Principles of Accounting, 15th edition

Published by Pearson (February 19, 2026) © 2027
  • Tracie L. Miller
  • Stephanie Poindexter
  • Brenda Mattison

Title overview

For courses in financial and managerial accounting.

Building on time-tested teaching methods in accounting

Principles of Accounting uses proven pedagogical methods to present foundational and emerging topics in the field of accounting. Tested in class by the authors themselves, the approach targets mastery of the accounting cycle using engaging interactive content, real company examples and comprehensive problems that span chapters.

The 15th Edition incorporates new examples of well-known companies and their current financials. It provides new insight into how companies use data analytics and visualizations to report financial information and make business decisions. Learning objectives were restructured to narrow in on select topics, giving you more flexibility in assigning material and tailoring your instruction.

Hallmark features of this title

A focus on the accounting cycle

  • The Accounting Cycle Tutorial consists of engaging activities that break down each step of the accounting cycle.
  • End-of-chapter continuing problems and practice sets run throughout chapters, supporting mastery of the entire accounting cycle.

Skills development

  • Using Excel® problems and videos help students use Excel to solve common accounting problems.
  • Data Analytics projects, suitable for all levels, build data analysis and visualization skills.

Real company examples

  • Chapter Openers use relatable stories to set the stage for concepts covered in the chapter.
  • Tying It All Together features reflect on the companies in the chapter openers and the scenarios they may encounter.

New and updated features of this title

New company examples

  • UPDATED: Data Analytics in Accounting features have been updated to highlight how real companies use data analytics and visualizations to report financial information and make business decisions.
  • REVISED: Several companies were replaced in chapter openers and Tying It All Together features to better align with current business practices and industries relevant to today’s students.

Enhanced pedagogy

  • REVISED: Many learning objectives were restructured into more distinct topics. Corresponding end-of-chapter material was also updated to reflect the revised objectives.
  • EXPANDED: Additional Try Its! have been added throughout to provide real-time practice for students as they read a little and do a little.

New and updated content

  • UPDATED: Current company financials were integrated into chapter openers, Tying It All Together features, end-of-chapter exercises and financial statement analyses (PepsiCo and Coca-Cola).
  • NEW: New content delves into topics such as fraud and fraud triangle, AI and robotic process automation, and uses of generative AI in auditing.

Key features

Features of Pearson eTextbook for the 15th Edition

  • NEW: AI-powered study tool gives students access to an expert chatbot for personalized support, simplified explanations and guided practice.

Features of MyLab Accounting for the 15th Edition

  • Data Analytics Projects offer hands-on practice with data analysis and reporting. Projects include a list of requirements, plus datasets, tutorial videos and instructions for using software such as Excel®, Power BI or Tableau.
  • NEW: AI-powered study tool draws on Pearson content to turn homework mistakes into teachable moments. Students get personalized support to build proficiency and mastery of course concepts.
  • NEW: AI Literacy Modules develop skills for applying AI responsibly and critiquing AI-generated content. For each completed module, students receive a Credly® badge, recognized by colleges and employers.
  • NEW: AI in Accounting Assignments engage students in evaluating AI-generated accounting outputs, such as journal entries, financial statements and ratio analyses.
  • NEW: Two new Excel Skills Simulations, along with Excel templates and auto-graded Excel projects, help students develop the foundational skills needed to use Excel throughout their accounting coursework. Students can earn a Credly badge for successful completion of both Excel simulations.
  • NEW: Forage Job Simulations offers students simulated access to the world’s top companies, through interactive course content.

Table of contents

THE FINANCIAL CHAPTERS

  1. Accounting and the Business Environment
  2. Recording Business Transactions
  3. The Adjusting Process
  4. Completing the Accounting Cycle
  5. Merchandising Operations
  6. Merchandising Inventory
  7. Accounting Information Systems
  8. Internal Control and Cash
  9. Receivables
  10. Plant Assets, Natural Resources, and Intangibles
  11. Current Liabilities and Payroll
  12. Partnerships
  13. Stockholders’ Equity
  14. Long-Term Liabilities
  15. Investments
  16. The Statement of Cash Flows
  17. Financial Statement Analysis

