This guide walks readers through the conventions and complexities of company accounts, explaining how to assess the financial and trading position of a company from year to year, and how to spot undue risk-taking and 'cosmetic accounting.' It contains frequent reference to the legal and accounting requirements in the UK, both as regards to International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) and UK Generally Accepted Accounting Practice (UK GAAP). Material is presented in the context of interesting information to look out for when preparing accounts, rather than how a set of accounts should be prepared, using real-world cases as examples. This tenth edition explains key differences between IFRS and UK GAAP. There is also new material on recent developments in narrative reporting. The book is suitable for intermediate and advanced undergraduate and MBA accounting and finance courses. Holmes is former editor of Accountancy, the journal of the Institute of Chartered Accountants. The book is not distributed in the US at this time. Annotation ©2008 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)