The Miller Manufacturing, Distribution and Retail Guide is the first guide of this kind to deal with the accounting, consulting, and taxation issues that confront accountants and auditors who audit or advise these types of companies. This Guide, unlike existing literature, is not geared to those who deal with public companies, but rather to the majority of accountants servicing the specialized needs of non-public manufacturing, distribution, and retail companies.

The accounting and auditing section addresses concerns unique to these industries, including opportunities for auditors to increase efficiency and effectiveness. The consulting section offers numerous ideas for adding value to their clients' companies, as in costing, inventory management, reporting, financing, and mergers and acquisitions. The taxation section covers accounting methods, UNICAP, LIFO, research and development, and other essential tax planning and compliance topics. This edition reflects changes wrought by the American Jobs Creation Act of 2004 and FAS-151 on inventory costs. For each major section, a practical checklist is provided to ensure that key considerations are not overlooked. Also, "Practice Pointers" provided throughout point out, in plain English, how to apply the standards. "Observations" provide additional commentary on the application of standards, such as conflicts in the authoritative literature. In addition, important points are clarified by "Cases in Point" and standalone "Illustrations" demonstrate how to apply specific principles discussed. Material in this helpful resource can be located several ways: - Cross-Reference table shows the chapter in which a particular pronouncement is discussed - Index provides a quick topical page reference - Chapter Tables of Contents list all topics covered and the page on which they begin. To further assist accountants and auditors, the Guide comes with a free, companion CD-ROM containing extensive checklists and other practice aids that can be printed out "as is" or customized.