Praise for "The Financial Numbers Game"

"So much for the notion 'those who can, do--those who can't, teach.' Mulford and Comiskey function successfully both as college professors and real-world financial mercenaries. These guys know their balance sheets. The Financial Numbers Game should serve as a survival manual for both serious individual investors and industry pros who study and act upon the interpretation of financial statements. This unique blend of battle-earned scholarship and quality writing is a must-read/must-have reference for serious financial statement analysis."
--Bob Acker, Editor/Publisher, "The Acker Letter"

"Wall Street's unforgiving attention to quarterly earnings presents ever-increasing pressure on CFOs to manage earnings and expectations. The Financial Numbers Game provides a clear explanation of the ways in which management can stretch, bend, and break accounting rules to reach the desired bottom line. This arms the serious investor or financial analyst with the healthy skepticism required to drive beyond reported results to a clear understanding of a firm's true performance."
--Mark Hurley, Managing Director, Training and Development Global Corporate and Investment Banking, Bank of America

"After reading The Financial Numbers Game, I feel as though I've taken a master's course in financial statement analysis. Mulford and Comiskey's latest book should be required reading for anyone who is serious about fundamentally analyzing stocks."
--Harry Domash, Investing Columnist, "San Francisco Chronicle" and Publisher, "Winning Investing"

"The Financial Numbers Game" identifies the steps businesses may take to misstate financial performanceand helps its readers to identify those situations where reported results may not be what they seem.

Understanding IFRS for SMEs is a comprehensive and in-depth approach to unpacking the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) for small, medium and micro enterprises (SMEs). In an easy to understand manner, the book explains the conceptual as well as the detailed technical knowledge underpinning the requirements of IFRS for SMEs (supplemented by the same for IFRS where applicable). The text is designed to gradually take a student through the necessary thought processes needed to compile financial statements in compliance with IFRS for SMEs, by focussing on the information and skills needed to apply professional judgment in a compilation engagement and ultimately decision-making. While the number of entities that can apply IFRS for SMEs form the majority of business entities in the market place, there is very little conceptual guidance on the application of IFRS for SMEs. This publication is therefore one of the few texts focussing on the application of IFRS for SMEs, while at the same time allowing the reader to see the contrasting requirements of IFRS. The text is designed to assist a student learn the knowledge required to comply with IFRS for SMEs but also understand the conceptual underpinnings of the standards so as to fully master IFRS for SMEs.

Accounting and Distributive Justice challenges the basic assumptions on which the current practice of financial reporting is based. It argues that the objective of financial reporting should be to contribute to the achievement of distributive justice and not the optimal allocation of resources as in the traditional capitalist paradigm. It explains in non-technical terms the principle philosophical theories of justice and argues that a firm has a moral responsibility to seek distributive justice in its dealings with its shareholders, employees, suppliers, customers, and other people with whom it has dealings, who are considered to be the firm's stakeholders. The book introduces concepts of distributive justice to accountants and provokes them into reflecting on how the discipline of accounting can best serve the cause of justice. Accounting and Distributive Justice provides both a philosophical foundation and a practical game plan for the future of a more sustainable accounting practice.

How can we ensure our strategy will succeed, especially in changing and uncertain times? The answer, as explained in Strategy Mapping for Learning Organizations, is to become a more responsive organization - one that captures its strategy in strategy maps, learns from that strategy and can adapt to deliver results. For anyone involved in managing strategy and performance, applying the powerful strategy mapping techniques will move your balanced scorecard from an operational tool to one of strategy and change. It will help you capture, communicate and manage your strategy more effectively. However, strategy can no longer be simply a top down, annual process. It needs to be more iterative, emergent and involving. Many agile organizations have adopted rolling plans and budgets. To bring greater agility into the wider strategy and performance management processes requires the tools and techniques described in Strategy Mapping for Learning Organizations. Phil Jones provides a detailed guide to developing, rolling out and managing with modern strategy maps and scorecards, building in agility and learning. His book incorporates the latest strategic thinking and models. It places the balanced scorecard in a wider governance context that includes the management of risk and environmental and social responsibility. Fully illustrated with examples from many different organizations, this book will help you deliver your strategy better.

The increasing pace of global conformance towards the adoption of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) highlights the need for accounting students as well as accounting practitioners to be conversant with IFRS. Teaching IFRS offers expert descriptions of, and insights into, the IFRS convergence process from a teaching and learning perspective. Hence this book is both timely and likely to have considerable impact in providing guidance for those who teach financial reporting around the world. The contents of the book come from authoritative sources and offer something distinctive to complement the existing textbooks which typically focus on the technical aspects of IFRS and their adoption. Drawing upon the experiences of those who have sought to introduce IFRS-related classroom innovations and the associated student outcomes achieved therefrom, the book offers suggestions about how to design and deliver courses dealing with IFRS and catalogues extensive listings of IFRS-related teaching resources to support those courses. This book was originally published as a special issue of Accounting Education: An international journal.

