42 Courses

Better Business Cases™ Foundation Better Business Cases™ is based on the Five Case Model - which is the UK government's best practice approach to structuring spending proposals and making effective business decisions. Using this best practice approach will allow organizations to reduce unnecessary spending and improve the decision-making process which gives you a greater chance of securing necessary funding and support for initiatives. The goal of the foundation course is to enable participants to work effectively with a team to develop a strong business case in their work environment. What You Will Learn At the end of this program, you will be able to: Describe the philosophy and the underlying rationale of the Five Case Model Identify different types of business case, their purpose, who is responsible for them Recognize when the different types are required in the development of a spending proposal Develop the business case in relation to other recognized and recommended best practices for programme and project management Overview of the Five Case Model Five key components of a business case and the order in which they are presented Three key stages in the development of a spending proposal Definition of a programme / project and the key differences between programmes and projects Purpose of a Business Justification Case (BJC) and in what circumstances it should be considered Purpose of a Strategic Outline Case (SOC) Purpose of an Outline Business Case (OBC) Purpose of a Full Business Case (FBC) Relationship between policies, strategies, programmes, and projects and their deliverables Developing the Strategic Case Purpose and core content of a Strategic Case Purpose of SMART robust spending objectives and the key objectives for spend: economy, efficiency, effectiveness, re-procurement, and statutory or regulatory compliance Four main categories of benefits criteria and the parties involved in their development Three key categories of risk Purpose of identifying constraints and dependencies Difference between direct and indirect benefits Developing the Economic Case Purpose and core content of an Economic Case Purpose of critical success factors and the key critical success factors based upon the Five Case Model Purpose of the long list options and how to generate options and undertake SWOT analysis Minimum of four short-list options, how they are derived, and what they should include (Reference Project / Public Sector Comparator [PSC]) Difference between the preferred way forward and the preferred option Purpose, objectives, key participants, and outputs of Workshop Stage 2 - identifying and assessing the options Rules that should be followed for the treatment of costs and benefits Key differences between economic appraisals and financial appraisals Factors considered when selecting the preferred option Developing the Commercial Case Purpose and core content of a Commercial Case Guiding principles when apportioning risk between the contractual parties Purpose of payment mechanisms Purpose of Step 9 in the development framework: Contracting for the deal Developing the Financial Case Purpose and core content of a Financial Case The financial statements required for all projects The possible impacts to consider Developing the Management Case Purpose and core content of a Management Case Purpose of a programme / project management strategy, framework, and plan Purpose of a change management strategy, framework, and plan Purpose of a benefits realization strategy, framework, and register / plan Purpose of a risk management strategy, framework and register / plan Purpose of a post programme / project evaluation strategy, framework, and plan

Better Business Cases™ Foundation: In-House Training: In-House Training Better Business Cases™ is based on the Five Case Model - which is the UK government's best practice approach to structuring spending proposals and making effective business decisions. Using this best practice approach will allow organizations to reduce unnecessary spending and improve the decision-making process which gives you a greater chance of securing necessary funding and support for initiatives. The goal of the foundation course is to enable participants to work effectively with a team to develop a strong business case in their work environment. What You Will Learn At the end of this program, you will be able to: Describe the philosophy and the underlying rationale of the Five Case Model Identify different types of business case, their purpose, who is responsible for them Recognize when the different types are required in the development of a spending proposal Develop the business case in relation to other recognized and recommended best practices for programme and project management Overview of the Five Case Model Five key components of a business case and the order in which they are presented Three key stages in the development of a spending proposal Definition of a programme / project and the key differences between programmes and projects Purpose of a Business Justification Case (BJC) and in what circumstances it should be considered Purpose of a Strategic Outline Case (SOC) Purpose of an Outline Business Case (OBC) Purpose of a Full Business Case (FBC) Relationship between policies, strategies, programmes, and projects and their deliverables Developing the Strategic Case Purpose and core content of a Strategic Case Purpose of SMART robust spending objectives and the key objectives for spend: economy, efficiency, effectiveness, re-procurement, and statutory or regulatory compliance Four main categories of benefits criteria and the parties involved in their development Three key categories of risk Purpose of identifying constraints and dependencies Difference between direct and indirect benefits Developing the Economic Case Purpose and core content of an Economic Case Purpose of critical success factors and the key critical success factors based upon the Five Case Model Purpose of the long list options and how to generate options and undertake SWOT analysis Minimum of four short-list options, how they are derived, and what they should include (Reference Project / Public Sector Comparator [PSC]) Difference between the preferred way forward and the preferred option Purpose, objectives, key participants, and outputs of Workshop Stage 2 - identifying and assessing the options Rules that should be followed for the treatment of costs and benefits Key differences between economic appraisals and financial appraisals Factors considered when selecting the preferred option Developing the Commercial Case Purpose and core content of a Commercial Case Guiding principles when apportioning risk between the contractual parties Purpose of payment mechanisms Purpose of Step 9 in the development framework: Contracting for the deal Developing the Financial Case Purpose and core content of a Financial Case The financial statements required for all projects The possible impacts to consider Developing the Management Case Purpose and core content of a Management Case Purpose of a programme / project management strategy, framework, and plan Purpose of a change management strategy, framework, and plan Purpose of a benefits realization strategy, framework, and register / plan Purpose of a risk management strategy, framework and register / plan Purpose of a post programme / project evaluation strategy, framework, and plan

