A finance for non-financial managers course teaches managers who are not accountants to read an income statement, balance sheet and cash flow statement, and to set and track a budget with confidence. BOTI’s two-day programme uses practical South African business examples, so delegates go back to work able to question the numbers and base decisions on them. See all our finance training courses for managers and teams.
The current course runs at your offices anywhere in South Africa, live online or at a BOTI venue. The course page has the up-to-date outline and group prices.
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It’s not just the bean counters who deal with spreadsheets, figures and the financial side of business. As a project manager, line manager or department head, you will almost certainly have to analyse a spreadsheet or prepare or review a budget at some point. So if balance sheets and cash flow statements feel overwhelming, you are not alone. BOTI’s Finance for non-financial managers training covers the basics in plain language.
The Challenge: why finance matters for non-financial managers
Financial management is a cornerstone of any successful organisation. Sound business decisions depend on accurate, specific information, and that information comes from the accounting system. Financial statements and reports show the organisation’s financial position and operating results. When managers can interpret them, they can see how figures relate to each other and spot where the organisation is strong and where it is weak. This understanding supports financial control, effective management and sound decisions. Interpreting financial information has become essential for managers, team leaders and anyone with budget or spending responsibility.
The Solution: a two-day finance for non-financial managers course
This hands-on, two-day Finance for non-financial managers training takes you through the basics of finance. By the end of the course, delegates understand financial jargon and can interpret the information that comes out of the accounting system. They also learn to analyse financial statements and to manage budgets and profit margins. Case studies and examples are used throughout so that delegates can apply what they learn to their own department.
What non-financial managers need to understand about finance
You do not need to become an accountant to manage money well. You need to understand a small set of reports and ask the right questions about them. These are the areas the course builds on.
The three core financial statements
- Income statement (statement of profit or loss): shows income, expenses and the resulting profit or loss over a period. It tells you whether the organisation, or your department, is earning more than it spends.
- Balance sheet (statement of financial position): shows what the organisation owns (assets), what it owes (liabilities) and the owners’ equity at a point in time.
- Cash flow statement: shows cash coming in and going out from operations, investing and financing. It explains why a profitable business can still run short of cash.
Profit is not the same as cash
A sale recorded this month may only be paid in 60 days, while salaries and suppliers must be paid now. Managers who understand the gap between profit and cash plan spending more carefully, chase overdue accounts sooner and avoid surprises at month-end.
Budgets and variances
A budget is a plan expressed in numbers. Once it is approved, the real work is comparing actual results with the budget each month, explaining the variances and acting on them. The course covers the main types of budgets and how to review, set and monitor them.
Basic ratios and margins
Simple measures such as gross profit margin, net profit margin and the current ratio help you compare performance over time and judge whether a decision will help or hurt the bottom line.
Course Overview
- Understand the importance of financial management
- Understand basic accounting principles and concepts
- Analyse and understand income and expenditure statements
- Analyse the components of a balance sheet
- Compile a personal assets and liabilities statement
- Types of budgets
- Review and set budgets
- Monitor business expenses
Who should attend finance for non-financial managers training
- Line managers, department heads and supervisors who own a budget
- Project managers who track project costs and report on spending
- Technical specialists, engineers and professionals moving into management
- Team leaders and administrators who prepare figures for monthly reports
- Business owners who want to understand the reports their accountant prepares
Delivery Method
- Two-day, instructor-led training, in-house at your premises, at BOTI’s venue in Sunningdale, Johannesburg, or live online
- Strong delegate participation and practical application of theory through case studies
The aim of the course is to give delegates tools and knowledge that are easy to understand and easy to apply in the workplace.
All delegates will receive:
- Handbook
- BOTI certificate of attendance
Related BOTI finance courses and guides
If time is short, the Finance for Non-Finance Managers: Reading the Numbers Fast online masterclass covers the essentials in three hours. Managers who mainly need budgeting skills can take Budgets and Financial Reports, and those who want a broader commercial view can add the Business Acumen Course. For background reading, see our guides to financial statements training and budgeting training.
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We also run customised courses for teams across the country. Click on the link to get a proposal or book your course, or request a quote:
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Frequently asked questions
What is a finance for non-financial managers course?
It is a practical course for managers without an accounting background. It explains financial jargon, the income statement, the balance sheet and the cash flow statement, and shows how to set, review and monitor budgets so that decisions are based on the numbers.
Who should attend finance for non-financial managers training?
The course suits line managers, department heads, supervisors, project managers and technical specialists who are responsible for a budget or who need to read and discuss financial reports with the finance team.
How long is the finance for non-financial managers course and how is it delivered?
BOTI’s course runs over two days. It can be presented in-house at your premises, at BOTI’s venue in Sunningdale, Johannesburg, or live online. A shorter three-hour online masterclass is also available.
Is the finance for non-financial managers course accredited?
No. It is a professional skills programme, and delegates receive a BOTI certificate of attendance on completion.
To build these skills in your management team, book Finance for Non-Financial Managers Training. Training runs in-house at your premises, at BOTI’s venue in Sunningdale, Johannesburg, or live online. Call BOTI on 011 882 8853 or email [email protected]. This course is not accredited. It is delivered as a professional skills programme, and delegates receive a BOTI certificate of attendance.
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