FINANCIAL REPORTING & ANALYSIS
“Interpreting Financial Statements for Strategic Decision-Making, Transparency, and Business Insight”
Course Schedule
| Date | Venue | Fees (Face-to-Face) |
|---|---|---|
| 21 – 23 Jan 2025 | Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia | USD 2495 per delegate |
| 04 – 06 Mar 2025 | Doha, Qatar | USD 2495 per delegate |
Course Introduction
In a dynamic business environment, financial statements are more than compliance tools—they are a foundation for strategic decision-making, risk management, and investor confidence. Professionals who can interpret and analyze financial data have a powerful advantage in guiding performance and business direction.
This three-day course equips participants with the skills to understand, interpret, and evaluate financial reports. Participants will build the capability to link financial statement components, assess company performance using ratios and trends, and extract insights that influence planning and investment.
Course Objectives
By the end of this course, participants will be able to:
- Understand the structure and interconnection of financial statements.
- Analyze financial performance using ratio and trend analysis.
- Interpret the cash flow statement to assess liquidity and sustainability.
- Evaluate profitability, efficiency, and solvency positions.
- Identify red flags, anomalies, and opportunities in financial data.
- Communicate financial findings to non-finance stakeholders effectively.
Key Benefits of Attending
- Gain a comprehensive understanding of financial statements and reporting standards.
- Strengthen your ability to assess the financial health of a business.
- Support business strategy with insights derived from financial analysis.
- Improve reporting communication with senior leadership and investors.
- Avoid costly misinterpretations and support sound financial decisions.
Intended Audience
This program is designed for:
- Financial analysts, accountants, and controllers
- Managers and executives who use financial data in decision-making
- Auditors and compliance professionals
- Budget officers and operations leaders
- Professionals transitioning into finance-oriented roles
Individual Benefits
Key competencies that will be developed include:
- Financial statement literacy and linkage
- Ratio analysis and performance evaluation
- Cash flow assessment and liquidity insight
- Red flag detection and financial communication
- Financial interpretation for business decision-making
Organization Benefits
Upon completing the training course, participants will demonstrate:
- More informed financial decision-making across departments
- Improved budgeting, planning, and control based on financial realities
- Greater ability to communicate financial risks and opportunities
- Higher accuracy in forecasting and strategy development
- Enhanced reporting alignment with internal and external stakeholders
Instructional Methdology
The course follows a blended learning approach combining theory with practice:
- Financial Briefings – Statement structures, standards, and formats
- Hands-on Workshops – Ratio calculation and analysis
- Tools – Financial dashboards, trend analysis models, red flag checklists
- Case Studies – Company performance and turnaround evaluations
- Excel Exercises – Cash flow modeling, working capital analysis
- Peer Learning – Collaborative review and reporting simulations
Course Outline
Detailed 3-Day Course Outline
Training Hours: 7:30 AM – 3:30 PM
Daily Format: 3–4 Learning Modules | Coffee breaks: 09:30 & 11:15 | Lunch Buffet: 01:00 – 02:00
Day 1: Financial Statement Foundations
Module 1: Understanding Financial Statements (07:30 – 09:30)
- Income Statement, Balance Sheet, Cash Flow Statement
- Key accounting principles (accrual, matching, conservatism)
- Interrelationships between statements
Module 2: Revenue, Expense, and Profit Analysis (09:45 – 11:15)
- Gross, operating, and net margins
- Revenue recognition practices
- Expense categories and ratio relevance
Module 3: Balance Sheet Interpretation (11:30 – 01:00)
- Assets, liabilities, and equity explained
- Working capital and solvency implications
- Fixed asset investment vs. debt financing
Module 4: Workshop – Statement Linkage Simulation (02:00 – 03:30)
- Hands-on activity tracing transactions across statements
Day 2: Cash Flow and Ratio Analysis
Module 5: Cash Flow Analysis (07:30 – 09:30)
- Operating, investing, and financing flows
- Cash flow health indicators
- Free cash flow and capital adequacy
Module 6: Financial Ratios and Indicators (09:45 – 11:15)
- Liquidity, solvency, efficiency, and profitability metrics
- DuPont Analysis and return diagnostics
- Ratio benchmarking and peer comparisons
Module 7: Identifying Red Flags and Financial Risks (11:30 – 01:00)
- Signs of manipulation or unsustainable performance
- Earnings quality and cash flow mismatches
- Industry-specific red flags
Module 8: Group Exercise – Financial Diagnosis (02:00 – 03:30)
- Evaluate a company’s financial strength using provided data
Day 3: Insight, Reporting, and Decision Support
Module 9: Strategic Use of Financial Data (07:30 – 09:30)
- Turning analysis into business insight
- Supporting decision-making and capital planning
- Connecting financials to business drivers
Module 10: Forecasting and Performance Evaluation (09:45 – 11:15)
- Using financial data for budgeting and planning
- Trend analysis and year-over-year comparison
- Target setting and variance interpretation
Module 11: Communicating Financial Findings (11:30 – 01:00)
- Reporting to non-financial audiences
- Structuring dashboards, narratives, and visuals
- Preparing board and executive summaries
Module 12: Course Wrap-Up and Certification (02:00 – 03:30)
- Final group review and summary presentation
- Personal action plan and feedback session
Certification
Participants who complete the program will receive a Certificate of Completion in Financial Reporting & Analysis, recognizing their ability to interpret, evaluate, and communicate financial performance insights.