Practical Analysis for Accountants is a seminar that is useful for sharpening the skills of Controllers, CFOs, treasurers and financial analysts. This realistic course is the companion seminar to Practical Tips for Controllers & CFOs. It can be taken by itself, before or after that seminar. It covers some of the key topics from the Tips seminar in substantial depth. Using group and break out sessions, this practical course will involve working through a number of in depth, realistic cases of typical situations accountants face. The input of the attendees’ wide range of skills and experience, applied to the case situations provides additional depth to the course.

• Improving the relevancy of your financial reporting to users – if you report financials, this case will help you provide better information to report users
• Negotiating an offer to finance from a bank – practical tips on responding to a very realistic bank offer, how should it be assessed? How to get the bank to revise it in your favour?
• Contract review from a financial perspective – you review contracts from time to time, how can this be done more effectively?
• Resolving ethical dilemmas - are there legitimate ways around them, what are the danger areas and what do the rules say- all applied in many realistic scenarios
• Practical foreign exchange risk management - done from an accountant’s perspective, not a banker’s
• How do you find out what you really need to know in a job interview

Comments on This Seminar from Past Attendees

• Stephen is a breath of fresh air! His real world approach to professional development is engaging, thought provoking and fun. Working through cases with Stephen and professionals from other industries and sectors is a great opportunity to learn from their experience. You just don't get that in other seminars. Stephen's personality, experience and knowledge combined with great material made for a real value-added session. Highly recommended.
  One of the best PD courses – practical, good mix of case study, group work and class discussion
• Instructor was excellent. Very funny! Helped to make subject matter interesting
• Cases were realistic and I have dealt with very similar situations in my career
• Some very good ideas I would not have thought of
• Love the ethics topic. Great tips for handling situations
• Handouts for case solutions are great
• Tips was a teaser for the Analysis course
• I really enjoyed the cases which brings the tips together with real life scenarios, I learn best with cases

Date: May 27,2008
Time: 9 am - 5 pm
Location: The Holiday Inn Select Mississauga, 2565 Argentia Rd, beside the 401.
Cost: $395.00 plus GST for early registration

Seminar Leader

Stephen Priddle is a real, practicing CFO, rather than a professional seminar leader. He obtained his CA and CMA designations following graduation from Carleton University with an Honours Bachelor of Commerce degree. After working with KPMG for five years, he moved to industry and has worked for several companies, including public and private companies in the high technology sector. During this time, he has obtained a wide range of financial reporting, treasury management, merger & acquisition and other business experience. He is currently Vice-President, Finance, Chief Financial Officer and Secretary of Fidus Systems Inc. in Ottawa.

Stephen has extensive experience in teaching for Practical PD, the CGA program, provincial institutes of Chartered Accountants and he has been a moderator for the CMA Strategic Leadership Program. He was the top-rated speaker at the 2007 CGA Ontario Controller’s Congress. He has also taught at the University of Toronto and Carleton University. Stephen is a prolific author of published business, accounting and finance cases used by organizations across Canada.

Stephen weaves his tips, stories from his business experience and the input from participants, together with a dose of accounting humour to provide useful and engaging seminars.

More information and registration

Practical PD’s e-mail is This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it and the phone number 613-228-0233

For more information on this seminar and to register, see Practical PD's website at www.practicalpd.com