Based on the best-selling book, Reading Financial Reports for Dummies, by Lita Epstein. Understanding financial reports is an essential skill for anyone involved in business, investing, or corporate decision-making. This course teaches you how to read and interpret balance sheets, income statements, cash flow statements, and annual reports so you can confidently assess a company’s financial health and performance.
In this section, we analyze financial statements using GAAP, prepare quarterly and annual reports, and interpret balance sheets, income statements, and cash flow statements to support informed decision-making and regulatory compliance.
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2 Videos4 Lektüren1 Aufgabe
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2 Videos•Insgesamt 2 Minuten
Course Overview•1 Minute
Opening the Cornucopia of Reports - Overview Video•1 Minute
Foundations of Financial Reporting and Accountability•10 Minuten
Recognizing Business Types and Their Tax Rules
Modul 2•1 Stunde abzuschließen
Moduldetails
In this section, we examine how business structures like sole proprietorships, partnerships, LLCs, and S/C corporations affect tax obligations and financial reporting requirements, emphasizing compliance with federal, state, and local regulations through accurate form application and reporting practices.
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1 Video1 Lektüre1 Aufgabe
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1 Video•Insgesamt 1 Minute
Recognizing Business Types and Their Tax Rules - Overview Video•1 Minute
1 Lektüre•Insgesamt 20 Minuten
Recognizing Business Types and Their Tax Rules - The Reading•20 Minuten
1 Aufgabe•Insgesamt 10 Minuten
Business Entity Tax Structures and Legal Protections•10 Minuten
Public or Private: How Company Structure Affects The Books
Modul 3•1 Stunde abzuschließen
Moduldetails
In this section, we examine how private and public company structures influence financial reporting, focusing on Sarbanes-Oxley Act compliance, PCAOB oversight, and the regulatory demands of public disclosure.
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1 Video4 Lektüren1 Aufgabe
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1 Video•Insgesamt 1 Minute
Public or Private: How Company Structure Affects The Books - Overview Video•1 Minute
4 Lektüren•Insgesamt 50 Minuten
Introduction•10 Minuten
Defining Disadvantages•10 Minuten
Understanding Public Companies•20 Minuten
Impact of the Establishment of the PCAOB•10 Minuten
1 Aufgabe•Insgesamt 10 Minuten
Public vs Private Company Structures: Implications for Governance and Transparency•10 Minuten
Digging into Accounting Basics
Modul 4•1 Stunde abzuschließen
Moduldetails
In this section, we learn cash-basis and accrual accounting, debits and credits, the Chart of Accounts, and how to assess gross, operating, and net profit.
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1 Video5 Lektüren1 Aufgabe
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1 Video•Insgesamt 1 Minute
Digging into Accounting Basics - Overview Video•1 Minute
5 Lektüren•Insgesamt 50 Minuten
Introduction•10 Minuten
Incentives and the Bottom Line•10 Minuten
Depreciation and Amortization•10 Minuten
Cash Accounts•10 Minuten
Equity Accounts•10 Minuten
1 Aufgabe•Insgesamt 10 Minuten
Accounting Fundamentals: From Equations to Financial Reporting•10 Minuten
Exploring the Anatomy of an Annual Report
Modul 5•1 Stunde abzuschließen
Moduldetails
In this section, we examine the core components of an annual report, focusing on financial statements, notes, MD&A, and the auditors' report, enabling accurate financial analysis and informed decision-making.
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1 Video5 Lektüren1 Aufgabe
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1 Video•Insgesamt 1 Minute
Exploring the Anatomy of an Annual Report - Overview Video•1 Minute
5 Lektüren•Insgesamt 50 Minuten
Introduction•10 Minuten
Getting the Skinny from Management•10 Minuten
Company Operations•10 Minuten
Bringing the Auditors' Answers to Light•10 Minuten
Specific Disclosures•10 Minuten
1 Aufgabe•Insgesamt 10 Minuten
Decoding the Anatomy of an Annual Report•10 Minuten
Balancing Assets against Liabilities and Equity
Modul 6•1 Stunde abzuschließen
Moduldetails
In this section, we explore the balance sheet's structure using the equation A = L + E, classify assets and liabilities, and analyze equity components to assess a company's financial health and stability in practical business contexts.
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1 Video4 Lektüren1 Aufgabe
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1 Video•Insgesamt 1 Minute
Balancing Assets against Liabilities and Equity - Overview Video•1 Minute
4 Lektüren•Insgesamt 50 Minuten
Introduction•20 Minuten
Ogling Assets•10 Minuten
Inventory Costing Methods•10 Minuten
Tools, Dies, and Molds•10 Minuten
1 Aufgabe•Insgesamt 10 Minuten
Analyzing Asset, Liability, and Equity Dynamics•10 Minuten
Using the Income Statement
Modul 7•1 Stunde abzuschließen
Moduldetails
In this section, we analyze income statement components using EBITDA, calculate earnings per share from net profit, and determine gross profit using revenue and cost of goods sold (COGS) to assess business performance and support informed financial decisions.
