How to Read Financial Statements - Free Course
[Prep Course] Understand the financial strength of a company to make informed decisions Enroll For FreeOverview
Reading Financial Statements Course
Learn how to read financial statements. In this 2-part free course, we use a company's financial statements and annual report to understand the financial strength of a company and help us make informed decisions.
Reading & Understanding the Balance Sheet
In this first module, we learn how to read the balance sheet and its related notes using a company case study, Espresso Software. This will help us understand the financial strength of the company and help us make informed decisions. By the end of this module, you will have a solid understanding of the specific accounts in a typical balance sheet and the related notes to the financial statements.
- Navigate successfully through the notes to the financial statements.
- Read and interpret the various items in a published balance sheet.
- Understand complex balance sheet concepts (e.g. deferred taxes, goodwill, investments, etc.)
Reading & Understanding the Income Statement and Cash Flow
In this second module of this free course, we continue reading Espresso Software's financial statements. We look at the company's income statement and statement of cash flows and conclude by covering the key contents of an annual report. By the end of this module, you will have a solid understanding of a typical income statement, statement of cash flows and annual report.
- Understand the different ways to present an income statement and cash flow statement.
- Read and interpret the various items in a published income statement.
- Identify the operating, financing, and investing activities of a company.
- Determine what is contained in an annual report and where to find it.
More About this Free Financial Statements Course
This accounting course is highly interactive with many different applied exercises and case studies. Sophisticated search and navigation tools allow you to go at your own pace while pop quizzes test what you have learned. The reading financial statements course also includes two PDF reference guides – a financial statements glossary and an accounting factsheet. These can be used while taking the course and downloaded to your computer for future reference.
What You'll Learn
Path to Certification
Prerequisite Courses
7 courses from beginner to intermediate level.
01OptionalCore Courses
11 courses from beginner to intermediate level.
02RequiredElective Courses
Take 3 out of 10 courses at an advanced level.
03RequiredGet Certified
Submit your FMVA®️ checklist and order your certificate.
Join Our Community
Get access to the Global Corporate Finance Society.
How the Certification Works
What Our Students Say
The course did a great job of clearly presenting the contents of a set of financial statements and of an annual report. It provided basic examples to support the items presented. I recommend this course as a basic introduction or as a refresher in the skill of reading financial statements and reports.
This course, in parallel with the "Accounting Fundamentals", taught me how to read and interpret financial statements. The instructor was clear, and the information was detailed.
This course gives an insight into how to read the financial statements and annual report of a company. The course has given a precise explanation for the items appearing in the financial statements and also the fundamental information that appeared in the annual report. This is a must for those who want to understand the financial statements and annual report clearly.
This course very clearly elaborated on the importance of the Financial statements and how to read it. I have a greater understanding now.
Frequently Asked Questions
FMVA® Financial Analyst Certification
Become a Financial Modeling and Valuation Analyst (FMVA)® by completing all required courses in accounting, finance, modeling, Excel, presentations, and strategy. From beginner to advanced courses you will have the complete training you need to become a world-class financial analyst.