In today's competitive business world firms are under unprecedented pressure to deliver value to their shareholders and other key stakeholders. Senior executives are finding that they need some financial know-how to cope with the responsibility placed on them as decision-makers. Key financial skills are not as difficult to learn as many people believe and in the hands of an experienced senior executive can provide a formidable competitive advantage.   This one-day workshop is not intended to take you from a managerial position to that of a Chief Financial Officer. However, these topics will familiarise you with the most common terms and practices in terms of working with finance.   This course is suitable for managers and others in finance related roles: with some or no financial knowledge who need to understand the financial implications of every day decision making? who need to increase profitability and performance of their business? This one-day workshop will help you teach participants how to: • Understand fundamental business finance concepts • Understand the vital difference between profit and cash flow • Evaluate pricing decisions • Use powerful analytical tools to measure performance of their own company and competitors • Understand the role of business finance in formulating and implementing competitive strategy   Course Overview You will spend the first part of the day getting to know participants and discussing what will take place during the workshop. Students will also have an opportunity to identify their personal learning objectives.   Business and finance fundamentals The objectives of the firm: delivering value to shareholders and key stakeholders, leading to a better understanding the drivers of shareholder return and who uses financial statements and why.   Basic principles Understanding business funds flow, using the balance sheet the profit statement. This would help to recognise the vital difference between profit and cashflow and what financial statements can and cannot tell us.   Managing and improving Budgets and Forecasting We will look at why you need to set budgets and what is known as ‘the bottom line’. We will also explore the purpose of forecasting over a period of monthly, quarterly and also annually.   Managing and improving profit Understanding how profits generate cashflow. The fundamental nature of costs: fixed and variable business costs and realising gross margin and break-even   Managing business performance We will explore the business planning cycle, by using budgets to support business strategy and monitoring and managing financial performance. We will look at a ‘Pyramid of Ratios’ to manage business performance that will help us understand and use key performance indicators   Measuring and managing business performance We will understand Return on investment (ROI): the ultimate measure of business performance and how profit margin and net asset turnover drive return on net assets. We shall do a case study on why some companies are more profitable than others.   Workshop Wrap-Up At the end of the course, students will have an opportunity to ask questions and fill out an action plan.

AAT Level 4 is the highest level or final stage of the AAT Accounting qualification. This qualification provides the skills necessary for a 'Finance Officer' role including the complex management accounting tasks, general management skills, drafting financial statements and specialist learning areas. This provides you with an opportunity to become a professional member of AAT and use it MAAT after your name. You are also entitled to exemptions in the UK's chartered and certified accounting qualifications. Besides, if you want to pursue your career further in University, you are entitled to exemptions for up to two years in various universities in the UK. What is AAT? AAT is an awarding body for vocational accountants. AAT is highly recognised globally with members over 130,000 worldwide. What are the benefits after completing AAT courses? A newly qualified AAT member can expect to earn an average of £21,600. Some accounting technicians work as accounts clerks; others go on to become managing directors or finance directors of well-known companies. Some go to work as a self employed accountant as AAT allows the student to become chartered. Osborne Training is an AAT Approved Training Provider in London. In taking the Association of Accounting Technicians qualification with Osborne Training, you will make one of the greatest decisions of your career. Duration You can expect this qualification to take 1-1.5 year to complete for most students. Tutors Tutors are highly qualified with extensive knowledge of accountancy. Study Options Distance Learning - Self Study with Study Material and access to Online study Material through Virtual Learning Campus. Osborne Books are delivered to students address with additional study materials and Tutorial support online. Online Live - Interactive tutorial sessions by expert tutors and access to world-class Virtual Learning campus for additional study materials. Classroom Based- Osborne Training offers Evening and Weekend sessions for AAT Level 4 from various centres in London, Watford, Birmingham etc. Once you finish AAT qualification and pass all exams successfully, you will be awarded globally recognised AAT Certificate in Accounting from AAT. AAT Level 4 Course Syllabus Management Accounting: Budgeting Management Accounting: Decision and Control Financial Statements of Limited Companies Accounting Systems and Controls Business Tax Personal Tax

