
QAS Self-Study

Overview

CPE Credits
5 Credits: Finance
Course Description
Forecasting is the prediction of future events. In the finance field, this usually means that an organization is attempting to predict its future sales. Financial Forecasting and Modeling discusses the different types of forecasting methodologies, the situations in which they should be used, and how to construct them. The course also examines the layout and formulation of a financial model, and addresses specific issues within such a model, including the treatment of depreciation, debt, equity, and working capital. Further, the course describes the construction of short-term and longer-term cash forecasts, concluding with a review of the Excel functions that can be used for financial forecasting and modeling.
Learning Objectives
Upon successful completion of this course, participants will be able to:
Chapter 1
- Cite the characteristics of the Delphi method.
- Identify the best uses of the different forecasting methods.
- Note the situations in which a smoothing constant can be used.
- Identify the different types of leading and lagging indicators.
Chapter 2
- State which report makes use of the accounting equation.
- Note how an income statement is used.
- Identify the key inputs to a financial model.
- Identify the complications caused by the use of a plug within a financial model.
- Note the circumstances under which a business could fund its own growth.
- Cite the cases in which an expansion of a financial model might be warranted.
Chapter 3
- Note the sources of the receipts and disbursements method.
- Identify the duration periods for the different types of forecasts.
- Note why the results of an automated cash forecasting system may be incorrect.
- Identify the reliability levels of the different types of cash forecast information.
- State the reasoning behind the use of a cash forecast reconciliation.
Chapter 4
- Note which Excel functions will fit straight and curved lines to the data.
- Identify the types of information provided by the different Excel functions relating to forecasting.
- Cite the inputs required for the different Excel functions relating to forecasting.
Course Specifics
Course ID 3158022 |
Revision Date September 9, 2021 |
Number of Pages 111 |
Prerequisites A basic knowledge of Excel functionality. |
Advanced Preparation None |
Compliance information
CMA Notice: Western CPE makes every attempt to maintain our CMA CPE library, to ensure a course meets your continuing education requirements please visit Insitute of Management Accountants (IMA)
CFP Notice: Not all courses that qualify for CFP® credit are registered by Western CPE. If a course does not have a CFP registration number in the compliance section, the continuing education will need to be individually reported with the CFP Board. For more information on the reporting process, required documentation, processing fee, etc., contact the CFP Board. CFP Professionals must take each course in it’s entirety, the CFP Board DOES NOT accept partial credits for courses.
Course Instructor

Steven M. Bragg, CPA, is a full-time book and course author who has written more than 250 business books and courses. He provides Western CPE with self-study courses in the areas of accounting and finance, with an emphasis on the practical application of accounting standards and management techniques. A sampling of his courses include the The New Controller Guidebook, The GAAP Guidebook, Accountants’ Guidebook, and Closing the Books: An Accountant’s Guide. He also manages the Accounting Best Practices podcast. Steven has been the CFO or controller of both public and private companies and has been a consulting manager with Ernst & Young and …
Financial Forecasting and Modeling
$145.00 – $175.00

QAS Self-Study

Overview

CPE Credits
5 Credits: Finance
Course Description
Forecasting is the prediction of future events. In the finance field, this usually means that an organization is attempting to predict its future sales. Financial Forecasting and Modeling discusses the different types of forecasting methodologies, the situations in which they should be used, and how to construct them. The course also examines the layout and formulation of a financial model, and addresses specific issues within such a model, including the treatment of depreciation, debt, equity, and working capital. Further, the course describes the construction of short-term and longer-term cash forecasts, concluding with a review of the Excel functions that can be used for financial forecasting and modeling.
Learning Objectives
Upon successful completion of this course, participants will be able to:
Chapter 1
- Cite the characteristics of the Delphi method.
- Identify the best uses of the different forecasting methods.
- Note the situations in which a smoothing constant can be used.
- Identify the different types of leading and lagging indicators.
Chapter 2
- State which report makes use of the accounting equation.
- Note how an income statement is used.
- Identify the key inputs to a financial model.
- Identify the complications caused by the use of a plug within a financial model.
- Note the circumstances under which a business could fund its own growth.
- Cite the cases in which an expansion of a financial model might be warranted.
Chapter 3
- Note the sources of the receipts and disbursements method.
- Identify the duration periods for the different types of forecasts.
- Note why the results of an automated cash forecasting system may be incorrect.
- Identify the reliability levels of the different types of cash forecast information.
- State the reasoning behind the use of a cash forecast reconciliation.
Chapter 4
- Note which Excel functions will fit straight and curved lines to the data.
- Identify the types of information provided by the different Excel functions relating to forecasting.
- Cite the inputs required for the different Excel functions relating to forecasting.
Course Specifics
Course ID 3158022 |
Revision Date September 9, 2021 |
Number of Pages 111 |
Prerequisites A basic knowledge of Excel functionality. |
Advanced Preparation None |
Compliance information
CMA Notice: Western CPE makes every attempt to maintain our CMA CPE library, to ensure a course meets your continuing education requirements please visit Insitute of Management Accountants (IMA)
CFP Notice: Not all courses that qualify for CFP® credit are registered by Western CPE. If a course does not have a CFP registration number in the compliance section, the continuing education will need to be individually reported with the CFP Board. For more information on the reporting process, required documentation, processing fee, etc., contact the CFP Board. CFP Professionals must take each course in it’s entirety, the CFP Board DOES NOT accept partial credits for courses.
Course Instructor

Steven M. Bragg, CPA, is a full-time book and course author who has written more than 250 business books and courses. He provides Western CPE with self-study courses in the areas of accounting and finance, with an emphasis on the practical application of accounting standards and management techniques. A sampling of his courses include the The New Controller Guidebook, The GAAP Guidebook, Accountants’ Guidebook, and Closing the Books: An Accountant’s Guide. He also manages the Accounting Best Practices podcast. Steven has been the CFO or controller of both public and private companies and has been a consulting manager with Ernst & Young and …
Financial Forecasting and Modeling
$145.00 – $175.00