In the 1870s, one ABS history says, a member of its own board of managers publicly declared the nonprofit had "doctored" its financial statements to make it seem poor and to stimulate donations.

FORBES: Venerable

What normally happens is the owner overlooks the differences in behaviors and proceeds to make the purchase because the combined financial statements are irresistibly glorious.

FORBES: An Acquisition Destroyed My Business. Why?

While brokerages are not required, for reasons that make no sense to us, to disclose their full financial statements to customers, they are required to provide customers with summary financials.

FORBES: Compelling Pension Consultant Disclosure (June 1, 2002 )

The Forbes Crash Course In Investing helps even the greenest investor make his or her way through the world of investing, from diversifying your portfolio to analyzing financial statements and choosing a broker.

FORBES: Investing 101