crook! The A.B.C.'s of Behavioral Forensics takes you there, with expert advice from a diverse but highly specialized authoring team of professionals (three out of the four are Certified Fraud Examiners): a former accounting firm partner who has a PhD in psychology, a former FBI special agent who has been with investigative practices of two of the Big Four firms, an industrial psychiatrist who has worked closely with the C-level suite of large and small companies, and an accounting professor who has interviewed numerous convicted felons. Along with a fascinating exploration of what makes people fall for the common and not-so-common swindles, the book provides a sweeping characterization of the ecology of fraud using The A.B.C.'s of Behavioral Forensics paradigm: the bad Apple (rogue executive), the bad Bushel (groups that collude and behave like gangs), and the bad Crop (representing organization-wide or even societally-sanctioned cultures that are toxic and corrosive). The book will make you take a longer look when hiring new employees and offers a deeper more complex understanding of what happens in organizations and in their people. The A.B.C. model will also help those inside and outside organizations inoculate against fraud and make you reflect on instilling the core values of your organization among your people and create a culture of excellence and integrity that acts as a prophylactic against fraud. Ultimately, you will discover that, used wisely, behavioral methods trump solely economic incentives. With business fraud on the rise globally, The A.B.C.'s of Behavioral Forensics is the must-have book for investigators, auditors, the C-suite and risk management professionals, the boards of directors, regulators, and HR professionals. Examines the psychology of fraud in a practical way, relating it to aspects of fraud prevention, deterrence, detection, and remediation Helps you understand that trust violation--the essence of fraud--is a betrayal of behavioral assumptions about "trusted" people Explains how good people go bad and how otherwise honest people cross the line Underscores the importance of creating a culture of excellence and integrity that inoculates an organization from fraud risk (i.e., honest behavior pays, while dishonesty is frowned upon) Provides key takeaways on what to look for when hiring new employees and in your current employees, as well as creating and maintaining a culture of control consciousness Includes narrative accounts of interviews with convicted white-collar criminals, as well as interpretive insights and analysis of their rationalizations Furnishes ideas about how to enhance professional skepticism, how to resist fraudsters, how to see through their schemes, how to infuse internal controls with the people/behavioral element, and make them more effective in addressing behavioral/integrity risks Provides a solid foundation for training programs across the fraud risk management life cycle all the way from the discovery of fraud to its investigatio
Essentials of Accounts Payable
ESSENTIALS OF ACCOUNTS PAYABLE Full of valuable tips, techniques, illustrative real-world examples, exhibits, and best practices, this handy and concise paperback will help you stay up to date on the newest thinking, strategies, developments, and technologies in accounts payable. "A real-world approach, with great insights and practical wisdom on all aspects of the accounts payable process. Essentials of Accounts Payable provides accounts payable professionals with a framework for action in a rapidly changing environment." -Tom Nichols, Division Manager, Accounts Payable Operations, AT&T "Mary Schaeffer has combined her considerable knowledge of the accounts payable process with the learning and benchmark statistics from top companies to produce a world-class guide to the AP process. Without Mary Schaeffer, and IOMA, AP would still be a neglected financial process without any formal reading to explain the complexities of a process that most companies think is simply paying the bills. This book is a must-read for anyone working in, directing, or managing AP operations, both seasoned professionals and those new to the process." -Linda Sawyer Sisko, Programs Manager, Cisco Systems, Inc. "This book does an excellent job of explaining the often complicated basics of the accounts payable functions. It provides a quick snapshot for busy executives who need to know how an accounts payable department should run. It is an excellent update for those executives who need to keep up to date on numerous issues that affect this rapidly evolving profession." -Adrienne Glasgow, Chief Financial Officer, American Red Cross in Greater New York The Wiley Essentials Series-because the business world is always changing...and so should you.
Insurance Fraud Casebook
Real case studies on insurance fraud written by real fraud examiners Insurance Fraud Casebook is a one-of-a-kind collection consisting of actual cases written by fraud examiners out in the field. These cases were hand selected from hundreds of submissions and together form a comprehensive picture of the many types of insurance fraud--how they are investigated, across industries and throughout the world. Entertaining and enlightening, the cases cover every type of insurance fraud, from medical fraud to counterfeiting. Each case outlines how the fraud was engineered, how it was investigated, and how perpetrators were brought to justice Written for fraud examiners, auditors, and insurance auditors Other titles by Wells: Fraud Fighter and Corporate Fraud Handbook, Third Edition Edited by Dr. Joseph T. Wells, the founder and Chairman of the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE), the world's leading anti-fraud organization, this book reveals the dangers of insurance fraud and the measures that can be taken to prevent it from happening in the first place.
IFRS Essentials
Gain a deeper understanding of financial reporting under IFRS through clear explanations and extensive practical examples.IFRS can be a complex topic, and books on the subject often tackle its intricacies through dense explanation across thousands of pages. Others seek to provide an overview of IFRS and these, while useful for the general reader, lack the depth required by practitioners and students.IFRS Essentials strikes a balance between the two extremes, offering concise interpretation of the crucial facts supported by a wealth of examples. Problems and their solutions are demonstrated in a manner which is short, straightforward and simple to understand, avoiding complex language; jargon and redundant detail.This book is suitable for students and lecturers at universities and other educational institutions, auditing and accounting trainees, and employees in the area of accounting and auditing who seek to develop their practical skills and deepen their knowledge of IFRS.
Standards of Value
Expert direction on interpretation and application of standards of value Written by Jay Fishman, Shannon Pratt, and William Morrison--three renowned valuation practitioners--Standards of Value, Second Edition discusses the interaction between valuation theory and its judicial and regulatory application. This insightful book addresses standards of value (SOV) as applied in four distinct contexts: estate and gift taxation; shareholder dissent and oppression; divorce; and financial reporting. Here, you will discover some of the intricacies of performing services in these venues. Features new case law in topics including personal good will and estate and gift tax, and updated to cover the new standards issued since the first edition Includes an updated compendium discussing the standards of value by state, new case law covering divorce, personal goodwill, and estate and gift tax, and coverage of newly issues financial standards Shows how the Standard of Value sets the appraisal process in motion and includes the combination of a review of court cases with the valuator's perspective Addresses the codification of GAAP and updates SOV in individual states Get Standards of Value, Second Edition and discover the underlying intricacies involved in determining "value."
