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Reading a Balance Sheet

In this course you learn to read and interpret a financial balance sheet. You understand the key concepts behind the figures and use that information to make better decisions.

4,6 on Google NRTO quality mark

Free cancellation up to four weeks before the start, so feel free to book now.

For a team or department? Arrange your own group, at your premises or ours. In-company for your team

In brief. Reading Balance Sheets is a 1-day classroom course. You take it in Amsterdam, Utrecht, Rotterdam and Arnhem, in a group of no more than 8 participants. The price is € 625,- excl. VAT per participant, including course materials, lunch on location and a certificate of attendance. For a team or department we also deliver this course in-company.

  • Reading figures without a financial background
  • Directly applicable to your own practice
  • Insight into recognising risks and opportunities
  • Better investment decisions
  • Discovering the stories behind the figures
Luis

Your trainer: Luis 162 reviews in total, with an average score of 8,9. View the trainers

Want to understand the story behind the figures? You learn to read, interpret and use a financial balance sheet when making important decisions. No financial background required: you build a solid foundation step by step.

Description

In this course you will gain a grip on an organisation's financial balance sheet, even without a financial background. You will learn what a balance sheet is, how it is structured and how to translate the figures into the story behind them.

Through a mix of theory, recognisable examples and practical cases, you will work on essential concepts such as assets, liabilities and equity. You will practise techniques for interpreting a balance sheet, recognising common mistakes and seeing how it relates to the profit and loss account and the cash flow statement.

You will discover how to use the balance sheet to assess investments, gauge financial risks and opportunities, and evaluate an organisation's creditworthiness. At the end of the day you apply what you have learned directly to your own situation and take financial decisions with greater confidence.

Topics

During this course you look at the balance sheet from various angles. You are given theory, examples and case studies that you can link directly to your own work.

  • What is a financial balance sheet and why does it matter so much?
  • Essential concepts: assets, liabilities and equity
  • Techniques for reading a balance sheet, interpreting the story behind the figures and recognising common mistakes
  • The relationship between the balance sheet, the profit and loss account and the cash flow statement
  • Assessing risks, opportunities and competitive position on the basis of the balance sheet
  • Practical case studies and exercises that let you apply your knowledge straight away

Result

After completing the Reading a Balance Sheet course:

you will have a solid basic knowledge of reading balance sheets, you will be able to name the basic concepts that apply to any financial balance sheet, you will understand the components that make up a financial balance sheet, you will know the relationship between the balance sheet, the profit and loss account and the cash flow statement, you will read financial statements effectively and use them to make better decisions about investments, financial risks and creditworthiness, you will recognise the story behind the figures, and you will apply what you have learned directly in your own working situation.

Target audience

The Reading a Balance Sheet course is intended for professionals who are responsible for the financial assessment of their own business (sole proprietorship, general partnership or private limited company) or of other companies. For example:

account managers, consultants, financing specialists, financial analysts, entrepreneurs, investors, managers.

You don't need a financial background to take part. We start with the basics and build up your knowledge step by step.

Teaching method

You take the Reading a Balance Sheet course in a classroom setting with a small group of participants. That gives you plenty of room to ask questions and contribute. The trainer alternates theory with telling examples and practical case studies, so you link the material directly to your own working practice.

You will work with balance sheets from real organisations and practise techniques for interpreting the figures. By working through assignments yourself, the knowledge sticks and you go home with concrete tools. Examples from your own daily practice are very welcome. We will work on them together.

Prior knowledge

You do not need a financial background to take part. We start with the basics and build up your knowledge step by step. A little interest in figures and a willingness to work with practical examples is enough.

Comments

Please note: this course is suitable both for beginners and for those with some experience of financial reports.

Practical information

Number of days
1 day
Course times
from 10 am to 5 pm
Teaching hours
6 hours
Education level
Suitable for all levels
Preparation time
None
Included
Course materials and lunch on site
Certificate
At the end of the course you will receive a certificate of attendance
Cancel
Free up to four weeks before the start (cancellation terms)

Language

The course is given in Dutch as standard. The trainer speaks English. English-language course materials can be used. If at least 3 participants register, the course can also be given entirely in English.

In-company

Would you like to organise this training for a whole group or several groups? This can be cost-effective. For example, we can tailor the content entirely to your organisation, and training a whole group is also cheaper.

Are you looking at large numbers of participants or a complete academy? That involves a great deal. Consider planning and communication, for example, or identifying and agreeing the objectives and content of the training. Or differences in level, feedback mechanisms and safeguarding. Fortunately, Learnit has extensive experience in this field (more than 25 years) and we are happy to help you through this process.

