Understanding and Interpreting Financial Statements
Post on: 16 Март, 2015 No Comment

To many nonfinancial managers, the world of financial terminology and statements is often unclear. confusing. even downright frustrating. But, the truth is, buried within those numbers are often the answers you need to make smart business decisions.
That is why we developed this workshop — to give professionals like you an “edge up” by helping you master the meaning behind the financial statements and terminology you’ve been wrestling with.
Understanding and Interpreting Financial Statements is a comprehensive, fast-paced day of learning that covers all the essentials. Your expert trainer will focus on the PRACTICAL, helping you zone in on the important numbers you should look for and teaching you to ask the questions that’ll give you the real scoop on the situation.
You’ll leave this workshop able to make better decisions right away as you learn how to find answers to important questions, such as.
- When should you lease equipment and when should you buy?
- How much inventory is too much? too little?
- What’s an appropriate return on investment for a product?
- Will there be enough cash flow to cover the bills?
- At what point would investing more in resources and personnel result in better profits?
- How do you evaluate the value of a company based on its financial statements?
- What type of depreciation should you plan for on major equipment?
- How can you tell whether your department is performing how it should?
- Based on the balance sheet, is an organization’s debt too high?
- How can you tell whether an organization is asset-rich but cash-poor?
- At what point does the variable cost of maintaining a piece of equipment make that “bargain” initial cost not a bargain at all?
And that’s just for starters!
This workshop is tailored to the mid- to senior-level nonfinancial decision-maker who wants to attain a greater functional understanding of finance and financial statements.
You will sit shoulder-to-shoulder with people like yourself — people who have reached a level in their organizations that demands a solid understanding of financial terminology and statements. people who ultimately drive the success of their organizations through the quality of their decisions.
Don’t let this important opportunity to hone your financial skills pass you by.
Agenda:
Fundamental Financial Concepts and Terms
- Common finance terms explained in plain English :
- Cash flow
- Liquidity
- Leverage
- Net present value
- Tangible assets
- And dozens more!

The Ins and Outs of a Balance Sheet
- The balance sheet: A thumbnail sketch of a business
- What a balance sheet can — and can’t — tell you about a company
- Assets explained:
- Tangible and intangible
- Fixed and liquid
- Real value
- Accounts receivable
- Inventory
Analyzing the Profit and Loss Statement
- A P&L by any other name:
- Income statement
- Operating statement
- Statement of operations
- Profit and loss statement
Deciphering Other Types of Financial Statements
- The purpose of the cash flow statement
- Analyzing the cash-flow statement to find out where resources are actually going
- How to recognize cash-flow problems before it’s too late
- Forecasting cash flow — and using this insight when increasing staff, purchasing and cutting costs
- Change in equity statement: What it is and how to use it
- Annual reports: Where to find the numbers that tell the real story
- Other types of financial statements you may encounter
Critical Financial Measurement Tools and Techniques
- Tips for scanning any financial report and zeroing in on the pertinent numbers
- Calculating return on investment (ROI)
- Key financial indicators that will tell you if your organization is on the right track
- Using break-even analysis, forecasting and other financial tools to make informed decisions
- Valuable questions to ask before making any decision based on financial-statement numbers
- Important ratios that every nonfinancial manager should understand
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