Acronyms. The business world, and especially the world of finance and accounting, is full of them. They are everywhere, and once you believe you master the most important ones, new acronyms that you may have never heard of seem to be creeping up in meetings, articles and presentations. It is challenging for most business people to remember the spelled-out form (the “expansion”) of many of these acronyms, let alone describe in depth what the concept actually means and how to calculate it.

The course “Top 10 financial acronyms explained” takes you through a selection of key acronyms, from a variety of areas: the income statement (EBITDA, EPS, SG&A), corporate strategy presentations (CAGR, ROA, VUCA), investment analysis (NPV, IRR), accounting (non-GAAP), and working capital management (DSO).

Top 10 financial acronyms explained” provides you with a clear explanation of the context and use of key acronyms, and helps you become a more valuable business partner by linking terminology to operational actions.

Learning Objectives
  • Explore the meaning and use of 10 important financial acronyms
  • Identify analysis and improvement opportunities in working capital management (Days Sales Outstanding - DSO) and cost control (Selling, General & Administrative Expenses - SG&A)
  • Discover how the variations on the income statement term earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) relate
  • Recognize the importance of “big picture” acronyms such as earnings per share (EPS), return on assets (ROA) and volatility, uncertainty, complexity and ambiguity (VUCA) in financial and strategic decision making
Last updated/reviewed: August 27, 2023
61 Reviews (274 ratings)

Reviews

4
Anonymous Author
This course provided a clear explanation of common financial terms. Structurally, the course outline included the Income Statement, but didn't specifically address the other financial statements, i.e. the balance sheet, statement of cash flow. However, assets were addressed relative to the calculations that were discussed. Examples were helpful to see the concepts explained with real situations.

5
Member's Profile
Excellent course for entry levels staff and non-financial staff. Good primer for basics and improving critical base knowledge. Helpful information good to have exposure to this to understand what certain numbers are and what they do.

4
Anonymous Author
I enjoyed the storytelling portion of the course. However I felt there were a few questions on the exam that were not fully explained in the presentation. The materials had a lot of pictures but left out quiet a bit of the content.

5
Anonymous Author
The course provides a great overview of the different acronyms that are utilized within the financial industry. Great overview for first time investors and for personnel doing financial reporting and analysis work.

5
Anonymous Author
Succinct review of commonly used financial acronyms that are primarily ratio based. Good balance of live examples in sample calculations and the "why" behind the ratio. Instructor's pace was perfect.

5
Anonymous Author
Excellent course! The slide handouts are incredible...and very long with more than enough information. Presenter is engaging and energetic and the videos were worthwhile. Highly recommend!

5
Anonymous Author
Good course. Instructor kept your attention and gave good explanations., It's a starter course so you will have to go deeper for more than a cursory understanding of the acronyms.

4
Anonymous Author
This was a nice refresher course in the various Acronyms in accounting and how they are calculated. Also gave a couple of ways to analysis the information for greater clarity.

4
Anonymous Author
Good background on key terms. Would have helpful to provide additional information comparisons to peer groups, to identify when financial ratios were better or not so good.

5
Anonymous Author
This is an excellent course whatever your level might be. I am a CPA and found this very helpful- Examples are kept clear and to the point-Highly recommend this course

5
Member's Profile
These acronyms are very commonly used in the accounting / finance world. This course offered a valuable refresher even if we don't use all of them in everyday world..

5
Member's Profile
Very clear and concise presentation for all accounting and finance personnel. The presenter actually grew on me as the presentation progressed - quite enjoyable.

4
Member's Profile
This was a basic overview of the most common calculations done to assess a business. The presenter made it easy to learn with the step by steps for each formula.

5
Anonymous Author
This course was a refresher on basic metrics and measures. It's the kind of course that aspiring executives should probably all take every few years.

5
Anonymous Author
Philip de Vroe is a great storyteller who makes the content fun and interesting. Going to sign up for more of his classes - great presentation.

4
Anonymous Author
This was an in depth review of many acronyms used in the finance industry. Each was explained with clear explanations and real world examples.

4
Anonymous Author
I really liked the knowledge brush up on a few of the acronyms and on had new learning on others. Good explanations and easy to follow.

5
Member's Profile
Thanks for the informational and straight-to-the-point course. A good blend of finance and accounting with real world applicability.

5
Anonymous Author
Very clear and concise explanations taking the mystery out of these acronyms that we hear all the time but never truly understood.

5
Member's Profile
The instructor was thorough and presented the information in an easily digestible way. The visual aids were also very helpful.

5
Anonymous Author
Great overview of acronyms, selected financial ratios, and financial statement items. The slides were very clear and helpful.

4
Anonymous Author
I'm not sure that these are the Top 10 financial acronyms, but it was fairly interesting and the examples were helpful.

