Interpreting And Analyzing Financial Statements

Promoting confidence in one's financial accounting strategies and ability, this series of preliminary activities helps readers learn to prepare a comprehensive financial statement analysis. Each activity concentrates on only one aspect of the analysis, and uses data from well-known corporations, such as American Airlines, AT&T, Chrysler, Microsoft, Wal-Mart, and more.

Focuses on interpretation and analysis, providing many numbers and keeping calculations to a minimum. Involves a researching component in a least one activity per chapter, i.e., reading the Wall Street Journal, surfing the world-wide-web, or calling a local bank. Uses four-years of comparative information when introducing financial statements, helping readers develop an overall strategy to analyze the financial statement. Emphasizes the significant role ratios have in analyzing financial statements, and uses trend analysis to evaluate both the income statement and the balance sheet. A 'final project' requires readers to research, analyze, and prepare a comprehensive written report on the public corporation of their choice.