Who's Counting? A Lean Accounting Business Novel

by Jerrold M. Solomon

"Who's Counting?", by Jerrold M. Solomon, is a business novel that, for the first time, explains how accounting and manufacturing personnel must develop a partnership to successfully achieve world class results. This novel takes readers on a successful "Lean Journey", and illustrates how to bring accounting practices into the 21st century in order to compete in today's global market. A must read for all those interested in successfully implementing lean accounting! Jerry Solomon and Rosemary Fullerton's latest book, "Accounting for World Class A Practical Guide for Providing Information in Support of the Lean Enterprise" is an excellent follow-up book to Who's Counting?. The authors provide a roadmap for moving from a traditional standard cost system to a simple accounting system that provides appropriate information for a Lean Manufacturing Environment. Available on Amazon.com

Genres: Business, Nonfiction

Hardcover

First published January 1, 2003

Reviews

[Kostiantyn]

The idea of combining a real business topic (especially a financial one) with fiction may seem bizarre (or like a fraud). But this is a common practice for business novels, which allows to explain something complex in a simple way. The novel format also makes the book more readable and engaging. However, in reality, most business novels are useless. They do not explain the business topic in sufficient detail. And they are not skillfully written enough to call it a good novel.

“Who’s Counting?” seems to stay at least close to the golden center. The author uses the “novel” part to explain some fears of change and other motives, while the “business part” is limited to the basic areas of lean accounting. As a result, one does not simply implement lean accounting by reading this book. But it’s a good start to learn to wear “waste glasses” when thinking about business processes in accounting. What more can you expect from a business novel?

[Ramesh Ruthrasekar]

Throughly thought through the implementation of lean from a P&L perspective. Eye Opening on many levels. Highly recommended. Story format was very nice

[Andrew]

It seems silly giving an accounting novel 5 stars. But this rating is not based on the same standards I use for regular books. Yes, this book was engaging (which is the main reason for my rating), but it is an accounting book. If you are not interested in accounting, then you won’t enjoy it as much as I did. And you have to know the accounting lingo too.

If you are interested in accounting, then this is a fun read about lean manufacturing and its effects on accounting. I wish there were. Ore accounting novels because it seems like a great way to learn more about accounting and present it in a fun way.

[Alec]

In terms of the very narrow managerial accounting niche, it is a really good book. Does a good job combining ease of reading with valuable content, as well as going over both the technical issues as well as interpersonal issues that can be caused by a transition to Lean in a company.

[Mandy Hieatt]

This is a great story explaining the Lean transition from an accounting perspective. It was enjoyable and enlightening.

[Mary Craighead]

From a lean perspective, the content in this book is great! It is a fast, easy read that allows you to wrap your mind around the challenges and benefits of the lean transformation from an accounting position, which makes drier technical texts much more accessible. Who's Accounting is a typical business novel in that the dialogue is often cheesy and slightly forced, and a few typos undermine the great content, but all-in-all, if you're interested in the lean journey - or even just accounting alternatives, this is a worthwhile read.