Accounting For Dummies

Let me put it this way. If you have a small business, or are put into a position where you need to manage money for a business, or need to buy a business. This book will help you if your not accountant savy.

Its a great book, and is very well written. Another five star success for the dummies series.


Excellent ... for certain purposes   July 26, 2006
The Christopher (Houston, TX)
42 out of 42 found this review helpful

Accounting for Dummies is an excellent book for dummies to understand accounting practices, not necessarily perform accounting yourself. Whether this book will be helpful or not depends on your educational goal.

If you are a small business and want to learn how to "keep the books," this book isn't for you. I think Idiot's Guide to Accounting is more geared for that.

However, If you want to learn the termonology and ideas behind accounting practices this is good. I'm a graduate business student who never had accounting in undergraduate classes. This book was very helpful in "getting me caught up." It also helps you learn to read and understand a financial statement as well.

The book is also well read, easy to read and follow. Termonology is clearly explained and future mention of those ideas have references back to the original explanation. There is a good glossary in the back and the index is very complete.




Very Good book for Financial and Mangerial Accounting   November 16, 2003
28 out of 30 found this review helpful

This is a great book for a person to use to suplment what is learned and practiced in Both entry level college accounting classes. It really will help you get a better grade in the class by reinforcing and explainations that are different then your typical college textbook. I highly reccomend this book for any college student that will be taking accounting, it is well worth it's price and I believe if read during the semester along with the practice in your class you will get a better grade. I did.


Great Overview   July 10, 2006
finance101 (San Francisco, California)
14 out of 14 found this review helpful

I am an entry-level financial analyst straight out of college with little accounting experience (due to a broad liberal arts education) and who had never read the 3 financial statements prior to working. This book was my savior. It explains accounting on a conceptual level, which has been perfect for me. Great for an analyst, not the book for an auditor, obviously. It's great for someone who wants to learn to analyze and become proficient/literate at reading the statements, not for someone who wants to know exactly how to do bookkeeping (which is exactly how the author qualifies his book in the beginning). I'm a big fan of John Tracy's writing, which is easy to read and concise. This book led me to read his other accounting book, "How to read a Financial Report," also a great read.


GREAT for beginners!   March 20, 2009
Diana E. Donley
2 out of 2 found this review helpful

Yes, I can balance my checkbook, but that was all the "accounting" experience my 40+ years have. Now I find myself needing to "do" the books in my husbands start up company. WHERE TO START? I just love "for dummies" books. This one starts at the beginning and goes up from there. Mr. Tracy makes a boring subject (almost) enjoyable. This book is set-up with "stand alone" chapters, a good glossary and more info than can fit in my numb skull!
If you need to get up to speed quickly, this book will help you do it!