Detecting Fraud in Organizations
A savvy examination of where people and value meet, creating the opportunity for fraud An essential reference for all business professionals, Detecting Fraud in Organizations: Techniques, Tools, and Resources explains the process of how people commit fraud, as well as how to prevent and stop fraud from occurring in your organization. Organized by business processes which succinctly describe how fraud manifests itself on a daily basis, the authors explain ways in which everyone can help guard against fraud by familiarizing themselves with its building blocks and methods used to perpetrate and conceal it. Filled with situational examples the book is accompanied by a website featuring fraud simulations, business process maps, and other useful tools for combating fraud. Focuses on the people who perpetrate fraud and those who are tasked with preventing and detecting it Uniquely organized by business processes for more relevance and easier understanding by those people working within organizations Shows how subtle factors play a large role in identifying and ferreting out fraud in addition to the traditional knowledge of fraud schemes giving people and organizations the edge they need to be successful in prevention and deterrence Companion website includes additional fraud simulations, business process maps, and useful tools The price of fraud can be devastating to your business. Detecting Fraud in Organizations: Techniques, Tools, and Resources equips you and others in your organization with essential information and tools necessary to proactively catch fraud, reduce losses, improve efficiencies and develop actionable controls.
Understanding Balance Sheets
As statements of a company's financial condition, balance sheetscontain information vital to owners, investors, and financialmanagers who are charged with assessing company performance. Oftencomplex and difficult to interpret, balance sheets are nonethelessessential because they help pinpoint business problem areas.Understanding Balance Sheets explains in a clear and concise mannerall the major aspects of this important business tool, making ityours to implement easily and successfully. Written by two financial and accounting authorities, this hands-onworking reference enables you to understand a company's balancesheet within the context of its annual report. You'll find detailedinformation on: * Exactly what a balance sheet is, how it works, and how it's usedto increase profitability * The individual components: receivables, cash, inventory, long-lived assets, current payables, long-term debt, and equity * How these different elements relate to each other, how they comeinto being, and how they should be controlled in your business * How accounting data is created, accumulated, and used in thedevelopment of financial statements Whether you're new to balance sheets, need a quick refresher, orrequire a knowledge that goes beyond the basics, this guide has itall. Understanding Balance Sheets is a thorough, accessiblereference that you can't afford to be without if you need to get ahandle on this essential financial tool. Get a handle on balance sheets with this comprehensive referencethat gives you the basics and beyond From the authors who brought you indispensable guides to suchfinancial fundamentals as cash flow, income statements, and returnon investment comes a book that clarifies and explains theintricacies of another important tool: the balance sheet. Coveringall its major aspects, Friedlob and Plewa give you a broadunderstanding of its individual elements, the related disclosurescontained in an annual report, and the methods used to analyze acompany's balance sheet. Here's where to turn for valuableinformation on: * Receivables, inventories, intangibles, short-term investments, and other components of a balance sheet * How current liabilities create spontaneous financing when abusiness grows * General purpose financial statements and widely acceptedaccounting principles * The time value of money * Analyzing the balance sheet through comparative and ratioanalysis Straightforward, comprehensive, and easy to follow, this is theguide you'll want for a complete overview of this vital businesstool.
Accounting for Non-Accountants
A Quick, Compact, and Easy-to-Understand Resource for Non-Accountants! The perfect financial accounting guide for beginners!Accounting for Non-Accountants is the must-have guide for all of us who have never taken an accounting class, are mystified by accounting jargon, and have no clue about balance sheets, income statements, payroll management, corporate taxes, or statements of cash flows. This simple to use accounting book is bookmaking made simple.Whether you own a business, plan on starting one, or just want to control your own assets, you'll find everything you need to know: How to prepare and use financial statementsHow to control cash flowsHow to manage budgetsHow to use accounting ratiosHow to deal with audits and auditors interpret financial statementsLet this book help you like it helped these readers: "Dr. Labels explanations are simple and straightforward. ""This will help me a lot as I set up my own business. ""I have worked in accounting for over twenty-five years, and this is the best book I have seen to help people with the basics of accounting."For entrepreneurs or anyone who needs to brush up on accounting fast, this book will have you up and running in no time.
The Equity Risk Premium
Das Thema Risikopr瓣mie f羹r Aktien (Equity Risk Premium) wird hier zum ersten Mal verst瓣ndlich erkl瓣rt. Die Risikopr瓣mie f羹r Aktien stellt einen Renditeausgleich dar f羹r das erh繹hte Risiko, das ein Anleger bei der Investition in Aktien eingeht, im Vergleich zu einer Investition in risikofreie Staatsanleihen. Die Risikopr瓣mie ist zwar von der Theorie her einfach, jedoch in der Praxis ein sehr komplexes Ph瓣nomen. F羹r Finanzentscheidungen ist es von gr繹?ter Bedeutung, da? man das Prinzip der Risikopr瓣mie versteht und es anwenden kann. Cornell erl瓣utert das Thema Schritt f羹r Schritt sehr anschaulich und ohne terminologischen Ballast. Zun瓣chst wird die Risikopr瓣mie im Zusammenhang mit der Geschichte des Aktienmarktes betrachtet. Der Haussemarkt der 90er dient dabei als Fallstudie. Cornell zeigt, welche R羹ckschl羹sse man durch die Analyse der Risikopr瓣mie im historischen Verlauf f羹r den Aktienmarkt ziehen kann, z.B. ob Aktienkurse steigen oder fallen oder ob sich der Aktienmarkt ver瓣ndert. Vorausschauende Sch瓣tzungen der Risikopr瓣mie werden anhand verschiedener konkurrierender Modelle analysiert, wobei die Vorz羹ge der jeweiligen Methode mitbewertet werden. 'Equity Risk Premium' ist das erste Buch, das dieses wichtige Prinzip der Risiko-Nutzen-Analyse ersch繹pfend behandelt. Es vermittelt einen tiefen Einblick und deckt alle Grundlagen ab, damit Investoren fundierte Finanzentscheidungen treffen k繹nnen. Ein absolutes Mu? f羹r institutionelle Anleger, Geldmanager und Finanzvorst瓣nde, die auf eine fundierte Marktanalyse zur羹ckgreifen m羹ssen. (06/99)
Accounting Made Simple
Find all of the following explained in Plain-English with no technical jargon: The Accounting Equation and why it's so significant How to read and prepare financial statements How to calculate and interpret several different financial ratios The concepts and assumptions behind Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) Preparing journal entries with debits and credits Cash method vs. accrual method Inventory and Cost of Goods Sold How to calculate depreciation and amortization expenses
Accounting and Distributive Justice
This book challenges the assumptions on which the current practice of financial reporting is based. Flower uses the stakeholder theory of the firm to show that companies have a responsibility to achieve distributive justice, and the company's accounts could play an important role in fulfilling this responsibility.
