The need for an understanding of accounting is now even more critical than ever for lawyers practicing in many areas including securities and corporate law and litigation. In addition, over the last several years, the Financial Accounting Standards Board has made some landmark changes in the accounting rules in areas of interest to lawyers, including the accounting for mergers and acquisitions. The Second Edition of Accounting and Finance For Lawyers includes important material on such areas as accounting for stock options and derivatives and the elimination of the pooling of interests method of accounting for acquisitions. There is a discussion of the accounting implications of the use of so-called special purpose entities. Finally, a chapter on international accounting issues reflects the increasing globalization of business and accounting. As in the First Edition, the basic building blocks of accounting are covered so that the material is accessible and useful to those with any level of accounting knowledge.