Financial Analysis course
In the Financial Analysis course you learn to read financial statements, calculate ratios, assess cash flow and understand company valuation. You link those insights to strategy.
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Free cancellation up to four weeks before the start, so feel free to book now.
In brief. Financial Analysis is a 3-day classroom course. You can take it in Amsterdam and Rotterdam or online, in a group of no more than 8 participants. The price is € 1875,- 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.
- Analyse annual accounts and ratios in depth
- Master cash flow analysis and valuation
- Link figures to financial strategy
- Working with IFRS, US GAAP and tax techniques
- Cases from well-known organisations and from your own practice
Your trainer: Luis 162 reviews in total, with an average score of 8,9. View the trainers
Figures tell a story, but only if you can read them. In this course you learn how to analyse financial reports, interpret ratios and estimate the value of a company.
Description
Good financial decisions start with good analysis. With investments, acquisitions, financing or reorganisations, you need to know what the figures really say about opportunities, risks and value. This course gives you the tools to get to grips with financial statements, ratios and cash flows and to translate them into strategy.
You work with the common analysis methods. From horizontal and vertical analysis to ratio analysis, cash flow analysis and business valuation. You learn which key figures are relevant to which stakeholders, how IFRS and US GAAP work through into the figures, and how to use tax techniques to create value.
During the course you work with cases from well-known organisations and with situations from your own practice. In this way you link theory directly to the issues you encounter in your work.
Topics
Day 1. Financial strategy and ratio analysis
- Strategic analysis from various perspectives
- Horizontal and vertical analysis of the financial statements
- Which ratios matter in which sector
- Deriving risks, opportunities and alternatives from ratios and benchmarks
- Improving ratios and linking them to the financial business plan
- Financial legislation: IFRS and US GAAP
Day 2. Market developments and cash flow analysis
- Operating cash flow, investing cash flow and financing cash flow
- Net Present Value and the Real Options method
- The relationship between cash flow and expected profitability
- Cash flow analysis and financing requirements
- Cash flow and the value of your business
Day 3. Value creation and tax advantages
- Adding value to the business or preparing business units for sale
- The impact of the financing structure on value
- Value drivers and value creation
- Linking value creation to financial strategy
- Tax leverage techniques for cheaper investments
- Tax leveraged leases
- Tax advantages through international financial legislation
Result
After the course you will be able to apply analysis techniques such as horizontal and vertical analysis, ratio analysis and cash flow analysis. You will know the principles of IFRS and US GAAP, recognise market developments more quickly and view financial reports from several perspectives. You will know how to link financial strategy to the figures, have a sharper insight into the value of a business and know the main tax techniques for increasing that value.
Target audience
The course is intended for finance professionals who want to analyse and assess financial reports in depth. Think of finance directors, controllers, interim managers, accountants, insolvency practitioners, acquisition brokers, credit analysts, bankers, securities analysts, institutional investors and investment managers.
Teaching method
You work in a small group with an experienced trainer from financial practice. Theory and practice alternate: you learn the methods using cases from well-known organisations and apply them directly to situations from your own work. There is ample opportunity for questions and discussion. You receive course materials and, on completion, a Learnit certificate of attendance.
Prior knowledge
You have a basic knowledge of business economics and are familiar with the structure of financial statements.
Practical information
- Number of days
- 3 days
- Course times
- from 10 am to 5 pm
- Teaching hours
- 18 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.
All start dates
3 training days. In order of date.
- Wed 3 to Fri 5 February 2027 Amsterdam · 10:00–17:00Free cancellation until 6 January Enrol
- Wed 3 to Fri 5 February 2027 Online · 10:00–17:00Free cancellation until 6 January Enrol
- Tue 10 to Thu 12 August 2027 Rotterdam · 10:00–17:00Free cancellation until 13 July 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
The trainers for this course
Ratings from participants after completing their course, across all courses by this trainer.
What others say about this course
"The course matched my needs perfectly in terms of learning more about the tricks of the trade within Financial Analysis. The information was clear, easy to follow and was further explained using recognisable examples from practice."
Training formats
Classroom
3 days€ 1875,-- Pleasant venue with a good trainer
- Small groups
- Inspiring and motivating
In-company
Bespoke trainingOn request- 100% for your group
- Bespoke training
- At your place or ours
Workshop
Up to 4 hours for groupsOn request- Suitable for events
- Interactive and inspiring
- Large groups too
Private training
At our place or yoursOn request- 100% just for you
- Achieve a lot in little time
- Whenever you want
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.
What do you learn in the Financial Analysis course?
You learn how to get to grips with the financial health and value of a business. You work with horizontal and vertical analysis, ratio analysis and cash flow analysis, and learn to link these methods to financial strategy. IFRS and US GAAP, business valuation and tax techniques are also covered.
Who is the Financial Analysis course intended for?
The course is intended for finance professionals who want to be able to analyse financial reports in depth. Think of controllers, finance directors, accountants, credit analysts, bankers, M&A advisers, securities analysts and investment managers.
What prior knowledge do you need?
You have a basic knowledge of business economics and are familiar with the structure of annual accounts. Work experience in a financial role helps you to apply the material directly to your own practice.
Which analysis techniques are covered?
You work with horizontal and vertical analysis, ratio analysis, cash flow analysis, Net Present Value and Real Options. Business valuation and value drivers are also covered in detail.
Do you receive a certificate after the course?
Yes, you will receive a Learnit certificate of attendance afterwards. This confirms that you have completed the course in full.
What does a course day look like?
You work in a small group with an experienced trainer. Theory alternates with cases from well-known organisations and with issues from your own work. There is plenty of room for questions and discussion.
What is the difference between horizontal and vertical analysis?
In a horizontal analysis you compare figures across several periods in order to reveal trends and developments. In a vertical analysis you express items as a percentage of a total, for example the balance sheet total or turnover, in order to assess the structure of the annual accounts. During the course you will learn to apply and combine both techniques.
Which ratios are the most important in financial analysis?
The main categories are liquidity ratios (such as the current ratio and quick ratio), solvency ratios, profitability ratios (such as ROE and ROA) and activity ratios. Which ratios carry the most weight depends on the sector and the stakeholder. During the course you will learn how to select and interpret the right ratios for each situation.
What is the difference between IFRS and US GAAP?
IFRS is principle-based and is used by listed companies in Europe, among other regions. US GAAP is rule-based and applies in the United States. The differences lie in areas such as inventory valuation, leases and revenue recognition. In the course you will cover the principles and the practical impact on your analyses.
How do you determine the value of a company?
Commonly used methods are the Discounted Cash Flow method (DCF), the Adjusted Present Value method, multiples and the Real Options method. The DCF method links value directly to future free cash flows and the return investors require. During the course you will apply these methods to concrete cases.
What are value drivers and how do you use them?
Value drivers are the factors that determine the value of a company, such as revenue growth, margins, working capital management, investments and cost of capital. By influencing these drivers in a targeted way, you systematically increase the value of the company. You learn how to identify them and link them to financial strategy.
What does the Financial Analysis course cost?
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: Wed 3 to Fri 5 February 2027 in Amsterdam, also available online
Free cancellation up to four weeks before the start, so you can secure a place now.