Financial Statement Analysis for the Non-Accountant

Improve Your Ability to Interpret Key Financial Tools

Financial statements are the pulse of a business, and one of the clearest indicators of its health. This course will provide you with a basic understanding of financial statements and the use of key financial analysis tools. You will use actual financial statements to learn and apply the techniques being examined.

Participants are not expected to have any formal accounting experience.

Benefits for you

• Gain a basic understanding of generally accepted accounting principles, financial analysis tools and various types of financial statements
• Understand the relationships between investment, operational and financing decisions
• Identify the danger signals when assessing the viability of an enterprise
• Be able to interpret key financial figures and their impact on your business
• Recognize the limitations of financial statements
• Better comprehend financial information seen in the media

Online program format

Each day of the program includes facilitator-led online sessions in real time, with ample breaks provided. The sessions are highly interactive, enabling you to network with peers, brainstorm ideas, engage in skill-building activities, and receive constructive feedback. You will also have access to self-directed resources (readings, videos, self-assessments etc.) that you can review at any time.

Program content

• Content and format of financial statements: accounting standards, current issues
• Making sense of individual statements: the balance sheet, income statement/retained earnings, cash flow statements, notes to statements
• Analyzing statements: analyzing liquidity, leverage, profitability and activity ratios, common size analysis, comparisons with other firms/industries or over time

Special features

There will be a discussion on “earnings management” and “aggressive financial reporting,” and how some companies (e.g. Nortel, WorldCom) used these techniques to manipulate their financial statements. You will also learn how to uncover some of these irregularities in financial statements.