Book excerpt: An indispensable hands-on guide to financial accounting In light of recent accounting scandals, it is critical that all financial practitioners understand and play by the rules of the accounting field. Starting from the assumption that the reader is not familiar with any accounting jargon, Mastering Financial Accounting Essentials presents material in a way that explains the key features of modern accounting step by step and helps you develop an intuitive understanding of accounting. Each chapter presents important accounting concepts, from inventory valuation methods and the timing of erosion of productive assets to how internal managers calculate ratios and trends to evaluate business efficiency. For those who need to understand the language and law of this discipline in order to communicate effectively with accountants and clients, Mastering Financial Accounting Essentials will be an indispensable guide.