DCF offered its second Financial Planning and Forecasting seminar for 2023 via Zoom on the 11^th, 18^th, and 25^th of November 2023. The seminar was attended by forty-six (46) participants.

On the first day, Dr. Arthur Cayanan gave the participants an overview of the financial planning and forecasting process. Participants learned some methods in determining top-level factors such as macroeconomic and industry variables and how to incorporate such variables in forecasting. Using listed Philippine corporations as examples, the various impacts of financial planning on forecasting was also discussed.

On the second day, participants learned the use of financial statement analysis in drawing forecasting assumptions. Various financial statement analysis techniques such as common-size analysis, trend analysis, and financial ratios were applied to actual financial statements of a listed Philippine corporation. Illustrative examples were also used to discuss additional tools in financial planning and forecasting such as financial statement method and cash budgeting. The session was facilitated by Mr. Kevin Dela Cruz.

Day three provided an avenue for a comprehensive application of all previously discussed theoretical concepts during the past two sessions. Mr. Lester Aratea began with an in-depth discussion of the sales forecast, the most important projection in financial planning. Participants were further equipped with various approaches in developing reasonable assumptions for financial forecasts. The seminar culminated with participants preparing a five-year projected financial model of a listed Philippine corporation.

The following are feedback from some participants about the 3-day seminar:

“Everything is well discussed and the lecturer always takes into account if the attendees are following the steps. The best!”

“Sir Art has a lot of things to share; hoping to have more time to hear more about his research. The overview has given me knowledge on a bigger perspective economically.”

“The session was squeezed during the second day with informative topics. Good job Sir Kevin!”

“I enjoyed this session the most. Sir Lester was very effective, and he is clearly an expert regarding the topic. Also, I learned more from his lesson today than I did from other forecasting lessons/seminars I’ve attended. Overall, I believe this whole seminar made me appreciate financial planning and forecasting even more, and I now see forecasting as an art rather than a science. I look forward to attending your future seminars!”