Guide to Financial Reporting and Analysis [Hardcover]

Eugene E. Comiskey (Author), Charles W. Mulford (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0471354252 | ISBN-13: 978-0471354253 | Publication Date: July 15, 2000 | Edition: 1st

Navigate A Sea of Financial Complexity

Due to the intricacies of contemporary business transactions, the numerous standards issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB), and the vast variety of accounting and disclosure practices with their ever-changing terminology employed by reporting companies, financial statements and related disclosures have become very complex. This complexity can impede the work performed and the decisions reached by all users of financial statements-especially equity and credit analysts. Guide to Financial Reporting and Analysis is designed to remedy this situation by offering practical, user-friendly guidance. Through the use of contemporary financial statement examples, extant generally accepted accounting principles are explained and their application is demonstrated. Here are indispensable resources, including:
* Comprehensive, point-by-point summaries and glossaries provided with each chapter
* Hundreds of examples of contemporary financial disclosures taken from actual, highly recognizable companies
* Thorough information on how reporting and disclosure rules impact reporting practices-and the implications these practices have for analysis
* Goes beyond anecdotes and integrates throughout relevant findings from the financial reporting and analysis research literature

. . . and much more, to help working professionals gain clarity and begin making better-informed decisions today by taking advantage of the rich treatment offered in this timely, much-needed guide.

Editorial Reviews

From the Inside Flap

Today's fast-moving business environment and the increasing complexity of business itself have led to lengthier, more intricate corporate annual reports than ever before. As a result, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) has issued a substantial number of new requirements with far-reaching accounting and disclosure-related consequences for everything from pensions and post-retirement benefits to taxes, investments, financial derivatives, and mergers and acquisitions-and more are on the way.

The mounting work created by these ever-changing, increasingly demanding new standards poses a daunting challenge to financial analysts as well as others responsible for evaluating corporate financial performance and position. Guide to Financial Reporting and Analysis was written to provide guidance and clarity to those who must effectively navigate these critical areas.

Presented here are hundreds of real-world examples drawn from the contemporary corporate annual reports of companies readers will surely recognize, plus individual chapters dedicated to important components of the income statement, balance sheet, and cash flow statement.

Interesting, informative, timely, and user-friendly, Guide to Financial Reporting and Analysis will provide the range of analysts, investors, money managers, and students of finance and accounting with an indispensable resource for the future.

From the Back Cover

Navigate A Sea of Financial Complexity

Due to the intricacies of contemporary business transactions, the numerous standards issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB), and the vast variety of accounting and disclosure practices with their ever-changing terminology employed by reporting companies, financial statements and related disclosures have become very complex. This complexity can impede the work performed and the decisions reached by all users of financial statements-especially equity and credit analysts. Guide to Financial Reporting and Analysis is designed to remedy this situation by offering practical, user-friendly guidance. Through the use of contemporary financial statement examples, extant generally accepted accounting principles are explained and their application is demonstrated. Here are indispensable resources, including:
* Comprehensive, point-by-point summaries and glossaries provided with each chapter
* Hundreds of examples of contemporary financial disclosures taken from actual, highly recognizable companies
* Thorough information on how reporting and disclosure rules impact reporting practices-and the implications these practices have for analysis
* Goes beyond anecdotes and integrates throughout relevant findings from the financial reporting and analysis research literature

. . . and much more, to help working professionals gain clarity and begin making better-informed decisions today by taking advantage of the rich treatment offered in this timely, much-needed guide.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 624 pages
• Publisher: Wiley; 1st edition (July 15, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0471354252
• ISBN-13: 978-0471354253
• Product Dimensions: 9.6 x 6.3 x 1.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #768,380 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

24 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Required reading for the serious financial analyst, November 29, 2000

By 

Mark Hurley (Chicago, IL USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Guide to Financial Reporting and Analysis (Hardcover)

This book provides the most clear and thorough guide to understanding financial statements I have seen. This is not for the faint of heart; understanding financial reporting at this level requires persistence and a willingness to work through some complex issues. However, at the end of the day Comiskey and Mulford leave diligent readers with the analytical tools to see beyond accounting conventions and grasp the underlying economic reality of a firm's performance.

The value of the book is best illustrated in the numerous examples the authors provide using financial statements and footnotes from public companies. Along the way they deal with some timely issues and Comiskey and Mulford should be applauded for keeping their work relevant by staying current on continuously evolving areas such as accounting for derivatives and issues surrounding technology companies.

22 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Financial statements come to life with Comiskey and Mulford!, February 16, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Guide to Financial Reporting and Analysis (Hardcover)

Have you ever wondered why the accountants' eyes glow when they see a financial statement? They're not wierd (after all), they're just wired differently. This book will change the way you feel about financial statements. I no longer am scared of deferred income taxes, LIFO reserves, restructuring charges, footnotes, and all those irritating financial details which I routinely ignored and hoped did not matter. I'm re-wired for my own good.

21 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very similar to Financial Warnings, more indepth, October 30, 2000

By 

"stevanus" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Guide to Financial Reporting and Analysis (Hardcover)

This book is very similar to the previous book (Financial Warnings) by both authors. It is more indepth than its previous predesessor. I find the Financial Warnings to be better because it has more examples. (May be since I know the content of the previous book, this is like redundant.) Anyway, I would recommend you to buy this book.