Understanding Company Reports and Accounts

Short course

In Guernsey & Jersey (UK Offshore Dependencies), London, Isle Of Man (UK Offshore Dependencies) and another venue.

£ 375 + VAT

Description

  • Duration

    1 Day

Have a basic understanding of company accounts. To understand how international accounting standards have allowed consistency in financial reporting throughout the banking/commercial sectors. At the end of the course participants should be able to: Examine a set of company accounts in detail. Identify areas of key significance in financial statements. Analyse the income statement and balance sheet. Understand the importance of cash flow. Undertake ratio and financial analysis. Appreciate regulation and audit issues. Appraise share valuation. Suitable for: Anyone

Facilities

Location

Start date

Edinburgh & Glasgow (Midlothian/Edinburghshire)
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Start date

On request
Guernsey & Jersey (Channel Islands)
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Start date

On request
Isle Of Man (Isle of Man)
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Start date

On request
London
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39 Woodside Park Road,, N12 8RT

Start date

On request

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Course programme

Understanding Company Reports and Accounts

Aim

This course will give non-accountants and new entrants to banking and financial services a basic understanding of company accounts. Also the participant will understand how international accounting standards have allowed consistency in financial reporting throughout the banking/commercial sectors.

Extensive use will be made of some light-hearted but instructional video material. Participants should be prepared to undertake considerable practical work during the day. Detailed examination will be made of the report and accounts of a well-known food retailing company.

Objectives

At the end of the course participants should be able to:

  • Examine a set of company accounts in detail
  • Identify areas of key significance in financial statements
  • Analyse the income statement and balance sheet
  • Understand the importance of cash flow
  • Undertake ratio and financial analysis
  • Appreciate regulation and audit issues
  • Appraise share valuation

COURSE PROGRAMME

  • Purpose of key financial statements
  • Ratio analysis
  • Liquidity and solvency
  • Cash flow
  • Dividends and earnings per share
  • Shareholder value
  • Accounting standards
  • Early warning signals

Audience

The user groups of annual reports are diverse and include those who may be evaluating the financial health of companies, assessing competitor strength, investigating investment or acquisition potential or exploring the future of business partnerships. The target audience therefore includes marketing and sales professionals, bankers, researchers, administrators, support staff, suppliers and customers, investors and analysts.


COURSE PROGRAMME

Purpose of Financial Statements

  • The need for external financing reports
  • Contents of balance sheet and income statement
  • Preparation of financial statements
  • Key accounting concepts

Introduction to the Annual Report and Accounts

  • Contents of the annual report
  • Legal background to financial reporting
  • Accounting standards
  • Comparative international reporting

Evaluation of Financial Statements

  • Uses and limitations of financial information
  • Ratio analysis to assess financial health
  • Investment ratios
  • Profitability and asset management

Capital Structure

  • Share capital and reserves
  • Types of debt
  • Benefits of leverage and gearing

Cash Flow

  • Cash vs profit
  • Cash flow cascade
  • Interpreting the cash flow statement
  • Forecasting

Non-Financial Analysis

  • PEST analysis
  • Competitor analysis
  • Role of management

Case Study

  • In-depth analysis of annual report

Value Creation

  • Valuation techniques
  • Shareholder value
  • Recent trends

Risk Assessment

  • Measures of risk

  • Warning signals

  • Symptoms and causes

Understanding Company Reports and Accounts

£ 375 + VAT