Showing posts with label Corporate Finance. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Corporate Finance. Show all posts

Saturday, March 19, 2011

Treasurer's & Controller's Desk Book



Treasurer's & Controller's Desk Book
Daniel L. Gotthilf | 1997-04-28 00:00:00 | AMACOM | 608 | Corporate Finance
This is the only book that describes the activities and duties of the financial officer or controller's job according to accepted industry standards, as set by the Financial Executive's Institute. This massive reference all the key responsibilities, including:

** banking and financial arrangements ** credit and collections ** mergers and acquisitions ** cash forecasting and long-term borrowing ** controlling the data processing system ** records retention, operational audits...and more

The book also supplies over 100 working tools -- checklists, forms, procedures, and report forms that help streamline the treasurer's or controller's job.
Reviews
I don't understand the reviewer who complained about the typewritten appearance of some forms in here. I care a lot more about thoroughness and accuracy than appearance. I used the first editions of this work with great success, so I immediately got this updated version.

This book covers e-v-e-r-y-t-h-i-n-g -- truly helpful for handling all that practical day-to-day stuff they didn't cover realistically in business school.
Reviews
I am a CPA and Corporate Controller of a mid-size company and I was really disappointed with this book, I thought it would be a lot more thorough, accurate and detail oriented then it actually was. Instead, the majority of the book's illustrations seem to be over 20 years old, appear to be hand-typed, and I doubt accurate anymore in today's modern world. Some chapters consist of general remarks instead of a thourough and accurate description of the issue, background, and the solution. This book is probably helpful for a CEO or COO that would like to get an understanding of the financial environment of his company or for a new Controller that just started his career.
Reviews
This books explains in detail what a controller does besides "maintains the financials" and tells people no. I used this book working with a small company. I had to invent the position on a daily basis. Very helpful were the forms and job descriptions. How to set up an accounting calendar? here is an example. What are some pitfalls of the job? risk management? more explinations. I wrote checks daily, that changed with knowledge from this book. Excellent checklist to establish outside relations, with whom and why.
As controller for a much larger company the principles remained the same. In my exp. few people really know what a controller does. The CFO (30 yrs +) didn't have a job description for me. Again the postion had to be invented and this book was invaulable. I never knew that the org chart was a controller function, after reading this book, it makes perfect sense. I would not take a controller position, in any company, without this book in my office.
Reviews
This book has been a significant "advisor" to me in establishing practical policies and procedures for the small corporation for which I am a CFO. I recommend this book highly to everyone working in any financial function in any size company as it will enhance your understanding of the financial processes for yourself and your colleagues. I believe that it will help the reader with better compliance in all areas that will ultimately increase shareholder value.
Reviews
As a new controller that is basically needing to create the job as I go along, I am finding this book to be very helpful. It contains practical information that applies specificallly to the controller's position that is is difficult to find in other sources. One example of this is the information on a records retention policy. I wasn't able to find any information elsewhere. This book not only provided me with information, but also told me where to look for more information. Reading this book is like having a mentor available to me.

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Tuesday, February 15, 2011

Financial Techniques for Business Acquisitions and Disposals (Hawksmere Report)



Financial Techniques for Business Acquisitions and Disposals (Hawksmere Report)
Ian Smith | 1900-01-01 00:00:00 | Thorogood | 81 | Corporate Finance
Closing a deal, whether buying or selling, is a difficult and demanding goal to achieve in any economic environment. You should be aware that the odds are stacked against you. But with the right advice you can turn them in your favor. This Report gives you expert advice that you can apply to your deals.

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Sunday, January 9, 2011

Standard & Poor's SmallCap 600 Guide, 2001 Edition



Standard & Poor's SmallCap 600 Guide, 2001 Edition
Standard & Poor's | 2000-12-18 00:00:00 | McGraw-Hill Companies | 1232 | Corporate Finance
A guide to investing in the S&P's 600 small-cap companies, featuring essential information for investors, job seekers, and professionals. Coverage includes charts highlighting underfollowed stocks, stocks with low P/Es and high growth rates, and more. Also includes Standard and Poor's exclusive stock ratings. Softcover.
Reviews
chapter 3 of the book Investing in Small-Cap Stocks by Christopher Graja. Microcap companies too small to be included in the S&P 600 Guide can be researched on the Internet.

