Finance for Non-Financial Professionals

This course is specifically designed for non-financial managers, team leaders, and supervisors who seek to acquire a robust understanding of financial principles to enhance their decision-making skills. It is ideal for professionals across all sectors who wish to gain insights into financial management without prior financial knowledge.

Foundations of Business Finance

• Overview of business structures: sole proprietorships, partnerships, and limited companies
• Fundamentals of equity and debt financing
• Principles of financial health and risk management
• Key considerations in selecting funding options
• Impact of financial decisions on business sustainability

Interpreting Financial Statements

• Structure and components of balance sheets
• Understanding income statements and cash flow statements
• Techniques for financial analysis and interpretation
• Common pitfalls in reading financial reports

Mastering Financial Ratios and KPIs

• Introduction to key financial ratios: liquidity, solvency, and profitability
• Calculating and interpreting key performance indicators (KPIs)
• Using financial metrics to assess organisational performance
• Benchmarking and comparative analysis

Strategic Budgeting and Cost Management

• Concepts of strategic planning and operational budgeting
• Techniques for effective budget creation and management
• Understanding fixed, variable, and semi-variable costs
• Strategies for cost control and reduction

Decision-Making in Finance

• Fundamentals of cash flow forecasting and management
• Introduction to Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) and its applications
• Understanding Return on Investment (ROI) and Weighted Average Cost of Capital (WACC)
• Integrating financial analysis in decision-making

At the end of this course, delegates will be able to:

• Identify and understand different business structures and their implications on financial management.
• Read and interpret key elements of financial statements accurately.
• Apply financial ratios and KPIs to assess the health and performance of an organisation.
• Participate effectively in strategic budgeting and cost control processes.
• Make informed financial decisions using advanced techniques like DCF and ROI analysis.
• Manage financial risks and understand their impact on an organisation’s stability.
• Engage confidently in discussions and negotiations involving financial aspects of business.
• Develop a strategic approach to financing and investment that aligns with organisational goals.