Effective Writing: Handbook for Accountants (7th Edition)

Customer Reviews:

Simplistic.......2007-05-14

I work in a CPA firm and found this book to recommend simplification in writing to the point of absurdity. It is a fact that there is a 'language' for business, and this book spends far too much time advising the reader to take complex or wordy phrases and simplify them to an almost moronic degree. While I agree that business writing is often overly and unnecessarily convoluted, this book seems to ignore a business-like paring down and instead invite the reader to return to elementary-school quality writing. I definitely did not feel that the book was a worthwhile investment, especially at the inflated price for which it retails. It is possible that it would benefit those in the accounting field whose clientele are completely non-business oriented or have little business knowledge.

Excellent for College Students in Business.......2007-03-08

I'm an accountancy major at The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. This has greatly helped me on my group cases where I write memorandums and other professional communication. Writing hasn't come easily for me (like numbers have) but this book helps me find my weaknesses and gives me suggestions for them. At first I wondered why such a small book was so expensive, but the price is definitely worth it!

The Firm of the Future: A Guide for Accountants, Lawyers, and Other Professional Services

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A truly paradigm-shifting work
The Essential Reference for Law Firm Leadership
Extremely helpful, well documented.
Permission to Believe
Must reading for the professional service provider!

The Firm of the Future: A Guide for Accountants, Lawyers, and Other Professional Services
Paul Dunn , and Ronald J. Baker
Manufacturer: Wiley
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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Pricing on Purpose: Creating and Capturing Value
Managing The Professional Service Firm
How to Maximize Fees in Professional Service Firms
2001 Professional's Guide to Value Pricing
Practice What You Preach : What Managers Must Do to Create a High Achievement Culture

ASIN: 0471264245

Book Description

Provides accountants in small and medium sized firms the tool to expand services beyond attest and compliance functions.

Shows how to transition to other professional services that clients value.
Provides a pro-forma business plan for mapping a three to five year plan for the transition to a successful practice.
Positions consulting as an extension to traditional services, not just an alternative.
Includes many real world examples of accountants who have made a successful transition to new services, discussing the challenges and the results achieved.
Focuses on quality of life issues and how to get there.

Customer Reviews:

A truly paradigm-shifting work.......2006-05-15

Ron Baker is doing for the professional services firms what Columbus and Pythagoras did for the "Earth is Flat" proponents! "Paradigm-shifting" has become so over-used in our culture, but it is not mere hyperbole when describing this book. The work is quite thorough, implementing excerpts, quotes, and philosophies from dozens of well-respected scholars, economists, and management consultants. The work reminds me a lot of Tom Peters' seminal book, "In Search of Excellence" in the way in which the author sprinkles in so many great examples from other successful organizations and industries. In addition, he has many real-world examples (from firms around the world) of professional services firms that have successfully tranformed their practices. I whole-heartedly recommend this book to any professional who is trying to transform a professional services organization or who is wondering if there might be a more effective and profitable way to run a professional services firm.

The Essential Reference for Law Firm Leadership.......2006-02-08

I first read this book about 2 years ago. I keep it within arm's reach of my desk and refer to it often, still.

I've read one reviewer who stated that this book was the modern almanac of best business practices. I agree completely.

I run my own small law firm. We have implemented many of this book's practices with great success and profitablilty. Primary among them is fixed fee agreements. Yes, we are a law firm that has trashed its time sheets, due in large part to the inspiration and impetus of this book. And, we will never go back.

An earlier reviewer suggested that this book would be more useful for CPA's and not for lawyers. I disagree. Though I'm certain the message of this book is critical for CPA's, I think that any person in law firm leadership must read this book. I think it is particularly suited to small firms and solos who will have the ability to immediately take action in implementing these ideas and making them a reality in their practice.

However, if you are one of my competitors forget everything I said above and do not touch this book. My firm and my family will thank you.

Extremely helpful, well documented........2005-11-14

This is a very well-documented guide for any service firm. It's also very well written, very insightful and very well researched. It's real deep, complete and full of advice and wisdom from several great minds. I run a corporate reputation consulting firm in El Salvador and this is the most advice-rich book I've encountered in the last five years. I also recommend "the trusted advisor" by David Maister and specially "Managing the Profesional Service Firm" also by Maister.

