Widely acclaimed-by the press in its original edition How to read a balance sheet quickly became a popular training and self-development text, and has been translated into more than 20 languages. Almost four decades after its first publication, the second edition was published to cover recent developments in accountancy. This is the second Indian adaptation.

The basic Programme-structure of the original ILO (second) Edition has not been changed, but what have been extensively revised are the formats, classifications and treatments of various operating and financial variables of a business enterprise in terms of the Indian Companies Act, Income Tax Act and various usages and practices of banking and commercial circles.

How to read a balance sheet is ideal both for individual study and for workshops; it can be used with equal profit by those who are going on to do further work in accountancy or by those who simply what to understand the basic accounting concepts. The active participation of the reader at each stage in the skilful step-by-step presentation of the subject-matter ensures rapid and lasting results.

Table of Contents

Preface to the first Indian edition
Preface to the second (revised) edition
Technical data
How the Programme works
Progress work sheet

Chapter 1. Introduction

Set 1. Some aspects of accounting
Set 2. What is a balance sheet?

Chapter 2. The investment side of the balance sheet—assets

Set 3. Types of assets and their liquidity
Set 4. Valuation of assets

Chapter 3. The funding side of the balance sheet—liabilities

Set 5. Current liabilities and fixed liabilities
Set 6. Shareholders' funds
Set 7. Capital reserve and Revenue reserve; capital authorised and capital issued

Chapter 4. The overall balance sheet