In today's competitive business world firms are under unprecedented pressure to deliver value to their shareholders and other key stakeholders. Senior executives in all parts of the organisation are finding that they need some degree of financial know how to cope with the responsibility placed on them as business managers and key decision-makers; monitoring and improving business performance, investing in capital projects, mergers and acquisitions: all require some degree of financial knowledge. The key financial skills are not as difficult to learn as many people believe and in the hands of an experienced senior executive they can provide a formidable competitive advantage. After completing this course delegates will be able to: Understand fundamental business finance concepts; understand, analyse and interpret financial statements: Profit Statement, Balance Sheet and Cashflow Statement Understand the vital difference between profit and cashflow; identify the key components of working capital and how they can be managed to generate strong cashflow Evaluate pricing decisions based on an understanding of the nature of business costs and their impact on gross margin and break-even sales; managing pricing, discounts and costs to generate strong business profits; understand how lean manufacturing methods improve profit Use powerful analytical tools to measure and improve the performance of their own company and assess the effectiveness of their competitors Apply and interpret techniques for assessing and comparing investment opportunities in capital projects, business acquisitions and other ventures; understand and apply common methods of business valuation Understand the role of business finance in formulating and implementing competitive business strategy; the role of budgeting as part of the planning process and the various approaches to budgeting and performance measurement 1 Basic principles Delivering value to key stakeholders Accounting concepts, GAAP, IFRS and common terms Understanding and using the balance sheet Understanding and using the profit statement Recognising the vital difference between profit and cashflow Understanding and using the cashflow statement What financial statements can and cannot tell us 2 Managing and improving cashflow Sources of finance and their advantages and disadvantages What is working capital and why is it so important? Managing stocks, debtors and creditors Understanding how working capital drives business growth Understanding and avoiding the over-trading trap Unlocking the funds tied up in fixed assets: asset backed loans and leasing 3 Managing and improving profit Understanding how profits generate cashflow The fundamental nature of costs: fixed and variable business costs Understanding gross margin and break-even How common pricing methods affect gross margin and profit Effective strategies to improve gross margin Using value chain analysis to reduce costs Lean manufacturing methodsUnderstanding Just-in-time, 6 Sigma and Kaizen methods Improving profitEffective and defective strategies 4 Measuring and managing business performance Measures of financial performance and strength Investor behaviour: the risk and reward relationship Return on investment (ROI): the ultimate measure of business performance How profit margin and net asset turnover drive return on net assets Why some companies are more profitable that others Understanding competitive advantage: cost and differentiation advantage Why great companies failWhat happened to Kodak? Using a 'Pyramid of Ratios' to improve business performance Using Critical Success Factors to develop Key Performance Indicators 5 Budgeting and forecasting methods Using budgets to support strategy Objectives and methods for effective budgets Using budgets to monitor and manage business performance Alternative approaches to budgeting Developing and implementing Balanced Scorecards Beyond Budgeting Forecasting methods and techniques Identifying key business drivers Using rolling forecasts and 'what-if' models to aid decision-making

