Financial Instruments and Institutions: Accounting and Disclosure Rules

By Stephen G. Ryan

This book is an authoritative guide to the accounting and disclosure rules for financial institutions and instruments. It provides guidance from a "fair value" perspective and demonstrates the simplest and most natural measurement basis for reporting financial instruments, as is relevant for thrifts, mortgage banks, commercial banks, and property-casualty and life insurers.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0470040378
• ISBN13: 9780470040379
• Release Date: April 2007
• Publisher: Wiley
• Length: 528 Pages
• Weight: 1.75 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.6" x 6.3" x 9.2"

Customer Reviews

Authoritative and well written

The chapters are written in an organized fashion with a strong introduction allowing for the readers to re-familiarize themselves before reading (moving onto) the more dense material. The topics covered require readers to be familiar with some of the basic accounting principles beforehand. However the introduction allows for readers to continue onto the denser, less familiar topics without much difficulty and pain. The topics require dedication (as indicated by another review) on the part of the readers in order for mastery--but this is due to the nature of the topics covered rather than the writing. The examples used allow for readers to gain exposure on how the principles apply in context--which is a definite plus. The book gives insights on accounting topics never fully explored in the typical undergraduate or graduate business education--the importance of the quality of disclosures and what can be mined from those financial statements was truly a surprise for me. The author's insights and thoughts on current accounting issues and belief in fair value accounting were convincing and well supported. The material is not user-friendly in the fact that it requires a certain amount of exposure and knowledge in areas such as financial disclosure, basic economics/finance etc. The writing style is user-friendly as it engages readers in its conversational approach.

Mix of Finance and Accouting

~~~~~You are wrong if you think that this is a pure accounting or finance book. I am taking Profoessor Ryan's class of "Finanial Instruments and Financial Institutions" in NYU right now. The stength of Professor Ryan in the book is his in-depth understanding and effective description of economics, finance and accounting issues. So many case studies covered in the book blend with macroeconomic events, financial implication and accounting disclosures. Therefore, you need some background~~ knowledge of accounting and finance to fully take advantage of his insights in the book. This book discusses the yield curve, interest risk, credit and market risks, and fair value accounting for financial instruments. It analyzes the finacial and accounting issues for thrifts, mortgage bank, securitizations, commercial banks, derivatives and hedging, lessors and lease accountings. After reading through the book, you will have clear pictures about each finnancial instruments and institutions.~~ You won't be afraid of these topics any more. This book can be used as an advanced textbook for finance or accouting majors in business school, or a reference book if you are interested in financial and accounting issues of the above topics.~