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Sunday, December 19, 2010

Applied Equity Analysis: Stock Valuation Techniques for Wall Street Professionals



Applied Equity Analysis: Stock Valuation Techniques for Wall Street Professionals
James English | 2001-05-14 00:00:00 | McGraw-Hill | 422 | Corporate Finance
Applied Equity Analysis treats stock valuation as a practical, hands-on tool rather than a vague, theoretical exercise--and covers the entire valuation process from financial statement analysis through the final investment recommendation. Its integrated approach to valuation builds viable connections between a firm's competitive situation and the ultimate behavior of its common stock. Techniques explained include EVA, newer hybrid valuation techniques, and relative multiple analysis.
Reviews
English's piece proves to be an excellent introductory book to the world of equity analysis from the perspective of the analyst. The book covers many key areas, and while the depth isn't extensive, the coverage provides a good amount of insight into the key issues.

I would strongly recommend this for junior to intermediate levels.
Reviews
I found this book hand wavy and badly written. I learned almost nothing from it. The writing is very vague and confusing.



The following stock valuation books are far better:

1. "Stock Valuation" by Scott Hoover.

2. "Fire Your Stock Analyst: Analyzing Stocks On Your Own" by Harry Domash.




Reviews
This book is great if you're in the field of finance. This is not for the average consumer looking for investment advice. I've been in corporate financial planning and analyis for the past five years and always wondered how equity analysts built their models. This books will give you insight into their thinking and also give enough detail to build your own models. I would have rated it five stars if the book included a CD with his examples in Excel. The author does have website where you can download sample models.
Reviews
I bought this book based on the strong reviews as a complement to Damodaran's classic on valuation, but felt disappointed.



To qualify my comments: First, I am not a sell-side analyst, and secondly, I haven't finished the book. After about 50 pages, I threw in the towel.



My first stylistic objection to the book is its low content density. There is tremendous repetition and examples are trotted out in excruciating detail, even where the conclusions are fairly obvious. For example, on p. 34: "At competitive equilibrium, the firm can identify no incremental investment opportunities likely to generate returns in excess of capital costs. Competitive equilibrium is often defined as a condition in which investment opportunities generate returns equal to capital costs, but existing investments continue to earn abnormal rates." To me these two sentences are already redundant. But in case you still didn't get it, further DOWN on the SAME PAGE: "...This situation is called economic equilibrium, or economic parity. What does equilibrium mean? When returns are forced down to capital costs, then economic rents and/or abnormal earnings disappear and no further incentive to enter the business exists".



But the most frequently repeated point of the first two chapters, is best summed up on p. 19: "As I say many times in the coming pages [and he's not kidding, there], equity analysis is not prophecy; it's opinion. It was never meant to be objective description, but it is strong advocacy." If you're the sell-side analyst, having to "dress up a pig" to help your firm gain some banking business, this book might offer some ideas. But where does this leave the consumer of such analysis? "It's the investor's job to 'diversify' by considering a variety of analysts' positions." (p.9)



I think better advice for the investor might be to learn how to perform sound analysis themselves. For that, I recommend Damodaran's book. I lost my faith in this book's intent to provide balanced (let alone predictive) analysis.
Reviews
There are reams and reams of investment valuation books on the market -- that is obvious.



In my opinion, the three no one should be without are Applied Equity Analysis, Stephen Penman's monster tome "financial statements and...", and lastly, Aswath Damadoran's book, "investment valuation."



Most hyperventilating MBAs default to Damadoran; I really enjoy the simplicity behind Applied Equity Analysis.



Caution: Neither of the 3 are what you'd call "light reading."



If you have any money left, honorable mention goes to Cooke's "security analysis on wall street."

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