Reading Business Financial Information overview
Reading business financial information is a critical task of every credit analyst and the first step in reviewing a credit application. In this Reading Business Financial Information course, we will look at key financial statements including the balance sheet, income statement, and the statement of cash flows. We’ll explore the relationship of these financial statements and how they are linked to each other. We’ll also look at the different levels of accountant’s reports and the comfort each provides.

We will further consider what’s included in the business tax return and how to use this information. Finally, we’ll calculate and interpret the key credit-related ratios for assessing the financial capacity of a business. All these contribute to the business story and influence the credit decisions to be made.
Reading Business Financial Information learning objectives
Upon completing this course, you will be able to:
- Understand the basics of the three main financial statements and key financial terms
- Learn the different components of financial statements
- Understand how the three financial statements link together
- Differentiate the levels of accountant’s reports and the comfort each provides
- Calculate and interpret the key lending ratios
Reading Business Financial Information is a required course of CFI’s CBCA® program
CFI’s Certified Banking & Credit Analyst (CBCA)® Program offers skills include credit evaluation, documentation, and review procedures. For beginners to advanced users, the CBCA® program is designed to help you become a world-class credit analyst.
Who should take this CBCA® course?
This Reading Business Financial Information course is perfect for any aspiring credit analysts working in insurance, underwriting, rating agencies, commercial lending, corporate credit analysis, and other areas of credit evaluation.