How to Analyse Financial Statements: A Complete Guide

Break down complex financial statements into career-advancing insights

Businesses everywhere, big and small, rely on financial statements to gauge performance and drive strategic decisions. However, it’s essential you not only know how to read these statements but understand how to leverage the insights they provide.

On this five-week finance course from Duke Corporate Education, drive your organisation – and career – to the top by learning the fundamentals of financial statement analysis.

Perfect for non-financial managers, you’ll explore the key components of financial statements and develop practical skills to analyse financial data, interpret key performance indicators (KPIs), and apply insights that improve your organisation’s financial planning and performance.

Apply financial analysis to income statements

After an introduction to the course and a brief overview of financial concepts, you’ll explore income statements and the various financial metrics that help assess a company’s performance.

You’ll delve into key indicators, such as Earnings Per Share (EPS) and Return on Equity (ROE), then try your hand at analysing a sample income statement on your own.

Explore balance sheets and cash flow analysis

You’ll then dive into the components of balance sheets, including assets, liabilities, and shareholder equity while analysing key ratios to assess an organisation’s strengths and weaknesses. You’ll also explore cash flow analysis to gain insights into operational efficiency and the overall financial position of a company.

Learn with the financial experts at Duke Corporate Education

Finally, you’ll wrap up this course by bringing everything you’ve learned into one final project. You’ll be tasked to develop a financial strategy of your own for a hypothetical company, applying your learning in real time.

This course is designed for non-financial managers and professionals looking to bolster their financial acumen and refine their decision-making capabilities. You’ll learn everything you need to know on this course, so no prior knowledge is needed to join.

This course is designed for non-financial managers and professionals looking to bolster their financial acumen and refine their decision-making capabilities. You’ll learn everything you need to know on this course, so no prior knowledge is needed to join.

• Evaluate the income statement to understand revenue, expenses, and profitability, gaining insights into a company's operational efficiency and financial health.
• Evaluate a company's balance sheet to assess its assets, liabilities, and shareholder equity, providing a snapshot of its financial position and stability.
• Explore the cash cycle stages to understand how a company manages cash flows, from financing and investing to operations, ensuring sustainability and growth.
• Compare key financial statements and performance metrics across multiple periods and industry peers to assess trends and benchmark a company’s performance.