Introduction

This cutting-edge training course on the Fundamentals of Finance and Accounting is designed for professionals who need a solid understanding of finance and accounting to effectively engage in management processes. Whether you’re new to finance or seeking to refresh your knowledge, this course provides a strong foundation in the language of business.

In recent years, financial accounting and corporate reporting have undergone significant transformations. The rapid pace of change in business competition underscores the importance of understanding financial concepts for those involved in managing organizations.

This Keleaders training course will cover:

• Key principles of modern finance and accounting
• Techniques for understanding and interpreting financial statements
• Methods for analyzing corporate reports for deeper insights
• Effective financial forecasting strategies
• Investment decision-making principles
• Planning and budgeting techniques

 Objectives

The course aims to equip you with current knowledge and practical skills in preparing and interpreting public sector financial statements and budgets. By the end of the training, you will be able to:

• Grasp the principles and practices of finance and accounting
• Analyze and interpret financial statements
• Create financial forecasts for various business applications
• Utilize effective investment decision-making techniques
• Engage actively in budgeting and planning processes

 Training Methodology

The course will be highly participative, featuring formal presentations, case studies, and interactive examples. Real-world case studies will illustrate each topic, providing opportunities to develop practical business finance skills applicable in your work environment.

 Organizational Impact

Organizations will benefit from enhanced awareness and practical skills in financial accounting and reporting. Participants will develop business acumen and improve decision-making abilities, leading to:

• Greater understanding of business finance principles
• Improved communication with finance and commercial teams
• Enhanced ability to analyze and interpret financial reports
• Application of critical analysis in capital investment decisions
• Development of financial forecasting skills
• More effective participation in budgeting processes

 Personal Impact

Participants will gain essential knowledge in accounting, financial analysis, forecasting, and financial decision-making, with a strong emphasis on practical skills that improve operational effectiveness and decision-making. This training will also enhance career prospects by:

• Increasing awareness of finance principles
• Facilitating better communication with finance colleagues
• Strengthening skills in financial report analysis
• Enabling critical analysis for investment decisions
• Improving forecasting abilities
• Allowing for meaningful contributions to budgeting processes

 Who Should Attend?

This course is ideal for professionals across various disciplines and sectors, especially those involved in planning, forecasting, and investment decision-making in a dynamic environment. It will particularly benefit:

• Financial Accountants
• Receivables and Payables Team Members
•  Planning and Budgeting Managers
• Corporate Reporting and Investor Relations Staff
• Investment Analysts
• Commercial Managers
• Supply Chain and Procurement Team Members
• Capital Investment and Project Team Members

Course Outline

Day 1: Foundation Principles

•  Identifying Stakeholder Needs
• The Role of Finance and Accounting in Business
• Fundamentals of Financial Accounting
• Understanding Financial Statement Elements
• Purpose and Structure of Financial Statements
• Creative Accounting and Fraud

Day 2: Analyzing Financial Statements

• Financial Analyst’s Toolkit
• Measuring Return on Investment
• Managing Asset Efficiency
• Understanding Capital Structure and Risk
• Cash Flow Analysis

 Day 3: Financial Forecasting Techniques

• Cost Behavior and Profit Drivers
•  Forecasting Sales Revenue and Profit
• Identifying Business Cash Flow Drivers
• Forecasting Business Cash Flow
• Recognizing Indicators of Business Failure

 Day 4: Investment Decision-Making

• Financial Strategy Elements
• Sources and Costs of Business Finance
• Achieving Optimal Capital Structure
• Capital Budgeting Principles
• Using Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) Analysis

Day 5: Financial Planning and Budgeting

• Role of Business Planning and Budgeting
• Common Budgeting Approaches
• Behavioral Aspects of Budgeting
• Critiques of Budgeting Systems
• Replacing Budgets with Rolling Forecasts
• Developing Key Driver Financial Statement Forecasts