Social Accounting and Public Management
This volume brings together researchers from a range of disciplines including accounting, political science, management, sociology and policy studies to discuss and develop our knowledge and theory of the nature of 'accountability' in contemporary global society and the challenges it may pose for public policy and management.
A Quantitative Approach to Commercial Damages + Website
How-to guidance for measuring lost profits due to business interruption damages A Quantitative Approach to Commercial Damages explains the complicated process of measuring business interruption damages, whether they are losses are from natural or man-made disasters, or whether the performance of one company adversely affects the performance of another. Using a methodology built around case studies integrated with solution tools, this book is presented step by step from the analysis damages perspective to aid in preparing a damage claim. Over 250 screen shots are included and key cell formulas that show how to construct a formula and lay it out on the spreadsheet. Includes Excel spreadsheet applications and key cell formulas for those who wish to construct their own spreadsheets Offers a step-by-step approach to computing damages using case studies and over 250 screen shots Often in the course of business, a firm will be damaged by the actions of another individual or company, such as a fire that shuts down a restaurant for two months. Often, this results in the filing of a business interruption claim. Discover how to measure business losses with the proven guidance found in A Quantitative Approach to Commercial Damages.
Cash Flow Analysis and Forecasting
This book is the definitive guide to cash flow statement analysis and forecasting. It takes the reader from an introduction about how cash flows move within a business, through to a detailed review of the contents of a cash flow statement. This is followed by detailed guidance on how to restate cash flows into a template format. The book shows how to use the template to analyse the data from start up, growth, mature and declining companies, and those using US GAAP and IAS reporting. The book includes real world examples from such companies as Black and Decker (US), Fiat (Italy) and Tesco (UK). A section on cash flow forecasting includes full coverage of spreadsheet risk and good practice. Complete with chapters of particular interest to those involved in credit markets as lenders or counter-parties, those running businesses and those in equity investing, this book is the definitive guide to understanding and interpreting cash flow data.
Benford's Law
A powerful new tool for all forensic accountants, or anyone who analyzes data that may have been altered Benford's Law gives the expected patterns of the digits in the numbers in tabulated data such as town and city populations or Madoff's fictitious portfolio returns. Those digits, in unaltered data, will not occur in equal proportions; there is a large bias towards the lower digits, so much so that nearly one-half of all numbers are expected to start with the digits 1 or 2. These patterns were originally discovered by physicist Frank Benford in the early 1930s, and have since been found to apply to all tabulated data. Mark J. Nigrini has been a pioneer in applying Benford's Law to auditing and forensic accounting, even before his groundbreaking 1999 Journal of Accountancy article introducing this useful tool to the accounting world. In Benford's Law, Nigrini shows the widespread applicability of Benford's Law and its practical uses to detect fraud, errors, and other anomalies. Explores primary, associated, and advanced tests, all described with data sets that include corporate payments data and election data Includes ten fraud detection studies, including vendor fraud, payroll fraud, due diligence when purchasing a business, and tax evasion Covers financial statement fraud, with data from Enron, AIG, and companies that were the target of hedge fund short sales Looks at how to detect Ponzi schemes, including data on Madoff, Waxenberg, and more Examines many other applications, from the Clinton tax returns and the charitable gifts of Lehman Brothers to tax evasion and number invention Benford's Law has 250 figures and uses 50 interesting authentic and fraudulent real-world data sets to explain both theory and practice, and concludes with an agenda and directions for future research. The companion website adds additional information and resources.
Executive Roadmap to Fraud Prevention and Internal Control
How-to, authoritative guidance for creating a best-in-class fraud prevention and compliance program in any organization Now in a Second Edition, this practical book helps corporate executives and managers understand the full ramifications of good corporate governance and compliance. It covers best practices for establishing a unit to protect the financial integrity of a business; theories and models on how and why fraud occurs in an organization; importance of strong internal controls; major compliance and corporate governance initiatives and milestones since 1985; and more. Complete coverage includes implementation guidance for a robust fraud prevention and compliance program, including sample policies, best practice examples, and a 14-point management antifraud program. Covers fraud risk assessment and prevention guidance Looks at global risk issues, including the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) and UK Bribery Act Examines amendments to the Federal Sentencing Guidelines for Organizational Crime Discusses Dodd-Frank Whistleblower Provisions Explores enterprise risk management key program elements Offers coverage of how fraud and compliance failures contributed to the financial crisis Includes enhanced principles for fraud data mining Presents new cases, checklists and real-world examples, expanded international coverage, and the latest technological tools Shows executives and managers what their responsibilities are regarding fraud prevention, internal controls, and compliance Provides an instructor's website, including a test bank Other titles by Biegelman: Building a World-Class Compliance Program and Foreign Corrupt Practices Act Compliance Guidebook Completely revised and updated, Executive Roadmap to Fraud Prevention and Internal Control, Second Edition is every manager's best resource for understanding all the complex issues and responsibilities associated with fraud and compliance.
