pt. 1. Accounting basics -- Introducing accounting to non-accountants -- Bookkeeping 101: from shoeboxes to computers -- Taxes, taxes, and more taxes -- Accounting and your personal finances -- pt. 2. Getting a grip on financial statements -- Profit mechanics -- The balance sheet from the income statement viewpoint -- Cash flows and the cash flow statement -- Getting a financial report ready for prime time -- pt. 3. Accounting in managing a business -- Managing profit performance -- Business budgeting -- Choosing the right ownership structure -- Cost conundrums -- Choosing accounting methods -- pt. 4. Financial reports in the outside world -- How investors read a financial report -- CPAs: auditors and advisors -- pt. 5. The part of tens -- Ten ways savvy business business managers use accounting -- Ten questions investors should ask when reading a financial report.