Finance & Accounting

Finance for Non-Financial Managers

This course equips non-financial managers with essential financial knowledge and skills to make informed decisions. Participants will learn to interpret financial statements, manage budgets, and evaluate financial performance, enabling them to contribute effectively to their organisation's financial health.

5 days Classroom or live online English

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Download the full standard outline: why attend, methodology, objectives, audience, competencies, the daily outline and current plans.

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Why attend

From knowledge to real-world impact.

Non-financial managers often face significant challenges when navigating financial reports and making budgetary decisions, which can lead to misallocation of resources and missed opportunities for growth.

This course addresses these issues by providing practical financial knowledge tailored to their roles. Participants will learn to interpret financial data, assess performance metrics, and understand the implications of financial decisions on their departments. This understanding enhances their ability to contribute to strategic discussions, operational efficiency, and overall organisational success.

By gaining these insights, they will be better positioned to influence budget allocations and resource management effectively, ultimately driving better business outcomes.

The course engages participants in hands-on exercises that simulate real-world financial scenarios, allowing them to practice skills such as analysing financial statements and preparing budgets. Participants will also learn to communicate financial insights to stakeholders, ensuring that their decisions are data-driven and aligned with organisational goals. By developing these capabilities, they will be equipped to make informed decisions that support their teams and drive overall business success.

The practical approach ensures that participants leave with actionable skills that can be applied immediately in their roles, fostering a culture of financial literacy and accountability within their teams.

Workplace challenges

Professional Problems This Course Is Designed to Solve

The programme explores practical approaches to the following challenges. Results depend on how the learning is applied in your organisation.

Difficulty interpreting financial statements and business results.
Budgets and investment proposals assessed without clear financial reasoning.
Communication gaps between operational and finance teams.

Course methodology

How you will learn.

The course employs interactive workshops, case studies, and simulations to facilitate learning. Participants will work in groups to analyse financial statements and create budgets based on fictional scenarios, fostering collaboration and practical application. Each day includes specific exercises that build on previous knowledge, culminating in a comprehensive understanding of financial principles.

Outputs include financial analysis reports, budget proposals, and investment evaluations, demonstrating their understanding and ability to apply financial concepts in their roles.

This hands-on approach ensures that participants can directly relate their learning to real-world situations, enhancing retention and application of financial skills.

The integration of peer feedback during presentations further solidifies their learning experience.

Course objectives

What you'll take away.

By the end of this course, participants will be able to:

Analyse key components of financial statements to assess organisational performance.
Construct a budget using relevant financial data and organisational goals.
Evaluate variances between budgeted and actual performance to inform decision-making.
Justify financial decisions based on quantitative analysis of financial metrics.
Prioritise financial objectives that align with strategic business goals.
Diagnose financial risks and opportunities within a given scenario.
Compare different financing options to determine the best fit for projects.
Design a financial presentation that effectively communicates key insights to stakeholders.

Target audience

Who should attend.

This course is suitable for:

Project Managers who need to understand financial implications of their projects.
Operations Managers responsible for budget management and cost control.
Sales Managers requiring insights into pricing strategies and profitability.
HR Managers involved in workforce budgeting and financial planning.

Target competencies

Capabilities you will build.

Participants will develop competencies in:

Interpreting financial statements for operational insights.
Budget management and forecasting skills.
Analytical skills for financial performance evaluation.
Risk assessment and management in financial contexts.
Effective communication of financial concepts to non-financial stakeholders.
Decision-making based on financial data analysis.

Course outline

Your learning journey.

A focused, practical outline with time to explore, apply and reflect.

Day 1Understanding Financial Statements

Applied activity: Participants will analyse a fictional company's financial statements to identify strengths and weaknesses. They will work in groups to discuss their findings and present their analysis, focusing on how the financial data impacts operational decisions and strategy.

Output: A financial analysis report highlighting key insights and actionable recommendations.

09:00–09:54Introduction to financial statements: balance sheet, income statement, cash flow statement and their interconnections.
09:54–10:48Key financial ratios and their significance in performance analysis for non-financial managers.
10:48–11:00How to read and interpret financial statements for informed decision-making.
11:00–11:30Coffee break
11:30–12:12How to read and interpret financial statements for informed decision-making. (continued)
12:12–13:06Common pitfalls in financial statement analysis and strategies to avoid them.
13:06–14:00Real-world examples of financial statements from fictional companies for practical understanding.