The Essential Controller
Quick-reference guidance showing new controllers how to enhance performance while avoiding pitfalls Designed to give new controllers a firm foundation in the concepts of managing the accounting department, locating GAAP information, and analyzing and knowing what to do with key accounting information, The Essential Controller, Second Edition is the invaluable primer you can turn to for the foundation you need to succeed. Whether your business is large, small, or medium-sized, this volume provides a complete overview of the controller's responsibilities and the role that today's controllers should be playing. Offers new coverage of finance strategy Updates taxation strategy Includes a new controller checklist Quick reference guide that controllers can turn to Also by Steven M. Bragg: The Controller's Function: The Work of the Managerial Accountant, Fourth Edition The Essential Controller, Second Edition is the go-to handbook that you will use every day for dealing with the everyday issues facing today's controllers.
Auditor's Guide to It Auditing + Software Demo
Step-by-step guide to successful implementation and control of IT systems--including the Cloud Many auditors are unfamiliar with the techniques they need to know to efficiently and effectively determine whether information systems are adequately protected. Now in a Second Edition, Auditor's Guide to IT Auditing presents an easy, practical guide for auditors that can be applied to all computing environments. Follows the approach used by the Information System Audit and Control Association's model curriculum, making this book a practical approach to IS auditing Serves as an excellent study guide for those preparing for the CISA and CISM exams Includes discussion of risk evaluation methodologies, new regulations, SOX, privacy, banking, IT governance, CobiT, outsourcing, network management, and the Cloud Includes a link to an education version of IDEA--Data Analysis Software As networks and enterprise resource planning systems bring resources together, and as increasing privacy violations threaten more organization, information systems integrity becomes more important than ever. Auditor's Guide to IT Auditing, Second Edition empowers auditors to effectively gauge the adequacy and effectiveness of information systems controls.
A Manager’s Guide for Ethical Decision Making
It was once believed that business and ethics constituted separate and mutually exclusive realms. Businesses that perpetuate such a belief or still hold that "business ethics" is an oxymoron are at risk. If you are a manager, you may have been called on to actively promote ethical-organizational integrity. But this means understanding the defining principles of and creating an organizational culture that measurably encourages ethical conduct. This book will help provide you and other managers with much needed guidelines for ethical decision making in business that are philosophically sound and strategically advantageous. This book provides a brief introduction to and general framework for managing for ethical-organizational integrity in a way that will enable you to identify those ethical duties that must be fulfilled in order to morally justify the pursuit of profit. It will help you develop a morally imaginative and socially entrepreneurial decision making process that is driven towards generating and sustaining social value.
Financial Forensics Body of Knowledge
The definitive, must-have guide for the forensic accounting professional Financial Forensics Body of Knowledge is the unique, innovative, and definitive guide and technical reference work for the financial forensics and/or forensic accounting professional, including nearly 300 forensic tools, techniques, methods and methodologies apply to virtually all civil, criminal and dispute matters. Many of the tools have never before been published. It defines the profession: "The Art & Science of Investigating People & Money." It defines Forensic Operators "...financial forensics-capable personnel... possess unique and specific skills, knowledge, experience, education, training, and integrity to function in the financial forensics discipline." It defines why: "If you understand financial forensics you understand fraud, but not vice versa" by applying financial forensics to all aspects of the financial community. It contains a book-within-a-book Companion Section for financial valuation and litigation specialists. It defines foundational financial forensics/forensic accounting methodologies FAIM, Forensic Accounting Investigation Methodology, ICE/SCORE, CICO, APD, forensic lexicology, and others. It contains a Reader Lookup Table that permits everyone in the financial community to immediately focus on the pertinent issues. This work is the only financial forensics/forensic accounting methodology also published by the United States Department of Justice. It redefines the standard for all dimensions of the financial forensics and forensic accounting profession and is written to address the entire financial community comprised of Originators (CFOs, controllers, accountants, analysts, etc.), Users (auditors, valuators, attorneys, judges, lenders, investors, internal auditors, consumers, bankers, professors, board members, executives, journalists, etc.), and Regulators (civil, including IRS, IMF, SEC; and criminal, including FBI and state and local law enforcement; Interpol, counterterrorism and military. Financial Forensics Body of Knowledge is: The only codified financial forensics/forensic accounting methodology known to exist; The only codified methodology comprising civil, criminal, and dispute methodologies within the same framework; The only codified methodology supported by optional Internet-based software that continually updates content with newly discovered and developed forensic tools, techniques, methods and methodologies, and actual reports; The only codified methodology to contain actual report content (BLINDED) for many different forensic matters, including alter ego, damages, fraud, fraudulent transfer, marital dissolution, valuation, etc.; The only codified methodology to contain a comprehensive Forensic Inventory of tools, techniques, methods and methodologies; The only codified methodology to address virtually every type of entity, i.e. privately-held, publicly-held, governmental, charitable, NPO, NGO, etc.; The only codified methodology applicable to the US and global financial community; The only codified methodology that comprises an embedded training tool for beginning, intermediate and advanced financial professionals; The only codified methodology suitable for immediate adoption as firm-wide and agency-wide best practices technical and training standards. The great majority of the content has not been previously assembled and published, and duplication of other publications has been purposely avoided to prevent redundancy. The two principal authors have trained literally thousands within the financial community in various aspects of the content during the last several years. The attendees have included virtually all entity types, including federal, state and local government and law enforcement, e.g. SEC, FBI. The feedback has been universally positive and prompted the construction of this book. The contributing
Empirical Finance for Finance and Banking
Empirical Finance for Finance and Banking provides the student with a relatively non-technical guide to some of the key topics in finance where empirical methods play an important role Written for students taking Master's degrees in finance and banking, it is also suitable for students and researchers in other areas, including economics. The first three introductory chapters outline the structure of the book and review econometric and statistical techniques, while the remaining chapters discuss various topics, including: portfolio theory and asset allocation, asset pricing and factor models, market efficiency, modelling and forecasting exchange and interest rates and Value at Risk. Understanding these topics and the methods covered will be helpful for students interested in working as analysts and researchers in financial institutions. Designed for students with limited previous experience of econometrics, statistics or advanced financial theory, the text is written in an "easy-to-read" style. It features empirical examples at the end of each chapter to demonstrate the empirical methods and theory discussed and uses MATLAB(R) for all calculations. A guide to answering end of chapter questions and relevant computer programs can be found on the companion website: www.wiley.com/college/sollis
The Professional's Guide to Fair Value
An all-encompassing guide to the elements and basics of fair value With the important role fair value is playing in the creation of a converged set of global accounting standards, demand for products in this category is growing spectacularly. The elements and basics of fair value are covered, including risk, dealing with the SEC, and details on legal responsibility. In addition, sample financial statements are included, along with tables, recommended applicable techniques, and management checklists for those who are responsible for preparing and approving of financial statements. Written by the Chairman and co-CEO of the International Association of Consultants, Valuators and Analysts (IACVA) Includes sample financial statements of both U.S. and foreign companies Appropriate for anyone involved professionally with finance--managers, accountants, investors, bankers, instructors, and students--The Professional's Guide to Fair Value is a reliable reference on the ins and outs of fair value financial disclosure.
