An Intensive 5-day Training Course

Advanced Financial Statements Analysis

Evaluation and Interpretation of Financial Position and Performance

INTRODUCTION TO THE COURSE

This Advanced Financial Statements Analysis training course is designed to strengthen your ability to interpret and evaluate financial data, business performance, and key risks in today’s rapidly changing global environment. Participants will gain hands-on experience in analyzing financial reports, assessing investment opportunities, and measuring organizational performance. The training course emphasizes real-world relevance, allowing attendees to apply newly acquired financial skills to drive growth, enhance profitability, and identify areas requiring corrective action.

Understanding financial statements—such as the income statement, balance sheet, and cash flow statement—is essential for evaluating a company’s true financial position. But beyond just reading numbers, professionals must ask: what story are these statements telling, and how can they guide better management decisions?

Even if you believe your financial knowledge is solid, this training course will challenge assumptions and introduce up-to-date practices critical for both financial and non-financial professionals. Financial literacy is no longer optional—it’s a leadership necessity.

Key areas of focus in this KC Academy training course include:

  • Understanding the role and value of financial statements and annual reports
  • Applying key financial analysis tools to assess financial health and performance
  • Managing and utilizing financial resources effectively
  • Evaluating investment projects and valuing businesses
  • Identifying and mitigating financial and operational risks

COURSE DETAILS

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OBJECTIVES

By the end of this Advanced Financial Statements Analysis training course, participants will be able to:

  • Interpret an organization’s financial statements with confidence
  • Apply ratio analysis to assess profitability, liquidity, efficiency, and solvency
  • Use forecasting techniques to project future financial outcomes
  • Evaluate how accounting decisions impact financial performance
  • Assess investment projects through profit, cash flow, and risk considerations
  • Make informed decisions grounded in thorough financial analysis
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TRAINING METHODOLOGY

This Advanced Financial Statements Analysis training course will be run along with workshop principles, with formal presentations that include practical illustrations and relevant worked examples used to apply the financial tools and techniques in a real-world environment. Interactive team-based exercises and case studies reinforce the application of each of the learning ideas and topics enclosed. These are reinforced with the help and advice of the Instructor and his extensive real experience and knowledge of financial statements and analysis. Group discussion will promote the exchange of experiences and ideas. Difficult mathematical concepts are minimised wherever possible and handled in a visual way that is easy to understand – our aim is for this to be an enjoyable learning experience.

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ORGANISATIONAL IMPACT

Participants will return to their organizations equipped with practical tools and insights that can lead to more informed and effective financial decisions. Expected outcomes for the organization include:

  • Enhanced financial awareness and decision-making capability across teams
  • Greater use of analytical tools to drive performance improvements
  • Early identification of financial issues and the ability to implement solutions
  • Improved capital allocation and risk management strategies
  • Better understanding of how financing impacts project evaluation and business valuation
  • Stronger alignment between financial strategy and business goals

 

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PERSONAL IMPACT

Attendees of this Advanced Financial Statements Analysis training course will significantly elevate their financial analysis competencies and gain:

  • A solid understanding of accounting principles and financial terminology
  • Practical knowledge of advanced tools and techniques for analysis
  • Clarity on the difference between cash flow and profit—and why it matters
  • Confidence to engage with financial data and contribute to strategic decisions
  • Enhanced ability to recognize risks and problem areas
  • Opportunities to share perspectives and experiences with other professionals
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WHO SHOULD ATTEND?

This KC Academy Advanced Financial Statements Analysis training course is suitable for a wide range of personnel from companies, corporations and governmental organisations. In addition to anyone working in the Finance, Accounting, Costing, Budgeting and Planning departments, this training course will greatly benefit:

  • Project Managers and other Professionals
  • CFOs, Controllers and Treasurers responsible for the Financial Management of the Organisation
  • And any other Managers who wish to improve, refresh and update their understanding of analysis of financial information, and application to effective decision-making
  • Senior Accountants