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1 Video5 Lektüren1 Aufgabe
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1 Video•Insgesamt 1 Minute
Using the Income Statement - Overview Video•1 Minute
5 Lektüren•Insgesamt 50 Minuten
Introduction•10 Minuten
Multistep Format•10 Minuten
Volume Discounts•10 Minuten
Acknowledging Expenses•10 Minuten
EBITDA•10 Minuten
1 Aufgabe•Insgesamt 10 Minuten
Analyzing Core Financial Performance Using the Income Statement•10 Minuten
Statement of Cash Flows
Modul 8•1 Stunde abzuschließen
Moduldetails
In this section, we analyze the statement of cash flows to understand cash movements from operating, investing, and financing activities, using accrual adjustments to reveal true liquidity and support informed financial decision-making.
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1 Video4 Lektüren1 Aufgabe
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1 Video•Insgesamt 1 Minute
Statement of Cash Flows - Overview Video•1 Minute
4 Lektüren•Insgesamt 35 Minuten
Introduction•5 Minuten
The Formats•10 Minuten
Accounts Receivable•10 Minuten
Buying Back Stock•10 Minuten
1 Aufgabe•Insgesamt 10 Minuten
Cash Flow Statement Analysis and Application•10 Minuten
Scouring the Notes to the Financial Statements
Modul 9•1 Stunde abzuschließen
Moduldetails
In this section, we analyze financial statement notes to interpret accounting policies, identify financial commitments, and detect red flags in pension and lease obligations, enhancing accurate financial assessment and informed decision-making.
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1 Video5 Lektüren1 Aufgabe
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1 Video•Insgesamt 1 Minute
Scouring the Notes to the Financial Statements - Overview Video•1 Minute
5 Lektüren•Insgesamt 50 Minuten
Introduction•10 Minuten
Revenue•10 Minuten
Short-term Debt•10 Minuten
Pondering Pension and Retirement Benefits•10 Minuten
Trade Sanctions•10 Minuten
1 Aufgabe•Insgesamt 10 Minuten
Decoding Financial Statement Notes: Key Insights for Investors•10 Minuten
Considering Consolidated Financial Statements
Modul 10•1 Stunde abzuschließen
Moduldetails
In this section, we analyze consolidated financial statements under IFRS, identify intercompany transactions, apply elimination rules, and evaluate goodwill's impact on post-acquisition financial reporting and performance assessment.
Types of Corporate Mergers and Acquisitions•10 Minuten
Elimination of Intercompany Transactions•10 Minuten
Mergers and Acquisitions•5 Minuten
1 Aufgabe•Insgesamt 10 Minuten
Consolidated Financial Statements: Key Concepts and Applications•10 Minuten
Testing the Profits and Market Value
Modul 11•1 Stunde abzuschließen
Moduldetails
In this section, we analyze a company's profitability and market value using key financial ratios such as P/E ratio, dividend payout ratio, ROA, ROE, and profit margins. These metrics enable informed investment decisions based on earnings, dividends, and efficient resource utilization.
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1 Video4 Lektüren1 Aufgabe
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1 Video•Insgesamt 1 Minute
Testing the Profits and Market Value - Overview Video•1 Minute
4 Lektüren•Insgesamt 45 Minuten
Introduction•10 Minuten
Practicing the P/E Ratio Calculation•10 Minuten
Understanding Variation Among Ratios•5 Minuten
The Dividend Payout Ratio•20 Minuten
1 Aufgabe•Insgesamt 10 Minuten
Evaluating Company Performance and Market Value•10 Minuten
Looking at Liquidity
Modul 12•1 Stunde abzuschließen
Moduldetails
In this section, we analyze a company's financial health by calculating liquidity ratios like the current and quick ratios, and evaluating leverage through debt-to-equity and debt-to-capital ratios using real balance sheet data.
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1 Video1 Lektüre1 Aufgabe
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1 Video•Insgesamt 1 Minute
Looking at Liquidity - Overview Video•1 Minute
1 Lektüre•Insgesamt 20 Minuten
Looking at Liquidity - The Reading•20 Minuten
1 Aufgabe•Insgesamt 10 Minuten
Evaluating Financial Health Through Liquidity and Leverage Metrics•10 Minuten
Making Sure the Company Has Cash to Carry On
Modul 13•1 Stunde abzuschließen
Moduldetails
In this section, we analyze cash flow from operations, calculate free cash flow, compute the cash return on sales ratio, and assess debt coverage to evaluate a company's solvency and long-term financial viability using real-world metrics.