The Ultimate Coupon Organizer to Go
Shopping just got a whole lot easier (and affordable!) with the debut of The Ultra Simple Coupon Organizer. This easy-to-use, portable book provides every shopper with the best time, money, and stress-saving features. Convenient pockets store and divide coupons into 22 different categories, including a grocery section (with categories like dairy and frozen foods), as well as an "other" section (with categories like pet supplies and restaurants). Front pockets labeled "Today's Coupons" and Coupons Expiring This Month let shoppers keep all the coupons needed for upcoming trips in one place, eliminating the chance of forgetting them before they expire! The Ultra Simple Coupon Organizer also offers helpful tips for couponers at all levels. And with the included record keeping sheets, shoppers can keep track of how couponing is helping their budgets by recording the date, store, and amount saved.
CFO Techniques
CFO Techniques: A Hands-on Guide to Keeping Your Business Solvent and Successful is a comprehensive and instructive working manual for multitasking chief financial officers and controllers working in the fast-paced commercial environment. Every senior financial professional with an ever-broadening span of control will benefit from this complete outline of the core activities--with specific descriptions of individual tasks--comprising the daily agenda of a successful CFO or controller. It covers everything from traditional responsibilities like budgeting and financial reporting, to more innovative tasks like performance analytics and business strategy development. While emphasizing specific guidelines on what it takes to excel as a company's head of finance, the book refrains from overwhelming dryness by using cultural references, real-life examples, and a casual tone. With its bite-sized, easy-to-read chapters, CFO Techniques serves as both an invaluable desktop reference handbook and a good bedtime read. Whether you need a quick recommendation on treasury procedures, adhering to GAAP, keeping funds safe from embezzlers, or advice on dealing with the CEO, you will find the answers in this book. Guides you through CFO/controller core responsibilities, function by function Serves as a reference manual on financial matters specific to the small and mid-size commercial environment Goes beyond finance and accounting, addressing the administrative and behavioral issues all CFOs occasionally must address
The Armchair Millionaire
Invest my money? Forget it. Who knows which way the stock market is headed? And I just plain don't know how to do it. I'll stick my paycheck in the bank, keep my credit card debt as low as I can, and worry about my financial future when I have some extra money. Besides, there's always Social Security, right? WRONG, according to the authors of The Armchair Millionaire (and the geniuses behind the Armchair Millionaire Web site), whose philosophy is simple: if your money isn't working for you, then you'll be working a lot longer than you want to. In plain English, Lewis Schiff and Douglas Gerlach, along with real-life cyber-Armchair Millionaires, show you how to save without budgeting the fun out of life, and invest wisely without losing sleep over your portfolio. "Five Steps to Financial Freedom" will make it easy for you to build an investment portfolio and help you to: PAY LOWER TAXES: Why and how to give to your IRA or 401(k) until it hurts. PAY YOURSELF FIRST: The secret to building a nest egg is to treat your savings like you treat any bill -- put your financial future at the top of the list of regular monthly payments. GET THE MOST FOR YOUR MONEY: "Dollar-cost averaging" has been the most successful investment timing method ever used by the pros. Find out how to make it work for you. BUILD YOUR PLAN: Forecast when you'll reach your million-dollar goal with a personalized financial action plan. DISCOVER THE TRUTH BEHIND WHY YOU MUST START INVESTING FOR YOUR FUTURE TODAY: Find out why compounded interest is often called the key to successful wealth-building. Packed with practical advice, personalized tools such as user-friendly worksheets, and actual stories of ordinary people who have built extraordinary portfolios using these methods, The Armchair Millionaire will show you how to get on the road to financial independence at last.
The Fraud Audit
Essential guidance for creation of an effective fraud audit program in core business systems The Association of Certified Fraud Examiners has reported that U.S. businesses lose up to $4 billion annually due to fraud and abuse. Discover fraud within your business before yours becomes another business fraud statistic. The Fraud Audit provides a proven fraud methodology that allows auditors to discover fraud versus investigating it. Explains how to create a fraud audit program Shows auditors how to locate fraud through the use of data mining Focuses on a proven methodology that has actually detected fraudulent transactions Take a look inside for essential guidance for fraud discovery within specific corporate F&A functions, such as disbursement, procurement, payroll, revenue misstatement, inventory, journal entries, and management override.
Working With Sample Data
As a manager or an analyst, you routinely collect and examine key performance measures to better understand your company operations and to make good decisions. But rendering the complexity of operations data into a coherent account of significant events requires the ability to work well with raw data and to make appropriate inferences. This book can help.This book details the methods to help you understand statistical techniques for analyzing data and to make inferences with sound reasoning. By applying these fundamental methods yourself, rather than turning over both the data and the responsibility for their analysis and interpretation to an expert, you can develop a richer understanding and potentially gain better control over your business environment. You'll catch on quicker with the use of computers and spreadsheet software, and the authors provide examples that will show you how to explore data and makes inferences with Microsoft Excel.
