Transparency in Financial Statements: Looking Beyond the Numbers

In this one-day seminar, participants learn how to identify common earnings quality issues by examining the MD&A, accounting policy and footnote sections of corporate financial reports, primarily SEC 10-K and Proxies, from a forensic accounting perspective. The instructor uses real world case studies to illustrate key concepts.

25-SEP-2008 -- 25-SEP-2008New YorkUSD$1475
NY Institute of Finance - Downtown9:00am - 4:30pm Instructional Method:
Group-Live
Instructor(s): [ Valisha Graves; ] Thu Level: Intermediate
CPE Credits: 7.0

Equity research analysts, investors and financial analysts
No advance preparation required.
Students will be able to:
  • Identify warning signs of aggressive accounting techniques
  • Analyze a 10K SEC filing
  • Analyze a Corporate Proxy statement
Solid understanding of fundamental accounting principles and financial statement analysis or equivalent knowledge
"The instructor was able to interact with the class and relate our experiences to what we were learning."
"The instructor was knowledgeable, and she tailored the course to our requests."
Beyond the Numbers

Overview of Aggressive Accounting Techniques

  • Normalizing Earnings versus One-Time Charges
  • Revenue Quality and Revenue Recognition
  • Current and Deferred Taxes
  • Pension Plan Assumptions and Balance Sheet Accounting
  • Off Balance Sheet and Lease Accounting

Real World Case Studies of Aggressive Accounting Techniques

    Introduction to the 10-K SEC Filing (MD&A, Accounting Policies, Footnotes)

      MD&A

      • Business Strategy
      • Business Segment Information
      • Market Share

      Accounting Policies

      • Tax Policy
      • Off Balance Sheet Financing (Leases)
      • Pension Accounting
      • Stock Option Expense
      • Business Segment Disclosure
      • Legal Contingencies

      Footnotes

      • Business Segment Disclosure
      • Legal Contingencies

      Review of Actual 10Ks and Examples of Best Practices and Forensic Red Flags

        Overview of the Corporate Proxy Statement

        • Audit Committee & Audit Fees
        • Related Party Transactions
        • Executive Compensation (including exit packages and retirement benefits)
        • Board Elections and Compensation
        • Poison Pills, Golden Parachutes

Clients who register for this course will receive a complimentary 6 month subscription to the Financial Times and FT.com. The Financial Times is the world's most respected financial newspaper providing a broad assessment on finance, business and the industrial sector. Subscriptions will start within 6-8 weeks of the application process, and are limited to one per client. For questions about your subscriptions call 800-628-8088 or email uscirculation@ft.com. US and Canada enrollees only.

Lunch included for all students taking day classes.