Book excerpt: The basic premise of this book is that health care non-financial managers need to understand enough about financial management to be successful in their day-to-day activities while not being smothered with details. Ward provides managers with a basic level of financial management principles, including understanding financial statements and ratios, preparing an operating budget, and using financial analysis to help with decision making. Written in plain English, the text is interspersed with illustrative cases and examples gleaned from more than twenty years of experience in both operational and financial areas and in both staff and management capacities. The text is sophisticated enough to be used by graduate students and practitioners as well as undergraduate programs in health services administration. It is also suited for independent study by professionals seeking to enhance their professional development. Lastly, it is useful as a day-to-day reference for managers in all fields in health care.