Changes in equity markets in the major developed countries and overview of the book -- Why and how audited financial accounting statements are useful --Auditing and accounting standards : their roles and usefulness to independent public accountants and investors -- Corporate financial reporting and regulation in the United States -- Corporate financial reporting and regulation in the United Kingdom -- Corporate financial reporting and regulation in Germany -- Corporate financial reporting and regulation in the European Union -- Corporate financial reporting and regulation in Japan -- Corporate disclosure diversity : a comparative assessment -- Global financial reporting standards : their establishment and enforcement -- Summing up and charting a future for standard setters. Changes in equity markets in the major developed countries and overview of the book -- The usefulness of financial accounting statements toe investors in securities -- The roles and usefulness of auditing and accounting standards -- Corporate financial reporting and regulation in the United States -- Table 1 studies of financial fraud -- Corporate financial reporting and regulation in the United Kingdom -- Corporate financial reporting and regulation in Germany -- Corporate financial reporting and regulation in the European Union -- Corporate financial reporting and regulation in Japan -- Corporate disclosure diversity.