Business and Finance for IT People

Business and Finance for IT People gives an insight into the world of business, and its language - the language of finance - for all those involved in information technology IT, whether as practitioners - buyer, sellers, technicians or managers - or students.Assuming no prior knowledge of the subject, the book not only takes the reader step by step in plain language, and with many practical examples, through the fundamentals of business and finance, but also through some more advanced topics - leasing, cost/benefit analysis and project evaluation methods - not normally found in an introductory book, but of particular interest to IT people.Areas covered in this book include: Fundamentals of business and finance; Balance sheets, profit and loss accounts, cash flow statements; Different kinds of business and their financial characteristics; Financing and leasing; Cost/benefit analysis; Project evaluation methods, including net present value (NPV), internal rate of return (IRR) and return on investment (ROI); Budget, costing and pricing - an introduction

Puts the business - as distinct from the scientific - issues in context for IS and computing students, and IT professionals in particular.

1. What Is Business?.- The Purpose of Business.- Sole Traders.- Partnerships.- Limited Companies.- 2. The Business of Living - Part 1.- Assets.- Liabilities.- Net Worth.- Balance Sheet.- Capital.- 3. The Business of Living - Part 2.- Earnings.- Expenses.- 4. The Business of Living - Part 3.- Other Transactions.- Depreciation.- Published Balance Sheets.- 5. The Business of Living - Part 4.- Profit and Loss Account.- Cash Flow Statement.- 6. The Numbers Game - Ratio Analysis.- The Shareholder's View.- The Lender's and Creditor's View.- The Management View.- 7. Other Kinds of Business.- Buying and Selling Businesses.- Manufacturing Businesses.- Utilities.- IT Solutions.- 8. Financing and Leasing.- To Buy or Not To Buy?.- Rental.- Operating Leases.- Hire Purchase.- Finance or Full Payout Finance Leases.- Services and Project Finance.- Outsourcing.- 9. Is It a Good Investment?.- Benefits and Costs.- Cash or Profit?.- Opportunity Cost.- Decision Criteria.- Cost/Benefit Analysis Example.- 10. Is It Still a Good Investment?-Part 1.- Payback.- Net Present Value (NPV).- Profitability Index.- 11. Is It Still a Good Investment? - Part 2.- Internal Rate of Return (IRR).- Risk.- Return on Investment (ROI).- 12. Tasters.- Budgeting.- Costing and Pricing.- Tailpiece.- Appendices.- 1. The 1999 Accounts of J Sainsbury pic.- 2. Glossary.- 3. Table of Present Values.- References.