Questions About Financial Analysis
We get asked about fundamental analysis almost daily. Here's what people actually want to know when they're starting out.
Real Questions From Real Students
Most people come to us confused about how fundamental analysis actually works in practice. The textbooks make it sound straightforward, but when you're staring at financial statements for the first time, things get murky fast.
We've collected the questions that come up most often in our courses starting in late 2025. Some are basic. Some get into the weeds. All of them are worth answering because they reflect the genuine confusion people experience when learning this stuff.
And honestly? We still remember being confused about these exact same things back when we were starting out.
What People Actually Ask
Do I need to be good at maths to understand fundamental analysis?
Not really. Most of the maths is addition, subtraction, and basic ratios. If you can work out a percentage in your head, you're fine. The tricky part isn't the calculations—it's knowing what the numbers actually mean.
How long does it take to analyze a single company properly?
When you're starting? Could be a full day. After you've done twenty or thirty analyses, you'll get it down to maybe two hours. The speed comes from pattern recognition—you learn what to look for and where to find it.
Can I learn this while working full-time?
Yep. Most of our students do. The autumn 2025 intake is designed for people juggling jobs. You'll need maybe 6-8 hours a week. Some weeks more if you're getting into a complex analysis. Some weeks less if life gets busy.
What if I've never looked at a balance sheet before?
That's fine. We start from scratch. The first few weeks cover what each line item means and why it matters. By week four, you'll be reading balance sheets without wanting to throw your laptop out the window.
Is fundamental analysis still relevant with all the algorithmic trading?
Absolutely. Algorithms trade on short-term patterns. Fundamental analysis helps you understand long-term value. Different tools for different purposes. If you want to know whether a company will likely be worth more in five years, fundamentals matter.
Do I need expensive software or subscriptions?
Not for learning. Most company financials are publicly available. We'll show you where to find them for free. Later, if you want fancy tools, that's your call. But you can do solid analysis with free resources.
What's the difference between fundamental and technical analysis?
Technical looks at price charts and trading patterns. Fundamental looks at the actual business—revenue, profits, debt, management quality. Think of it as technical asking "what's the market doing?" and fundamental asking "what's the company worth?"
Will this help me with my own investments?
It might. You'll definitely understand financial news better and be able to spot dodgy claims. Whether that translates to better investment decisions depends on how you apply what you learn. We teach the skills—how you use them is up to you.
Still Have Questions?
Roland Beckett coordinates our fundamental analysis courses and fields questions from prospective students almost daily. He's been teaching this since 2019 and has seen pretty much every confusion point there is.
If your question isn't answered above, drop us a line. Roland usually responds within a day or two, and he's surprisingly patient with what might feel like "dumb questions" (spoiler: they're not).
Ready to Get Started?
Our next intake begins in September 2025. No entrance exam, no prerequisites beyond basic numeracy. Just come willing to learn and ask questions.
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