Many lawyers, especially those dealing with commercial matters, need to understand accounting yet feel on shaky ground in the area. This book is written specifically for them. It breaks down and makes clear basic concepts (such as the difference between profit and cash flow), the accounting profession and the legal and regulatory framework within which accounting operates. The relevant provisions of the Companies Act 1985 are discussed at some length. Holgate explains generally accepted accounting principles in the UK (GAAP), the trend towards global harmonisation and the role of international accounting standards. He then deals with specific areas such as group accounts, acquisitions, tax, leases, pensions, financial instruments, and realised profits, focusing in each case on those aspects that are likely to confront lawyers in their work. This book will appeal to the general practitioner as well as to lawyers working in corporate, commercial, and tax law.

许多律师，尤其是那些处理商业事务的律师，需要了解会计，但在这一领域却感到不稳定。这本书是专门为他们写的。它分解并明确了基本概念（如利润和现金流量的区别）、会计职业以及会计运作的法律和监管框架。对1985年《公司法》的有关规定进行了详细的讨论。霍尔盖特解释了英国公认会计原则（GAAP）、全球统一趋势以及国际会计准则的作用。然后，他会处理一些特定的领域，如集团账户、收购、税务、租赁、养老金、金融工具和实现利润，在每个案例中，他都会关注律师在工作中可能遇到的那些方面。这本书将呼吁全科医生以及律师在公司，商业和税法工作。