The Development Center for Finance successfully conducted its first public seminar for 2019. The Financial Statement Analysis Seminar, attended by 15 participants, was held at the Cesar E. A. Virata School of Business, University of the Philippines, Diliman for four Saturdays (March 2, 9, 16 and 23).

Dr. Arthur Cayanan facilitated Day 1. Participants were given a roadmap on Financial Statement Analysis. The session was devoted to understanding the asset and liability components of the statement of financial position, which was further reinforced by a case discussion.

Day 2 picked up on Day 1’s discussion of understanding the statement of financial position particularly equity. Prof. Pamela Lloren-Alcantara also walked the participants through understanding the income statement with emphasis on quality of earnings, as well as, the cash flows statements. Exercises were used to demonstrate how financial statements are prepared and how they are related.

Financial statement analysis techniques were taught by Prof. Diogenes Dy on Day 3. Participants prepared common-size financial statements, trend analysis and ratio analysis based on actual financial statements. Aside from quantitative analysis, qualitative analysis was also covered.

On Day 4, Dr. Arthur Cayanan guided participants through cases on three listed corporations in the Philippines. These emphasized the use of financial statement analysis techniques – qualitative and quantitative – in understanding financial statements and making inferences from analyses results.

Some of the feedback about the seminar were as follows:

“As a beginner, the discussion on the financials are easy to understand.”

“Relevant examples for each topic makes the discussion interesting and engaging. The lecturer is not boring and (is) really knowledgeable about the topic.”

“Very concise, brief enough to fit all topics within allotted time but still comprehensive.”

“Best seminar I attended! I’ve learned a lot!”

“Financial Statement Analysis of the Development Center for Finance is a very good program. Keep it up! The resource lecturers are experts and very knowledgeable.”