OVERVIEW

This 2-day course is designed to empower non-finance professionals with the essential financial acumen needed to make smarter, data driven decisions in their roles. Participants will gain a clear understanding of how to interpret and connect the three core financial statements—income statement, balance sheet, and cash flow statement—to assess business performance, financial health, and liquidity. Through hands-on exploration of foundational accounting mechanics such as T-accounts, debits and credits, and cost behaviours, learners will demystify how everyday business decisions translate into financial outcomes. The course emphasizes practical tools like financial ratios, break-even analysis, and working capital metrics to evaluate operational efficiency, profitability, and risk exposure.

Beyond analysis, the program equips participants to actively engage in financial planning and strategic decision-making. Attendees will learn to build and challenge budgets and forecasts using realistic assumptions and variance analysis, ensuring alignment with broader business goals. They will also explore capital budgeting techniques— including payback period, net present value (NPV), internal rate of return (IRR), and return on investment (ROI)—to evaluate investment opportunities with confidence.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

By the end of the training, participants will be able to:

• Confidently read, interpret, and connect the three financial statements to understand business performance, financial position, and cash flow
• Apply foundational accounting mechanics to trace how business decisions flow into financial results
• Analyze business performance using key financial ratios, break-even analysis, and working capital metrics.
• Build, review, and challenge budgets and forecasts using realistic assumptions and variance analysis.
• Evaluate investment opportunities using payback, NPV, IRR, and ROI to support sound capital budgeting decisions.
• Make financially intelligent managerial decisions in pricing, product mix, outsourcing, capacity planning, and cash management.
• Develop the mindset and confidence of a finance-savvy leader who integrates strategy, operations, and financial insights to drive sustainable value.

COURSE OUTLINE

Day 1 — Financial Foundations & Core Understanding Welcome, Introductions & Course Overview

Module 1: Why Finance Matters for Executives & Managers  Morning Break

Module 2: Understanding T-Accounts, Debits & Credits   Module 3 (Part 1): Understanding Financial Statements  Lunch Break

Module 4: Connecting the Three Statements

Module 5 (Part 1): Key Financial Ratios for Decision-Makers

Afternoon Break 

Module 5 (Part 2): Key Financial Ratios for Decision-Makers 

Day 1 Reflection & Q&A 

Day 2 — Applying Finance to Real Business Decisions

Day 1 Recap  

Module 6: Cost Concepts & Break-Even Analysis 

Module 7 (Part 1): Budgeting & Forecasting  

Morning Break 

Module 7 (Part 2): Budgeting & Forecasting  

Module 8: Capital Budgeting & Investment Decision Making

Module 9 (Part 1): Financial Decision-Making  

Lunch Break 

Module 9 (Part 2): Financial Decision-Making  

Module 10: Working Capital & Cash Management  

Afternoon Break 

Module 12: Executive Simulation — Run the Company, Closing & Reflection  

*Course content will be further revised according to specific needs of course participants and the content of the outline can be customized according to the group.

METHODOLOGY

• Lecture
• Group Discussions
• Case Studies
• Q&A Sessions
• Hands-on Activities
• Project Discussion