This book is designed primarily for middle and junior managers who deal with financial information without really understanding the content, and for students who are studying accounting as a non-specialist subject, for example on a business studies or engineering course. The book will serve as a basic reference to be used throughout the course. It will also be particularly helpful in providing the basic grounding that is required before moving on to the more technical and in-depth study of the subject that may be required on some courses. Students who are embarking on a course of study to become a professional accountant will find this book of major benefit. The book covers the basic principles and techniques of both financial and management accounting, assuming that the reader has no prior knowledge of the subjects.

Part 1 Introduction

Part 2 Accounting Statements
1. Who Needs Accounting Statements?
2. The Income Statement (Profit and Loss Account)
3. The Balance Sheet
4. Cash Flow Reporting
5. The Accounts of Not-for-Profit Organisations
6. Interpreting Financial Statements: Part 1
7. Interpreting Financial Statements: Part 2

Part 3 Using Financial Information to Manage a Business
8. Management Accounting as an Aid to Management
9. The Analysis of Cost
10. Using Costs for Decision-making
11. Budgetary Planning and Control
12. Making Long-term Investment Decisions