Financial Accounting Courses

Successful financial analysis begins with a sound understanding of company fundamentals with particular emphasis on financial reports and related disclosures. Within this core area of our expertise, we offer a variety of multi-day programs that range from Accounting Bootcamps to Advanced Financial Statement Analysis. All Finance IQ programs feature mini-lectures, case-based studies, group exercises and real-world examples. Additionally, we are pleased to complement many of our accounting courses with excel-based training programs to help clients continue to apply their knowledge through the construction and use of financial models.

Introduction to Financial Accounting
Accounting Bootcamp
Accounting for Hedges and Derivatives
Advanced Financial Statement Analysis
Fundamentals of Credit Risk Analysis
Finance for non-Financial Managers

Introduction to Financial Accounting – 3 days

This intensive three-day program offers participants an introduction into the core financial accounting concepts and tools that will assist them in understanding financial statements and their related disclosures. The course explains in detail all the key components of the balance sheet, income statement, statement of cash flows, and statement of equity. The course makes effective use of group exercises and is highlighted by a case study of a reporting company to help illuminate many of the key accounting concepts taught in class.

Learning Objectives

  • Describe the components of the balance sheet
  • Describe components of a single- and multiple-step income statement
  • Describe the four principal inventory valuation methods
  • Describe how to measure and account for the cost of long-lived assets
  • Distinguish between expenses and capitalized items
  • Compute depreciation under various depreciation methods
  • Describe the accounting treatment of intangible assets
  • Distinguish among current, long-term and contingent liabilities
  • Differentiate among authorized, issued, and outstanding shares
  • Formulate and present a statement of cash flows
  • Distinguish among cash flows from operations, financing and investing
  • Incorporate minority interests into consolidated financial statements

Duration: Three days

Program Level: Basic

Prerequisites: There are no prerequisites

CPE: 21.0 CPE Credits

Outline/Topics:

Day 1
  • Accounting concepts
  • Measuring income
  • Recording transactions
  • Accrual accounting
  • Statement formation
  • Accounting for sales
  • Inventory
    • Measurement
    • Valuation methods
    • Gross profit
    • Analysis
Day 2
  • Other current assets
  • Long-lived assets
  • Depreciation
  • Amortization
  • Depletion
  • Deferred taxes
  • Liabilities & interest expense
  • Income statement
Day 3
  • Equity
    • Other comprehensive income
  • Cash flow
  • Alternative measures of cash flow
  • Intercorporate accounting

For a detailed outline and additional information on this course or to find out about our other courses, contact us at (646) 244-5190 or [email protected]!

Accounting Bootcamp – 5 days

This five-day program offers participants a thorough introduction into the core financial accounting concepts and tools that will assist them in understanding financial statements and their related disclosures. Taught by a Chartered Financial Analyst, the course explains in detail all the key components of the balance sheet, income statement, statement of cash flows, and statement of equity. Difficult to understand concepts such as deferred taxes, pensions and inter-corporate accounting are demystified. The course makes effective use of group exercises and is highlighted by a case study of a reporting company to help illuminate many of the key accounting concepts taught in class.

Learning Objectives

  • Describe the components of the balance sheet
  • Analyze the effect of transactions on the balance sheet equation
  • Explain the role of adjustments in accrual accounting
  • Describe components of a single- and multiple-step Income Statement
  • Distinguish between expenses and capitalized items
  • Compute depreciation under various depreciation methods
  • Compute gains and losses on disposal of fixed assets
  • Describe the accounting treatment of intangible assets
  • Distinguish among current, long-term and contingent liabilities
  • Value and account for long-term lease obligations
  • Formulate and present a statement of cash flows
  • Distinguish among cash flows from operations, financing and investing
  • Contrast the equity and cost methods of accounting for investments
  • Incorporate minority interests into consolidated financial statements

Duration: Five days. (This course contains more basic and introductory material than the three day Introduction to Financial Accounting course and is more appropriate for those with little or no accounting experience.)

