ESSENTIAL READING FOR ANYONE WHO IS NOT A FINANCE PROFESSIONAL
Accounting fundamentals, business finance, budgeting, profitability and cash management.
You’ll find all the essential tools you need in order to make better financial business decisions.
Why this book is different to other finance books:
• Quick and easy to use
• Spotlights “what you need to know”
• Requires no prior finance knowledge
• Practical and real-world focus
• Written by practitioners
A finance for non-finance book
The Finance Book de-mystifies the language of finance.
It is aimed primarily at professionals from a non-finance background and will also appeal to those wishing to pursue a career in business or finance. Finance professionals will also find it to be a handy reference guide.
By using the book, you will be able to:
• interpret financial terminology
• understand financial statements
• analyse financial performance
• discuss finance concepts with confidence in the workplace
• make more-informed financial decisions
• ask the right questions to the right people
The book is designed to be quick and easy to use
• It does not have to be read from cover to cover.
• Readers can “dip in and out” of the book
• Each finance topic is written as a “standalone” chapter
• Each chapter is broken down into sub-sections beginning with “Need to know”
• The reader can quickly understand each topic.
What’s new in the 2nd edition of ‘the finance book’?
Follow this link to find out what is new in the second edition.
Further resources for readers
Follow this link for the authors reflections on the ‘reflect and embed’ questions contained within each chapter.
KNOWLEDGE AND TOOLS TO MAKE BETTER BUSINESS DECISIONS
The Finance Book covers:
- fundamentals of finance – personnel, systems, accounting and cash
- financial statements and key terminology – profit and loss account; balance sheet; cash flow statement; and their key components
- how to assess financial health – key financial performance measures and how these affect business value
- sources of business finance – equity; debt; and alternatives.
- financial management – best practice financial management techniques employed by successful businesses.
- financial and regulatory environment – rules, regulations, responsibilities and best practice in running a company
Key features of ‘The Finance Book’
- The Finance Book is specifically designed as an easy to use “go to” book.
- Each bite-size section tells you what you need to know about a finance concept and why it matters.
- Each section is cross referenced, enabling you to create a personalised pathway through the book.
Listen to our interview about ‘The Finance Book’ on Jazz FM Business Breakfast
The Finance Book Contents
Finance fundamentals
1 Business accounting
2 Finance personnel and systems
Primary financial statements
3 Profit and loss
4 Balance sheet
5 Cash flow statement
Key elements of financial statements
6 Revenue recognition
7 Opex and capex
8 Business tax
9 Tangible fixed assets and depreciation
10 Goodwill and other intangibles
11 Stock
12 Debtors and creditors
13 Prepayments and accruals
14 Provisions & contingent liabilities
15 Capital and reserves
16 Group accounting
17 Revaluation
18 Impairment
Financial and regulatory environment
19 Accounting and financial reporting standards
20 External financial audit
21 Information in the public domain
22 Corporate governance and whistle blowing
Assessing financial health
23 Profitability performance measures
24 Working capital and liquidity management
25 Insolvency and going concern risk
26 Long term solvency performance measures
27 Investor ratios
28 Business valuation
Sources of business finance
29 Equity finance
30 Debt finance
Financial management
31 Management accounts
32 Profitable pricing
33 Profit planning
34 Budgeting and forecasting
35 Investment appraisal
Practical application
36 Consolidate and apply
37 The reliability, relevance & trustworthiness of financial statements
Appendix
Greggs plc 2020 Financial Statements
Glossary
Full index
Authors
Stuart Warner BSc (Hons) FCA, BFP, Cert IoD
Si Hussain BSc (Hons) FCA, BFP, FHEA, PgCert (Learning and Teaching in HE)
Publishers
FT Publishing (Pearson)
ISBN-10 : 1292401982
ISBN-13 : 978-1292401980
Where you can buy ‘The Finance Book’
Avaiable from all good book shops on the high street and online.
Endorsments for ‘The Finance Book’ (2nd edition)
“This book is a rich and satisfying guide for non-finance professionals who wish to make informed financial decisions. The book tackles the complexities and challenges of finance with impeccable clarity, backed up with recent examples. A road map to enlightenment in finance!“
Yahya Alamari, MSc, FIoD, Chartered FCIPD, CMgr MCMI, MInstLM. Talent and Cultural Change Consultant and former HR Regional Director at KPMG MESA.