APPENDIX

  1. Present Value Tables and Future Value Tables

THE MANAGERIAL CHAPTERS

  1. Introduction to Managerial Accounting
  2. Job Order Costing
  3. Process Costing
  4. Cost-Volume-Profit Analysis
  5. The Budgeting Process
  6. Flexible Budgets and Standard Cost Systems
  7. Cost Allocation and Responsibility Accounting
  8. Short-term Business Decisions
  9. Capital Investment Decisions

APPENDICES

  1. Present Value Tables and Future Value Tables
  2. The Statement of Cash Flows
  3. Financial Statement Analysis

Author bios

About our authors

Tracie L. Miller (Nobles), PhD, CPA, is the program chair for accounting at Franklin University. She has extensive teaching experience, including faculty appointments at Austin Community College, Texas State University, Aims Community College and The University of Texas-Austin. Dr. Miller received her doctoral degree from Texas A&M University.

Dr. Miller is the president of Teachers of Accounting at Two-Year Colleges (TACTYC). She has served in leadership roles for the American Accounting Association (AAA), including serving on the board of directors, as secretary of the Teaching, Learning, and Curriculum section and as president of the Two-Year College section, in addition to being a member of the Pathway’s Commission on Accounting Higher Education. She is also an active member of the Texas Society of Certified Public Accountants (TXCPA), serving on their board of directors.

Tracie has received several teaching and professional awards, including the AAA/J. Michael and Mary Anne/Deloitte Foundation Cook Prize, TXCPA Outstanding Accounting Educator and AICPA Bea Sanders award for innovative teaching. In her spare time, Tracie enjoys spending time with her husband, Kevin; his three kids, Caleb, Josh and Meggie; her parents, Kipp and Sylvia; and her friends. She believes that camping and hiking are restorative and calming, and that life was meant for good friends and great adventures. Tracie has been mentored by many wonderful colleagues and inspired by her students.

Stephanie Poindexter (Swaim), MS, CPA, is a professor of accounting at Dallas College in Dallas, Texas. She began her career in education in 2013, following earlier roles as a paralegal and as an auditor in EY’s Assurance Services practice. Stephanie holds both BS and MS degrees in accounting and information management from The University of Texas at Dallas, as well as an Associate of Applied Science in paralegal studies from Dallas College. She is a licensed certified public accountant in the state of Texas.

Stephanie is active in several professional organizations, including the Texas Society of Certified Public Accountants (TXCPA), the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA), the American Accounting Association (AAA), the Institute of Management Accountants (IMA) and the Texas Community College Teachers Association (TCCTA). She serves on the board of directors for Teachers of Accounting at Two-Year Colleges (TACTYC), where she chairs the Scholarship Committee. She is also the TCCTA Accounting Discipline Chair and contributes to several national and state-level committees, including the AAA Conference on Teaching and Learning Accounting Steering Committee, the AICPA CGMA Teaching Symposium Committee and the TXCPA Accounting Educators Conference Planning Committee. Stephanie is a recipient of the TXCPA Outstanding Accounting Educator Award.

Outside the classroom, Stephanie enjoys traveling, cooking, gardening, hiking and spending time with friends and family.

Brenda L. Mattison, CMA, has a bachelor’s degree in education and a master’s degree in accounting, both from Clemson University. She spent the last 20 years of her teaching career as an accounting instructor at Tri-County Technical College in Pendleton, South Carolina. Brenda previously served as Accounting Program Coordinator at TCTC and has prior experience teaching accounting at Robeson Community College, Lumberton, North Carolina; University of South Carolina Upstate, Spartanburg, South Carolina; and Rasmussen Business College, Eagan, Minnesota. She also has accounting work experience in retail and manufacturing businesses and is a certified management accountant.

Brenda is a member of the Institute of Management Accountants (IMA) and Teachers of Accounting at Two Year Colleges (TACTYC). She served on the TACTYC board of directors as Vice President of Conference Administration for many years. Brenda has presented at state, regional and national conferences on topics including the science of learning, active learning, course development and student engagement.

In her spare time, Brenda enjoys reading, traveling and spending time with her family. She is also an active volunteer in the community, serving her church and other organizations.

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