The British Academy for Training and Development focuses on Finance for Non-Finance Managers courses that is designed to provide professionals without a financial background with a clear understanding of key finance or non-finance concepts and tools. With a practical, straightforward approach, attendees learn how to read financial statements, capitalise budgets, and analyse finance applied to everyday decision-making. Moreover, this course emphasises the considerations of financial literacy as a means to improve business performance and feels the need for skill development in making better financial decisions in their job roles. Therefore, for managers, team leaders, or finance for non-finance executives.

This course will help improve your capacity to affect finance teams positively and well contribute to the overall financial health of your organisation.

1. Purpose of Finance and Accounting

This course will help you understand the fundamental purpose of finance and accounting in any organisation. 

The purpose of finance and accounting is to furnish vital information for effective utilisation of resources, informed decisions, and long-term sustainability by businesses. Accounting, by its definition, records, classifies, and summarises financial transactions for the report presentation clearness and accuracy in financial reports. Management may then be able to evaluate the financial situation of the organisation and control its expenditure to assure future growth. Finance, meanwhile, is managing all of the assets, liabilities, and investments that a company has to fulfil its financial goals. Above all, non-financial managers become acquainted with the subject of both since they help in decision-making for the comprehensive financial strategy of the organisation as well as in achieving the success of the organisation. 

2. Analysis of Financial Statements

In this course attendees learn to analyse financial statements with confidence, even if you don't have a background in finance. The analysis of financial statements is a key skill for non-finance managers, it enables the analysis of the financial health of an organisation and the making of decisions. Financial statements such as the balance sheet, income statement, and cash flow statement are documents containing vital thrust information about a company in terms of performance, profitability, and cash position. The evaluation of these statements helps the managers to identify trends, measure profitability, analyse operational efficiency, and detect any emerging risks. Internalising these documents gives non-finance managers a more efficient way of communicating with finance teams, managing budgets, and contributing to the business decision-making process that leads to success.

Objectives:

The objective of the finance for non-financial managers course is to equip managers not trained in financial management with the elementary requirements-the knowledge as well as the skills needed to understand the concepts and workings of financial statements. 

The attendees will also understand: 

1. Making informed decisions

2. Communicating effectively regarding financial issues and budget

3. Financial resource management within teams. 

The course is meant for improving assessing financial performance, interpreting financial data, and applying key financial principles within daily operations to ensure better overall business performance.

Who Should Attend?

1. Sales and marketing executives

2. Supply-stream professionals

3. Project professionals

4. Internal auditors

5. Any non-financial professionals who are required to read, interpret, and contribute to business financial reports

6. Senior professionals of manufacturing, marketing, engineering

7. Human resources professionals

8. Legal professionals

9. Executive professionals who are involved with development of long-term customers, suppliers, outsourcing partners, and other global strategic alliances

10. Consultants who work with professionals and executives, to support improvements to operational and financial processes

How will attendees benefit? 

After completing the programme, attendees will be able to understand the following:

1. Understand clearly the important financial aspects and their applications.

2. Learn to read and understand financial statements, such as income statements, balance sheets, and cash flow reports.

3. Learn to make decisions that will support a team's and an organisation's success.

4. Develop skills in budgeting, cost control, and financial forecasting. 

5. Increase the confidence level in discussing finances with colleagues and above.

6. Become a better financial resource manager in the organisation. 

7. Enhance professional growth and value in the organisation.

The Nature and Purpose of Finance and Accounting

• A simple model of an organisation’s accounting framework

• Understanding the accounting cycle

• The five main accounts in financial statements

• Income statement: a tool for performance measurement

• Accrual basis versus cash basis

• Balance sheet: a tool for financial position

• The balanced status

• Statement of owners’ equity

• Statement of cash flows: cash is king

• Wrapping-up: the cycle of financial statements

• External and internal auditors’ responsibilities

Analysis of Financial Statements

• Why are ratios useful

• Horizontal and trend analysis

• Vertical analysis: common size statements 

• Building blocks analysis and reading through the numbers:

• Liquidity ratios: ability to settle short-term dues

• Solvency ratios: ability to settle long-term dues

• Activity ratios: the ability to manage assets efficiently

• Profitability ratios

• Limitations of financial ratio analysis

The Concept of Financial Management

• Accounting versus finance: rules and responsibilities

• Three pillars of finance:

• Financing decisions

• Investing decisions

• Operating decisions

Capital Budgeting: The Investing Decisions

• Examples of exercises involving capital budgeting exercise

• Time value of money: a prerequisite for investing decisions

• Required rate of return for investments

• Examples of cash outflows for capital projects

• Examples of cash inflows for projects

• Net present value calculation

• Internal rate of return