How to Analyse Financial Statements for Decision Making

This three-hour course provides a practical introduction to analysing financial statements and using financial information to support better business decisions. The session will focus on the key areas that users of financial statements should understand, including profitability, liquidity, solvency, cash flow, working capital, trends, and financial red flags.

The course will take a decision-making approach. Participants will learn how to read the statement of profit or loss, balance sheet, and cash flow statement together, understand the relationship between profit and cash, assess key ratios, and identify warning signs that may require further investigation.

The session is designed for directors, managers, business owners, and professionals who need to interpret financial information and use it in commercial, strategic, lending, investment, or governance decisions.

The Speaker

Malcolm St John is an ACCA-qualified accountant and CPA warrant holder with over 25 years of experience in finance, financial services, governance, and corporate advisory. He has held senior finance and leadership roles across regulated financial services, fintech, fund services, and early-stage growth companies, including CFO and board-level positions.

Malcolm provides CFO and financial advisory services on a contractual basis, assisting companies with financial reporting, budgeting, cash flow management, regulatory matters, corporate structuring, investor communication, and strategic decision-making. His experience includes working with regulated entities, startups, investment structures, and companies undergoing growth, restructuring, or funding processes.