Request a quote More about Reading Balance Sheets in-company

All start dates

1 training day. In order of date.

  • Fri 20 November 2026 Utrecht · 10:00–17:00Free cancellation until 23 October Enrol
  • Tue 15 December 2026 Amsterdam · 10:00–17:00Free cancellation until 17 November Enrol
  • Tue 5 January 2027 Rotterdam · 10:00–17:00Free cancellation until 8 December Enrol
  • Tue 6 April 2027 Arnhem · 10:00–17:00Free cancellation until 9 March Enrol

No suitable start date? Send us a date request, and we'll look at the options together.

This course for your team?

Plan your own group on a date that suits you, at your office, at our premises or online. We tailor the content to your day-to-day work, and training a whole group is cheaper than individual bookings.

  • Your date and location
  • Tailored content
  • Multiple groups or an academy are also possible
  • More than 25 years' experience
Request a quote No obligation, an adviser will be in touch shortly How in-company works

The trainers for this course

Ratings from participants after completing their course, across all courses by this trainer.

Luis

Finance and tax trainer 8,9 from 162 evaluations

What others say about this course

"A course with strong content, in which good course materials are used to teach new things effectively and efficiently."

Participant

"I have very good impression of the content of the training and specially of the trainer"

Participant

"A highly capable trainer with broad expertise. The facilities are perfectly in order. A teaching day (7 hours) is just long enough to stay focused"

Participant

"The course was very instructive. Theory and practice were combined extremely well. It was very pleasant to be taught in a small group, which gave me even more opportunity to achieve my learning objectives."

Participant

"Extremely instructive, built up step by step and easy to understand for people with no prior knowledge of this."

Participant

Training formats

Classroom

1 day€ 625,-
  • Pleasant venue with a good trainer
  • Small groups
  • Inspiring and motivating
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In-company

Bespoke trainingOn request
  • 100% for your group
  • Bespoke training
  • At your place or ours
View in-company

Workshop

Up to 4 hours for groupsOn request
  • Suitable for events
  • Interactive and inspiring
  • Large groups too
Request a quote

Private training

At our place or yoursOn request
  • 100% just for you
  • Achieve a lot in little time
  • Whenever you want
Request a quote

Frequently asked questions

Can I cancel free of charge?

Yes. Up to four weeks before the first day of the course you can cancel free of charge, without giving a reason. You then receive a credit note or, if you have already paid, a refund. If you cancel later, you pay part of the course fee: 25% between four and two weeks before the start, 75% in the two weeks before it and 100% in the final week. Moving to another start date is free of charge up to two weeks before the start, after that 50%. Sending a colleague in your place is always possible. Read the cancellation terms.

