Financial Accounting For Decision Makers, 1st edition

Published by Pearson (April 10, 2026) © 2027
  • Wendy M. Tietz
  • Melissa Larson

Title overview

For introductory courses in financial accounting.

A “concepts first” introduction to financial accounting

Financial Accounting for Decision Makers shifts the focus from traditional bookkeeping practices to the impact of transactions on financial statements. This unique concept-oriented approach gives students a fresh perspective that meets their practical needs while avoiding unnecessary complexity.

The authors’ plain-language explanations, insightful graphics and engaging narrative make concepts interesting and easy to digest. With real-world examples from contemporary companies, students deepen their understanding of the relevance of financial analysis and its applications to their future careers.

Hallmark features of this title

A simplified, concept-based approach

  • A scaffolding approach in the text and its resources allows students to learn and practice at the basic level and then advance to more challenging content and problems.
  • Journal entries for transactions appear in the final learning objective of each chapter, emphasizing the financial reporting, rather than the bookkeeping, impact of each topic.
  • Spotlights throughout each chapter highlight relevant aspects of accounting, such as common business decisions and practical applications of data analysis.

Analytical skill-building

  • Data analytics projects offer hands-on practice in mining, analyzing and reporting on data.
  • Try It exercises in every section of each chapter ask students to apply what they’ve just learned.
  • Real-World Reporting exercises at the end of each chapter engage learners with financial statements from real businesses.

Key features

Features of MyLab Accounting for this title

  • The AI-powered study tool in MyLab draws on Pearson content to turn homework mistakes into teachable moments.
  • The Accounting Cycle Tutorial provides an interactive refresher on each step of the accounting cycle. It gets students ready for intermediate-level work.
  • Assignable videos cover major chapter concepts, as well as step-by-step approaches to solving homework exercises and using relevant technology.
  • Gap Finder & Gap Filler assess what students do and don’t know and then recommend modules to help them build mastery.
  • Dynamic Study Modules pose a handful of questions and then respond to each student’s progress in real time. Learners deepen their grasp of concepts as they go.
  • A Personalized Study Plan gives students personalized recommendations, practice opportunities and learning aids.

Features of Pearson+ eTextbook for this title

  • The AI-powered study tool in the eTextbook empowers students to make every moment a learning opportunity.
  • Try It exercises allow students to receive immediate feedback based on their responses.

Table of contents

  1. Fundamentals of Accounting and Financial Statements
  2. Transaction Analysis and the Accounting Cycle
  3. Accrual Accounting and Financial Statements
  4. Cash, Short-Term Investments, Internal Control, and Analytics
  5. Receivables and Revenue
  6. Inventory and Cost of Goods Sold
  7. Long-Term Assets
  8. Current and Contingent Liabilities
  9. Long-Term Liabilities
  10. Stockholders’ Equity
  11. Statement of Cash Flows
  12. Financial Statement Analysis and Accounting Oversight

APPENDICES

  1. Apple Inc. Annual Report 2024
  2. Typical Charts of Accounts for Different Types of Businesses
  3. Time Value of Money

Author bios

About our authors

Wendy M. Tietz is a professor for the Department of Accounting in the Ambassador Crawford College of Business and Entrepreneurship at Kent State University. She teaches introductory financial and managerial accounting, advanced management accounting, and advanced accounting analytics and technology. Dr. Tietz is a Certified Public Accountant, a Certified Management Accountant and a Chartered Global Management Accountant, and she holds a Certificate in Strategy and Competitive Analysis. She is also a Microsoft Certified Trainer. Dr. Tietz also holds the Fundamentals of Sustainability Accounting credential. She is a member of the American Accounting Association (AAA), the Institute of Management Accountants (IMA) and the AICPA-CIMA. She is a member of the AAA’s Management Accounting Section as well as the Teaching, Learning and Curriculum Section. She has published in several journals. She regularly presents at AAA regional and national meetings.

Dr. Tietz was awarded the American Accounting Association/J. Michael and Mary Anne Cook/Deloitte Foundation Prize for undergraduate teaching and has won several other teaching awards. Dr. Tietz authors a blog, Accounting in the Headlines, which has real-world news stories and resources for use in the introductory accounting classroom. Dr. Tietz earned her PhD from Kent State University. She worked in industry for several years, both as a controller for a financial institution and as the operations manager and controller for a recycled plastics manufacturer.

Melissa P. Larson is the E. Dee & Patricia Hubbard Professor of Accounting in the BYU Marriott School of Business at Brigham Young University. With expertise in introductory and intermediate financial accounting, Dr. Larson has taught more than 20,000 students and is a recipient of prestigious teaching awards, notably the University Karl G. Maeser Professional Faculty Excellence Award from BYU and the Teaching Excellence Award from BYU Marriott School of Business. Her academic journey includes a PhD in Instructional Psychology & Technology from Brigham Young University, where her passion for inspiring student engagement and enhancing learning outcomes fuels her research. Dr. Larson’s scholarly contributions are reflected in her publications in journals such as Issues in Accounting Education and Education Sciences.

Dr. Larson brings practical experience as a Certified Public Accountant in Utah to her role, enriching her teaching and research with real-world insights. She regularly presents at accounting educator conferences, sharing her expertise and insights with peers. As an active member of professional associations including the American Accounting Association, AICPA-CIMA and the Utah Association of CPAs, Dr. Larson remains committed to facilitating her students’ successful transition into the accounting profession.

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