3
Anonymous Author
This course was very informational and technical. I felt that it explained the components and concepts very well. I

5
Anonymous Author
The instructor kept his class interesting. The slides are very practical and I will keep them in my "back pocket"

5
Member's Profile
Good overview of several financial metrics. May not be enough detail for someone with no prior exposure to them.

4
Anonymous Author
course was good. The slides were fairly easy to follow, the exam questions were a little tricky to understand.

5
Anonymous Author
This was a really good course on the various different financial acronyms that are used in the real world.

5
Anonymous Author
interesting course. A wealth of information for novices or people not familiar with the subject matter.

5
Anonymous Author
Great explanations of common finance terms. A good refresher of the in's and out's of formulas as well.

4
Member's Profile
Although the instructor was effective, I did not think the choice of acronyms was really the "top ten."

5
Anonymous Author
Always appreciate a lesson in CAGR, NPV, IRR, and Earnings per share. This is a great course

4
Anonymous Author
Helpful course discussing some of the common acronyms that are prolific in the Finance area.

5
Member's Profile
Philip did a great job of explaining financial terms in a succinct and straightforward way.

5
Member's Profile
clear and concise - instructor was easy to understand and presented key financial acronyms

5
Member's Profile
The presentation has covered lot of ground beyond the acronyms. It is very interesting.

5
Anonymous Author
This was helpful especially for public companies where alot of these acronyms are used.

5
Anonymous Author
I love this author. Looked at all his courses. Interesting approach, lots of examples

4
Anonymous Author
Days Sales Outstanding. The average number of days that customers take to pay invoices

5
Member's Profile
The session flowed quickly, and smoothly. The supporting documentation is a keeper.

4
Member's Profile
Clear explanations of typical business jargon. Especially helpful to non accountants.

4
Member's Profile
Good review of terminology that may not be part of your daily accounting activities.

5
Anonymous Author
This is a very interesting finance story telling course presented in a clear manner

5
Anonymous Author
Interesting. Well presented. A good review. Particularly enjoyed review of VUCA.

4
Member's Profile
Great refresher to the most common acronyms that are used in corporate finance.

5
Anonymous Author
Very interesting and useful information that is highly relevant to my position.

4
Anonymous Author
The course and handout provides great detail on the various acronyms covered

5
Anonymous Author
This class explains many acronyms and the calculations behind each of them.

4
Anonymous Author
Good content. Complex information delivered in simple terms. Well done.

4
Anonymous Author
Great course of top 10 financial acronyms explained which added value

5
Anonymous Author
Very well laid out, interesting concepts, concise and to the point.

5
Member's Profile
Good course with insights on different financial statement formulas

4
Anonymous Author
Excellent acronym definition and explanations, including examples.

5
Member's Profile
Good organization of information: definition, example, calculation

5
Anonymous Author
Quick review of important financial acronyms. Good test and quiz.

5
Anonymous Author
clean instruction, no unnecessary information. Easy to follow.

5
Member's Profile
This is a fine course and I will be recommending to others.

5
Anonymous Author
Good Course on all these acronyms. I found it interesting.

4
Anonymous Author
Great overview of financial metrics, i really enjoyed it.

5
Anonymous Author
Great review. Very easy to understand . Thank you Philip

5
Anonymous Author
Very informative and very well explained in the lesson

5
Anonymous Author
Material is informative and is succinctly conveyed.

Prerequisites
Course Complexity: Foundational

No advance preparation or prerequisites are required for this course.

Education Provider Information
Company: Illumeo, Inc., 75 East Santa Clara St., Suite 1215, San Jose, CA 95113
Contact: For more information regarding this course, including complaint and cancellation policies, please contact our offices at (408) 400- 3993 or send an e-mail to .
Instructor for this course
Course Syllabus
INTRODUCTION AND OVERVIEW
  Introduction - Top 10 Financial Acronyms00:54
Income Statement
  EBIT - EBITA – EBITDA4:35
  EBITDA Example2:15
  EBITDA Calculation1:53
  Earnings Per Share (EPS)2:27
  Adjusted EPS5:25
  SG&A9:23
Corporate strategy presentations
  CAGR Explained7:19
  Return On Assets2:40
  Return on Assets Example7:10
  VUCA7:22
Investment analysis
  NPV and IRR6:26
Accounting 12
  GAAP Vs. Non-GAAP10:09
Working capital management
  Days Sales Outstanding & Conclusion7:27
CONTINUOUS PLAY
  Top 10 financial acronyms explained 1:15:24
SUPPORTING MATERIALS
  Slides: Top 10 Financial Acronyms ExplainedPDF
  Top 10 Financial Acronyms ExplainedGlossary/IndexPDF
REVIEW AND TEST
  REVIEW QUESTIONSquiz
 FINAL EXAMexam