Chapter 9

Scouring the Notes to the Financial Statements

In This Chapter

arrow Describing the notes and their importance

arrow Understanding the fine print of accounting methods

arrow Finding out about financial commitments

arrow Getting acquainted with mergers and acquisitions

arrow Reading notes about pensions and retirement

arrow Detailing segmented businesses and significant events

arrow Keeping an eye out for red flags

Would you ever sign an important contract without reading the fine print first? I didn't think so. Remember this philosophy when you read financial statements because the corporate world certainly doesn't escape the cliché about sweeping ashes under the rug. Hiding problems in the notes to the financial statements is a common practice for companies in trouble.

In this chapter, I explain the role of the ...

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