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Description

Notes to the Financial Statements: Structuring, Drafting and Reviewing Disclosures

Rebuild a compliant set of notes against a proper disclosure plan instead of copying forward the prior year

  • 0.43 days — 3 h
  • In-person or virtual
  • Intermediate
  • Up to 6 participants

The notes to the financial statements are often rolled forward from one year to the next without being reconsidered. Applying an up-to-date disclosure framework makes that habit untenable. The presentation order changes, some disclosures disappear and the tables can no longer be populated from the same data. Firms and finance departments discover the scale of the work only when the statements are being produced.

This three-hour workshop is devoted solely to the notes, not to the full set of financial statements. It covers the disclosure plan, the selection of information to be provided according to the reporting regime applicable to the entity, and the construction of the supporting tables, then puts in place a consistency review before the file is released.

Learning objectives

  • Determine the content of the notes according to the reporting regime applicable to the entity
  • Organise the notes in line with a structured disclosure plan
  • Draft material disclosures while removing items that are not applicable
  • Build the note tables from the accounting data available
  • Check consistency between the notes, the statement of financial position and the income statement

What makes this programme different

A prior-year set of notes is taken and reorganised in line with the new disclosure plan
The distinction between material information and non-applicable items is worked through point by point
A consistency checklist is built for the next reporting cycle

Programme

1The disclosure framework

Understanding what changes in presentation

  • Purpose of the notes and the principle of materiality
  • Structured disclosure plan and presentation order
  • Reporting regimes according to the size of the entity
  • Differences from the notes prepared to date

2Drafting the disclosures and building the tables

Moving from the trial balance to the notes

  • Disclosures on accounting policies and measurement bases
  • Tables for fixed assets, depreciation and provisions
  • Disclosures on receivables, payables and commitments
  • Drafting the commentary that accompanies each table

3Reviewing and finalising

Securing overall consistency

  • Reconciliation checks between the notes and the financial statements
  • Treatment of events after the reporting period
  • Points of attention identified during file reviews
  • Organising the process for the following reporting period

Who is it for

Accounting firm staff, financial accountants and engagement leaders responsible for preparing annual financial statements.

Prerequisites

Practical experience in preparing annual financial statements

Dates & locations

12 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.