Mastering the Balance Sheet - A Guide for Corporate Lawyers

Introduction

This new virtual seminar is designed to enhance corporate lawyers’ understanding of key accounting and financial issues that frequently arise in practice.

With a focus on real-world application, this session goes beyond the basics and will explore how financial statements—and particularly the balance sheet—can impact legal work.

Topics will include share purchase agreements (SPAs), earn-out arrangements, and group reorganisations and reconstructions, equipping participants with the financial insight needed to navigate complex transactions with greater confidence.

For those requiring an introduction to the topic, please see Beware the Balance Sheet - A Lawyer's Guide to Accounts & Financial Reports - Learn Live.

What You Will Learn

This live and interactive session will cover the following:

• Agreeing the valuation of the business - the options available
• EBITDA and earnings-related valuations
• Future discounted cash flows
• Net asset and balance sheet valuations - importance of previous accounting information
• Completion accounts and completion mechanisms
• Working capital adjustments and how such matters should be handled
• Debt free and cash free - what these terms mean and what should and could be included
• The overlap between cash, debt and working capital
• Dealing with issues relating to accounting policies and warranties
• Locked box agreements
• How these differ from typical completion mechanisms - the advantages and disadvantages
• Locked box adjustments for leakage and profits
• Earn-out agreements
• How they can work and be effective
• Common problems and how to avoid and resolve

Recording of live sessions: Soon after the Learn Live session has taken place you will be able to go back and access the recording - should you wish to revisit the material discussed.