DAILY AGENDA

DAY 1: Introduction to Advanced Financial Analysis
  • Why analyse financial data?
  • Who are the users of Financial Information?
  • Sources of Financial Information
  • Published Annual Reports and Accounts – What is their purpose?
  • The Structure and Contents of an Annual Report and Accounts
  • Creative Accounting, Financial Scandals, and the Agency Problem
  • Corporate Governance, Sustainability, Ethics and Corporate and Social Responsibility (CSR) Reporting
  • The Three Main Financial Statements
    • Income Statement
    • Balance Sheet
    • Statement of Cash Flows
DAY 2: Analysing the Annual Report and Accounts
  • Using Ratio and Other Analyses of the Annual Report and Accounts to Assess Financial Position and Financial Performance
  • Profitability and Cost-Volume-Profit (CVP) Analysis
  • Efficiency and Working Capital
  • Liquidity and the Short-term Solvency
  • Investment and Growth
  • Financial Structure and Long-term Solvency
  • Ratio Analysis using Excel
  • Excel Trend Analysis using Common-size Horizontal Analysis and Vertical Analysis for Comparability
DAY 3: Analytical Tools, Cash vs Profit and the Cash Forecast
  • The Dupont System of Ratio Analysis and Pyramids of Ratios
  • Segmental Analysis and Value Added Analysis of the Annual Report and Accounts
  • The Fundamental Statistical Tools and Graphical Representations
  • Using Statistical Techniques to Analyse and Forecast Financial Data
  • The Impact of Alternative Asset Valuation Methods on the Balance Sheet and Profitability
  • Cash flow vs Profit – The Best Measure of Financial Performance
  • Working Capital and the Cash Flow Operating Cycle
  • Direct and Indirect Cash Flow Analysis and the Cash Flow Forecast
DAY 4: Financing the Business, Capital Investment Project and Business Valuation
  • Analysis of the Balance Sheet to Identify Long-term Debt and Equity, and Short-term Financing
  • Capital Cost Models: Cost of Equity using Dividend Growth and Capital Asset Pricing Model (CAPM); Cost of Debt
  • Weighted Average Cost of Capital (WACC)
  • Optimal Capital Structure Models to Minimise WACC
  • Future Values, Present Values, and Discounted Cash Flow (DCF)
  • Using Net Present Value (NPV), Internal Rate of Return (IRR), Modified Internal Rate of Return (MIRR) and Equivalent Annual Cost (EAC) to Analyse and Evaluate Capital Projects
  • The Reasons for Business Valuations
  • Business Valuation Models
DAY 5: Analysing and Predicting Corporate Failure, Business and Financial Risk
  • Predicting Financial Distress and Corporate Failure – The Altman Z-score Model
  • Risk and Uncertainty
  • Risk Analysis using Expected Values, Standard Deviation and Coefficient of Variation
  • Sensitivity, Simulation, Scenario and Break-even Analysis Techniques
  • The Analytical Tools to Manage Risk
  • Systematic Risk, Unsystematic Risk, Business Risk and Financial Risk
  • Financial Risk– Interest Rate and Foreign Currency Exchange Rate Exposures
  • Using Insurance, Hedging and Derivatives to Mitigate and Minimise risk
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Certificate

On successful completion of this training course, KC ACademy Certificate will be awarded to the delegates

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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

This FAQ section provides quick answers to the most common questions about our services, procedures, and policies. We aim to make your experience with us as straightforward as possible. For further assistance, our support team is ready to help.

Are there prerequisites or language requirements?

There are no prerequisites. Our courses are open to students of all backgrounds who are 18 years of age and older. All courses are conducted in English. Video lectures include English subtitles and the option to slow-down, pause, or replay lectures for better retention. Discussion boards are a critical component of each of our courses; therefore, we suggest students have a conversational knowledge of English when pursuing a Certificate of Completion. For any of the art writing courses, students need to be 100% proficient in written English.

How many students are in a course? Who will be my classmates?

Our classes are kept small, at no more than 30 students, to better facilitate and encourage personalized interaction with the instructor and fellow participants. Your classmates come from all over the globe and contribute their global perspectives and experience. Some are currently working within the arts while others are just beginning. All classmates share in their passion for the art world.

Do I need specific equipment to take Online Courses?

You should have an up-to-date web browser such as: Chrome, Safari, Firefox, or Internet Explorer. For more detailed information, please see the guides for supported browsers and basic computer specifications. Our Online Courses can be accessed on a mobile or tablet device, although we strongly encourage you to have access to a desktop or laptop computer and reliable internet connection for certain course components. Former students have told us it is easiest to read discussion threads and complete written assignments on a laptop or desktop computer.

How can I register?

You can register for a KC Academy training course by visiting our website, selecting the course of your choice, and following the simple registration process. You can also contact our support team for assistance with the registration process.

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