Grant Writing Demystified
Create the perfect proposal to win funding for your ideas and plansNeed money for your charity or project but do not know the first thing about writing a grant? Let this DeMYSTiFied book unravel the secrets of this process. It will take you step-by-step through the fundamentals--from writing a letter of inquiry to outlining and drafting the proposal. Each chapter concludes with a self-test that allows you to track your progress, and a comprehensive final exam at the end of the book gives you instant feedback on your new skills. Work at your own pace, and soon you will be able to craft a grant and win the precious resources you need.You'll learn how to: Write letters of intent Develop action plans and outlinesApply for government and foundation grantsAvoid common grammatical errorsPolish sentence structure
The Vest Pocket Guide to GAAP
Quick answers to your GAAP questions The Vest Pocket Guide to GAAP is the handy pocket problem-solver that gives today's busy financial executives the GAAP advice they need in a quick-reference format. Whether in public practice or private industry, professionals will always have this reliable reference tool at their fingertips because it easily goes anywhere-to a client's office, on a business trip, or to an important lunch meeting. Provides succinct answers to common GAAP questions Easy-to-use Q & A format offers hundreds of explanations supported by a multitude of examples, tables, charts, and ratios Other titles by Bragg: Running an Effective Investor Relations Department: A Comprehensive Guide, Accounting Best Practices, Sixth Edition, and Just-in-Time Accounting, Third Edition Convenient and comprehensive, The Vest Pocket Guide to GAAP is the handy reference you'll turn to again and again for quick answers to your GAAP questions.
Intermediate Accounting Demystified
Accounting as easy as 1-2-3!Do you know the difference between FIFO and LIFO? Can you use the word dilutive in a sentence? Does thephrase "amortization of bond premiums" mean anything to you? No one said the journey to becoming a CPA is easy--but with Intermediate Accounting DeMYSTiFieD as your travel companion, you're guaranteed a smooth ride.An easy-to-use self-teaching guide that reviews andexpands upon core Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), Intermediate Accounting DeMYSTiFieD covers everything you need to ace your exams and take a big step toward the career of your dreams. The book provides a fresh review of all the basics, so you can easily glide into more advanced principles. You'll learn how to generateaccurate and reliable financial statements, maintain proper internal controls within a company, and locate international accounting standards.This fast and easy guide offers: Tactics for maintaining solid internal controls within a businessStrategies for creating accurate financial statementsTechniques for overcoming common accounting errorsQuizzes and a final exam for gauging what you've learnedTips and examples for mastering more advanced accounting theoriesSimple enough for a novice but challenging enough for a veteran CPA, Intermediate Accounting DeMYSTiFieD is a shortcut to decoding key accounting concepts and principles.
Financial Accounting Demystified
The simple solution to complex accountingYou don't need a genius IQ to ace your financial accounting curriculum. The only prerequisites are a little discipline and a comprehensive tutorial devoid of confusing jargon.Financial Accounting DeMYSTiFieD presents allthe concepts and skills you need, in a language you understand. Designed to let you learn at your own pace, it explains all the rules for preparing and reporting accounting information to parties outside an organization. Then, you'll get details on basic financial accounting concepts, valuing inventories, accounting methods, stockholder's equity, receivables, and more. Featuring end-of-chapter quizzes and a final exam, Financial Accounting DeMYSTiFieD teaches you the ins and outs of financial accounting in no time at all!This fast and easy guide offers: Expert coverage of financial statements, cash and short-term investments, receivables, cash flows, liabilitiesTips, techniques, and insights that drive home key financial accounting principles and theoriesHundreds of worked-out examples, chapter-ending quizzes, and a final exam to reinforce learning andpinpoint weaknessesSpecific recommendations if you're having difficulty with certain subtopicsSimple enough for a beginner, but challenging enough for an advanced student, Financial Accounting DeMYSTiFieD is a shortcut to developing a working knowledge of accounting practices.
Cost Reduction Analysis
Discover the tools for knowing the costs your company should cut, without impacting its ability to deliver goods and services New from Steve Bragg, this book provides the tools for determining which costs a company should cut, without impacting its ability to deliver goods and services. It explains how to use throughput analysis in order to locate bottleneck operations in a company, which in turn dictates where capital investments should (and should not) be made. Delves into process analysis, to determine where excess resources are being used in a business process Describes the total cost of ownership, showing how a single purchasing decision actually snowballs into a variety of ancillary costs Shows how to create and use a spend management system to reduce procurement costs Shows how just-in-time systems can be used to eliminate inventory costs Cost Reduction Analysis: Tools and Strategies provides examples to show how much cost can potentially be eliminated to avoid drastic action later that can imperil your corporation's direction and future.
How to Read a Balance Sheet
Put the most valuable business tool to work for you!The balance sheet is the key to everything--from efficient business operation to accurate assessment of a company's worth. It's a critical business resource--but do you know how to read it? How to Read a BalanceSheet breaks down the subject into easy-to-understand components.If you're a business owner or manager, this book helps you . . .Manage working capitalGenerate higher returns on assetsMaximize your inventory dollarsEvaluate investment opportunitiesIf you're an investor, this book helps you . . .Determine the market value of a company's assets and operationsPredict future earnings and trendsAssess the impact of capital expendituresIdentify potential "red flags" before the crowdHow to Read a Balance Sheet gives you the bottom line of what you need to know about: Cash Flow * Assets * Debt * Equity * Profit and how it all comes together.
Quantitative Business Valuation
Quantitative Business Valuation A Mathematical Approach for Today's Professionals Essential reading for the serious business appraiser, Quantitative Business Valuation, Second Edition is the definitive guide to quantitative measurements in the valuation process. No other book written on business valuation is as well researched, innovative, and bottom-line beneficial to you as a practitioner. Written by leading valuation and litigation economist Jay B. Abrams, this text is a rigorous and eye-opening treatment filled with applications for a wide variety of scenarios in the valuation of your privately held business. Substantially revised for greater clarity and logical flow, the Second Edition includes new coverage of: Converting forecast net income to forecast cash flow Damages in manufacturing firms Regressing scaled y-variables as a way to control for heteroscedasticity Mathematical derivation of the Price-to-Sales (PS) ratio Monte Carlo Simulation (MCS) and Real Options (RO) Analysis Venture capital and angel investor rates of return Lost inventory and lost profits damage formulas in litigation Organized into seven sections, the first three parts of this book follow the chronological sequence of performing a discounted cash flow. The fourth part puts it all together, covering empirical testing of Abrams' valuation theory and measuring valuation uncertainty and error. Parts five to seven round it all out with discussion of litigation, valuing ESOPs and partnership buyouts, and probabilistic methods including valuing start-ups. The resulting work, solidly grounded in economic theory and including all necessary mathematics, integrates existing science into the valuation profession--and develops valuation formulas and models that you will find useful on a daily basis.
