The basics of balance sheets including their fiscal basis

theme No.: 33c
responsible federal state: Baden-Württemberg
date: 23.10.2023 - 27.10.2023

This conference addresses judges of all jurisdictions as well as public prosecutors having no or very little previous knowledge of the subject matter.
In this seminar the participants will learn to read and analyze financial statements without assistance.
The participants will work with real financial statements from companies of all sizes. Prior knowledge in bookkeeping and accounting is not required.
The focus will be on the following subjects:

• Accounting obligation and accounting purposes: Why do companies keep balance sheets?
• Elements of financial statements and their functions: What does a balance sheet tell us? What does a profit and loss account tell us?
• Separate and consolidated financial statements, financial statements in accordance with the German Commercial Code (HGB) and in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS): What do they have in common? How do they differ from each other?
• Recognition and evaluation of assets and liabilities: What should be included in the balance sheet and what should not? How are the items of a balance sheet evaluated?
• Accounting and taxation: Are profit and income the same thing?
• Balance sheet analysis: What is a good or bad balance sheet? And: What do accountants conceal and how do they do that?

Methods: Speech, discussion, individual and group work.
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