Finance for Non-Financial Managers (Briefcase Books Series)

Finance for NonFinancial Managers helps managers become familiar with essential financial information, showing them how to "speak the language of numbers" and implement financial data in their daily business decisions.

In addition, it clarifies how and why financial decisions impact business and operational objectives.

If you are not a financial wizard, and most of us aren't, this book will give you the depth and breadth of understanding to "speak the language." Twelve well-organized chapters present the vital information about the role of financial management, the various reports that are generated-why and what they mean, profit and cash flow, and critical performance factors. The author, a Certified Management Consultant and Certified Professional Accountant with years of advisory and teaching experience under his belt, then delves into specialized areas. Readers will learn about cost accounting, business planning, budgeting, financing a business, and attracting outside investors. There is a tremendous amount of information packed into these pages.

As part of McGraw-Hill's Briefcase Book series, this book is filled with seven types of call-out boxes: Smart Managing, Cautions, Tricks of the Trade, Key Terms, Examples, Tools, and Mistake-Proofing. This is the kind of book you will read through to get a comprehensive picture, then return to as a reference book for yourself and others. The author's writing style is personal and conversational---like having a chat with an accountant who can explain what you don't understand...and what you don't even know that you don't understand. The depth is here.

There have been a number of books written on this topic over the years, many of them thick, heavy, and filled with small print and hard-to-comprehend charts and graphs. This book is designed to be enjoyed and absorbed: larger type, lightweight, and readable. Graphs and charts are clear; they make sense.

If you're going to read---and keep---a book on finance for people who don't go there frequently, this is the book. Clear some space on your bookshelf. This one's a keeper!


Finally - a financial management guide I can understand!   August 25, 2003
Jeff Condon (Tampa. Florida)
8 out of 8 found this review helpful

Gene has done a great job of capturing the finance essentials every manager needs to deal with - in a logical, easy to read manner. I found that simply reading - not studying - the book gave me far more financial understanding than any theoretical b-school course, and in much less time. The anecdotal illustrations are very helpful in delivering clear explanations without getting bogged down with jargon. Well worth the read.


Practical, Motivational, Darn near entertaining.   February 24, 2006
William Smith (Durango, Colorado)
11 out of 12 found this review helpful

I consider myself a manager who knows my business. I am very good at what I do, but I have been predominantly ignorant in issues of finance. I did not even know how this affected me. I knew I wanted to understand the mysteries of finance, but I had bounced of a half-dozen other books on finance, including the portable MBA in Finance.

Finance for Non-Financial Managers is different. The book delivered what I needed to know in a text that I could read in a couple of evenings. Gene Siciliano has an energy for issues of finance. He presents examples of financial tools and metrics being used to diagnose and fix business problems. He kept my interest and motivated me to learn more.

This book is well targeted to it's audience. So if you are a "non-financial manager", who has limited time and no inborn passion for bean counting, I can highly recommend this book. It will succinctly present what you need to know and will take the extra step of letting you know how it applies to your success.


Quick Access to Foundational Information   March 8, 2007
Brad Moncur (NE USA)
6 out of 6 found this review helpful

This book provides a solid overview of the basic information required to understand Finance. It is a great read for the person new to Finance and it is also a great refresher to those who might have had Finance classes and maybe even courses years ago. What is great about this book is that you have a few chapters devoted to each segment of Finance.

A very good book that is easy to read and understand. Consider this book if you are looking to better understand that which is called "Finance".


Clear, Concise & Useful   May 15, 2006
Banker Guy (California)
6 out of 6 found this review helpful

As a banker, I sit down with a lot of business owners who just don't understand the financial dynamics of their business. If they only took the time to read this clear, concise and useful book, they would be so further ahead of the game, and more likely to get the financing they need. It's a must read for any business owner, or business professional who feels they need to increase their knowledge of finance. Great Job!