TDG Course Offerings by Level
An in-depth understanding of corporate finance is important in convincing increasingly savvy clients that their lawyers understand their business concerns and goals. Since 1987, our live courses have been giving lawyers that edge, which is why many of the leading law firms in the country use The Dickie Group instructors on a repeat basis to train their lawyers, as do several major European firms and Fortune 100 company legal staffs.
Basic courses
Understanding Financial Statements
Content of financial statements, including their nuances, biases and shortcomings, and the value provided by the accompanying notes; link between balance sheet, income statement and statement of cash flow; using footnotes and other disclosure; profit vs. Cash Flow from Operations vs. EBITDA.
Financial market terminology
Identifies key terminology in transactions and how these terms are used, including leverage, loans and bonds, business models and structures, advantages and disadvantages of forms of financing from the client perspective, and stages of capital investment from lenders and equity investors.
Understanding the economy
Basics of Macroeconomics, broad overview of the essential principles that drive Macroeconomic analysis from the perspective of a business operating in today’s economy, inflation & employment, fiscal & monetary policy, credit markets & interest rates, and business cycles.
Advanced Courses
Financial Covenants
Using financial statements to construct financial covenants with attention to coverage and leverage tests, as well as net worth and liquidity tests, and definitions of income and cash flow.
Duration: 1 to 3 hours.
Accounting Gamesmanship
While not accountants, lawyers who can protect their clients, the Firm, and themselves from financial reporting which obscures rather than reports a client’s financial reality is a distinct asset. Sixteen techniques are exposed using well-known companies as examples.
Duration: 1 to 3 hours.
Management Discussion and Analysis (MD&A)
Study how to tell whether or not a client’s MD&A (part of the Annual Report) conforms to frequently changing SEC rules and the enforcement actions that can be taken when they don’t. Focus is on the reporting requirements.
Duration: 1 to 2 hours.
Merger and Acquisition Reporting
Explains the complex accounting rules present in every business combination including goodwill, contingent consideration, step-up to fair value impact, in-process R&D, push-down and recap accounting, exit and integration cost issues, and working capital adjustments.
Duration: 1 to 2 hours.
Valuation
An overview of how finance professionals value companies. Issues are explored from both the buyer’s and seller’s perspective. Valuation methodologies are discussed in detail, with a focus on the “soft spots” in each of the methods in use.
Duration: 1 to 2 hours.
Lawyers’ Corporate Finance
Learn how to dig into and behind the numbers to get a realistic picture of a company’s performance and future prospects. The course explains techniques of analysis and the significance of key financial variables.
Duration: 1 to 3 hours.
Tax ACCOUNTING and Reporting
An overview of financial reporting as it relates to income taxes is provided and how this differs from income tax regulations. Topics include deferred taxes, uncertainty relationship of book and tax provisions, and required disclosure.
Duration: 2 to 3 hours.
International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS)
Contrast and comparison of IFRS and U.S. GAAP (Generally Accepted Accounting Practices) and how to navigate and understand IFRS-based financial statements and their accompanying notes.
Duration: 1 to 2 hours.
Pre-Session Tools
Prior to the actual sessions, we have tools available for the attendees to prepare themselves:
1) White Paper: A 16 page booklet in PDF format which gives an overview of financial reporting from a practicing lawyer’s perspective.
2) Self-evaluation: A simple customized self-evaluation so attendees can assure themselves they are prepared for the sessions
Tools are available to each participant prior to the sessions. This material focuses on the basics of financial reporting, to be used by each individual based on their prior knowledge. Geared towards associates with little to no financial background, these materials help to make the actual sessions more effective.