Understanding financial reporting standards : a non-technical guide

"If you want to understand the regulations and practices of financial accounting and reporting, this is the book for you! The authors of this book have developed a unique set of material on corporate financial reporting based on their collective years of teaching experience. In this book, they explain, in non-technical language, the financial information that companies are required to provide. What are companies? Why are they formed? Companies are not charities but are formed to provide a good income to their shareholders by selling us goods and services. Large companies in the UK are mostly known as Public Limited Companies (PLCs). There are about 2,000 PLCs in the London Stock Exchange. But do we understand these companies' objectives and activities? We can do so by examining the financial information they provide publicly in their annual financial reports. To be able to examine the financial statements issued by companies, you need to understand the regulations issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB). This book explains the requirements of Financial Reporting Standards. Guidance on the disclosure requirements and examples from companies' financial reports are also provided and explained. Many of these company names are synonymous with our everyday lives. Think about Cadbury Chocolate, Unilever, Diageo, Shell, Boots. It is difficult to conceive our lives without their products and services. The explanation and guidance provided in this book will allow you to understand fully the operations of such companies. This is vital knowledge if you intend to do business with the companies, buy their products and services or find employment with them"--