Anatomy of a Fraud Investigation
A one-of-a-kind resource walking you through one complete fraud investigation, from the original tip to conviction in court Anatomy of a Fraud Investigation is an engrossing read and a valuable resource for fraud investigators, auditors, or anyone who suspects fraud may be occuring in their organizations and is unsure as to how to act. It details all phases of a fraud investigation from the first suspicion of fraud to the final judgment in court, through the eyes of a forensic accountant. In each phase, the author provides insights based on his twenty-two years as a forensic accountant from where to sit at the table when you bring the suspected fraudster in for questioning, to how you protect the key sources of information that the suspect will try to destroy once he or she realizes they are under investigation. In-depth analysis of a fraud investigation Based on an actual investigation conducted by the author Each chapter contains valuable tips and key considerations, providing subtext for why decisions were made and bringing to light potential risks A fascinating, insider look at a fraud investigation, Anatomy of a Fraud Investigation helps you better understand fraud detection, investigation, and prevention-from the inside out.
Business Valuation and Bankruptcy
An essential guide to business valuation and bankruptcy Business Valuation and Bankruptcy helps you-whether you are an accountant dealing with a troubled company, a lender, an investor, a bankruptcy and restructuring lawyer/financial advisor, or a private equity player-to focus on solving everyday and case determinative disputes when creditors, lenders, and debtors have differing views of value. Introducing valuation issues early on in the restructuring/bankruptcy process so you can plan accordingly, this book offers Many real life case examples, case descriptions, and tables to demonstrate the applicable sections of the Bankruptcy Laws A review of the methods, applications, pros and cons of restructuring with the basic tools to understanding it A description of the life cycle of a troubled company and the various stages of a restructuring An analysis of the valuation issues that confront practitioners in the real world of application of the law Business Valuation and Bankruptcy is written in terms that are common to bankruptcy professionals and is essential, timely reading for players in the bankruptcy and restructuring environment.
Business Restructuring
An effective, long-term strategy for maintaining corporate growth, profit and competitive edge Depicting a progressive emergent framework for long-term growth, profitability, and success, Business Restructuring: An Action Template for Reducing Cost and Growing Profit employs an integrated approach incorporating several of the most popular methodologies and best-in-class practices into a single proven framework. Beginning with an overview of restructuring and what is needed up-front to be successful, this "How to Cookbook" helps you Understand business restructuring and cost reduction techniques How to transform any organization into one that is high performing Realize efficiencies through the reorganization of resources, improving processes, and identifying outsourcing opportunities Sustain results and achieve continued efficiency, profitability, and growth Describes the right leadership team dynamics to make sure the changes stick Whether you are a business leader or manager, Business Restructuring takes you through a logical series of steps that will provide you with immediately useful tactics to apply on a regular basis to achieve immediate results, as well as a long-term roadmap to deliver performance excellence and increase shareholder value.
Fraud 101
A straightforward guide explaining the nature of financial fraud Fraud continues to be one of the fastest growing and most costly crimes in the United States and around the world. The more an organization can learn about fraud in general and the potential fraud risks that threaten the financial stability of the organization's cash flow, the better that organization will be equipped to design and implement measures to prevent schemes from occurring in the first place. Fraud 101, Third Edition serves as an enlightening tool for you, whether you are a business owner or manager, an accountant, auditor or college student who needs to learn about the nature of fraud. In this invaluable guide, you will discover and better understand the inner workings of numerous financial schemes and internal controls to increase your awareness and possibly prevent fraud from destroying your organization's financial stability. It offers guidance, understanding, and new, real-world case studies on the major types of fraud, including An understanding of why fraud is committed An overview of financial fraud schemes White-collar crime Uncovering employee embezzlements Establishing internal fraud controls The nature of collecting evidence With case studies included throughout the book to gain insight to the real world of fraud, Fraud 101, Third Edition describes the features of fraud and then provides proven methods of prevention, as well as solutions to expose different types of fraud.
Due Diligence
This nuts-and-bolts guide examines all aspects of an M&A due diligence--from coming to the decision to acquire a company, to who should be on the due diligence team, to the actual process and the final report and post-closing follow up. It advocates a focus on both risk mitigation and shareholder value creation, and emphasizes a holistic approach that spans from planning to post-acquisition integration. The tentative contents is: (1) Introduction; (2) Planning for value creation: growth strategy; (3) Engagement and pursuit; (4) Preparing for due diligence; (5) Validation of value: performing due diligence; (6) Assessment of due diligence results; (7) Optimizing value: post diligence negotiation; (8) Extracting value: post-transaction integration.
Schaum's Outline of Intermediate Accounting II
Tough Test Questions? Missed Lectures? Not Enough Time?Fortunately for you, there's Schaum's Outlines. More than 40 million students have trusted Schaum's to help them succeed in the classroom and on exams. Schaum's is the key to faster learning and higher grades in every subject. Each Outline presents all the essential course information in an easy-to-follow, topic-by-topic format. You also get hundreds of examples, solved problems, and practice exercises to test your skills. This Schaum's Outline gives youPractice problems with full explanations that reinforce knowledgeCoverage of the most up-to-date developments in your course fieldIn-depth review of practices and applicationsFully compatible with your classroom text, Schaum's highlights all the important facts you need to know. Use Schaum's to shorten your study time-and get your best test scores!
You Can’t Fall Off the Floor
A comprehensive guide to re-inventing yourself and your career - with 189 proven insider tips. Each chapter traces the author's successful executive career working for over 25 different companies with a Lessons Learned portion at the end of each chapter.