“I wish I had read this book earlier in my career ! A very inviting and must-read book covering the financial concepts that all Senior Managers should know, and told in a way that resonates with those who did not grow up in Finance.”
Rupert Brown, People Director – Digital at Virgin Media O2
“As a developing clinical leader, the language of finance can sometimes be a barrier. The authors provide a succinct, easy to understand introduction to accounting concepts and terminology. This book will support aspiring leaders to access wider involvement and understanding in their business or organisation.”
Dr Jason I Broch, Clinical Chair: NHS Leeds CCG; Health & Social Care Lead: Yorkshire & Humber Health & Care Record; Partner: Oakwood Lane Medical Practice
“This book is different. It is neither traditional finance nor traditional accounting. It does not attempt to provide a theoretical foundation for the subject but offers nuggets of practical wisdom in a way that distils the authors’ decades of experience in the field. The book is clear, immediate, exhaustive and (dare I say it) fun to read –unburdened by theory, down to earth, succinct and practical. Middle or senior management will find it useful, if not essential, in their day to day activities.”
Emeritus Professor Robert Cressy, University of Birmingham, UK
“I have adopted The Finance Book for students studying my MBA financial management module and have no hesitation in recommending this text to all those who need to understand the core financial aspects of business operations.”
Dr David Fairclough, Borlace Management Ltd
“A refreshingly easy ‘pick up and read’ book, providing straightforward explanations of potentially complex terms and aspects of finance. A key read for those seeking to understand the fundamentals of finance.”
Shirley Fyfe, Lead facilitator and trainer, Director, Kinsbourne Consulting Limited
“Invaluable knowledge and context for anyone taking a non-executive directorship or trustee type role, who doesn’t have a finance background. Fantastic reference and reminder for anyone who does!”
Ceri Humphrey, Chair, Programme Management Committee of the Hertfordshire Local Economic Partnership
“Having never studied finance and accounting, I found this book an invaluable reference. It has helped me to professionalise the running my own business. I only wish I had read this at the start of my entrepreneurial journey.”
Karim Harbott, entrepreneur, non-executive director, and author of ’The 6 Enablers of Business Agility’
“This is an excellent guide to understanding finance. It is very accessible for anyone seeking to understand what financial information is telling them. I recommend this book for professional development in finance.”
Paul Jennings, Senior Lecturer in Accounting at the University of Winchester (UK) and Visiting Professor at Schmalkalden University of Applied Sciences (Germany).
“I found the book easy to digest, simple to read and full of real life concepts and examples. Each chapter has been designed thoughtfully making it perfect for dipping in and out alongside a busy schedule.”
Nabilah Khan, BT Learning and Development Manager (Enterprise)
“The finance book is well written yet concise. Professionals lacking in financial knowledge, will find it to be an invaluable reference guide“
Peter Keeley, Lecturer, West London/New City College.
“The Finance Book is a practical guide that deciphers finance and will transform your financial awareness and confidence. A must read that will become your go to finance Rosetta Stone.”
Jonathan Levy, ICAEW Director, Product Development
“I wish this book was available before I joined my first board! This is a must-read for any non-finance professional and/or aspiring corporate director; I highly recommend it!”
Diana Markaki – Bartholdi, International M&A lawyer & CEO of the Boardroom
“The reflection sections are a brilliant addition to an already great finance book. This second edition will most certainly be sat on the desks of each of my team.”
Rebecca Martin, Head of Learning Innovation, Professional Body (healthcare sector)
“As a non-financial Managing Director, I would say this is a must have in your top right hand draw to help any future board members or accounting students who want to stay ahead of the curve on finance and concentrate on their day job, which could be anything from running a start up to managing a much bigger organisation.”
Richard Offord, Managing Director, VolkerFitzpatrick
“The Finance Book offers what very few resources do, namely, a comprehensive guide to finance that is accessible in a succinct and highly coherent manner.”
Dimitrios Perdikoulis, Head of Operations, Evolution Partners, Hong Kong
“Clear, simple, easy to follow and a great overview of a broad range of finance topics for non-financial managers.”
