Guide to Financial Management

by John Tennent

With organizations driven to deliver on performance targets, such as shareholder value or level of service, managers are expected to make decisions fully understanding their financial consequences. Few nonfinancial specialists are prepared for the responsibilities of dealing with management reports, budgets, and capital proposals. Many find themselves confused by jargon and embarrassed by their lack of understanding.

Guide to Financial Management  is a practical resource for understanding and managing these financial responsibilities. It is structured by task, such as “how to assemble a budget” or “how to construct a proposal to invest in new equipment.”

John Tennent—who has worked with such major companies as Kraft, Thomson, British Airways, Unilever, and Universal Music—helps the reader understand financial jargon, financial statements, performance measures, budgeting, costing, pricing, decision making, and investment appraisals—all of which are key to being a successful manager.

Genres: Finance, Business, Nonfiction, Management, Economics, Personal Finance, Buisness

327 pages, Hardcover

First published May 15, 2008

Reviews

[Paul.D.Howley · Rating 4 out of 5]

A comprehensive guide to all aspects of financial management and reporting, with clear examples, and structured into stand-alone chapters that can each be read in isolation.

It's quite heavy going, and probably best suited to someone who already has a partial (but incomplete) understanding of financial reporting.

It's also fairly jargon heavy (but does include a glossary), and dry in style. This would make it somewhat tedious to read cover to cover in one bout, but it is perfect as a reference book to dip in and out of whenever you encounter a concept or report you don't understand.

[Bernardo Marques · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very straightforward, clear and precise. Pragmatic while detailed.

[Henry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Second book I read from this series by The Economist. Again, a well structured book that provided a complete yet concise overview on a topic.

This book covers very well how large corporations function from a financial perspective. It gives a good understanding of what the different finance departments of a business cover and what are the financial, but also operational, levers that ultimately determine the performance of a company.

[Alice · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very informative. Heavy for someone who does not have an accounting background. Believe it would be a great tool for a classroom setting. Would prefer if there was a instructional or tutorial tape along with the book. Other than that, helpful in digging deeper for someone who may be starting investments / relations or a creative company.

[Cheyanne Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just enough detail to cover the concepts, with simplified numbers to make digesting the material easier. A good introductory book (which is what it aimed to be), though for greater proficiency nothing beats actual practice on the job.

[John Kenworthy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent primer on financial management

[Littlepudding · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great book from 'The Economist'. This book nicely summaries my BComm degree.