• To give delegates an introduction to the finance function and sufficient knowledge of accounting to enable them to contribute to financial decision making.

• Understand fully all the major financial statements
• Fully comprehend how financial statements illustrate business performance
• Recognise the key elements within a balance sheet and a profit and loss account
• Appreciate the vital impact of liquidity, cash flow and working capital
• Analyse financial information to assess business performance
• Identify the key elements in budgeting/forecasting, their importance and their impact
• Distinguish between the different cost systems
• Demonstrate break even analysis
• Apply financial skills to project management to assess viability and potential

Accounting law, governing legislation and legal entities

 

Accounting definitions - clearing out the jargon and de-mystifying financial accounts

 

The balance sheet, profit and loss account, cash flow and working capital in detail

 

Depreciation and amortisation

 

Capital and Revenue expenditure

 

The difference between profit and cash

 

Cash flow statements

 

Cash flow forecasts

 

Financial analysis techniques - working capital requirement, business performance

 

Accounting ratios and their application.  Critical performance measures: gearing, liquidity profitability

 

Investment decision making: Return on Capital Employed (ROCE), Internal Rate of Return (IIR), Net Present Values (NPV), Return on Investment (ROI)

 

Cost types and their behaviour

 

Fixed and Variable costs

 

Break even and variance analysis

 

The whole budgeting process

 

The causes of corporate decline