CFA L1 / FRA / M1. Introduction
Module 1 · FRA

Introduction to Financial Statement Analysis

EN: Conceptual — financial statements, supplementary info, and the analyst framework.
VN: Khái niệm — các báo cáo, thông tin bổ sung và quy trình phân tích.

1. Four Primary Financial Statements Concept

  • Income Performance over a period (revenues − expenses).
  • Balance Snapshot at a date: A = L + E.
  • Cash flow Operating, investing, financing flows.
  • Equity Changes in shareholders' equity.

2. Supplementary Information Concept

  • MD&A Management discussion of results, liquidity, future outlook.
  • Footnotes Accounting policies, contingencies, related-party transactions.
  • Auditor Unqualified / qualified / adverse / disclaimer opinions.
  • Proxy Compensation, governance.

3. Standard Analyst Framework Concept

Six steps

  • 1. Articulate purpose and context.
  • 2. Collect input data (statements, industry).
  • 3. Process data — adjustments, common-size.
  • 4. Analyze and interpret.
  • 5. Develop conclusions / recommendations.
  • 6. Follow up — periodic re-examination.

Practice problem Practice

Practice problem

An analyst receives an unqualified audit opinion accompanied by a footnote about pending litigation. How should this be interpreted?

Show solution
Unqualified = clean opinion; financials present fairly per GAAP/IFRS.
The footnote on litigation is a routine disclosure of contingencies, not a qualification.
Financials are reliable; analyst should still review the contingency footnote for materiality.