The Development Center for Finance (DCF) successfully conducted the Financial Statement Analysis Seminar, its first public seminar for 2025 on March 8, 15, 22, and 29, and was attended by 35 participants from various companies and industries.

In Day 1, Sir Lester Aratea opened the seminar and did an expectation setting session with the participants. A roadmap of the four-day FS Analysis seminar was presented and the seminar proper was started with the discussion of the different asset and liability components of the balance sheet. Different examples from actual financial statements (FS) were discussed to illustrate the effects of common asset and liability transactions.

Ma’am Pam Lloren-Alcantara then continued with the equity components of the balance sheet in the second day of the seminar, and thoroughly discussed the income statement and the cash flow statement. Illustrative exercises and examples from local corporations were presented to provide real-world context to the discussion. The preparation of basic FS and how they are related to one another was also demonstrated.

Sir Lester Aratea returns on Day 3 to discuss the different techniques used in FS analysis, including ratios related to profitability, efficiency, liquidity, solvency, and cash flows. Qualitative considerations were also discussed, particularly various company, macroeconomic and industry information that should be carefully considered. A subject company was then presented to apply these different FS analysis techniques.

Sir Art Cayanan took over on the last day of the seminar, starting the session with a review of the discussions in the past three (3) Saturdays, then introducing other FS analysis techniques, including common-size, trend, and break-even analyses. Cases of several Philippine-listed companies were then presented and discussed to apply all the learnings during the seminar, taking different perspectives, as lenders, financial analysts, and even as investors.

Some of the feedback from the participants about the 4-day seminar were as follows:

“A good refresher for basic accounting. Sample exercises help a lot to understand how to record on actual books. I’ve learned so much on this session!”

“As a non-accounting graduate, I have learned a lot on this session that will be a big help to me on my work.”

“Delivers the lecture clearly and accurately. Answers questions and gives definite explanations re: topics and inquiries. Well done po. Salamat po!”

“I gained so much insightful knowledge on this session that I didn’t learn during my college years. I’m very thankful to have been a part of it.”

“This session will help us in our work especially in decision-making in terms of financials.”