As annual reports become increasingly important to companies, the rules governing their preparation are becoming more complicated. Each year new accounting standards (SSAPs) are set by the various accounting bodies (ICAEW). Those preparing company accounts must follow these to the letter. There is however, no published text which gives a detailed commentary which explains their effect, impact or how to use them. This publication is the first to establish a UK generally accepted accounting practice. It contains all the material necessary when preparing a set of accounts and makes use of numerical examples and extracts from annual reports to illustrate current reporting practice. It gives commentary and interpretation of all current Statements of Standard Accounting Practice (SSAPs) and analysis of related requirements of the Companies Act and Stock Exchange, plus comparison with International Accounting Standards (IAS) and US equivalents.