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Description

Notes to the Financial Statements: Selecting, Drafting and Presenting Disclosures

Produce notes that genuinely explain the financial statements instead of recycling last year's file

  • 0.29 days — 2 h
  • In-person or virtual
  • Intermediate
  • Up to 6 participants

The notes are often the last section prepared and the least reviewed. Last year's file is reused, the figures are updated and disclosures that no longer apply remain in place, while significant events go unmentioned. Readers of the financial statements find little explanation, and the audit or review raises the same gaps year after year.

These two hours address how the notes are built, not merely how they are checked. Selecting disclosures according to their significance, drafting the expected tables, dealing with off-balance-sheet commitments and events after the reporting period are all covered. Each participant leaves with a review template for their own notes.

Learning objectives

  • Select the disclosures that must appear in the notes according to their significance
  • Structure the notes in a consistent reading order
  • Draft the tables relating to fixed assets, provisions and receivables
  • Present off-balance-sheet commitments and events after the reporting period
  • Adapt the content of the notes to the presentation format adopted

What makes this programme different

Participants' most recent set of notes serves as the working basis throughout the session
A template for each section makes missing disclosures immediately visible
Recurring queries raised during the review of the accounts are anticipated section by section

Programme

1Purpose and Structure of the Notes

What they are actually for

  • The place of the notes within the annual financial statements
  • The concept of materiality applied to the selection of disclosures
  • Presentation formats and expected content according to the size of the entity
  • Order of sections and overall readability

2The Sections to Be Built

From figures to explanation

  • Accounting policies and methods applied and changes in accounting policy
  • Tables of fixed assets, depreciation and provisions
  • Statement of receivables and payables
  • Disclosures relating to headcount and key management personnel

3Sensitive Disclosures

What is overlooked every year

  • Off-balance-sheet commitments and security granted
  • Events after the reporting period
  • Transactions with related parties
  • Final review and consistency with the balance sheet and income statement

Who is it for

Accountants and chief accountants, as well as finance and administration managers, external accountants and audit firm staff.

Prerequisites

Involvement in the preparation of annual financial statements.

Dates & locations

36 scheduled dates between November 2026 and December 2027. Seats are confirmed in the order enquiries are received.

November 2026

December 2026

January 2027

February 2027

March 2027

April 2027

May 2027

June 2027

September 2027

October 2027

November 2027

December 2027

None of these dates suit you? We open additional sessions on request, and any programme can be run privately for your team.

Practical details

Before the programme
Online positioning questionnaire. Your development objectives are shared with the trainer, who tailors the practical case studies to your context.
Teaching methods
Theoretical input, workshops and practical case studies. Digital course materials and method sheets provided.
Assessment
Multiple-choice tests and role-play exercises. Assessment of learning at the start and end of the programme, with immediate and 60-day follow-up evaluations.
After the programme
One year of access to the e-learning platform. Self-assessment of the skills acquired and a 30-day follow-up session with your trainer.
How to register
Registration online or on the basis of a quotation.
Lead time
11 working days after confirmation of registration.
Accessibility
Accessible to people of determination. Contact our accessibility coordinator to design a suitable solution: contact@mpf-academy.ae
Start dates
Rolling intake: in addition to the scheduled sessions, this programme can start on request.