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Description

Rapid Financial Analysis: Reading a Balance Sheet, Interpreting Ratios and Raising the Alarm

Form a fast, well-founded opinion on a company's financial health from its published accounts

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

A non-financial manager receives a set of annual accounts and has to take a position: is this customer solid, will this supplier hold up, does this subsidiary deserve further investment? Faced with a balance sheet, they look for one reassuring figure without knowing where to start or which indicators to connect.

These three virtual hours install a fast reading method. Participants identify the main blocks of a balance sheet, calculate the useful margins and ratios, compare them from one financial year to the next and produce a diagnosis in a few points that can be defended before a committee.

Learning objectives

  • Read the structure of a balance sheet and an income statement
  • Calculate the main margin and profit indicators
  • Interpret profitability, capital structure and liquidity ratios
  • Detect signs of financial fragility in a set of accounts
  • Formulate a supported diagnosis in a few key points

What makes this programme different

The full diagnosis is carried out end to end on real accounts within three hours
Ratios are calculated by the participants themselves and then interpreted as a group
A reusable reading grid is completed during the session

Programme

1Reading the Financial Statements

Identifying what matters within minutes

  • Balance sheet structure and the logic of the main blocks
  • Income statement and how profit is built up
  • Notes to the accounts and information not to be overlooked
  • Simple adjustments to make before analysis

2Calculating and Interpreting

Ratios that actually tell you something

  • Margin and profit indicators from gross margin to operating profit
  • Return on capital employed and return on equity
  • Capital structure and level of indebtedness
  • Working capital requirement and cash position

3Reaching a Diagnosis

Concluding and raising the alarm

  • Cross-reading the indicators over several financial years
  • Signs of fragility and warning zones
  • Formulating a diagnosis in a few key points
  • Questions to put to the managing director or the accountant

Who is it for

Non-financial managers, sales professionals, buyers, project managers and business founders who have to read annual accounts.

Prerequisites

No prior knowledge required

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.