Professional Development Certificate in
Finance for Non-Finance Professionals
Overview
Cross-functional knowledge is a huge asset in today’s world. Even if your role is not finance-specific, demonstrating an understanding of financial principles can make you stand out. Finance is often seen as a complex field, especially for those who do not work in the finance departments. But understanding some basic principles of finance is essential for making informed decisions in any role.
With financial knowledge, you can assess the cost-effectiveness of various options, weigh potential risks, and forecast outcomes more accurately. While you may not be working in finance, the reality is that finance is everywhere. It is not just for accountants or CFOs; it is a fundamental skill that affects almost every part of your personal and professional life. By gaining even a basic understanding of finance, you can make better decisions, contribute more effectively at work, and have more control over your personal financial future.
Ultimately, finance is about managing resource; whether it’s money, time, or people more effectively. This programme breaks down the key concepts to help you navigate financial discussions and understand how they impact your work.
Objectives
This programme is designed to;
- Equip professionals with a solid understanding of finance across various business functions.
- Simplify financial terminology and help participants connect numbers to business outcomes.
- Strengthen participants’ roles as decision-makers by deepening their understanding of how finance influences corporate activities.
- Provide the tools to effectively analyze and interpret financial statements.
- Empower participants to engage in meaningful discussions on financial matters with finance managers within their organizations.
- Clarify how different financial decisions impact a company’s overall performance.
Learning Outcomes
- Understand the purpose behind preparing financial accounts.
- Gain a clear distinction between Financial Management and Accounting.
- Learn the role of Financial Statements and their value in decision-making.
- Recognize the importance of Financial Management knowledge for career advancement within an organization.
- Grasp the significance of Financial Ratios and how they impact various business decisions.
Modules
- Overview of finance and its role in business
- Key financial terms and concepts (revenue, expenses, assets, liabilities, equity)
- Financial literacy basics: why it matters for everyone
- The Income Statement (Profit & Loss Statement): How it shows profitability
- The Balance Sheet: Understanding assets, liabilities, and equity
- The Cash Flow Statement: Tracking cash in and out of the business
- How to read and interpret financial statements for better decision-making
- Key financial ratios (liquidity, profitability, efficiency, and leverage ratios)
- Gross profit vs. net profit
- Return on investment (ROI) and other performance indicators
- How to assess financial health using these metrics
- Principles of budgeting: Fixed vs. variable costs
- Creating and managing a budget
- Forecasting future revenue and expenses
- Variance analysis: Comparing actual vs. budgeted performance
- Evaluating investment opportunities and risks
- Decision-making using financial data
- Understanding the time value of money
- Cost-benefit analysis and break-even point
- Types of costs: Fixed, variable, and semi-variable
- Understanding cost structures and their impact on profitability
- Cost allocation and cost control strategies
- Profitability analysis for business units, products, or services
- Importance of cash flow for operational success
- Managing cash inflows and outflows
- Cash flow forecasting techniques
- Identifying and addressing cash flow problems
- Aligning financial goals with overall business strategy
- How financial decisions impact organizational growth and sustainability
- Financial implications of strategic choices (new projects, expansions, pricing)
- Effective communication with finance professionals
- Understanding the role of finance in business strategy
- Collaborating with finance teams for business decision-making
- Preparing for financial discussions and negotiations
- Understanding the financial responsibilities of leadership roles
- How financial knowledge supports better organizational leadership
- Leadership and the management of company finances
- Building a financially-savvy team
Who Should Enrol?
- Managers
- Senior managers
-
Middle level executives in nonfinancial positions who need to improve their financial skills in order to make critical business decisions involving cost-savings, budgets, new projects, growth strategies, etc. -
Non-finance professionals across different industries, both in the public and private sector.
Learning Method
- Designed with a mix of experience sharing, real life case discussions and studies and provision of practical insights by industry experts to non-specialists for swift appreciation of the fundamentals of finance and accounting, potentially leading to better retention of the gained knowledge.
MODE OF STUDY
Online (Live) Sessions
DURATION
9am-2pm 6 Saturdays (March-April)
or
3pm-7pm 8 Sundays (March-April)
PROGRAMME FEE
Ghc 2,500
Participants shall be provided with training materials and be awarded a Professional Development Certificate in Finance for Non-Finance Professionals from M-Gibes College of Business and Management-UK.
