Finance and Accounting for Legal Professionals

Build financial confidence for stronger legal decision-making

Legal professionals are increasingly expected to engage with financial information, whether advising on transactions, assessing risk, supporting disputes, or guiding clients through complex commercial decisions. This two-day programme is designed to help you develop the financial and accounting knowledge needed to do so with greater confidence and credibility.

Led by Prof Pawel Bilinski, the programme offers a practical and accessible introduction to finance and accounting for lawyers, in-house counsel, legal managers, and other legal professionals. No prior financial training is required.

You will learn how to interpret financial statements, understand the drivers of business performance, and use financial insight to strengthen legal judgement in areas such as corporate law, mergers and acquisitions, compliance, restructuring, and litigation.

Why join this programme?

By the end of the programme, you will be able to:

  • read and interpret core financial statements with greater confidence
  • understand the difference between profit and cash flow and why it matters
  • identify the key drivers of business performance and financial success
  • spot financial risks and red flags more effectively
  • engage more confidently in financial discussions with clients, regulators, and other stakeholders
  • bring stronger commercial and financial awareness to legal advice

Who is it for?

This programme is designed for:

  • lawyers in private practice
  • in-house counsel
  • legal managers and executives
  • legal professionals involved in transactions, disputes, compliance, investigations, or strategic decision-making

It is particularly valuable for those who want a practical grounding in finance and accounting without needing a technical background.

Benefits for legal professionals

Participants will gain the skills to:

  • assess business health through financial reporting
  • support due diligence and negotiations with greater confidence
  • understand how accounting choices and judgement can affect legal and regulatory issues
  • evaluate the financial implications of commercial decisions
  • provide more commercially informed, strategically valuable advice

Benefits for law firms and legal departments

Organisations will benefit from legal teams that can:

  • engage more effectively with finance colleagues, investors, and advisers
  • contribute more confidently to transactions and financial negotiations
  • better understand the commercial context behind legal issues
  • deliver more rounded advice on governance, risk, compliance, and business strategy

How you will learn

The programme is delivered through a highly interactive approach, combining expert teaching with practical exercises, case studies, discussion, and group-based learning.

Programme structure

Part 1: Understanding financial statements
Develop a practical understanding of the main financial statements, key accounting terminology, and the difference between profit and cash flow. You will also explore how judgement and accounting choices influence reported performance.

Part 2: Interpreting financial information
Learn how to analyse financial data, identify the drivers of business performance, and apply financial insight across different industries and business contexts.

Key information

Dates

19–20 June 2026 | 09:00–17:00 GMT

11–12 September 2026 | 09:00–17:00 GMT

Duration: 2 days
Format: In person
Fee: £1,995 (no VAT charged)
Academic lead: Prof Pawel Bilinski

Brochure