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1 Video2 Lektüren1 Aufgabe
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1 Video•Insgesamt 1 Minute
Making Sure the Company Has Cash to Carry On - Overview Video•1 Minute
2 Lektüren•Insgesamt 30 Minuten
Introduction•10 Minuten
Figuring Out Cash Return on Sales Ratio•20 Minuten
1 Aufgabe•Insgesamt 10 Minuten
Evaluating Company Liquidity and Financial Health Through Cash Flow Metrics•10 Minuten
Turning Up Clues in Turnover and Assets
Modul 14•1 Stunde abzuschließen
Moduldetails
In this section, we analyze asset management efficiency using turnover ratios: inventory turnover (COGS average inventory), fixed assets turnover (net sales fixed assets), and total asset turnover to assess operational performance and resource utilization.
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1 Video•Insgesamt 1 Minute
Turning Up Clues in Turnover and Assets - Overview Video•1 Minute
2 Lektüren•Insgesamt 30 Minuten
Introduction•10 Minuten
Tracking Inventory•20 Minuten
1 Aufgabe•Insgesamt 10 Minuten
Analyzing Asset Efficiency and Inventory Metrics•10 Minuten
Examining Cash Inflow and Outflow
Modul 15•1 Stunde abzuschließen
Moduldetails
In this section, we analyze cash flow health using key ratios such as accounts receivable turnover and accounts payable turnover. We evaluate discount offers by calculating annual interest rates to make informed payment decisions.
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1 Video1 Lektüre1 Aufgabe
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1 Video•Insgesamt 1 Minute
Examining Cash Inflow and Outflow - Overview Video•1 Minute
1 Lektüre•Insgesamt 20 Minuten
Examining Cash Inflow and Outflow - The Reading•20 Minuten
1 Aufgabe•Insgesamt 10 Minuten
Evaluating Payment Terms and Cash Flow Implications•10 Minuten
How Companies Keep the Cash Flowing
Modul 16•1 Stunde abzuschließen
Moduldetails
In this section, we explore practical cash flow strategies including accelerating receivables, delaying payables, reducing inventory, and using receivables securitization to maintain liquidity and support operational stability.
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1 Video•Insgesamt 1 Minute
How Companies Keep the Cash Flowing - Overview Video•1 Minute
2 Lektüren•Insgesamt 20 Minuten
Introduction•10 Minuten
Borrowing on Receivables•10 Minuten
1 Aufgabe•Insgesamt 10 Minuten
Optimizing Working Capital and Liquidity•10 Minuten
How Companies Find Errors: The Auditing Process
Modul 17•1 Stunde abzuschließen
Moduldetails
In this section, we examine the auditing process, auditor roles, and the application of GAAP and FASB standards to ensure financial statement accuracy. We explore audit stages, including fieldwork and reporting, to enhance stakeholder trust in financial data.
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1 Video2 Lektüren1 Aufgabe
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1 Video•Insgesamt 1 Minute
How Companies Find Errors: The Auditing Process - Overview Video•1 Minute
2 Lektüren•Insgesamt 20 Minuten
Introduction•10 Minuten
Audit Report•10 Minuten
1 Aufgabe•Insgesamt 10 Minuten
The Role and Integrity of the Auditing Process•10 Minuten
Government Regulations and Reporting Requirements
Modul 18•1 Stunde abzuschließen
Moduldetails
In this section, we analyze SEC 10-Q and 10-K filings to assess financial accuracy, evaluate internal controls, and review board governance and insider ownership for informed investment decisions.
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1 Video4 Lektüren1 Aufgabe
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1 Video•Insgesamt 1 Minute
Government Regulations and Reporting Requirements - Overview Video•1 Minute
4 Lektüren•Insgesamt 35 Minuten
Introduction•10 Minuten
Financial Data•5 Minuten
Investigating Internal Controls•10 Minuten
Temporary Suspension of Trading in the Company's Employee Benefit Plans•10 Minuten
1 Aufgabe•Insgesamt 10 Minuten
Government Regulations and Financial Reporting Compliance•10 Minuten
Creating a Global Financial Reporting Standard
Modul 19•1 Stunde abzuschließen
Moduldetails
In this section, we examine how IFRS enables consistent global financial reporting, enhancing transparency and comparability. We compare GAAP and IFRS, highlighting key differences in revenue recognition, asset valuation, and disclosures for multinational operations.
