Understanding Financial (Mis)Statements (9/12/24)

An entity’s financial statements convey a great deal of significant information regarding its financial position and the results of its operations. The ability to understand financial statements is a critical skill for corporate, family, trial, and other lawyers. It also is essential for lawyers reviewing financial statements to be able to "read between the lines.” This session focuses on understanding financial statements, intermediate level financial analysis and essential concepts underlying the presentation of financial information to assess their reliability. At the end of the program, lawyers will be able to ask better questions regarding the financial statements they need to review and analyze and/or to recognize when the level of complexity is such that they need to hire a forensic accountant to assist in that review and analysis.

The program will be taught by a forensic accountant with more than 45 years of experience who is a Certified Fraud Examiner, Certified Public Accountant, and Certified in Financial Forensics. The program is built around a case study that incorporates the financial shenanigans seen in the investigative projects completed over several years. The case study includes a full set of financial statements, including footnote disclosures. (Participants attending the program will need to have a copy of the case study financial statements at the program to derive the maximum benefit from the program.)  

The program provides special emphasis on "financial shenanigans" - ways in which Generally Accepted Accounting Principles ("GAAP") might be manipulated to create misstated financial statements - as well as practical suggestions on how to find misstatements in financial statements of both public companies and medium sized, family owned businesses.

The program is ideal for corporate attorneys, trial lawyers, bankruptcy counsel, family law practitioners and general counsel.

SPEAKER:
Michael D. Pakter, CPA, CFF, CGMA, CFE, CVA, MAFF, CA, CIRA, CDBV
Managing Member, Gould & Pakter Associates, LLC

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Live CBA Committee meetings and seminars will take place via Zoom webinar.  You will click on "view video" and be directly connected to the meeting/seminar on Zoom.  (You will not receive a Zoom link.)

You MUST have Zoom Desktop Client on your Mac or PC to view a live program. If using a mobile device, you must have the Zoom App (available in the App Store or Google Play).

System requirements for Mac & PC can be found here. System requirements for mobile devices can be here.  

Please note that audience members do not need video or audio access.  Audience members are able to submit questions via the chat or Q & A features of Zoom. 

Chat: Open in-meeting chat, allowing you to send chat messages to and send a message to the host, panelists, and attendees (if permitted). Question & Answer: Open the Q&A window, allowing you to ask questions to the host and panelists. They can either reply back to you via text in the Q&A window or answer your question live.