About this Training Course Wind has surpassed hydro-power generation in many countries recently. Wind energy offers many advantages, which explains why it's one of the fastest-growing energy sources in the world. The following are the advantages of wind power: Wind power is cost effective: Land-based utility-scale wind is one of the lowest-priced energy sources available today The fuel for wind power is free. This reduces the operation and maintenance cost of wind power plants significantly Wind is a clean source of power generation that does not pollute the air like power plants which rely on combustion of fossil fuel Wind power plants create jobs. Wind turbine technician is the fastest growing career in many countries Wind enables industry growth and competitiveness due to its low cost Wind power is a domestic source of energy. The wind supply is abundant and inexhaustible. The wind power generation capacity has become the largest source of renewable power in many countries Wind turbines can be built on existing farms and ranches. This greatly benefits the economy in rural areas, where most of the best wind sites are found. Wind power plant owners make rent payments to the farmers or ranchers for the use of their land, providing landowners with additional income This 5 half-day course covers all aspects of wind power plants including evaluation of a potential location for a wind power plant using wind data and using statistical distributions to approximate available wind energy at a wind power plant site. It provides also an in-depth understanding of all wind power plant equipment including wind turbines, generators, instrumentation and control systems, drive trains, gearboxes, doubly fed induction generators, synchronous generators, nacelles, towers, transformers, etc. The economics of a wind power plant including economic analysis of wind power generation, economic comparison between a large- and small-scale wind power plant, economic decision making, rate of return from a wind power plant, economic life and replacement of a wind power plant as well as the cost of electricity from wind power plants are covered in detail in this course. A thorough explanation of the design, operation and maintenance of on-shore and off-shore wind farms is presented in detail in this course as well as all the significant improvements that have been made to wind power generating plants during the last two decades. Training Objectives Evaluation of a Potential Location for a Wind Power Plant Using Wind Data: Learn how to evaluate the potential location for a wind turbine power plant using wind data. Using Statistical 'Rayleigh' Distribution to Approximate Available Power Generation from a Wind Turbine at a Specific Site: Learn how to use statistical 'Rayleigh' distribution to approximate available power generation from a wind turbine at a specific site. Calculate the Wind Energy Available at a Site: Gain an understanding on how to calculate the wind energy available at a site. Rated Capacity of a Wind Facility and Capacity Factor: Understand how to determine the rated capacity of a wind facility and its capacity factor. Designing a Wind Power Generating Plant: Learn how to design a wind power generating plant. Wind Power Plant Equipment Operation and Maintenance: Understand the operation and maintenance requirements for all wind power plant equipment including wind turbines, generators, nacelles, towers, transformers, etc. Wind Power Plant Instrumentation and Control Systems: Gain a thorough understanding about the latest instrumentation and control systems of wind power plants. Economics of Wind Power Plants: Gain a thorough understanding of the economics of wind power plants including economic analysis of wind power generation, economic comparison between a large- and small-scale wind power plant, comparison of alternatives, rate of return from a wind power plant, financial statements for a wind power plant, cost of electricity from a wind power plant, and levelized cost of wind energy.   Target Audience Engineers of all disciplines Managers Technicians Maintenance personnel Other technical individuals Training Methods Your specialist course leader relies on a highly interactive training method to enhance the learning process. This method ensures that all participants gain a complete understanding of all topics covered. The training environment is highly stimulating, challenging, and effective because the participants will learn by case studies which will allow them to apply the material taught to their own organization. Each delegate will receive a soft copy of the following materials written by the instructor: POWER GENERATION HANDBOOK' second edition, published by McGraw-Hill in 2012 (800 pages) Wind Power Generating Plant Manual (500 pages) POST TRAINING COACHING SUPPORT (OPTIONAL) To further optimise your learning experience from our courses, we also offer individualized 'One to One' coaching support for 2 hours post training. We can help improve your competence in your chosen area of interest, based on your learning needs and available hours. This is a great opportunity to improve your capability and confidence in a particular area of expertise. It will be delivered over a secure video conference call by one of our senior trainers. They will work with you to create a tailor-made coaching program that will help you achieve your goals faster. Request for further information post training support and fees applicable Accreditions And Affliations

Finance doesn't have to be a puzzle. And if you want to get anywhere with your career, it had better not be! Whatever your role, you have an impact on the financial wellbeing of the organisation you work for, whether you've got specific financial responsibilities or not. This thoroughly practical, fun and enjoyable one-day workshop will help unpuzzle finance for you. It's an ideal opportunity to master the terminology, get to grips with the concepts, learn how 'the finance department' works and understand the part you play. This course will help participants: Appreciate the role and importance of Finance within organisations Be able to recognise and describe some of the common items and jargon used Identify the elements of the Profit & Loss and the Balance Sheet Understand cashflow Make better decisions Manage budgets 1 Introduction Expectations Terminology Key financial principlesAccrualsConsistencyPrudenceGoing concern 2 The three main financial statements Profit & Loss accountIncomeCost of salesGross profitAdministrative expenses ('overheads')Net profit/(loss) for the financial year (the 'bottom line')P&L format Balance SheetTerminologyFixed AssetsCurrent AssetsCurrent LiabilitiesLong-term LiabilitiesCapitalB/S format Cashflow Statement Financial and management information systems 3 Budgets and forecasts Why budget? Types of budget - incremental or zero-based Budgeting for costs - fixed and variable Budgeting for income An eight point plan for budgeting for your department Case study: Small Brother Ltd Problems and solutions 4 Accruals Accruals - what and why? Prepayments 5 Open forum