Accounting and Distributive Justice challenges the basic assumptions on which the current practice of financial reporting is based. It argues that the objective of financial reporting should be to contribute to the achievement of distributive justice and not the optimal allocation of resources as in the traditional capitalist paradigm. It explains in non-technical terms the principle philosophical theories of justice and argues that a firm has a moral responsibility to seek distributive justice in its dealings with its shareholders, employees, suppliers, customers, and other people with whom it has dealings, who are considered to be the firm's stakeholders. The book introduces concepts of distributive justice to accountants and provokes them into reflecting on how the discipline of accounting can best serve the cause of justice. Accounting and Distributive Justice provides both a philosophical foundation and a practical game plan for the future of a more sustainable accounting practice.

Goodwill, sometimes purchased but often more significantly internally generated, is the major constituent of the value of many listed companies. Accounting aims to provide users of financial statements with useful information, and more than fifty current International Financial Reporting Standards prescribe accounting disclosure requirements in minute detail. However, these Standards dismiss internally generated goodwill with a single brief provision that it is not to be brought to account at all. The impairment regime now laid down for dealing with purchased goodwill contains severe flaws, while previous methods have also been found to be unsatisfactory. This book traces the history of the goodwill accounting controversy in detail and demonstrates that it has been a prime example of an issue 'conceived in a way that it is in principle unsolvable'. It explores the problem of recognising the importance of goodwill as a whole and finding a way of presenting meaningful information regarding it in the context of the financial statements. The author's proposed solution builds upon research undertaken and uses a Market Capitalization Statement, based on a modification of nineteenth century 'double accounting' in a modern context. Examples show that the proposed Market Capitalization Statement has the potential to provide significant information not currently available form conventional financial statements, which in turn are freed to present clearer information.

In Time Series Analysis and Adjustment the authors explain how the last four decades have brought dramatic changes in the way researchers analyze economic and financial data on behalf of economic and financial institutions and provide statistics to whomsoever requires them. Such analysis has long involved what is known as econometrics, but time series analysis is a different approach driven more by data than economic theory and focused on modelling. An understanding of time series and the application and understanding of related time series adjustment procedures is essential in areas such as risk management, business cycle analysis, and forecasting. Dealing with economic data involves grappling with things like varying numbers of working and trading days in different months and movable national holidays. Special attention has to be given to such things. However, the main problem in time series analysis is randomness. In real-life, data patterns are usually unclear, and the challenge is to uncover hidden patterns in the data and then to generate accurate forecasts. The case studies in this book demonstrate that time series adjustment methods can be efficaciously applied and utilized, for both analysis and forecasting, but they must be used in the context of reasoned statistical and economic judgment. The authors believe this is the first published study to really deal with this issue of context.

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.

Goodwill, sometimes purchased but often more significantly internally generated, is the major constituent of the value of many listed companies. Accounting aims to provide users of financial statements with useful information, and more than fifty current International Financial Reporting Standards prescribe accounting disclosure requirements in minute detail. However, these Standards dismiss internally generated goodwill with a single brief provision that it is not to be brought to account at all. The impairment regime now laid down for dealing with purchased goodwill contains severe flaws, while previous methods have also been found to be unsatisfactory. This book traces the history of the goodwill accounting controversy in detail and demonstrates that it has been a prime example of an issue 'conceived in a way that it is in principle unsolvable'. It explores the problem of recognising the importance of goodwill as a whole and finding a way of presenting meaningful information regarding it in the context of the financial statements. The author's proposed solution builds upon research undertaken and uses a Market Capitalization Statement, based on a modification of nineteenth century 'double accounting' in a modern context. Examples show that the proposed Market Capitalization Statement has the potential to provide significant information not currently available form conventional financial statements, which in turn are freed to present clearer information.

