A rigourous and comprehensive introductory text which explains and critcially evaluates the concepts underlying the preparation of financial accounts, their application and possible altternatives to current practice; it thereby provides a distinctive framework for understanding the principles upon which the performance and position of a company are measured. The principles are illustrated by worked examples and through the extracted accounts of a real company. The topicality and scope of the text have been enhanced to cover conceptual frameworks, internal harmonisation, and accounting for groups and intangibles, and also includes end-of-chapter discussion questions and exercises. Teacher's Manual (0-13-317876-5)