Do I need prior financial knowledge for the Reading a Balance Sheet course?
No, you do not need a financial background to take part in the Reading a Balance Sheet course. The course starts with the basics and builds up your knowledge step by step. Concepts such as assets, liabilities and equity are explained clearly, with examples from practice. Whether you are a manager, business owner, adviser or account manager: you can join without any prior knowledge.
Who is the Reading a Balance Sheet course for?
The Reading a Balance Sheet course is suitable for professionals who have to assess financial figures without having a financial background. Think of account managers, advisers, financing specialists, financial analysts, managers, investors and business owners with a sole tradership, partnership or private limited company. Whether you are evaluating creditworthiness, assessing investments or simply want to understand your own company figures better: you learn to read the story behind the numbers.
Which topics are covered in the Reading a Balance Sheet course?
In the Reading a Balance Sheet course you cover the following topics: what a financial balance sheet is and why it matters, essential concepts such as assets, liabilities and equity, techniques for interpreting a balance sheet, the relationship with the profit and loss account and the cash flow statement, and practical case studies for spotting risks and opportunities.
Do I receive a certificate after the Reading a Balance Sheet course?
Yes, on completing the Reading a Balance Sheet course you will receive a certificate of attendance from Learnit. This certificate confirms that you have taken the course and have mastered the basic skills needed to read and interpret a financial balance sheet and link it to the profit and loss account and the cash flow statement.
Can the Reading a Balance Sheet course also be taken in-company?
Yes, the Reading a Balance Sheet course is also available in-company. You then arrange the course at your own location or online, on a date that suits your team. That is convenient when several colleagues want to get to grips with the balance sheet, the profit and loss account and the cash flow statement at the same time. The content can be tailored to your own figures and sector.
What is the difference between reading a balance sheet and understanding a profit and loss account, and does this course cover both?
The balance sheet and the profit and loss account (P&L) are two different financial statements. A balance sheet shows an organisation's assets, liabilities and equity at a single point in time. A snapshot. The P&L shows how a company has made a profit or loss over a period (usually a year). The cash flow statement is the third statement and shows where the money comes from and where it goes. The Reading a Balance Sheet course focuses on the balance sheet itself: assets, liabilities, equity and how to read the story behind the figures. It also explicitly covers the relationship between the balance sheet, the P&L and the cash flow statement, so that you understand how they complement one another. The course lasts
When should you choose a classroom-based Reading a Balance Sheet course, and when is e-learning or self-study via YouTube enough?
An e-learning or self-study works fine if you want a broad grasp of the basic concepts (assets, liabilities, equity) for general knowledge. You watch at your own pace and pay little or nothing. Learnit's classroom Reading Balance Sheets course is a better choice in three situations: you want to discuss balance sheets from your own working practice with a trainer, you are unsure how to interpret signals of financial risks or opportunities, or you need to substantiate decisions on investments, creditworthiness or supplier assessment. In the classroom you practise with case studies and receive direct feedback on your interpretation. That element is missing in self-study. For managers, entrepreneurs and advisers who actually have to use balance sheets in decision-making, that interaction usually outweighs the cost.
How do I know whether the Reading a Balance Sheet course fits my work, or whether I would be better off taking a broader financial course?
Learnit's Reading a Balance Sheet course focuses specifically on interpreting the balance sheet, with excursions into the profit and loss account and the cash flow statement. It suits you if financial reports land on your desk at work and you want to be able to interpret the figures in broad terms. Think of account managers, consultants, managers, entrepreneurs and investors. (classroom-based) teaches you about assets, liabilities, equity and how the statements relate to one another. Do you want to do the bookkeeping yourself, draw up annual accounts or give tax advice? Then you need a broader programme, such as a business administration programme or a tax course. If your aim is to make decisions based on other people's figures, this course is sufficient.
Will I be able to assess suppliers' or clients' annual reports straight after the Reading a Balance Sheet course?
Yes, in broad terms. After the course you will recognise the structure of a balance sheet (assets, liabilities, equity) and you will be able to read a set of annual accounts to spot risks and opportunities at a supplier, client or acquisition target. You learn to interpret the story behind the figures and to combine the balance sheet with the profit and loss account and the cash flow statement. For an initial assessment of creditworthiness or financial health, that is enough. In-depth financial analysis, valuation questions or due diligence require additional knowledge, for example through a follow-up course in financial analysis or ratio analysis. The course is taught in a classroom setting, with practical cases that let you apply what you have learned directly to situations from your own work.
What will I learn in the Reading a Balance Sheet course that I can't get from an online article or an annual report template?
In the Reading a Balance Sheet course you practise with real case studies under the guidance of an experienced trainer. An article explains what assets, liabilities and equity are. But it doesn't show you how to recognise signs of financial pressure or hidden risks in an actual balance sheet. During this classroom day you can put forward your own questions, discuss balance sheets from your daily practice and receive immediate feedback. You also learn how the balance sheet relates to the profit and loss account and the cash flow statement; together, these three tell the story behind the figures. That interplay is rarely worked out in individual articles. The course lasts
What is a typical profile of someone taking this Reading a Balance Sheet course, and what do participants actually do with it at work afterwards?
The Reading a Balance Sheet course attracts two groups of participants. The first group consists of non-financial professionals who encounter figures in their role: account managers who need to assess the creditworthiness of clients, advisers who evaluate investment proposals, and managers who need to understand the quarterly reports of their department or business unit. The second group consists of entrepreneurs with a sole proprietorship, general partnership or private limited company who want to understand their own annual figures without depending on their accountant. After the (classroom) course, participants usually apply what they have learned straight away: they ask finance colleagues more targeted questions, recognise signals such as declining working capital or rising short-term debt, and can link assets, liabilities and equity to the profit and loss account and the cash flow statement.
What does the Reading a Balance Sheet course cost and how long does it last?

You can find the current price at the top right of this course page, along with the schedule, location and delivery format. For in-company or bespoke courses we are happy to provide a quotation on request.

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Next start date: Fri 20 November 2026 in Utrecht

Free cancellation up to four weeks before the start, so you can secure a place now.

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€ 625,-excl. VAT · next start Fri 20 Nov
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