Overview
Course overview
Sound financial analysis is the foundation of strong commercial decision-making. This short course covers the core principles of accounting and financial analysis in a structured, practical way, from reading and interpreting financial statements to applying ratio analysis and using management accounting tools for performance monitoring. Learners gain the technical skills to analyse business financial performance with confidence, whether they are in a finance role or a general manager who needs to understand the numbers behind the business. No prior accounting experience is required.
What you will study
Build a solid foundation in accounting principles and conventions, covering double-entry bookkeeping, the accruals concept, the matching principle and the rules that govern how financial information is recorded, classified and reported.
Apply accounting and financial analysis skills to real business situations. Learn how to use financial information to assess performance, identify problem areas and make more commercially informed decisions in your professional role.
Analyse the financial statements and performance metrics of real businesses across multiple sectors. Develop the ability to read financial data critically, identify red flags and draw meaningful conclusions from complex financial information.
Master the analytical tools used by financial analysts and management accountants, including financial ratio analysis, horizontal and vertical analysis, working capital ratios, profitability metrics and liquidity and solvency indicators.
Build a practical workflow for conducting financial analysis in your own organisation, including how to structure an analysis, what data to collect, how to interpret findings and how to present your conclusions clearly to a non-technical audience.
Develop the ability to evaluate the overall financial health and performance of a business using a multi-dimensional framework that integrates profitability, liquidity, efficiency and capital structure analysis.
Learn how to build credible financial forecasts using historical data, trend analysis, driver-based modelling and scenario planning. Understand the assumptions embedded in common forecasting approaches and how to stress-test them effectively.
Develop a structured approach to identifying and quantifying financial risk, covering operational risk, credit risk, liquidity risk and the financial dimensions of strategic decisions. Learn how to present risk assessments in a format that supports clear decision-making.
Build a comprehensive understanding of the financial performance metrics used by boards, investors and management teams to assess business performance, including EBITDA, return on equity, return on assets and free cash flow generation.
Understand how accounting and financial analysis feed into strategic planning processes. Learn how to use financial data to evaluate strategic options, build the financial dimension of a strategic plan and track financial outcomes against strategic objectives.
Who is this for?
Finance professionals seeking to formalise their knowledge, managers who regularly review financial data, entrepreneurs managing their own accounts and professionals preparing for higher-level study in finance or business.
Learning outcome
Participants leave with a solid working knowledge of accounting principles, the ability to prepare and interpret key financial statements and the analytical skills to assess business financial health.
Assessment and delivery style
Teaching is designed to be interactive, applied and professionally relevant. Activities may include case discussion, guided exercises, workplace examples, short presentations, reflective planning and tutor-led feedback.
