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For Further Reading<br />

Comiskey, E., and C. Mulford, Guide to Financial Reporting and Analysis (New York: John Wiley &<br />

Sons, 2000).<br />

Revsine, L., D. Collins, B. Johnson, and F. Mittelstaedt, Financial Reporting and Analysis, 4th ed.<br />

(New York: McGraw-Hill/Irwin, 2008).<br />

White, G., A. Sondhi, and D. Fried, The Analysis and Use of Financial Statements, 3rd ed. (New<br />

York: John Wiley & Sons, 2002).<br />

Part II<br />

Financial Management<br />

4<br />

Discounted Cash Flow<br />

James A. Elfter<br />

Time Value of Money<br />

Saving with a goal in mind has been a part of most people‟s lives. Whether we are saving for a rainy<br />

day, saving to buy a stereo, a car, a house, a gift for someone special, or retirement, we set a goal and<br />

we strive to achieve the goal in a specific or fixed amount of time.<br />

If I owe you a sum of money, would you rather receive it today or a year from today? The time<br />

value of money refers to what the value of a dollar amount is today (present value) versus what the<br />

value of that same dollar amount will be in X amount of time (future value). For example, what is the<br />

value of $10,000 today versus the value of $10,000 20 years ago, or 20 years in the future? Would<br />

$10,000 10 years ago have been enough money to buy a new car? Will $10,000 buy a car today? Will<br />

$10,000 buy you a car in 10 years?<br />

Financial calculations for the time value of money can be done by algebra, by using compound<br />

interest tables, by using a financial calculator, or—most quickly and easily—by using Microsoft<br />

Excel®. Excel is the best number cruncher on this planet, and is used by financial professionals<br />

worldwide.

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