This programme provides an effective opportunity for people to discuss, understand and practise some of the financial skills needed by all managers and budget-holders, to operate in today’s working environment. The programme will include formal input, exercises and an opportunity to study the corporate financial accounts.

 

Performance Based Objectives
 
• Identify and explain the importance of accounts
• Describe the key components of a profit and loss statement, balance sheet and cash flow statement
• Explain the significance of cash flow to a business
• Appreciate the difference between different types of cost and their impact on the finances of a company
• Critically examine a set of accounts
• Distinguish between the key ratios needed for comparative financial assessment of a business
• Plan and prepare for a specific work related situation involving financial accounts
 
Programme Developed For:

 

Anyone with limited financial knowledge wishing to understand the financial implications of their day to day decisions.

Programme Focus

 
Introduction & Objectives

 

The importance of Accounts
• Why are accounts needed?
• Who needs accounts?

 

Managing Money
• Where did it come from?
• Where did it go?

 

Accounting for Business
• Three prime accounting questions
• How are we doing?
• How did we do?
• How are we going to do?
• Published Accounts

 

Understanding a Balance Sheet
• Assets and liabilities
• Depreciation
• Significance of entries

 

Understanding a Profit and Loss Statement
• Income and expenses
• Cash flow
• Significance of entries

 

The Importance of Liquidity
• Factors affecting cash flow
• Cash flow forecasts
• What it costs to maintain liquidity

 

Costs
• Different types of cost – fixed, variable
• Other types of cost – marginal, average
• Relationship with volume

 

Investment appraisal
• Forms of appraisal – payback, DCF, IRR
• Opportunity cost
• Strategic decision making