The Essential Controller -- Contents -- Preface -- Chapter 1 Accounting in the Corporation -- Importance of This Chapter -- Tasks of the Accounting Function -- Role of the Accounting Function -- Role of the Controller -- Impact of Ethics on the Accounting Role -- Evolving Role of Accounting -- Chapter 2 Controller's Responsibilities -- Importance of This Chapter -- Variations on the Title -- Planning Function -- Control Function -- Reporting Function -- Accounting Function -- Additional Controller Functions in Smaller Companies -- Controller's Job Description -- Relationship of the Controller to the Chief Financial Of cer -- Future Changes in the Controller's Origins and Responsibilities -- Managing Rapid Growth -- Chapter 3 Chief Financial Of cer: From Controller to Facilitator of Change -- Importance of This Chapter -- Understanding What Chief Executive Of cers Want -- Task of the CFO -- Develop and Communicate a Compelling Finance Agenda -- Build a Commitment to Change within Finance -- Change Executive Management Practices -- Enlist the Support of the Chief Executive offcer -- Mobilize the Organization -- Institutionalize Continuous Improvement -- Chapter 4 Operational Accounting -- Importance of This Chapter -- Create Departmental Job Descriptions -- Create a Departmental Training Program -- Clear Out Excess Documentation -- Streamline the Accounting Workflow -- Document All Major Processes -- Correct the Underlying Causes of Errors -- Use Best Practices -- Outsource Selected Accounting Functions -- Chapter 5 Cost Accounting and Costing Systems -- Importance of This Chapter -- Purpose of Cost Accounting Information -- Input: Data Collection Systems -- Processing: Data Summarization Systems -- Processing: Job Costing -- Processing: Process Costing -- Processing: Standard Costing -- Processing: Direct Costing.

Processing: Throughput Costing -- Processing: Activity-based costing -- Processing: Target Costing -- Outputs: Cost Variances -- Chapter 6 Ratio and Trend Analysis -- Importance of This Chapter -- How to Use Ratios and Trends -- A Caveat -- Measures for Profitability -- Measures for the Balance Sheet -- Measures for Growth -- Measures for Cash Flow -- Measures for Nonfinancial Performance -- Interrelationship of Ratios -- Setting Up a System of Ratios and Trend Analyses -- Chapter 7 Internal Control Systems -- Importance of This Chapter -- Objectives -- Responsibility for Internal Controls -- Examples of Internal Controls -- When to Eliminate Controls -- Types of Fraud -- Preventing Fraud -- How to Deal with a Fraud Situation -- Foreign Corrupt Practices Act -- Chapter 8 The Fast Close -- Importance of This Chapter -- Different Types of Fast Close -- How to Achieve a Fast Close -- Enhanced Closing Process -- Chapter 9 Internal Audit Function -- Importance of This Chapter -- Reporting Relationships -- Composition of the Audit Committee -- Role of the Audit Committee -- Internal Audit Objectives -- Internal Audit Activities -- Managing the Internal Audit Function -- Chapter 10 Recruiting, Training, and Supervision -- Importance of This Chapter -- Recruiting Sources -- Factors to Consider When Recruiting -- Factors to Consider When Promoting -- Importance of Reduced Turnover -- Importance of Developing Career Plans for Employees -- Importance of Communications with Employees -- How to Motivate Employees -- Chapter 11 Controller's Role in Investor Relations -- Importance of This Chapter -- Objectives of the Investor Relations Function -- Evolving Nature of the Function -- Communication Vehicles for Investor Relations -- Investor Relations Message Recipients -- Information Needs of the Financial Analyst -- Information Needs of Other Groups.

Disclosure Policy -- Organization Structure for Investor Relations -- Role of the Controller and Other Principals -- Some Suggested Financial Market Objectives -- Some Suggested Methods -- Chapter 12 Taxation Strategy -- Importance of This Chapter -- Accumulated Earnings Tax -- Cash Method of Accounting -- Inventory Valuation -- Mergers and Acquisitions -- Net Operating Loss Carryforwards -- Nexus -- Project Costing -- Property Taxes -- S Corporation -- Sales and Use Taxes -- Transfer Pricing -- Unemployment Taxes -- About the Author -- Index.