Despite a plethora of techniques to analyse the financial performance of a business, there has been no single methodology that has been overwhelmingly preferred by users. This could be an indication that either the methods themselves are deficient or they are limited by other factors that are not easily overcome. Unlike the current offerings in the field, which focus on issues relating to business performance management or non-financial aspects (such as market efficiency, satisfaction and workforce productivity), this book offers a solution to a major gap in the literature and understanding for those seeking to measure, analyse and benchmark the financial performance of any organisation (for-profit, not-for-profit and government agencies). It clearly identifies why current techniques fail; proposes and evidences a solution that overcomes these issues by including two algorithms that can be combined, to solve this problem; and demonstrates the practical application of the technique to the benefit of users in order to pinpoint real performance levels and insights. One of the largest issues this book will help to overcome is the inability to compare the accounts of businesses/organisations from different countries that report in different currencies. This technique eliminates the need for currency translations and the issues that arise with that process. This book is an invaluable and practical guide to assist accounting and finance practitioners in measuring and comparing financial performance across firms with different business models, different accounting policies and different scales of operations.

A History of Corporate Financial Reporting provides an understanding of the procedures and practices which constitute corporate financial reporting in Britain, at different points of time, and how and why those practices changed and became what they are now. Its particular focus is the external financial reporting practices of joint stock companies. This is worth knowing about given the widely held view that Britain (i) pioneered modern financial reporting, and (ii) played a primary role in the development of both capital markets and professional accountancy. The book makes use of a principal and agent framework to study accounting's past, but one where the failure of managers always to supply the information that users' desire is given full recognition. It is shown that corporate financial reporting did not develop into its current state in a straightforward and orderly fashion. Each era produces different environmental conditions and imposes new demands on accounting. A proper understanding of accounting developments therefore requires a careful examination of the interrelationship between accountants and accounting techniques on the one hand and, on the other, the social and economic context within which changes took place. The book's corporate coverage starts with the legendary East India Company, created in 1600, and continues through the heyday of the statutory trading companies founded to build Britain's canals (commencing in the 1770s) and railways (commencing c.1829) to focus, principally, on the limited liability company fashioned by the Joint Stock Companies Act 1844 and the Limited Liability Act 1855. The story terminates in 2005 when listed companies were required to prepare their consolidated accounts in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards, thus signalling the effective end of British accounting.

The reputation of corporate reporting has been in crisis. Trust in the process of financial accounting and auditing has been undermined by a series of high profile scandals involving major corporations, including Enron, Parmalat, Ahold and Worldcom. In response, regulators and practitioners world-wide have put forward a series of initiatives to repair the damage and restore faith in corporate governance.

In this important new book, the European Auditing Research Network analyses how that response has developed in Europe, with particular emphasis on the field of auditing. Leading international academics review how regulation has been revised in specific European countries to help restore confidence in the contribution of auditing to corporate governance. Various themes are analysed, including the growing trend of internationalization in regulation, ethics and auditing, professional liability and professional education.

Auditing, Trust and Governance will be an invaluable volume for students, researchers and professionals working in the fields of auditing, accountancy and corporate governance, and will provide a useful basis for further research on the effects of the increased regulation.

This Volume, edited by Peter W. Wolnizer, Professor of Accounting at the University of Sydney, makes available the collected writings of Walter P. Scheutze, a senior accounting practitioner. The articles, speeches and letters collected here probe the most fundamental problems of corporate financial reporting, cogently arguing the case for accounting reform and proposing well-informed solutions to these problems.

Financial statements hold the key to a company's fiscal health--so learn to read them

In order to gauge a company's health--as well as the competition's--managers must know how to properly read and understand financial statements. "The Business Owner's Guide to Reading and Understanding Financial Statements" will introduce managers and business owners to various types of financial statements and explain why they are important. Serving as a desktop reference, especially for managers without a strong background in finance, this book will discuss the difference between internal and external financial statements and explain how they can be used for financial decision-making in order to avoid common missteps.

Whether you're planning for major capital projects or simply managing the fiscal aspects of your department, this nontechnical, results-driven guide will arm you with the fundamentals to: Understand the budget process and why it is importantManage assets and track inventoryGauge profitabilityMonitor success throughout the year using internal reportingSet prices and make key cost decisions

Financial statements are essential to determining a company's fiscal health. Understand where your company stands so that you can make informed decisions about its future.

Accounting Standards can vary widely from country to country, thus making comparisons of company accounts difficult. Other adverse effects can include higher than necessary preparation costs for multinational companies, who may have to prepare different reports on their operations for different countries. It is clear that such problems and inefficiencies are no longer acceptable either to investors or corporations in an increasingly globalised capital market. International Accounting Standards were written to harmonise all accounting standards throughout the world, improving the ability of investors, creditors, governments, and others to make informed resource allocation and policy decisions. The ISAC Standards are now accepted by almost all leading stock exchanges and many international companies are now preparing their accounts using them.
The G7 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors have called on all countries that participate in global capital markets to commit to complying with these universal standards. In May 2000, the International Organisation of Securities Commissions (IOSOC) recommended acceptance of the use of IAS by its members. In June 2000, the European Commission proposed that all listed companies in the EU should be required to prepare their consolidated financial statements using International Accounting Standards.

