Book excerpt: Written with both the established and aspiring financial professional in mind, this book will help you understand the mechanics of the accounting process, which is the foundation for financial reporting; comprehend the differences and similarities in income statements, balance sheets, and cash flow statements around the globe; and assess the implications for securities valuation of any financial statement element or transaction. Along the way, you'll also discover how different financial analysis techniques—such as ratio analysis and common-size financial statements—can provide valuable clues into a company's operations and risk characteristics.