Introduction to Finance

Managers are often asked to make decisions or manage budgets which will impact upon the financial performance of a business without having received adequate financial training.  This course is for non financial managers who require a sound understanding of finance enabling them participate confidently in financial discussions and decision making.  During this short course you will get an insight to both financial and management accounting principles, the interpretation of company accounts, cash flow management and budgeting.   In addition it covers the basis upon which financial cases can be built and judged and would benefit someone wanting to improve their confidence with financial terminology and the use of standard accounting reports.

Who should attend: Non-financial managers e.g. sales, marketing, operating, distribution, administration, business managers, project managers, new budget holders and those whose work involves an appreciation of finance, budgets, cashflow and accounting methods.

 

Course location: Whiteley M27, J9; between Southampton and Portsmouth

Aim

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

Course Objectives

By the end of the course you will be able to:

• 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

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