Program Level: Basic

Prerequisites: There are no prerequisites

CPE: 35.0 CPE Credits

Outline/Topics:

Day 1
  • Accounting concepts
  • Measuring income
  • Accrual accounting
  • Statement formation
  • Accounting for sales
  • Inventory
    • Measurement
    • Valuation methods
    • Analysis
  • Other current assets
Day 2
  • Long-lived assets
  • Depreciation
  • Amortization
  • Depletion
  • Deferred taxes
  • Liabilities & interest expense
Day 3
  • Income statement
    • Formats
    • Analysis
    • Non-GAAP measures
  • Equity
    • Components
    • Other comprehensive income
Day 4
  • Cash flow
    • Operating
    • Financing
    • Investing
  • Alternative measures of cash flow
    • Free cash flow
    • EBITDA
Day 5
  • Intercorporate accounting
    • Equity method
    • Consolidation
    • Minority interests
  • Accounting for pensions and post-retirement benefits

For a detailed outline and additional information on this course or to find out about our other courses, contact us at (646) 244-5190 or [email protected]!

Accounting for Hedges and Derivatives

A majority of reporting companies manage many of their risks with the use of hedges and derivatives. Given the impacts of these activities on financial statements, this course demystifies the motivations for and requirements of hedge accounting. Delivered by a Chartered Financial Analyst and Certified Financial Risk Manager, the course will make use of various real-world examples to explain the types of derivatives used by companies to hedge various risks in their operations. The course will also identify and describe in detail the current rules and accounting methodologies for hedge accounting and the disclosure requirements that must be met by reporting companies.

Learning Objectives

Outline/Topics:

  • Describe the rationale for hedging activities by a corporation
  • Explain the common types of derivatives used in corporate hedging activities
  • Describe the current accounting standards related to hedge accounting
  • Discuss effectiveness, basis risk and other key concepts in hedge accounting
  • Account for fair value, cash flow and foreign exchange hedges
  • Identify the disclosure requirements for derivatives and hedges

Duration: Two days

Program Level: Intermediate

Prerequisites: Introduction to Financial Accounting (or similar), Introduction to Derivatives (or similar)

CPE: 14.0 CPE Credits

Day 1
  • Use of Hedges and Derivatives
  • Corporate Uses
  • Instruments:
    • Forwards/Futures
    • Options
    • Swaps
  • Scope of ASC 815
  • Accounting Requirements
    • Getting to Equity
    • Other Comprehensive Income
    • Fair Value Hedge
    • Cash Flow Hedge
    • Foreign Exchange Hedge
    • Short-Cut Method
Day 2
  • Fair value hedge
    • Qualifying criteria
    • Hedgeable risks
    • Effectiveness
    • Initial and subsequent measurement
    • Determination of fair value
    • Accounting for fair value hedges: examples and case studies
  • Cash flow hedges
    • Effectiveness
    • Specification of assets, liabilities or forecasted transactions
    • Examples and case studies
  • Foreign currency hedges
    • Forex cash flow hedges
    • Forex fair value hedges
    • Hedges of net investments in foreign operations
  • Examples and case studies

For a detailed outline and additional information on this course or to find out about our other courses, contact us at (646) 244-5190 or [email protected]!

Advanced Financial Statement Analysis

This two day advanced level course is designed to demystify some of the most difficult to understand accounting topics. The program is delivered by a Chartered Financial Analyst and explains in detail advanced accounting concepts such as lease accounting, deferred taxes, stock-based compensation, hedge accounting, foreign currency translation and pension accounting. Real world case studies will be used to illuminate these topic areas and participants will also benefit from various in-class exercises. The course requires each participant to have a thorough knowledge of financial accounting concepts.

Learning Objectives

Outline/Topics:

  • Present and analyze a detailed cash flow statement
  • Identify and explain the main components related to pension accounting
  • Analyze the impacts on financial ratios of consolidating off-balance sheet items
  • Describe the process for translating foreign currency financial statements
  • Explain the main reasons why deferred tax assets and liabilities arise
  • Distinguish among the accounting treatments for various types of intangible assets
  • Describe how to account for stock-based compensation
  • Explain the impacts of financial lease accounting on a firm’s financial statements

Duration: Two days

Program Level: Advanced

Prerequisites: Introduction to Financial Accounting (or similar) and Financial Statement Analysis (or similar)

