Behind the Numbers: How Advisors Can Read Business Financials That Drive Better Planning
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Specialized Knowledge
Concurrent Session
5/8/2026
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
Minneapolis Grand Ballroom (G)
Advisors serving business-owner clients can unlock major value by understanding what their clients’ financial statements are really saying. This session teaches how to quickly interpret profit-and-loss statements, balance sheets, and statements of cash flows to uncover opportunities around cash flow, debt, and taxes. We’ll connect business health to personal financial outcomes—showing how metrics like EBITDA, DSCR, and owner compensation translate into actionable financial planning strategies. Attendees will leave with a simple framework and checklist they can apply in their next client review.
Learning Objectives:
- Read and interpret a business profit-and-loss statement, balance sheet, and statement of cash flows to assess overall financial health.
- Identify and calculate five essential metrics (e.g., gross margin, DSCR, EBITDA, owner’s draw ratio, cash conversion cycle) that inform planning advice.
- Translate business financial data into personal financial strategies, including savings capacity, debt management, and tax-planning opportunities.
