Financial Statement Analysis Program
Build practical skills in reading, analyzing, and interpreting company financials. This nine-month program starts September 2025 and runs through May 2026.
From Balance Sheets to Business Insights
Most people look at financial statements and see numbers. You'll learn to see the story behind those numbers—what's working, what isn't, and why it matters.
We start with the fundamentals. Even if you've never opened a balance sheet, you'll understand how companies report their financial position within the first month.
Foundation Phase
September through November 2025. You'll work through the three main financial statements, understanding what each line item actually represents in real business operations.
Analysis Phase
December 2025 through March 2026. This is where numbers become insights. You'll calculate ratios, identify trends, and compare companies within the same industry.
Application Phase
April through May 2026. Your final project involves analyzing a publicly traded Australian company and presenting your findings to industry practitioners who'll provide feedback.
What You'll Actually Learn
We cover nine core modules over 36 weeks. Each builds on what came before, so you're constantly connecting new concepts to things you already understand.
Reading Financial Statements
Start with the basics. You'll learn what balance sheets, income statements, and cash flow statements actually show.
- Assets vs liabilities breakdown
- Revenue recognition principles
- Cash flow categories
- Notes and disclosures
Accounting Fundamentals
Why do accountants record things the way they do? Understanding the logic makes everything else clearer.
- Double-entry system
- Accrual vs cash accounting
- Depreciation methods
- Inventory valuation
Financial Ratios
These are your tools for quick assessment. We focus on ratios that matter in Australian business contexts.
- Liquidity measurements
- Profitability indicators
- Leverage calculations
- Efficiency metrics
Industry Comparisons
A retail company's financials look different from a mining company's. You'll learn what's normal for different sectors.
- Sector-specific benchmarks
- Peer group analysis
- Market position indicators
- Competitive assessment
Cash Flow Analysis
Profit doesn't always mean cash. This module teaches you to track actual money movement through a business.
- Operating cash generation
- Working capital changes
- Investment activities
- Financing decisions
Quality of Earnings
Not all profits are created equal. You'll learn to spot aggressive accounting and sustainable earnings patterns.
- Red flag identification
- Earnings sustainability
- Accounting policy choices
- One-time items
Forecasting Techniques
Use historical data to project future performance. We keep forecasts realistic and tied to actual business drivers.
- Revenue projections
- Expense modeling
- Balance sheet forecasting
- Scenario planning
Valuation Basics
How do analysts determine what a company is worth? You'll apply common valuation methods to real companies.
- Discounted cash flow
- Comparable company analysis
- Price multiples
- Asset-based approaches
Practical Application
Your capstone project brings everything together. You'll analyze a company from multiple angles and defend your conclusions.
- Comprehensive analysis
- Written reporting
- Presentation skills
- Professional feedback
Learn From Practitioners
Our teaching team combines academic expertise with years of hands-on experience analyzing companies across different industries.
Torben Lindholm
Program Director
Spent twelve years as an equity analyst before moving into education. Still consults with investment firms quarterly.
Siobhan Flaherty
Senior Instructor
Former CFO of two ASX-listed companies. Brings real-world context to every lesson with examples from her career.
Aleksandra Novakovic
Industry Liaison
Works with credit rating agencies analyzing corporate debt. Teaches modules on cash flow and financial risk assessment.
Priya Chatterjee
Valuation Specialist
Runs a boutique valuation consultancy focused on Australian mid-cap companies. Leads our final project assessments.
