Master Financial Analysis That Actually Works
Most people learn formulas. We teach you how to spot patterns that others miss and make decisions that hold up under pressure. Our programs start in September 2025 because developing real analytical skills takes time.
View Our ProgramsLearn Analysis Methods Used by Professional Firms
Back in 2019, I watched a colleague completely miss warning signs in a company's cash flow statement. The numbers looked fine on the surface, but three months later, that business folded. That experience changed how I teach financial analysis.
We don't focus on memorising ratios or running standard reports. Instead, you'll learn to examine financial statements the way experienced analysts do when their reputation is on the line.
- Cash flow pattern recognition across different business cycles
- Identifying discrepancies between reported earnings and actual performance
- Understanding context behind the numbers through industry benchmarking
- Scenario modelling for realistic outcome prediction
- Risk assessment frameworks used in institutional analysis
Our approach combines theoretical foundations with practical application. You'll work through real financial statements, including ones with hidden problems, so you develop the instinct to question what you're seeing.
Three Core Techniques That Set You Apart
These methods form the foundation of professional-grade financial analysis. Each one addresses a specific gap we've seen in traditional education programs.
Comparative Timeline Analysis
Looking at quarterly results in isolation tells you almost nothing. We teach you to build multi-year comparison frameworks that reveal actual trends versus seasonal variations. You'll spot deteriorating margins or shifting working capital patterns before they become obvious to everyone else.
Cross-Document Verification
Income statements can look healthy while balance sheets tell a different story. You'll learn systematic approaches to verify consistency across financial documents, identifying red flags that suggest aggressive accounting or operational issues hidden in standard reports.
Industry-Adjusted Benchmarking
Standard ratios mean nothing without proper context. We'll show you how to adjust analytical frameworks based on industry characteristics, business models, and market conditions. A metric that signals strength in retail might indicate weakness in software businesses.
Real-World Application Focus
Theory matters, but only if you can apply it when examining actual business financials. Our coursework centres on working through authentic scenarios you'll encounter in professional environments.
You'll analyse financial statements from companies across different sectors, some thriving and some struggling. The goal isn't just reaching correct conclusions but developing the analytical process that gets you there reliably.
Each module includes work with messy, incomplete data because that's what real analysis often involves. You'll learn to identify what information you need, where to find it, and how to proceed when certain data points aren't available.
Hamish Lockwood
Lead Instructor, Financial Modelling
Bronwyn Callahan
Senior Instructor, Risk Assessment
Learn From Practitioners Who Still Work in the Field
Our instructors maintain active consulting practices alongside teaching. Hamish spent fifteen years in institutional investment analysis before transitioning to education. He still reviews portfolios for a mid-sized fund, which keeps his approach current with evolving market conditions.
Bronwyn worked in corporate finance for major retailers and manufacturers. Her background in operational finance gives her unique insight into the stories behind financial statements. She's particularly good at helping students understand how business decisions eventually show up in quarterly reports.
Both bring recent experience to the classroom. When market conditions shift or new reporting standards emerge, they adjust course content accordingly. You won't learn outdated methods or theoretical approaches that don't hold up in practice.
Class sizes stay small intentionally. You'll have direct access to instructors during office hours and structured review sessions. Questions about specific analysis challenges get addressed individually, not through generic responses.
Meet Our TeamWhat You'll Actually Learn
Our curriculum focuses on building practical analytical capabilities. Here's what that looks like in concrete terms across our core modules.
| Analysis Area | Skills Developed | Practical Application |
|---|---|---|
| Financial Statement Analysis | Multi-period comparison, trend identification, ratio interpretation | Evaluating company health for investment or lending decisions |
| Cash Flow Modelling | Operating cycle analysis, working capital assessment, liquidity forecasting | Predicting operational sustainability and funding requirements |
| Risk Identification | Red flag recognition, accounting quality assessment, disclosure analysis | Identifying potential problems before they become obvious |
| Industry Benchmarking | Peer comparison, sector-specific metrics, competitive positioning | Understanding relative performance within market context |
| Scenario Planning | Sensitivity analysis, stress testing, outcome modelling | Evaluating potential impacts of different business conditions |
Corporate Training Available
We work with finance teams who need to upgrade their analytical capabilities. Our corporate programs adapt core curriculum to address specific challenges your analysts face.
Custom programs typically run over eight to twelve weeks, with content focused on the types of analysis your team performs regularly. We can deliver training on-site in Port Macquarie or surrounding areas, or through structured remote sessions if your team is distributed.
Previous clients have included regional accounting firms, investment advisory practices, and corporate finance departments. Training outcomes focus on improving analysis quality and efficiency rather than just covering theoretical concepts.
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