Permission to Believe.......2004-12-14

The Firm of The Future coordinates both the theory and practical application of pricing concepts AND business service models in such a complelling manner that Baker & Dunn give Professional services organizations permission to believe that there is light at the end of the tunnel.

While the Firm of The Future is geared to the legal and accounting professions the message and vision is applicable to Advertising agencies, Consulting Organizations, Marketing service firms and professional service providers of all shapes and sizes.

Cost plus pricing is short sighted and intellectually flawed.The intense pressure on increasing billable hours and driving down costs is destroying the creativity and core capabilities of Professional Service companies.Baker&Dunn explain the flaws of cost plus and hourly schemes and identify a road map which outlines how to move a professional services organization and it's customers to a healthier, happier, more productive and more mutually profitable business process

A great read---Inspirational and practical

Tom Finneran
Executive Vice President
American Association of Advertising Agencies

Must reading for the professional service provider!.......2003-12-04

After reading this book, you'll need to place it alongside your desktop dictionary, Thesaruas and Ron's first book "The Professional's Guide to Value Pricing. This is how strong of an impact their message has made on me.

After reading the first two editions of Ron's book, I didn't think he would be able to improve much on the message of switching to Value Pricing. Boy, was I wrong! He and Paul Dunn have done an amazing job of getting the reader to think differently. As with the radical theme of trashing the timesheet in "The Professional's Guide to Value Pricing", they do a masterful job of convincing you why the old "Revenue Equation" must be replaced with the forward-thinking "Profit Equation". They go on to introduce other new topics not found amongst professional services firms such as developing your Intellectual, Structural and Social Capital, emphasizing effectiveness over efficiency and of course Value Pricing. As is typical of Ron's writing style, and complemented by Paul, their reasoning for making this paradigm shift is well supported and well reasoned.

I've been using practicing Value Pricing for about 5 1/2 years now and I can tell you that it works. In my own firm, I've slowly begun implementing some of their new concepts but with a new perception. I'm convinced these principles will work for me and they can for you as well.

After reading this book, you'll definitely want to keep it handy as a useful reference guide!

Wiley Practitioner's Guide to GAAS 2007: Covering all SASs, SSAEs, SSARSs, and Interpretations (Wiley Practitioner's Guide to Gaas)
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Wiley Practitioner's Guide to GAAS 2007: Covering all SASs, SSAEs, SSARSs, and Interpretations (Wiley Practitioner's Guide to Gaas)
Michael J. Ramos
Manufacturer: Wiley
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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Wiley GAAP 2007: Interpretation and Application of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (Wiley Gaap)

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Wiley Not-for-Profit GAAP 2007: Interpretation and Application of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles for Not-for-Profit Organizations (Wiley Not for Profit Gaap)

ASIN: 0471798304

Book Description

The clearest, easiest-to-use guide to understanding GAAS 2007 on the market-fully updated!

This latest resource to understanding GAAS addresses the toughest part of an accountant's job-identifying, interpreting, and applying the many audit, attest, review, and compilation standards relevant to a particular engagement. Wiley Practitioner's Guide to GAAS 2007 offers the accounting professional a clear, accessible distillation of the official language of those standards, Statements on Standards for Attestation Engagements (SSAEs), and Statements on Standards for Accounting and Review Services (SSARSs)-as well as advice on exactly when and how to remain fully compliant with each. The only GAAS reference organized according to practitioners' actual use of the Statements on Auditing Standards,Wiley Practitioner's Guide to GAAS 2007 presentseach statement individually, explaining how thestandards are related and offering guidance onthe entire engagement process in the form of practicenotes, checklists, questionnaires, and real-worldexamples that illustrate how the fundamental requirements of each section are applied. Other key features include:
* A brief identification of each SAS, SSAE, and SSARS, with its effective date and tips on when to apply it
* A convenient and comprehensive glossary of official definitions, which are usually scattered through-out a standard
* Behind-the-scenes explanations of the reasons for each pronouncement and brief explanations of the basic ideas of the section
* Concise listing and descriptions of each standard's specific mandates
* Easy-to-read capsule summary of interpretations, plus selected AICPA practice alerts and advisories
* Helpful techniques for remaining compliant with each standard

