What are the numbers really telling you? Move beyond simply reading financial statements and develop the skills to critically analyse financial performance and position. Using a realistic case study, explore key ratios and trends, understand the relationship between profit and cash flow, spot indicators of financial stress and identify accounting choices that may obscure underlying performance. Walk away better equipped to challenge assumptions, ask the right questions and translate financial information into better legal and commercial advice.
Friday, 19 February 2027
Professional Skills
9.00am to 11.00am Beyond the Numbers: Analysing Financial Statements for In-House Counsel
Financial statements rarely provide straightforward answers. While the headline figures may appear clear, understanding the commercial reality of a business requires a closer examination of the relationships between profit, cash flow, assets, liabilities and working capital.
This practical workshop will navigate a realistic case study to assist participants to move from simply reading financial statements to critically analysing them. Rather than considering individual statements and ratios in isolation, you will examine how the numbers connect, what they reveal about the financial performance and position of the underlying business, and how they can inform legal and commercial advice.
Throughout the Workshop you will explore:
- Practical financial ratio and trend analysis
- The relationship between profit, cash flow and working capital
- Indicators of liquidity, solvency and financial stress
- Accounting choices and transactions that may obscure underlying performance
- Gaps, inconsistencies and red flags in financial information
- Questions to ask management and finance teams
- Applying financial insights to legal and commercial decision-making
Meet your presenters:
Carissa Lacey, Director, Forensic Commercial, Vincents; Chartered Accountant and an Accredited Business Valuation Specialist
Shannon Walker, Partner, Forensic & Litigation, Vincents; Chartered Accountant and an Accredited Business Valuation Specialist
Description
Attend and earn 2 CPD Units in Professional Skills
Presenters
Shannon Walker, Partner, Forensic & Litigation, Vincents
Shannon is a Partner at Vincents with over 14 years of accounting experience, the last 10 years of which have been specialising in business valuations and forensic accounting. Shannon is a Chartered Accountant and accredited Business Valuation Specialist with CAANZ. Shannon enjoys discussing all things accounting, and regularly presents training sessions both on the fundamentals of accounting and business valuation concepts spanning the basics to more complex critique insights.
Carissa Lacey, Director, Forensic Commercial, Vincents
Carissa has over 14 years’ experience specialising in forensic accounting, business valuations, and financial analysis for economic loss assessments and class actions. Carissa is a Chartered Accountant and an accredited Business Valuation Specialist, and undertook training in Collaborative Practice in 2016. Carissa frequently delivers accounting and business valuation training to various legal practitioners to bridge the gap between accounting expertise and its practical application in legal proceedings.