Asset Allocation for Dummies
An easy-to-understand how-to guide to the single most important thing you can do in investing -- choosing and mixing your assets successfully. You don't need to be an expert analyst, a star stock-picker, or a rocket scientist to have better investment results than most other investors. You just need to allocate your assets in the right way, and have the conviction to stick with that allocation. The big secret behind asset allocation -- the secret that most sophisticated investors know and use to their benefit -- is that it's really not all that hard to do. Asset Allocation For Dummies serves as a comprehensive guide to maximizing returns and minimizing risk -- while managing taxes, fees and other costs -- in putting together a portfolio to reflect your unique financial goals. Jerry A. Miccolis (Basking Ridge, NJ), CFA(R), CFP(R), FCAS, MAAA is a widely quoted expert commentator who has been interviewed in The New York Times and the Wall Street Journal, and appeared on CBS Radio and ABC-TV. He is a senior financial advisor and co-owner of Brinton Eaton Wealth Advisors (www.brintoneaton.com), a fee-only investment management, tax advisory and financial planning firm in Madison, N.J. Dorianne R. Perrucci (Scotch Plains, NJ) is a freelance writer who has been published in The New York Times, Newsweek, and TheStreet.com, and has collaborated on several financial books, including I.O.U.S.A, One Nation, Under Stress, In Debt (Wiley, 2008).
Financial Statements Demystified
QUESTIONS about STATEMENTS? Find All the Answers Here!Are you considering buying a small business? Do you want to invest in a Fortune 500 company? Are you trying to sell your own business? Balance sheets and income statements are essential to helping you make informed decisions regarding important business transactions. But unless you're an accountant, these documents can be intimidating hodgepodges of columns, rows, and numbers. Don't fret. Financial Statements Demystified is just the tool you need. Devoid of confusing business jargon, this engaging and easy-to-follow guide defines basic financial statement terminology and explains the components of the four most common financial statements: Income Statement, Balance Sheet, Statement of Stockholders' Equity, and Statement of Cash Flows. You will learn how to read, interpret, and use pivotal data from these sources--each of which will help you make accurate financial decisions without having to go back to school.This confusion-busting guide covers: An overview of financial statements--what they are and what they tell usEasy-to-understand explanations of profit and lossStatement of cash flows and special reporting issuesHow to spot fraudulently misstated financial statementsQuizzes at the end of each chapter to help test your knowledgeSimple enough for a novice but in-depth enough for a seasoned investor, Financial Statements Demystified will help you understand the four main financial statements.
Strategic Cost Management
As often reported in Business Week and Fortune, most large companies today concede that their cost systems are desperately obsolete. In this eagerly awaited book, John Shank and Vijay Govindarajan, nationally known experts on the strategic use of cost information, address head-on the fundamental concepts of management accounting that are in desperate need of change. The authors demonstrate how strategic cost management, the first analytic framework to relate meaningful accounting information to a firm's business strategy, is revolutionizing accounting-and overall business practices in leading firms. With numerous extended examples including Ciba-Geigy, Ford, Texas Instruments, and many more, the authors show how the three key tools of strategic cost management-value chain analysis, strategic positioning analysis, and cost driver analysis-provide a sustainable competitive advantage over firms whose cost systems are in disarray. With persuasive evidence, Shank and Govindarajan demonstrate the strategic power of value chain analysis, i.e., linking external value creating activities all the way from basic raw materials, to component suppliers, and through to the ultimate end-use product delivered to the consumers. Next, they examine how cost management and cost control must be differentiated depending on the strategic positioning chosen by the firm, be it cost leadership or product differentiation. Finally, the authors offer penetrating in-sights on cost driver analysis using such examples as Champion International and Motorola to describe the uses and limitations of activity-based costing, quality costing, and technology costing. Traditional cost analysis, the authors show, is limited to assessing the financial impact of managerial decision alternatives, with no consideration for strategic business objectives. In this indispensable guide, Shank and Govindarajan show how Strategic Cost Management (SCM) relates to a broader context, where strategic elements become far more conscious, explicit, and formal, and cost data is used to develop superior strategies en route to gaining sustainable competitive advantage.
Building a World-Class Compliance Program
Written by a long-standing practitioner in the field, this timely and critical work is your best source for understanding all the complex issues and requirements associated with corporate compliance. It provides clear guidance for those charged with protecting their companies from financial and reputational risk, litigation, and government intervention, who want a robust guide to establish an effective compliance program.
Accounting Game
Confused by accounting? Start with a lemonade stand.Whether you're launching a small business, running a side hustle, or just want to feel confident reading a balance sheet, The Accounting Game makes learning accounting fast, fun, and unforgettable.This bestselling guide uses the story of a child's lemonade stand to teach real-world accounting basics, without the confusing jargon. Through interactive lessons, step-by-step worksheets, and a gamified format, you'll master key financial skills like tracking expenses, understanding cash flow, and building profit.Included you'll find: Interactive format gives you hands-on experienceColor-coded charts and worksheets help you remember key termsStep-by-step process takes you from novice to expert with easeFun story format speeds retention of essential conceptsDesigned to apply what you learn to the real worldUsed in classrooms, corporate trainings, and homeschool curriculums around the world, this is the go-to accounting book for people who hate accounting books.
Sarbanes-Oxley For Dummies
You may not believe that there's a fun and easy way to comply with Sarbanes -Oxley, but once you have Sarbanes-Oxley For Dummies, Second Edition in front of you, you're sure to change your mind. This friendly guide gets you quickly up to speed with the latest SOX legislation and shows you safe and effective ways to reduce compliance costs. In plain English, this completely reliable handbook walks you through the new and revised SOX laws, introduces compliance strategies for changed and unchanged guidelines, and gives you an effective framework for implementation You'll find out how to create an efficient audit committee, purchase and use SOX software solutions, and make practical, cost-effective decisions in your initial compliance year and beyond. You'll also find proven strategies for staying public or going private and learn how to deal with all those SOX forms. Discover how to: Establish SOX standards for IT professionals Minimize compliance costs in every area of your company Survive a section 404 audit Avoid litigation under SOX Anticipate future rules and trends Create a post-SOX paper trail Bolster your company's standing and reputation Work with SOX in a small business Meet new SOX standards Build a board that can't be bought Comply with all SOX management mandates Complete with invaluable tips on how to form an effective audit committee, Sarbanes-Oxley For Dummies is the resource you need to keep your SOX clean.
