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Uni/college book lists, does the edition REALLY matter?

I have just checked out ebay for secondhand books to try save some cash, if my booklist says to get 'Contemporary Accounting 6th Edition' does that mean I should not buy 'Contemporary Accounting 5th Edition' what are the differences between editions? ARE there any differences?

Public Comments

1. It very much depends on the subject matter. If you were talking about a philosophy text, I would think you might be able to use an older version. However, you are talking about accounting, which has changed dramatically, especially since Sarbanes/Oxley. I don't think I would risk using an older edition with an accounting text.
2. Sometimes there isn;t much of a difference. However, sometimes there are errors in older editions that are fixed in the newer one. One of the biggest issue is if page numbers are different and if there are changes in questions in the textbook(if there are questions). I always get the edition the teacher assigned just to be safe. I'd rather not risk "saving" money at the beginning and then later finding out that I DO have to buy the latest edition
3. yes new information is added, some information is taken out, and pages pictures and other things are slighty changed. It is a bad idea to get a different edition what it will save you in money it will cost you in your grade, unless the things taken out are minor, or you just dont read the text. Its really up to you, but if it was me I wouldn't
4. accounting changes all the time, so it does matter. Some accounting book comes with workbook that you will do it as homework and they're different from the last edition. New info are being added all the time.
5. it really is a case by case basis, most of my classes have had books assigned but were never used, just gave out the chapters that went along with lectures. through in some of my lower level calc and chem classes there were assigned problems out of the book. I know some accounting classes can be alot of work ( my roommate never stops complaining about the problems he has to do) I would ask the professor, all of mine have always been really open and approachable b/c if you can save money on a text book go for it ( i got demolished this semester)