What prior knowledge do you need for the Reading Financial Statements course?

No prior financial knowledge is required for the Reading Financial Statements course. The course has been developed precisely for people who do not deal with finance on a daily basis, such as board members, managers from marketing, HR, sales or IT, in-house lawyers, solicitors, shareholders and investors. Financial jargon and difficult definitions are explained in plain language, so that you learn to read and interpret annual accounts from scratch.

Which topics are covered in the Reading Financial Statements course?

In the Reading Financial Statements course you cover the balance sheet, the profit and loss account, the notes and the accounting policies. You learn to interpret financial indicators and ratios, the difference between commercial and tax-based annual figures, and how to spot accounting tricks such as window dressing. The statutory requirements, the role of the accountant and strategic decision-making based on annual figures are also covered.

Do you receive a certificate after the Reading Financial Statements course?

Yes, on completion of the Reading Financial Statements course you receive a certificate of participation from Learnit. This certificate confirms that you have successfully completed the classroom-based course and that you are able to read, interpret and analyse annual accounts. You can use the certificate to demonstrate your basic financial knowledge to an employer or client, or within your personal development plan.

Can the Reading Financial Statements course also be taken in-company?

Yes, the Reading Financial Statements course can also be taken in-company. This is useful if several colleagues want to learn at the same time how to read and interpret a set of financial statements. The programme is tailored to the practice of your organisation, so that the examples and exercises match your own annual figures. The classroom course ; for in-company you receive a tailored quote.

What is the difference between the Reading Annual Accounts course and a complete bookkeeping course?

The Reading Annual Accounts course focuses on interpreting existing annual figures, not on drawing them up yourself. You learn to understand the balance sheet, income statement, notes and accounting policies, to interpret financial indicators and to see through flattered figures (such as window dressing). A bookkeeping course, by contrast, teaches you how to process transactions, make journal entries and build up a set of annual accounts yourself. That This course lasts (classroom-based,) and is intended for people who take decisions on the basis of annual figures: board members, managers from marketing, HR, sales or IT, corporate lawyers, shareholders and investors. You do not need a financial background. Choose this course if you want to be able to read and analyse annual reports; choose a bookkeeping programme if you have to keep the books yourself.

When should you choose a classroom Reading Financial Statements course rather than a YouTube tutorial or e-learning?

A classroom course makes sense if you want to discuss financial statements from your own practice and learn to interpret them in a targeted way. At Learnit You may bring along your own financial statements and go through them together with the trainer. You will not get that from a YouTube tutorial or a standard e-learning. An intake takes place beforehand, so that the content matches your background and learning objectives. Tricks such as window dressing and profit steering are also covered, with direct feedback on your questions. For self-study, a book or online video will suffice if you only want to recognise concepts. If you want to learn to interpret your organisation's figures and underpin strategic decisions, a classroom course is more effective.

How do I know whether the Reading Financial Statements course offers enough depth for my role as an investor or supervisory board member?

The Reading Financial Statements course focuses on interpreting annual figures, not on drawing them up yourself. For investors, shareholders and supervisory directors that is usually exactly what you need: you learn to get to grips with the balance sheet, the profit and loss account and the notes, to interpret financial indicators and to recognise flattered figures (such as window dressing and earnings management). The difference between commercial and tax-based figures and the role of the accountant are also covered. The course lasts If you want to go deeper into the valuation models (DCF, multiples, due diligence), this is a good basis but not an end point. For strategic decision-making based on annual figures it is generally sufficient, partly because you may bring along your own financial statements.

Can I bring in my own annual report or that of my employer during the Reading Financial Statements course?

Yes, you may bring your own financial statements to the course. During the training day the trainer uses annual reports from various types of companies as examples, but there is explicit room to discuss your own figures. Beforehand there is an intake in which you indicate your background and learning objectives; the programme is fine-tuned on that basis and on the composition of the group. In practical terms this means you can ask questions about specific items on your balance sheet, ratios from your profit and loss account or notable notes to the accounts. This works best with financial statements of a Dutch company drawn up in accordance with Title 9 of Book 2 of the Dutch Civil Code. For highly specialised sectors (banks, insurers, housing associations) with different reporting rules, a separate sector-specific course is more suitable.

How does this Reading Financial Statements course relate to what an accountant or controller does day to day?

The Reading Financial Statements course teaches you to interpret annual accounts as a user, not to prepare them as a preparer. You learn to interpret the balance sheet, the profit and loss account and the notes, to recognise ratios and to see through flattered figures. These are skills that a controller or accountant also has, but as part of a multi-year programme (RA, AA or post-HBO controlling). An accountant audits and prepares; as a board member, lawyer, investor or shareholder, you learn to ask the right questions and to take strategic decisions on the basis of the figures. The role of the accountant is also covered, so that you know what assurance an audit opinion provides. Classroom-based. Suitable if you need to understand financial documents but do not want to become a financial specialist.

