Combining theory and practical knowledge of finance, this comprehensive yet accessible First Edition provides students with a text that is grounded in “real” business. Focusing on financial issues in local businesses and small- to medium-sized companies rather than Fortune 500 corporations, this text delivers a user-friendly introduction to the world of finance that answers the many basic “what” and “why” questions, furnishing students with a solid understanding of this intricate area of business that they can apply in the working world.