A major duty of CPAs is to protect the assets of their organization. This requires a clear understanding of the key functions of the business and its environment as well as expanded and improved analytical techniques. This course identifies numerous practices, techniques and analytical tools, and relates them specifically to key tasks and functions of CPAs and other financial professionals. These activities include general business analysis, decision making, cost and capacity management, selected accounting practices, budgeting, forecasting, measuring and reporting. Observations and ideas concerning capital expenditures and compensation programs are also addressed. The material builds upon and expands some traditional accounting activities, provides insights on managing through a business cycle, identifies the impact of global markets, outlines techniques for conducting a customer analysis, and redefines some ideas about risk management. Examples and exercises using actual companies and events are included.