Nick Page, Chief Operations Officer, Oxford Biomedica (UK) Ltd
“Clear structure, easy to understand and perfect for dipping in and out. I use it as a regular reference guide, and it’s allowed me to better communicate with my finance colleagues. Highly recommend!”
Simon Reeve, Commercial Director, Bark Digital
“This is an invaluable book for professionals who need a working understanding of accounting and finance without the benefit of formal training. It’s like having a friendly accountant on speed dial whenever you come across something you don’t understand or remember.”
Saul Sender, Partner, Mishcon de Reya LLP
“The first edition of this comprehensive book added great value to an accompanying workshop for a talent cohort. It enabled our participants to have a reference aid to come back to regarding the language of finance. Furthermore, it enhanced their comprehension of the interaction between business and finance, one of our key learning objectives. I would highly recommend the enhanced second edition of this book to anyone in or outside of a finance role.”
Nikki Sloan, Director Learning & Development, EMEA, Russia and Australia (Pharmaceuticals)
“I never thought I would like finance but that was purely because I just never understood it well. This book is a true eyeopener, converting the puzzle of numbers and finance terms into a light breeze of finance.
Thank you for making me love finance!”
Madelon Sweers, Head of Marketing NL bij Dept Agency, Netherlands
Endorsments for ‘The Finance Book’ (1st edition)
“Reduces the time required by management in order to understand the essentials of accounting and finance, enabling them to spend more time to focus on their core business”.
Nasser Abbas, Joint Managing Director, Gearhouse SA (Pty) Ltd
“This book is set out clearly and is often transformational. This is the go-to source for clarity on how Financial Language and Structures relate to real life business situations.”
Derek Ion, Projects Director, Annesbrook Holdings Ltd (N.Z.).
“If you need a clear introduction to the critical concepts of finance then this book delivers it. A highly intuitive structure means readers can dip in and out and learn as they go.”
Ken Lee, Head of European Equity Research, Barclays
“A really helpful, well organised and easy to understand primer and reference book for those who aren’t accountants but still need to understand the accounts.”
Roger Siddle,, Chairman, Cordium Group
“Language is a key to understanding any field of specialty, in this book Hussain and Warner have managed to distill principles of Finance and Accounting in such a way that the language that often mystifies non-practitioners is clearly explained and meaningful. I wish I had access to this this book when I started my career in management. The Finance Book is an excellent reference and a handy resource for any professional, it will be indispensable to aspiring manager. In the business-world accountancy and finance are the ring that binds managers, this book clarifies and explains concepts, for many it covers familiar territory but for most non-financial professionals it will also provide the information to fill the inevitable gaps in our knowledge. Hussain and Warner explain in a straightforward and clear manner the concepts that baffle many managers from a non-financial background early in their careers. The language of business is presented unambiguously with relevant examples that enable the reader to quickly grasp, and embed concepts.”
André Snoxall, Director, Russau Consulting
“A Great book. At last a guide that demystifies and encourages business owners to practically understand financial matters. A must read.”
Gordon Vater CEO, RiiG Limited
“This is fantastic! Full of real-time insights for business people who haven’t studied accountancy.”
Daniel Feather, Partner, EY London
“I wish I had a book like this at the start of my career! The bite sized summaries at the start of each chapter are a smart time saver for any busy business professional.”
Ben Grover, Finance Director, UBM EMEA
“Essential reading for any non-finance professional. This is an easy to read and practical guide to the world of finance.”
Paul Herman, Group CEO, Bluebox Corporate Finance
“As an experienced CFO I can see the business value in all employees, not just those in finance, having financial awareness and understanding. The Finance Book does an excellent job in making finance accessible and articulating clearly its relevance in practice.”
Phil Mickler, CFO, Jack Wills
“A clear, concise and straightforward introduction to the world of accounting and finance – which, to non-accountants, too often seems nothing of the sort’.
Tessa Park, Technical Partner, Kingston Smith LLP
“The financial aspect of business is so important. This invaluable book helps make finance simple and understandable and is a must read.”
Martin Port, CEO, BigChange Apps
For further information, enquiries about speaking, training, media, content or other questions
Please contact us at enquiries@financebook.co.uk