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1 Video3 Lektüren1 Aufgabe
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1 Video•Insgesamt 1 Minute
Creating a Global Financial Reporting Standard - Overview Video•1 Minute
3 Lektüren•Insgesamt 30 Minuten
Introduction•10 Minuten
Who Benefits from a Global Standard and How?•10 Minuten
Statement of Recognised Income and Expense (SoRIE)•10 Minuten
1 Aufgabe•Insgesamt 10 Minuten
Comparative Analysis of IFRS and GAAP•10 Minuten
Understanding the Analyst-Corporation Connection
Modul 20•1 Stunde abzuschließen
Moduldetails
In this section, we explore the roles of buy-side, sell-side, and independent analysts, and examine how bond and stock ratings influence market perceptions. We learn to interpret these ratings and assess analyst reports for actionable financial insights.
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1 Video4 Lektüren1 Aufgabe
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1 Video•Insgesamt 1 Minute
Understanding the Analyst-Corporation Connection - Overview Video•1 Minute
4 Lektüren•Insgesamt 40 Minuten
Introduction•10 Minuten
Analyzing the Analysts•10 Minuten
Regarding Bond-Rating Agencies•10 Minuten
Delving into Stock Rating•10 Minuten
1 Aufgabe•Insgesamt 10 Minuten
The Analyst-Corporation Relationship in Financial Markets•10 Minuten
How Companies Communicate with Shareholders
Modul 21•1 Stunde abzuschließen
Moduldetails
In this section, we examine how companies communicate with shareholders through SEC filings, financial reports, analyst calls, and governance structures. Learners gain practical skills to interpret disclosures, assess board oversight, and make informed investment decisions based on corporate transparency.
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1 Video•Insgesamt 1 Minute
How Companies Communicate with Shareholders - Overview Video•1 Minute
5 Lektüren•Insgesamt 50 Minuten
Introduction•10 Minuten
Takeover Defenses and Protections•10 Minuten
Sorting through Reports•10 Minuten
Culling Information from Analyst Calls•10 Minuten
Revenue Growth•10 Minuten
1 Aufgabe•Insgesamt 10 Minuten
Corporate Transparency and Shareholder Engagement•10 Minuten
Keeping Score When Companies Play Games with Numbers
Modul 22•2 Stunden abzuschließen
Moduldetails
In this section, we examine deceptive accounting practices such as manipulated revenue recognition, inflated assets, and concealed liabilities. You'll learn to detect red flags like bill-and-hold transactions and abnormal receivables to ensure accurate financial analysis.
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1 Video8 Lektüren1 Aufgabe
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1 Video•Insgesamt 1 Minute
Keeping Score When Companies Play Games with Numbers - Overview Video•1 Minute
8 Lektüren•Insgesamt 80 Minuten
Introduction•10 Minuten
Miscellaneous Cookie Jar Reserves•10 Minuten
Extended Reporting Period•10 Minuten
Detecting Creative Revenue Accounting•10 Minuten
Exploring Exploitations of Expenses•10 Minuten
Asset Impairment•10 Minuten
Inventory•10 Minuten
Contingent Liabilities•10 Minuten
1 Aufgabe•Insgesamt 10 Minuten
Financial Reporting Integrity and Earnings Management•10 Minuten
Ten Financial Scandals That Rocked the World
Modul 23•1 Stunde abzuschließen
Moduldetails
In this section, we examine major financial scandals to analyze fraudulent reporting, identify red flags, and evaluate the impact of SOX and Dodd-Frank reforms on enhancing transparency, accountability, and investor protection in financial markets.
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1 Video3 Lektüren1 Aufgabe
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1 Video•Insgesamt 1 Minute
Ten Financial Scandals That Rocked the World - Overview Video•1 Minute
3 Lektüren•Insgesamt 30 Minuten
Introduction•10 Minuten
Adelphia•10 Minuten
Bristol-Myers Squibb•10 Minuten
1 Aufgabe•Insgesamt 10 Minuten
Ten Financial Scandals That Rocked the World•10 Minuten
Ten Signs That a Company's in Trouble
Modul 24•21 Minuten abzuschließen
Moduldetails
In this section, we analyze liquidity ratios, cash flow trends, and asset valuation to identify early warning signs in financial statements, enabling informed investment decisions through critical assessment of key financial metrics.
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1 Video1 Lektüre1 Aufgabe
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1 Video•Insgesamt 1 Minute
Ten Signs That a Company's in Trouble - Overview Video•1 Minute
1 Lektüre•Insgesamt 10 Minuten
Ten Signs That a Company's in Trouble - The Reading•10 Minuten
1 Aufgabe•Insgesamt 10 Minuten
Recognizing Early Warning Signs of Corporate Distress•10 Minuten
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