What do you learn in this course about recognising flattered or 'window-dressed' annual figures?

The Reading Financial Statements course explicitly addresses how companies can present their annual figures in a more favourable light. You learn to recognise the most commonly used accounting and tax tricks, including window dressing and earnings management. Specifically, we cover techniques relating to valuation policies, provisions, revenue recognition and the difference between commercial and tax-based annual figures. You learn why these constructions are used and how, as a reader, you can see through them. The role of the accountant is also covered: what does an unqualified opinion say, and what does it not say? This module is particularly relevant if you take investment decisions, assess companies or exercise supervision. You come away with a practical checklist for reading annual reports critically.

What does the Reading Annual Accounts course cost and how long does it take?

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

Reading Financial Statements course (1 day)

Name: Reading financial statements
Price: 625.0 EUR
Availability: InStock
Rating: 8.3 (3 reviews)

Do you want to really understand the financial statements of your own company or those of another business? In this course you get to grips with the balance sheet, the profit and loss account and key figures. And you learn to recognise flattered figures.

Description

Would you like to be able to read and understand a set of financial statements, without working with finance on a daily basis? This course gives you accessible insight into how financial statements are structured and what the figures say about a company's financial performance.

You learn to interpret the balance sheet, income statement and notes, and you are introduced to the most important financial indicators and ratios. Financial jargon and difficult definitions are explained clearly, so that you can translate the figures into concrete insights and points for improvement for your organisation.

You will also look at the difference between commercial and fiscal annual figures and learn to recognise commonly used accounting and tax tricks, such as window dressing and profit management. This way you will know how to see through flattering figures and use the financial statements as a reliable basis for strategic decisions.

Topics

In the course Reading Financial Statements the following topics are covered:

What are financial statements and which forms are there?
Why and for whom are the financial statements important?
Which statutory requirements must the financial statements meet?
Which parts make up a set of financial statements (balance sheet, profit and loss account, notes, accounting policies) and how do you read them?
Financial indicators and ratios: which are there and what do they say about the financial position of the company?
Commercial versus tax-based annual figures: what is the difference?
Accounting and tax tricks: why are they used and how do you see through them (including window dressing and profit management)?
What is the role of the accountant?
How do financial statements help in making strategic decisions?

Result

After this course you know how a set of annual accounts is structured and you can read and interpret the balance sheet, income statement and notes. You know the difference between separate and consolidated annual accounts and you know which ratios appear in the annual report and what they mean.

You will recognise flattered annual figures and see through accounting and tax tricks such as window dressing and profit steering. You will know what the annual figures say about a company's financial performance and, on that basis, will be able to make well-founded strategic decisions to improve your own organisation.

Target audience

This course is intended for anyone who does not deal with financial issues on a daily basis but does have to take important decisions on the basis of annual figures. Think of directors and managers from marketing, HR, sales and IT, in-house counsel and lawyers, shareholders and investors.

Teaching method

During the course Reading Financial Statements you examine annual reports from a range of company types. You learn to recognise and understand the key financial indicators. Through short exercises and examples from your own working practice, you become familiar with the components of the annual accounts step by step.

Would you like to bring your own annual accounts? That's fine. There is plenty of scope to ask questions and discuss your own situation. You work in a small group under the guidance of an experienced trainer, so there is ample individual attention.

Prior knowledge

No specific prior knowledge is required for this course. A general interest in finance and the wish to understand annual figures better is enough. Whether you are a manager, lawyer, investor or entrepreneur: you can start straight away.

Comments

On completing the course you will receive a Learnit certificate of participation.

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

Language

The training is given in Dutch as standard. The trainer has a good command of English. English-language course material can be used. With a minimum enrolment of 3 participants, the training can also be given entirely in English.

Number of days:

1 day

Course times:

from 10 am to 5 pm

Study load:

7 hours

Education level:

This training is suitable for all levels.

Exemptions:

Exemptions do not apply to this course.

Preparation time:

No preparation time applies to this course.

Certificate:

At the end of the course, a certificate is issued as proof of participation.

The best training for you

At Learnit you will always find a course that takes you further. From (technical) IT skills to communication or personal leadership. You can also choose the training format that suits you best: a classroom course, a tailor-made course at your own office, an online course or an e-learning. We have the right course and the right format for everyone. Because learning in the way that suits you best delivers the best results.

Moving forward together

Taking a training course at Learnit means learning together. Together with your experienced trainer, together with your course group or together with your colleagues. And whether you take the training at home, at your office or at one of our training locations, we are always available to help you. To share our knowledge with you in a way that is genuinely useful to you. Getting further together through personal attention and understanding each other well; that is what we believe in.

Apply it directly in your work

Learning theory from a book that you can then hardly use in your work? Not at Learnit! Whichever training you take with us, you can put it to use at your workplace straight away. Because of the unique learning objectives you set together with the trainer at the start of the training. Because of the alternation between theory and (interactive) practical assignments. And by bringing the challenges you face in your daily work along to the training.