Introduction to Financial Accounting: A User Perspective - Hardcover

Werner, Michael L.; Jones, Kumen H.

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 013032759X ISBN 13: 9780130327598

Publisher: Pearson, 2003

Synopsis

For Financial Accounting Courses.

This introduction to financial accounting and its significant role in making sound business decisions teaches students how to be wise users, not necessarily preparers of accounting information - a strong user-based approach that's endorsed and supported by the AECC. The authors present accounting information in a broader business context―emphasizing what accounting information is, why it is important, and how it is used to make economic decisions. Optional coverage of accounting procedures is included.

About this title

Review

"The entire book is very clearly written at a presentation level appropriate for an introductory course. The clarity and effectiveness of presentation is excellent, and I have enjoyed using this text. My students typically give me unsolicited positive feedback on the text-particularly its readability." ― Connie Groer, Frostburg State University

"I felt that the author was talking to me . . . . The writing style is clear and effective and supports effective teaching. The use of well-known companies throughout gives more credibility to the reading. I have used many introductory texts and I feel that this is one of the best presentations." ― A. J Potts, University of Southern Maine

"I believe there are two topics that present the greatest difficulty for students. First is the cash versus accrual bases of accounting. The second is the process of recording transactions via debits and credits, normalization, and posting to the ledger. The Werner/Jones text handles both of these issues better than my current text." ― Marshall Pitman, University of Texas-San Antonio

"The entire book is very clearly written at a presentation level appropriate for an introductory course. The clarity and effectiveness of presentation is excellent, and I have enjoyed using this text. My students typically give me unsolicited positive feedback on the text, particularly its readability." ― Connie Groer, Frostburg State University

"Chapter 11 is excellent! It gives a very good description of where to look for information of a nonfinancial nature. This is an unusual asset in a beginning accounting text, and the authors should be congratulated. This one chapter is enough to justify buying the book." ― Harold Wyman, Florida International University

"I am currently using the Second Edition of this text and have found the chapters to be consistently strong in content, examples, and writing style." ― Michael Welker, Drexel University

"The 'Accounting for Inventory' [chapter] did an excellent job of comparing periodic inventory to perpetual inventory systems. Overall, Werner/Jones have done a better job of presenting the data on inventory in a more concise and understandable manner than [current text in use]." ― Ken Couvillion, San Joaquin Delta College

"Werner/Jones lays out the inventory chapter (Chapter 8) in a way that is easier for the student to understand than does my present book." ― David Caslan, Bethune-Cookman College

"'Statement of Cash Flows' is a difficult chapter . . . [and it] always challenges students. The discussion of the cash flow statement is clear, the example that walks us through the preparation is uncomplicated, and the discussion of the direct method included in the appendix is fine. The best way to understand this topic is through actually preparing a statement of cash flows, and the chapter does a good job of doing so. ― Mark Bettini, University of California-Berkeley

"It is my personal belief that the 'Analyzing of Financial Statements' chapter is the most important chapter in the course. After all, what's it all about if a student doesn't know how to use the financial statements to make important business decisions about a company . . . . Trying to be objective, I must tell you that Werner/Jones have done an excellent job in this chapter." ― ;Ken Couvillion, San Joaquin Delta College

From the Back Cover

Mike Werner and Kumen Jones have crafted an exciting series of texts designed to meet the needs of those faculty and students who are eager to embrace a user perspective in first-year accounting.

Introduction to Financial Accounting: A User Perspective, Third Edition, covers the essential topics of financial accounting. Rather than rote memorization, the text first introduces a concept framework that emphasizes understanding of how all employees use accounting information to make effective business decisions. Additional features include:

• Optional Treatment of Debits and Credits. Starting with Chapter 7, the authors include optional appendices on debits and credits at the ends of chapters to complement the material in stand-alone Chapter 6, "Accumulating Accounting Data." This material may be included or omitted at the discretion of each faculty member.
• Annual Report Project Included in Assignment Material. Faculty members can tailor the project to suit their needs by assigning all of it or selected parts.
• NEW―Fewer Chapters. The financial portion of the text is now only 11 chapters. (Chapters 3 and 4 from the second edition are combined into a single Chapter 3 on the balance sheet.)
• NEW―Distinctive Presentation of Accounting Procedures (Chapter 6). Part I describes each step of the accounting cycle. Part II introduces debits and credits and demonstrates each accounting cycle step from journalizing transactions to closing entries.
• NEW―Integration of Financial Topics. Statement of Cash Flows and Key Financial Ratios are introduced now in Chapter 3 and are integrated throughout the text where appropriate.
  • In-depth coverage of the direct method of the statement of cash flows is moved to an appendix.
  • Financial statement analysis chapter presents charts for each of the 17 ratios calculated for Pier 1 Imports and two peer companies.

Also available

Introduction to Management Accounting: A User Perspective, Second Edition, maintains the authors' well-received user approach and places a high emphasis on decision making. Other unique features include:

• NEW-Separate Chapter on Cost Allocation and ABC (Chapter 4).
• User-Driven Approach to Cost Behavior (Chapters 5 and 6).
• Unique Chapter on Evaluating Performance (Chapter 11) discusses evaluation methods; centralized and decentralized management styles, business segments, return on investment and residual income; nonfinancial measures, such as quality, customer satisfaction, employee morale, employee safety, efficiency, and just-in-time philosophy.
• Distinctive Presentation of the Operating Budget (Chapter 9). Part I describes the importance and uses of the operating budget and compares/contrasts various approaches to preparation. Part II shows step-by-step preparation of the budgets that comprise the operating budget and details the use of the operating budget in the overall management process.

Of course, if you want the best of both books, then Introduction to Accounting: A User Perspective, Second Edition, is the best solution because this single volume contains the full versions of both Introduction to Financial Accounting: A User Perspective, Third Edition, and Introduction to Management Accounting: A User Perspective, Second Edition. A seamless year of principles material included within one book!

And an extensive technology support package includes Internet tools, PowerPoints, and general ledger software available to accompany each text!

Edition details

• Publisher: Pearson
• Publication date: 2003
• ISBN 10: 013032759X
• ISBN 13: 9780130327598
• Binding: Hardcover
• Language: English
• Edition number: 3
• Number of pages: 592