Book excerpt: This is the first and only book to combine the concept of shareholder value creation with the financial reporting process. Readers will discover the clear links between shareholder value creation, the financial accounting statements, and the market value of the firm. They'll also explore the steps leading from good decisions by management to strong financial statements, and higher shareholder value and stock prices. Throughout the pages, the authors strike an effective balance among the mechanics underlying the preparation of the statements, the measurement issues behind the mechanics, and the economic context in which the statements are prepared and used.