New in GAAS 2007!
* Audit Risk Assessment suite of standards, SAS Nos. 104 - 111, including new requirements related to:
*
* Understanding internal control
*
* Performing audit procedures
*
* Evaluating misstatements and audit differences
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* Assessing audit risk
*
* And more
* SAS No. 103, Audit Documentation
* SAS No. 112, Communicating Internal Control Matters Noted in an Audit, including new definitions and guidance on evaluating the severity of control deficiencies

Litigation Services Handbook: The Role of the Accountant As Expert

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Litigation Services Handbook: The Role of the Accountant As Expert

Manufacturer: John Wiley & Sons
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0471109444

Book Description

This indispensable reference is the result of a joint project between Price Waterhouse and top experts in the field. Covers all aspects of litigation services including current environments, the process itself, different types of cases, proving damages and practical considerations of court appearances. In addition to addressing important developments affecting the accounting practice, it examines issues raised when calculating both prejudgment and postjudgment interest on damage awards. Provides the latest information on relevant statutes and interest rates on damages.

Accountants' Handbook, 2 Volume Set (Accountant's Handbook)

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Accountants' Handbook, 2 Volume Set (Accountant's Handbook)
D. R. Carmichael , O. Ray, CPA, PhD Whittington , and Lynford Graham
Manufacturer: Wiley
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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Accountants' Handbook: 2006 Cumulative Supplement (Accountant's Handbook Supplement)
Accountants' Handbook, 2005 Cumulative Supplement (Accountant's Handbook Supplement)

ASIN: 0471790419

Book Description

This highly regarded reference is relied on by a considerable part of the accounting profession in their day-to-day work. This handbook is the first place many accountants look to find answers to practice questions. Its comprehensive scope is widely recognized and relied on. It is designed as a single reference source that provides answers to all reasonable questions on accounting and financial reporting asked by accountants, auditors, bankers, lawyers, financial analysts, and other preparers and users of accounting information.

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Dickey Accountants Cost Handbook 2ed
DICKEY ACCOUNTA
Manufacturer: John Wiley & Sons Inc
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0471065196

Effective Writing: A Handbook for Accountants (6th Edition)

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Effective Writing: A Handbook for Accountants (6th Edition)
Claire B. May , and Gordon S. May
Manufacturer: Prentice Hall
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Binding: Paperback

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Accountants' Handbook, Special Industries and Special Topics (Accountants' Handbook Vol. 2)

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Accountants' Handbook, Special Industries and Special Topics (Accountants' Handbook Vol. 2)

Manufacturer: Wiley
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ASIN: 0471790397

Book Description

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Accountant's Desk Handbook
Albert P. Ameiss , and Nicholas A. Kargas
Manufacturer: Prentice Hall Trade
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Accountants' Handbook: 2006 Cumulative Supplement (Accountant's Handbook Supplement)

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Accountants' Handbook: 2006 Cumulative Supplement (Accountant's Handbook Supplement)
D. R. Carmichael
Manufacturer: Wiley
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ASIN: 0471728896

Book Description

The 2006 Cumulative Supplement contains the following new chapters:

Chapter 20A: Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets. This chapter includes a comprehensive examination of all current accounting literature bearing upon the financial reporting of intangible assets, with a new emphasis on the intellectual property rights that are increasingly the foundation for business operations. The impact of Sarbanes-Oxley on governance matters pertaining to intangible assets is also addressed.
Chapter 44D: Cost-Volume-Revenue Analysis for Nonprofit Organizations. This chapter discusses how cost-volume-revenue (CVR) analysis, together with cost behavior information, can assist nonprofit managers in performing many useful planning analyses. By studying the relationships of costs, service volume, and revenue, nonprofit management is better able to cope with many planning decisions.

Book Description

Issues such as organization learning, knowledge management and creativity in organizations are increasingly of interest to academics and practitioners. Few books offer an integrated critique and evaluation of the recent discussions on organizational creativity. Written for academics, managers and consultants, this book fills that gap and investigates what organizational creativity is in practice.

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