"It's been said that accounting is the language of business. With this book as your guide, you can become fluent in finance--and if you're studying for an MBA or MAcc, that skill will help you pass your exams. In true For Dummies style, this guide cuts through the thick forest of financial jargon to turn abstract concepts into understandable English. Step-by-step examples show you how things work in practice, so you can master the fundamentals of finance, interpret them, and put them to work like a pro. Inside... Get the latest on GAAP; Grasp mergers and acquisitions; Understand accounting terms; Analyze and evaluate corporate financial statements; Compile financial reports; Spot common fraud techniques; Find new career options." -- Back cover.

Includes index. "Create an attractive profile that gets attention. Market yourself through connections and groups. Identify potential partners, pals, and investors" -- Cover.

Getting a financial accounting initiation -- Seeing the big picture of financial accounting -- Introducing the big three financial statements -- Running the numbers for success -- Acronym alert! setting the standards for financial accounting -- Reviewing some accounting basics -- Booking it: the process behind financial accounting -- Focusing on accounting methods and concepts -- Spending quality time with the balance sheet -- Assessing the balance sheet's asset section -- Digging for debt in the liabilities section -- Letting owners know where they stand: the equity section -- Investigating income and cash flow -- Searching for profit or loss on the income statement -- Following the money by studying cash flow -- Examining depreciation cost flow assumptions -- Learning about inventory cost flow assumptions -- Analyzing the financial statements -- Using ratios and other tools -- Got your dictionary ready? reading explanatory notes and disclosures -- Studying the report to the shareholders -- Feeling brave? tackling more advanced financial accounting topics -- Accounting for emerging issues -- Accounting for income taxes -- Accounting for leases -- Reporting changes in methods and the correction of errors -- The part of tens -- Ten financial accounting shenanigans -- Ten accounting career opportunities.