Understanding the Client’s Business
You cannot advise a client properly if you do not understand how their business really works. This session shows you how to truly understand a client’s business so you can give better advice, reduce risk, and add real value.
2 CPD units January 15, 2026 1 presenter
What will set you apart
By completing this course you will gain the following competencies
- How to understand a client’s business model and how they make money
- How to identify key risks and problem areas in a client’s business
- How operations, finance, and compliance link together
- What questions to ask clients to get the full picture
- How to spot warning signs before problems arise
- How better business understanding improves your advice and decisions
- How this knowledge helps you build stronger client relationships
Event breakdown
- What it means to truly understand a client’s business
- Understanding business models and income streams
- Key operations and how they affect financial results
- Identifying business risks and weak areas
- Understanding cost structures and cash flow drivers
- Linking business activities to financial information
- Asking the right questions during client meetings
- Using business understanding to improve advice
- Strengthening professional judgement and decision-making
Category: Assurance & reportingType: CPD CourseCPD category: Independent Review
Description
Many accountants focus only on the numbers and miss what is really happening inside a client’s business. This session helps delegates step back and see the full picture. It explains how to understand a client’s operations, income streams, costs, risks, and decision-making processes in simple and practical terms. Delegates will learn how different parts of a business connect and how poor understanding can lead to bad advice, higher risk, and unhappy clients. The session focuses on real business behaviour rather than theory, helping professionals ask better questions and make better judgments. By the end of the session, delegates will feel more confident engaging with clients, understanding their challenges, and providing advice that actually helps the business move forward.
Presenters
Leana van der Merwe — Leana: Leana van der Merwe, with 18+ years in accounting and corporate governance, Leana leads technical support at CIBA and is a recognized thought leader in regulatory compliance.
You will earn a certificate
On successful completion you will receive a certificate for 2 CPD units in Independent Review.
Requirements
- Laptop, desktop, or mobile device with internet access
- Microsoft Edge, Google Chrome, Safari, or Firefox browser