Reading Financial Statements 2026

While it is not necessary for lawyers to have the financial insight that might be expected of an accountant, you should still understand how to read financial statements. This popular regular seminar aims to unlock the mysteries of key financial documents and will assist you in providing legal advice to your clients concerning financial matters as well as understanding the financial health of your own business.

Topics covered will include:

• Understanding the key financial statements that should be prepared by each entity along with basic accounting concepts
• Overview of the types of entities that prepare financial reporting and key differences
• Differences between management reporting and annual reporting and the importance of each
• Understanding the key financial metrics for different types of entities, how they are calculated, and how they can be used to indicate red flags
• Use of a practical case study aimed at embedding the knowledge through the presentation.

Learning objectives

By attending this seminar you will:

• Gain an understanding of key financial concepts and reports as they apply to your clients and your own business.
• Be able to recognise the insights these reports provide.

Who should attend

All lawyers in all practice areas.

Presenters

AJ Bell
BDO Christchurch Limited, Christchurch

AJ is a BDO Business Advisory Senior Accountant with four years’ experience in business advisory services. He has a strong focus on financial accuracy and client service with close support for commercial clients in construction, property developers, manufacturers, breweries, and medical technology. AJ adopts a forward-thinking methodology in delivering financial advisory services and reporting, working closely with clients to deliver clear insights and reliable management reporting.

 

Sam Rogatski
BDO Christchurch Limited, Christchurch

Sam is a BDO Business Advisory Senior Manager with nine years’ experience in business advisory services. He works with a wide range of mostly commercial clients, with a particular focus on owner operators, property developers and speculators, professional services and clients with management reporting requirements. Sam is a problem solver for the clients he works with, as well as being proactive in creating close professional relationships with those clients and their key stakeholders.
 

Resources

A PDF book is included in the webinar fee and will be emailed to you along with your ticket, one week before the webinar.

Held online, you will be emailed a link to join the webinar one week before. For information on what is required to participate in the webinar, click here. PowerPoint slides will be emailed out after 3pm the day before the webinar.

Fee (Incl GST)

Law Society Members benefit from up to 30% off
Webinar

• $205 – Law Society members & associate members
• $295 – Non-members
• View group pricing options

I can't attend, but please let me know when the book is available to purchase.

Do you want to register more than one person for this course? Use the 'register others' button below or Click here

CPD

Attendance at the live webinar

• If you attended the live webinar, you will receive an electronic certificate of attendance as verification for your CPD records.
• You can view and hear the presentation again, as many times as you wish in your own time for no additional cost.

Registration but non-attendance on the day

• Under the CPD Scheme only those who attend a live webinar are eligible to claim CPD hours.
• If you registered but were unable to attend on the day, you can view and hear the archived recording of the presentation.

Cancellation and Refund Policy

You may cancel your registration eight working days in advance of an event, and you will receive a refund less a 25% administration fee. If you cancel less than eight working days in advance of the event, no refund is payable. If you are unable to attend, you may transfer your registration to another person. If you wish to do so you must advise CLE New Zealand Law Society in writing of the change. CLE reserves the right to close registrations, and cancel or reschedule an event as necessary. Where an event is cancelled by CLE, a full refund is payable.