This book explores certain contemporary problems of accounting through the eyes and pens of historians. Many accounting problems are not new ones and it is therefore important to understand their history and development through the ages. This book places twentieth century studies in context and provides clues to possible solutions. The focus of this book is on companies and their financial reports and will be of use to students of economic and business history who wish to provide themselves with an accounting background in relation to the financial reports of companies they may be studying.

Corporate Financial Reporting Analysis combines comprehensive coverage and a rigorous approach to modern financial reporting with a readable and accessible style. Merging traditional principles of corporate finance and accepted reporting practices with current models enable the reader to develop essential interpretation and analysis skills, while the emphasis on real-world practicality and methodology provides seamless coverage of both GAAP and IFRS requirements for enhanced global relevance. Two decades of classroom testing among INSEAD MBA students has honed this text to provide the clearest, most comprehensive model for financial statement interpretation and analysis; a concise, logically organized pedagogical framework includes problems, discussion questions, and real-world case studies that illustrate applications and current practices, and in-depth examination of key topics clarifies complex concepts and builds professional intuition. With insightful coverage of revenue recognition, inventory accounting, receivables, long-term assets, M&A, income taxes, and other principle topics, this book provides both education and ongoing reference for MBA students.

`This is a book which should be read by all students, whether undergraduate and postgraduate. It also provides a succinct guide for the manager who wishes to come to grips with this topic, or the accountant nostalgic to recollect the non too praiseworthy and indecisive history of this topic′ - Managerial Auditing Journal 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.

This book is designed for corporate directors and senior executives who want to gain a better understanding of accounting. Corporate directors and managers are under pressure from recent changes in the law (especially The Sarbanes-Oxley Act 2002) and demands by shareholders and the public to be more informed, vigilant and involved in the governance of business organizations.

Financial Accounting and Reporting courses today need to recognize both the diversity of national traditions and the trend towards accounting harmonization. The profile of students in Financial Accounting courses in European and international business programs is changing. Student bodies are now real melting pots of cultures. English has become the lingua franca of business for most MBA and many undergraduate students. More and more business programs are taught in part or completely in International English. Students today need to be trained to appreciate, understand and analyze a variety of Accounting and Reporting problems from a theoretical and pragmatic point of view, rather than just memorize the local regulatory solution prescribed in one given country or context. Corporate Financial Reporting: A Global Perspective provides an introduction to financial accounting for todayÂ's international business student. It provides a user perspective. Financial Accounting and Reporting is a universal knowledge base required from all students intending to become economic actors. Whether they will use accounting and financial information as internal managers or executives, or as external users (investors, credit analysts, etc.) they will need to interpret accounting data. Rather than providing a regulatory solution to a reporting or measurement issue, Corporate Financial Reporting examines the economic logic of the problem and identifies generic possible solutions and shows the impact each might have on a companyÂ's or decision makerÂ's decisions. Rather than adopting a Â'nationalÂ' approach to accounting issues, Corporate Financial Reporting offers an international perspective, guiding students through IAS, US GAAP and different local standards where they provide an interesting and relevant lesson.