Financial Accounting

by J. David Spiceland, Wayne Thomas, Don Herrmann

The authors have developed a unique set of materials based directly on their collective years in the classroom. They’ve brought together best practices by (1) building an Organized Learning Framework for Financial Accounting, (2) reinforcing the Framework in each chapter’s text and end-of-chapter assignments, and (3) enriching that Framework using real-world companies, Excel assignments, General Ledger problems, data analytics tools, and a variety of auto-graded cases. The material is communicated in a student-friendly, concise and conversational writing style. After the proven success of the first five editions of Financial Accounting, we are confident that the sixth edition will not only motivate, engage, and challenge students—it will illuminate the financial accounting course like never before.

Genres: Business, Textbooks, School

342 pages, ebook

First published July 13, 2009

Reviews

[Siobhain · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is kind of crazy to give a textbook 5 stars, but I really learned a lot from this book and think the authors did as much as they could to make the material interesting. I have hated the more common requirement in recent history to have the expensive newest edition of the textbook or at least an online version of it. In this case though, I think it helped as all of the company financial data was very current as well as the information about national and international accounting principles. The online portion of the book and resources was also very good. Good luck to anyone taking this course.

[Ghost Tea · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read this for two financial accounting classes. The classes were awful and felt like a ploy just to get me to buy a $500 book from their bookstore. Jokes on them cause I didn't buy it from them. Could've just read the book and skipped the whole class. I learned nothing from the class and only a little from the book. Turns out company accounting is not for me, I only wanted some general accounting knowledge.

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

I deal with Financial Accounting with my job but didn't know the terminology. I will say that the book stresses that it is NOT a Math class, it is a language class. Actually, it is a mixture of both. If you hate Math, I don't recommend this as there are a lot story problems and equations. I would recommend the book if you want to learn the basics of accounting. Awesome book.

[Hope Broadway · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great text if you want to learn accounting.

[Luminescence Goh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Financial Accounting by J. David Spiceland is a thorough and well-organized textbook that serves as an excellent resource for students and professionals in the accounting field. The book clearly explains fundamental accounting principles, with a strong emphasis on real-world application. Spiceland’s approach makes complex financial concepts accessible, offering detailed examples and exercises that help reinforce learning.

**Suitable for Studying:**
This textbook is efficient for students preparing for exams or seeking to build a solid foundation in financial accounting. Its logical structure and practical insights make it a go-to reference for understanding how businesses record, report, and analyse financial information. The step-by-step explanations are ideal for learners at various levels, from beginners to advanced students.

**Inspiration for Writing a Fantasy Novel:**
Surprisingly, *Financial Accounting* can also be a source of inspiration for fantasy writers. The meticulous processes of balancing ledgers, managing assets, and understanding the flow of financial resources can be creatively adapted to a fictional world. For instance, an author could construct a fantasy economy with its own set of rules and currency, where accounting principles play a crucial role in the storyline. The book’s insights into financial management could inspire plots involving trade guilds, treasury management, or even the rise and fall of kingdoms based on their financial decisions.

[Erika · Rating 3 out of 5]

I just have to say
I don’t understand how anyone could give a textbook more than three stars—this was dry, dense, and a bit of a slog, even though the material is essential.

Overall Book Rating
★★★☆☆
3 – Solid. A competent work that gets the job done. I see its merits and recognize its audience.

Book Review
Oh look, it's a text book.

It covers key principles clearly, with plenty of practice problems and terminology broken down in a way that’s digestible—eventually.

Still, it’s a textbook through and through. It serves its purpose, but reading it feels more like a chore than an engaging learning experience. If you're looking for something that explains financial accounting clearly, this will do the job. Just don’t expect to enjoy it.

[Alyssa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Yes, I'm including my grad school reading in my reading goal because ain't nobody reading this FOR FUN. And YES, I'm finally glad to see this be off of my current reading list.
Although, for being a textbook, this actually wasn't that bad. The writing was not dry, and it read through quickly and provided plenty of examples to demonstrate the concepts. It also has helped improved my own analysis of financial statements within my job, so that's a plus.

[Lori · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read the sixth edition.

[Kurami Rocket · Rating 1 out of 5]

Read this for my college course. I personally found the book, unhelpful in learning the concepts and formulas for financial accounting. If you are a person who hates math or has trouble with it, I do not recommend reading this book or taking Financial Accounting. This book is just full of math. There were a few interesting facts here and there, but overall the book was tedious to get through.

[Melissa Brogan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lays out principles of financial accounting in an easy, introductory format. Good use of examples. Sadly, it is already outdated with the push to move from US GAAP to IFRS.

[Jenny · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very clear and concise representation of very technical information. Loved that there were visual examples to accompany the text.