Day 2Budgeting Fundamentals

Applied activity: Using a fictional scenario, participants will create a budget for a new project, considering various cost factors and organisational objectives. They will collaborate to ensure alignment with strategic goals and present their budget rationale to the group.

Output: A comprehensive project budget document with justifications for each line item.

09:00–09:54The importance of budgeting in organisational planning, resource allocation, and control.
09:54–10:48Different types of budgets: operational, capital, and cash flow budgets and their purposes.
10:48–11:00Steps in the budgeting process and best practices for effective budget preparation.
11:00–11:30Coffee break
11:30–12:12Steps in the budgeting process and best practices for effective budget preparation. (continued)
12:12–13:06Tools and techniques for effective budgeting and forecasting, including software options.
13:06–14:00Common challenges in budgeting and strategies to overcome them for successful implementation.

Day 3Financial Performance Evaluation

Applied activity: Participants will review a set of budget reports to identify variances and discuss potential corrective actions in small groups. They will evaluate the underlying causes of variances and propose solutions to improve future performance, considering both financial and operational impacts.

Output: A variance analysis report with recommendations for management based on group discussions.

09:00–09:54Understanding budget variances: definitions, implications, and corrective actions.
09:54–10:48Techniques for analysing variances and their impact on decision-making processes.
10:48–11:00Using KPIs to evaluate financial performance and operational efficiency effectively.
11:00–11:30Coffee break
11:30–12:12Using KPIs to evaluate financial performance and operational efficiency effectively. (continued)
12:12–13:06Creating dashboards for visualising financial performance and tracking progress over time.
13:06–14:00Case studies on variance analysis and corrective actions taken in fictional companies.

Day 4Financing Options and Investment Decisions

Applied activity: Participants will assess a fictional investment opportunity, calculating NPV and IRR to determine its viability. They will present their findings and recommendations, considering the financial implications for their organisation and the strategic fit of the investment.

Output: An investment evaluation report with financial metrics and strategic recommendations.

09:00–09:54Overview of financing options: equity, debt, and internal funding sources and their implications.
09:54–10:48Evaluating the cost of capital and its impact on investment decisions in projects.
10:48–11:00Understanding the time value of money and its relevance to project evaluation and financial planning.
11:00–11:30Coffee break
11:30–12:12Understanding the time value of money and its relevance to project evaluation and financial planning. (continued)
12:12–13:06Techniques for assessing investment opportunities: NPV, IRR, and payback period calculations.
13:06–14:00Case studies on financing decisions in fictional companies to illustrate practical applications.

Day 5Communicating Financial Insights

Applied activity: Participants will prepare and deliver a financial presentation based on their previous analyses, focusing on clarity and engagement. They will practice conveying complex financial concepts in an accessible manner to their peers, receiving feedback to refine their approach.

Output: A presentation slide deck summarising key financial insights and recommendations for stakeholders.

09:00–09:54The importance of effective communication in financial reporting and stakeholder engagement.
09:54–10:48Techniques for presenting financial information to non-financial audiences in an understandable way.
10:48–11:00Creating impactful financial presentations using visual aids and storytelling techniques.
11:00–11:30Coffee break
11:30–12:12Creating impactful financial presentations using visual aids and storytelling techniques. (continued)
12:12–13:06Tailoring financial messages to different stakeholders to enhance understanding and buy-in.
13:06–14:00Best practices for storytelling with financial data to drive action and decision-making.

The timings provided are estimates and may vary depending on the number of participants and the discussions taking place during the sessions. They are indicative only and do not constitute a binding commitment.

Dates & venues

Find a session that works for you.

Confirmed dates accept registration requests. Tentative dates are enquiry only.

Good to know

A few things to know.

How is the course delivered?

Our classroom programmes combine facilitated discussion, case studies, exercises and reflection. The precise format will be confirmed before enrolment.

Can you deliver this programme for our team?

Yes, you can enquire about a tailored programme. Share your goals, group size and preferred dates with our learning team.

Will I receive a certificate?

Participants who complete the programme receive a Smart Horizon certificate of attendance. Smart Horizon programmes are not externally accredited and do not award a professional qualification, licence or designation. Where a course title or outline refers to a professional certification (for example, AACE International's Certified Cost Professional), the programme supports learning and preparation only; the credential itself is awarded solely by the relevant professional body under its own application and examination requirements.

What should I confirm before booking travel?

Please confirm the session, exact venue, accessibility arrangements, fees and any visa requirements with the team before arranging travel. Tentative dates are not confirmed sessions.

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