No-one in business will succeed if they are not financially literate - and no business will succeed without financially-literate people. This is the ideal programme for managers and others who don't have a financial qualification or background but who nonetheless need a greater understanding of the financial management disciplines essential to your organisation. This course will give the participants a sound understanding of financial reports, measures and techniques to make them even more effective in their roles. It will enable participants to: Overcome the barrier of the accountants' strange language Deal confidently with financial colleagues Improve their understanding of your organisation's finance function Radically improve their planning and budgeting skills Be much more aware of the impact of their decisions on the profitability of your organisation Enhance their role in the organisation Boost their confidence and career development 1 Review of the principal financial statements What each statement containsOutlineDetail Not just what the statements contain but what they mean Balance sheets and P&L accounts (income statements) Cash flow statements Detailed terminology and interpretation Types of fixed asset - tangible, etc. Working capital, equity, gearing 2 The 'rules' - Accounting Standards, concepts and conventions Fundamental or 'bedrock' accounting concepts Detailed accounting concepts and conventions What depreciation means The importance of stock, inventory and work in progress values Accounting policies that most affect reporting and results The importance of accounting standards and IFRS 3 Where the figures come from Accounting records Assets / liabilities, Income / expenditure General / nominal ledgers Need for internal controls 'Sarbox' and related issues 4 Managing the budget process Have clear objectives, remit, responsibilities and time schedule The business plan Links with corporate strategy The budget cycle Links with company culture Budgeting methods'New' budgetingZero-based budgets Reviewing budgets Responding to the figures The need for appropriate accounting and reporting systems 5 What are costs? How to account for them Cost definitions Full / absorption costing Overheads - overhead allocation or absorption Activity based costing Marginal costing / break-even - use in planning 6 Who does what? A review of what different types of accountant do Financial accounting Management accounting Treasury function Activities and terms 7 How the statements can be interpreted What published accounts contain Analytical review (ratio analysis) Return on capital employed, margins and profitability Making assets work - asset turnover Fixed assets, debtor, stock turnover Responding to figures EBIT, EBITEDIA, eps and other analysts' measure 8 Other key issues Creative accounting Accounting for groups Intangible assets - brand names Company valuations Fixed assets / leased assets / off-balance sheet finance

Target Audience Managers, team leaders and entrepreneurs seeking to enhance their financial literacy and better align their work with the organisation's strategic financial goals. Duration 2 Days Course Overview Business acumen is all about understanding the financial implications of the actions, market dynamics, and operational efficiencies that contribute to an organisation’s success. This course covers essential financial literacy and emphasises the importance of evaluating the relative financial value of projects, initiatives, and everyday work. Participants will learn how to align their efforts with the organisation's financial goals and better communicate the impact of their work. This course is designed by highly qualified learning design experts, assisted and guided by a Doctoral & Masters level leadership team. Working closely with subject matter leaders with extensive domain experience, this course is built on sound academic rigour and applied real world experience. Run in a cohort-based, activity-led format, it goes beyond theory to provide practical methods and frameworks that you can immediately apply in your workplace. Key Outcomes Explain the fundamental principles of business finance, including CapEx and OpEx. Evaluate and articulate the relative financial value of projects and initiatives. Interpret financial statements and use financial metrics to inform decision-making. Align work activities with organisational financial goals to maximise impact. Communicate the financial value and strategic impact of work to stakeholders effectively.

We will work closely with you, sharing insights and putting into practice core financial modelling techniques as you model a case study based on a business acquisition. You will learn to create the step-by-step calculations required to forecast the three primary financial statements — income, balance sheet, and cash flow. More advanced topics will include a valuation of the equity in the case study company (based upon the present value of forecast dividends). Participants can expect detailed instruction and hands-on practice with a focus on developing and working with a financial model that they have built from scratch. Post-course, you will receive full and ongoing access to the online version of the course as well as online support from our team of modelling experts.