Fundamentals of Finance & Accounting

INTRODUCTION
This leading edge Fundamentals of Finance and Accounting training course will meet the needs of the increasing number of delegates who find they need a working knowledge of finance and accounting to effectively participate in the management process. This training course not only provides those new to the world of finance with a sound foundation in the language of business but will also serve as an invaluable refresher and update for others that may have studied finance and accounting as part of their previous training.

OBJECTIVES
• Understand the principles and practice of finance and accounting
• Develop your skills in analysing and interpreting financial statements
• Prepare financial forecasts for a range of business applications
• Apply effective techniques to investment decision-making
• Take an informed and active role in budgeting and planning processes

COURSE OUTLINE
DAY 1
• Foundation Principles
• Identifying and Meeting Stakeholder Needs
• The Function of Finance and Accounting in Modern Business
• Fundamentals of Financial Accounting
• Understanding the 5 Elements of Financial Statements
• The Purpose, Structure and Format of Financial Statements
• Breaking the Rules – Creative Accounting and Fraud
DAY 2
• Analysing and Interpreting Financial Statements
• The Financial Analyst’s Toolkit
• Measuring and Managing – Return On Investment
• Measuring and Managing – Asset Management Efficiency
• Measuring and Managing – Capital Structure and Risk
• Financial Analysis from an Investor’s Perspective
• Cash Flow Analysis and Improvement
DAY 3
• Introduction to Financial Forecasting Techniques
• Understanding Cost Behaviour and the Drivers of Profit
• Forecasting Sales Revenue and Profit
• Identifying the Drivers of Business Cash Flow
• Forecasting Business Cash Flow
• The Causes and Indicators of Business Failure
• Forecasting Business Distress and Failure
DAY 4
• Business Funding and Investment Decision-making
• Financial Strategy – Purpose and Elements
• Sources and Cost of Business Finance
• Understanding and Achieving an Optimum Capital Structure
• Principles of Capital Budgeting
• Understanding and Using Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) Analysis
• A Cash Flow Based Approach to Capital Investment Decision-making
DAY 5
• Principles of Financial Planning and Budgeting
• The Role of Business Planning and Budgeting
• Common Approaches to Budgeting
• Behavioural Aspects of Budgeting
• Criticisms and Shortcomings in Budgeting Systems
• Replacing Budgets with Rolling Forecasts
• Developing Key Driver Financial Statement Forecasts