Using the text from the Standards themselves this book explains clearly and precisely the requirements and use of the Standards in a style that is acceptable to the accountant and non-accountant alike.

This Volume, edited by Peter W. Wolnizer, Professor of Accounting at the University of Sydney, makes available the collected writings of Walter P. Scheutze, a senior accounting practitioner. The articles, speeches and letters collected here probe the most fundamental problems of corporate financial reporting, cogently arguing the case for accounting reform and proposing well-informed solutions to these problems.

This book investigates the legitimacy of the current Australian Financial Services Licensee-Authorised Representative (AFSL-AR) licensing model, as specified in the Commonwealth Corporations Act 2001. The book rectifies the deficiency in scholarly attention to this matter by developing a new conceptualised framework for the financial planning discipline. It takes into account theories in agency, legislation, legitimacy and the independent individual regulatory regimes in other professions; thereafter integrating this framework with the financial planning theory to examine the legitimacy, or what was found to be the illegitimacy of licensing advisers via multiple third party conflicted commercially oriented licensees. This book makes a very useful reference to understanding financial planning licencing model in Australia.

In this 30th volume of Advances in Taxation, editor John Hasseldine includes studies from expert contributors to explore topics such as: the stock market reaction to the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act; strategic repatriations made by firms; and corporate social responsibility and tax planning. Three studies separately examine individual responses to taxation including the renunciation of U.S. citizenship due to the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act, the imposition of a tax on sugar-sweetened beverages, and the effects of social media on tax compliance in a developing country. Reporting peer-reviewed research contributions from the U.S., Canada, and Malaysia Advances in Taxation Volume 30 is essential reading for those looking to keep abreast of the most recent research, including empirical studies using a variety of research methods from different institutional settings and contexts

Breakthrough new ideas from the leading pioneer in integrated reportingImmediately useful with clear and concise chaptersProvides the most complete story of integrated reporting for managers and students

This text is a clear, non-technical and analytical introduction to company reporting for students in business and management at all levels. It has been carefully researched, designed and written for those studying in non-accounting disciplines including business studies, management studies, engineering and humanities. Equally it will be useful for those taking postgraduate courses and who are new to the finance and accounting field.

The author assumes no previous knowledge of company reporting and leads the reader carefully through the key features of the field to give a clear understanding of:

* The professional and legal regulations that support the foundations of company reporting

* Analysis and interpretation of company financial statements from the user's perspective

* The major weaknesses and limitations of company reports, and the questioning approach that the user should adopt

* The impact of European and environmental issues.

The book's relevance and applicability to the real world of business is enhanced throughout by reference to and analysis of real life company financial statements and reports.

Corporate Financial Reporting critically examines contemporary corporate financial reporting. The complexity of the reporting process and the myriad of issues facing the directors, accountants and auditors can only be successfully understood from a firm conceptual base. Recent financial scandals clearly highlight the interrelationships between all the themes explored in this book, from financial reporting to auditing, from management's motivations to fraud.

Special features of this book include:

- A critical examination of accounting 'theory'

- Senior practitioners' insights on 'a true and fair view'

- An exploration of 'the financial reporting expectations gap'

- A discussion of the nature of 'corporate performance'

- An examination of corporate fraud

- An examination of the implications of 'real-time' reporting by companies

- Discussion questions at the end of each chapter

The book will be relevant to advanced undergraduate as well as postgraduate and MBA students.

Financial Management and Real Options provides comprehensive and up-to-date coverage of financial management. Jack Broyles’ writing style makes concepts more easily understood and chapters significantly shorter than in comparable financial management textbooks. Accordingly, this book is particularly suitable for students on MBA programmes and for executives.

• Covers all main financial management topics in a concise and accessible manner

• Demonstrates clearly why correct capital investment decisions require the valuation of relevant real options and provides a pragmatic approach to real options valuation.

• Written in a non-mathematical style appealing to MBA students and executives

• Includes 185 exercises helping students understand key concepts

Financial Management and Real Options is written for MBA students taking courses in financial management and corporate finance. It is also of great interest to executives needing to improve their knowledge of financial management.

Supplementary materials for lecturers adopting the text is provided on the following web site www.wiley.co.uk/broyles

First published in 1997. Routledge is an imprint of Taylor & Francis, an informa company.

eBook available with sample pages: HB:0415919134