Reading Financial Statements

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Reading Financial Statements

This course is part of multiple programs.

Instructor: CFI (Corporate Finance Institute)

9,914 already enrolled

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6 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

49 reviews

Beginner level

No prior experience required

5 hours to complete

6 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

49 reviews

Beginner level

No prior experience required

5 hours to complete

Skills you'll gain

Details to know

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Assessments

1 assignment

Taught in English

Flexible schedule

Learn at your own pace

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There are 6 modules in this course

A thorough knowledge of financial statements and company reports is crucial to becoming a world-class financial analyst. In this course, learn how to read and understand financial statements. We use real company annual reports and financial statements to better understand and analyze the financial strength of a company and help us make more informed decisions.

Learning Objectives: • Learn the contents of an annual report. • Understand a company’s operations and business strategy. • Realize the many risk factors a company must navigate. • Analyze company financial statements, as well as its different business segments. • Read and comprehend the Management Discussion & Analysis (MD&A) section. • Review the notes to the financial statements for additional detail. This course is designed for anyone who wants to review accounting fundamentals and master the ability to read and interpret financial statements and reports. It will also be useful for current finance professionals who want to review concepts necessary for financial modeling and valuation in some of CFI’s core courses. The prerequisites are optional, but we recommend you complete these courses or possess the equivalent knowledge prior to enrolling in this course: Accounting Fundamentals

In this course, we will learn how to read and use annual reports and financial statements. Successfully navigate through an annual report and recognize its various components. Understand complex financial statement concepts like deferred taxes and goodwill. Read and interpret the notes to the financial statements.

What's included

2 videos2 readings

What's included

7 videos2 plugins

What's included

15 videos1 reading1 plugin

15 videosTotal 38 minutes

The Three Main Financial Statements2 minutes
Simplified Balance Sheet1 minute
Starbucks Balance Sheet2 minutes
Investments2 minutes
Deferred Taxes2 minutes
Deferred Tax Demo8 minutes
Goodwill and Intangible Assets3 minutes
Deferred Revenue2 minutes
Common Vs. Preferred Shares2 minutes
Authorized Vs. Outstanding Shares & Contributed Surplus3 minutes
Par Value & Contributed Surplus1 minute
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income1 minute
Full Disclosure Principle2 minutes
Starbucks Balance Sheet & Footnotes - Part 13 minutes
Starbucks Balance Sheet & Footnotes - Part 24 minutes

1 readingTotal 5 minutes

Deferred Tax Demonstration5 minutes

1 pluginTotal 30 minutes

Interactive Exercise 330 minutes

What's included

12 videos2 readings1 plugin

12 videosTotal 42 minutes

Introduction to the Income Statement1 minute
Cost of Sales2 minutes
Selling, General, and Administrative Expenses1 minute
Gains and Loses1 minute
Income Statement and Notes5 minutes
Introduction to the Cashflow Statement2 minutes
Indirect Method Vs. Direct Method1 minute
Starbucks Cashflow Statement4 minutes
Calculating Subtotals7 minutes
Calculating Ratios Demonstration6 minutes
Common Size Income Statement Demonstration5 minutes
IAG Annual Report6 minutes

2 readingsTotal 10 minutes

Starbucks Financial Statements and Ratios (Template) Download5 minutes
IAG 2023 Annual Report Download5 minutes

1 pluginTotal 30 minutes

Interactive Exercise 430 minutes

What's included

1 video2 readings

What's included

1 assignment

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Instructor

Instructor ratings

(11 ratings)

CFI (Corporate Finance Institute)

Corporate Finance Institute

50 Courses153,252 learners

Offered by

Corporate Finance Institute

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Reviewed on Jul 27, 2025

This course really helped me understanding the financial statements while giving insights to quick browsing of the annual report.

Reviewed on Mar 18, 2025

Really enjoyed the practical examples and how the final was set up. The information was delivered in an easy to comprehend manner.

Reviewed on Oct 4, 2025

Great and explained well! Enjoyed the instructor !

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