Cost Accounting Techniques & Skills For Businesses & Industries

DAY 1

Introduction to Advanced Financial Analysis

• Who are the users of financial data?

• The three key financial statements, measuring performance, position, and cashflow

• Why does financial data have to be analyzed?

• Sources and types of financial information

• Understanding the cash flow cycle vs. the operating cycle

• Ratio & trend analysis of financial statements

• Categories of ratios, and what they reveal about the company

• Case Study

DAY 2

Financial Statements

• How to use common sizing to compare performance and position

• The format and structure of the Balance Sheet / Statement of Financial Position

• Sources and types of finance

• Preparing projections for financing sources

• Break-even analysis

• Should we lease or buy our equipment?

• Should we consider ‘buying-in’ instead of ‘making’

• Case study

DAY 3

Analytical & Performance Tools & Techniques

• Finding and using data and information

• Easily available tools and techniques for financial analysis

• Using graphical representation

• The fundamental statistical tools

• Fitting statistical techniques to financial data

• Reports and reporting

• Financial distress

• Altman's Z-score analysis & it's uses

• Case study

DAY 4

Capital Project Analysis

• How new investment projects can meet corporate objectives

• Investment projects - model-building and forecasting

• Basic techniques for appraisal of investments

• Incorporating the value of timing - Net present Value vs. Internal Rate of Return

• How do you choose which method to use

• Measuring the company’s capital structure, and estimating the cost of capital

• The dividend valuation model or capital asset pricing model, which is best?

• Case study

DAY 5

Coming to Terms with Risk

• Financial risk-management principles – what can be done

• Methods for analyzing financial risk

• How your bankers can help you to manage financial risk

• Analytical tools for measuring risk

• How to develop the tools for your firm

• Using scenario, sensitivity & subjective analysis techniques

• How to minimize the risk factors we find

• Case study