Understanding Financial Statements Without the Jargon
Most business owners feel overwhelmed when looking at financial reports. We teach you how to read the story your numbers are actually telling — no accounting degree required.
See How We HelpCash Flow Reality
Profit on paper doesn't pay bills. We show you how to spot cash problems before your bank account does. It's about timing, not just totals.
Balance Sheet Basics
Your balance sheet tells you where your business stands right now. We break down assets, liabilities, and equity in language that makes sense to non-accountants.
Profit Patterns
Revenue minus expenses sounds simple. But understanding margins, trends, and seasonal patterns? That's where the real insight lives.
How Financial Analysis Actually Works
We've structured our program around the questions real business owners ask when they first see their financial statements.
Start With Context
Before diving into numbers, we help you understand what questions you're trying to answer. Are you planning expansion? Worried about cash flow? Looking to sell? Different goals require different analytical approaches.
Learn the Language
Financial statements have their own vocabulary. We teach you what terms like EBITDA, working capital, and liquidity ratios actually mean for your specific business situation.
Spot the Patterns
Numbers tell stories when you know how to read them. We show you how to identify trends, compare periods, and benchmark against industry standards without getting lost in spreadsheets.
Make Decisions
Analysis without action is just interesting information. We help you translate insights into practical business decisions you can implement next week, not next quarter.
Real Scenarios From Australian Businesses
Our curriculum includes case studies from retail shops in Melbourne, service businesses in Sydney, and manufacturing firms in Brisbane. You'll work through actual financial statements — anonymized, of course — and learn to spot issues before they become crises.
One module focuses entirely on seasonal businesses. Because analyzing a surf shop's financials requires different thinking than evaluating a tax consultancy.
Read Business Stories →
From Confusion to Clarity
I took over my family's homewares store in 2023 and honestly had no idea what I was looking at when my accountant sent quarterly reports. The numbers were there, but I couldn't tell if we were doing well or poorly.
After completing the autumn 2024 program, I can now spot problems early. Last November, I noticed our inventory turnover slowing down — something I would've completely missed before. We adjusted our buying for the Christmas season and ended up with less dead stock than we'd had in years.
The program runs for six months, which felt long at first. But that spacing actually helped. You learn something, apply it to your own business, then come back and discuss what happened. By March 2025, I was reading our monthly P&L statements and actually understanding the story they told.
"I still work with an accountant for tax and compliance. But now I can have intelligent conversations about what the numbers mean for our strategy. That's changed how I run the business."
Which Path Makes Sense For You?
We offer two program tracks starting September 2025, both running through February 2026.
Fundamentals Track
You're new to financial analysis or feel rusty on the basics. This track covers how to read all three main financial statements, understand common ratios, and identify red flags. Perfect if you've been relying entirely on your bookkeeper or accountant to interpret numbers.
Six months of guided learning with monthly group sessions and homework assignments using your own business data. Classes run Tuesday evenings.
Ask QuestionsStrategic Analysis Track
You understand basic financial statements but want to go deeper. This track focuses on forecasting, scenario planning, and using financial data to inform strategic decisions. We cover how to model different business scenarios and evaluate investment opportunities.
Also six months, with Thursday evening sessions. Requires comfortable familiarity with reading financial statements.
Discuss Options