Course Description: This course is designed to equip learners with the knowledge and skills necessary to read, interpret, and analyze financial statements. Participants will gain a comprehensive understanding of the three key financial statements: the Balance Sheet, the Income Statement, and the Statement of Cash Flows. The course will cover fundamental concepts, detailed analysis, and practical applications through interactive lessons and real-world examples.

Target Audience:

• Aspiring finance professionals
• Business owners and entrepreneurs
• Accountants and auditors
• Students in finance and accounting
• Anyone interested in understanding financial statements

Course Structure: The course is divided into four modules, each containing several lessons that progressively build on the learner’s understanding. Modules include interactive exercises, practical examples, and a final project to apply the learned concepts.

Duration: 4 weeks (self-paced)

Course Objectives

By the end of this course, participants will be able to:

1. Understand the Purpose and Components of Financial Statements:
   • Comprehend the overall purpose and importance of financial statements in business.
   • Identify and describe the key components of the Balance Sheet, Income Statement, and Statement of Cash Flows.
2. Read and Interpret the Balance Sheet:
   • Analyze and understand the components of the Balance Sheet, including assets, liabilities, and shareholders’ equity.
   • Differentiate between current and non-current items.
3. Analyze the Income Statement:
   • Understand the structure and components of the Income Statement, including revenues, expenses, and net income.
   • Distinguish between single-step and multi-step income statements.
4. Understand the Statement of Cash Flows:
   • Interpret the Statement of Cash Flows and categorize cash flow activities into operating, investing, and financing activities.
   • Compare and contrast the direct and indirect methods of preparing the cash flow statement.
5. Perform Detailed Financial Statement Analysis:
   • Conduct in-depth analysis of each component of the Balance Sheet, Income Statement, and Cash Flow Statement.
   • Apply financial statement analysis techniques to assess a company’s financial health.
6. Understand Advanced Financial Concepts:
   • Learn about investments, deferred income tax, intangible assets, goodwill, commitments, contingencies, and share capital.
   • Apply these advanced concepts to financial statement analysis.
7. Apply Knowledge through Practical Exercises and Case Studies:
   • Analyze real-world financial statements and annual reports.
   • Engage in interactive exercises to reinforce learning.
   • Complete a final project involving comprehensive analysis of a chosen company’s financial statements.