Fundamentals of Finance and Accounting for Non-Financial Managers

Part 1: Basic Accounting

1. Discuss the Importance of the Accounting Equation
2. Explain the Significance of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP)
3. Describe the Accrual Process
4. Differentiate Between Accounting Profit and Cash Flow

Part 2: How Accounting Works and Understanding Financial Statements

1. Describe an Income Statement or Profit and Loss Statement (P&L).
2. Discuss a Balance Sheet and its use.
3. Identify a Statement of Retained Earnings
4. Describe a Cash Flow Statement.
5. Prepare a Simple set of Financial Statements.
6. Summarize the Accounting Process, from the Recording of Business Transactions to the Preparation of Financial Statements.
7. Share How Various Business Transactions Affect the Financial Statements.

Part 3: Reviewing an Annual Report

1. Identify the Components of an Annual Report
2. Explain the Importance of Notes in Evaluating Financial Statements
3. Describe an External Auditor’s Role and the Significance of the Opinion Letter

Part 4: Evaluating a Company’s Financial Statements

1. Calculate the Key Financial Ratios Using the Financial Statements
2. Use Financial Ratios to Evaluate an Organization’s Liquidity, Leverage and Profitability; The Performance of an Organization as Compared to Its Competitors; and An Organization’s Performance Compared with Budgeted Goals
3. Identify Sources of Financial Information Beyond the Financial Statements
4. Use the DuPont Formula to Evaluate Management Performance
5. Use the Concept of Economic Value Added (EVA®) and Cash Flow Return on Investment (CFROI) to Determine if a Segment of an Organization is Adding Value to the Business

Part 5: Improving Profitability Through Cost Analysis and Profit Planning

1. Differentiate Between Fixed and Variable Costs
2. Help Your Organization Improve Profitability Through the Use of Breakeven Analysis, Contribution Margin Analysis, and Direct Costing in Appropriate Situations
3. Explain Traditional Cost Accounting and Its Limitations
4. Discuss the Relevance of Activity-Based Costing in Today’s Business Environment

Part 6: Making Major Financial Decisions with Capital Expenditure Analysis

1. Define the Capital Budget
2. Explain Why Cash Has a Time Value
3. Recognize and Apply Different Methods of Evaluating Capital Expenditures and Monitoring Project Performance

Part 7: Budgeting More Effectively

1. Discuss the Role of Budgeting and Issues That Budgets Can Solve
2. Describe the Budgeting Process
3. Identify Different Types of Budgeting Systems in Use Today
4. Analyze Budgets for Different Purposes
5. Recognize and Apply Different Methods of Evaluating and Monitoring Operating Performance

Non-financial managers in every functional area in all industries.

• Interpret and respond appropriately to financial information
• Communicate your contribution to the bottom line
• Uncover drains on profitability
• Make smarter decisions that deliver higher profitability
• Get a firm grasp of the numbers side of your job
• Gain greater confidence with a working knowledge of business financials
• Learn how to “think finance” and translate performance into financial terms
• Cultivate proactive working relationships with finance professionals and enhance your value to the organization
• Understand the business dynamics of dollars and cents—and take initiatives that meet your short- and long-term goals
• Take the guesswork out of your decision making and deliver a better bottom line
• Expand your professional expertise—and your career opportunities Classroom Schedule

For Classroom or Live Online programs, you may transfer to a future session, send someone to take your place or cancel without penalty at any time up to three weeks prior to your program. If you provide less than three weeks’ notice, or fail to attend, you will be liable for the entire program fee.