Chapter 1

Accounting: The Language of Business, Investing, Finance, and Taxes

In This Chapter

arrow Realizing how accounting is relevant to you

arrow Grasping how all economic activity requires accounting

arrow Watching an accounting department in action

arrow Shaking hands with business financial statements

arrow Mapping a career in accounting

I had a captive audience when I taught Accounting 101 because, then as well as now, all business school students have to take this course. In contrast very few arts and science students elect the course, which is their loss. Accounting 101 teaches about business, including the nature of profit (which most people don’t understand) and the fundamentals of capitalism. The course is a very good training ground for becoming financially literate. These days there is a big push to improve financial literacy, and a basic accounting course offers a useful framework for understanding and thinking about financial issues.

In one sense this book is the accounting course you never took. ...

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