CPE: 14.0 CPE Credits

Day 1
  • Introduction
    • Interpreting footnotes
    • Management discussion and analysis
  • Advanced Cash Flow Analysis
    • Mechanics and flow
    • Detailed construction
    • Special non-cash items
    • EBITDA, EBITA
  • Advanced Income Statement Topics
    • Pension accounting
    • Options and convertible securities
    • Restructuring charges
    • Discontinued operations
    • Normalizing results
    • Foreign currency transactions
    • Accounting for derivatives and hedges
Day 2
  • Advance Balance Sheet Topics
    • Fair value accounting
    • Accounting for derivatives and hedges
    • Operating versus capital leases
    • Debt restructuring
    • Deferred taxes and related considerations
    • Equity method and non-controlling interests
    • Stock-based compensation
    • Purchase accounting
    • Foreign currency translation
  • Examples and case studies

For a detailed outline and additional information on this course or to find out about our other courses, contact us at (646) 244-5190 or [email protected]!

Fundamentals of Credit Risk Analysis

This two day course provides participants with a foundation upon which they will be able to assess the creditworthiness of a corporate issuer. By establishing a framework for analysis, participants will be able to identify and assess key qualitative and quantitative factors in determining credit risk. Delivered by a Chartered Financial Analyst, the course will provide participants a thorough grounding in the most effective techniques for financial ratio, cash flow and debt structure analysis.

Learning Objectives

  • Establish a structured framework for credit risk analysis
  • Evaluate a firm’s market position, competitive strengths, weaknesses, and ability to execute on a business strategy
  • Identify significant areas of risk in a firm’s financial statements
  • Calculate and interpret key ratios used to evaluate a firm’s creditworthiness
  • Analyze cash flows to evaluate the repayment prospects of a firm
  • Project cash flows, capital expenditures and other relevant accounts related to credit quality
  • Evaluate debt structure and collateral

Duration: Two days

Program Level: Intermediate

Prerequisites: Introduction to Financial Accounting (or similar)

CPE: 14.0 CPE Credits

Outline/Topics:

Day 1
  • Introduction
    • Role of credit risk analysis
    • Framework for credit risk analysis
  • Industry, Market and Competitor Analysis
  • Company analysis
  • Financial statement analysis
  • Financial ratios
Day 2
  • Cash Flow analysis
  • Debt structure analysis
  • Projections
  • Putting it all together
  • Examples and case studies

For a detailed outline and additional information on this course or to find out about our other courses, contact us at (646) 244-5190 or [email protected]!

Finance for non-Financial Managers

To be effective in the modern workplace, employees at all levels and in all business areas require greater quantitative skills - in particular, those that involve interpreting, analyzing and presenting financial data. Using your organization as a case study, this two-day program offers participants a foundation upon which they can make productive use of financial and accounting concepts that are increasingly becoming part of today’s workplace. Financial accounting topics such as matching, depreciation and the calculation of operating income, among many others, will be demystified in order to provide your staff a much greater foundation of quantitative skills. By explaining in plain language managerial accounting topics such as accruals, allocations, and overhead, participants will emerge more confident in their ability to contribute to both the management of and strategic planning for the organization.

Learning Objectives

Outline/Topics:

  • Identify the major financial reports of an organization
  • Describe the main components in various financial reports
  • Differentiate between cash and accrual accounting
  • Describe the process of developing a budget
  • Explain the inputs and assumptions in forecasting
  • Analyze main asset accounts
  • Identify assets and liabilities that do not appear in financial reports
  • Calculate various measures of income and other performance metrics
  • Identify the main cost and revenue drivers in a business
  • Evaluate the financial merits of a project

Duration: One day

Program Level: Basic

Prerequisites: There are no prerequisites

1 Day Program
  • Accounting concepts
  • Measuring income
  • Accrual accounting
  • Statement formation
  • Accounting for sales
  • Inventory
  • Long-lived assets & Depreciation
  • Liabilities & interest expense
  • Income statement
    • Formats
    • Analysis
    • Non-GAAP or managerial measures
  • Cash flows
    • Operating
    • Financing
    • Investing
  • Budgeting and forecasts
    • Inputs
    • Pro forma financial statements

For a detailed outline and additional information on this course or to find out about our other courses, contact us at (646) 244-5190 or [email protected]!