Businesses that don't control their costs don't stay in business. How well are you doing? Is everyone in your organisation sufficiently aware of costs, managing them effectively and maximising opportunities to reduce them? If there is scope for improvement, this course will help get you back on track. It will demonstrate that cost reduction is so much more than cost control and cost cutting. True cost management is about being aware of costs, seeking to reduce them through good design and efficient operating practices whilst taking continuing action on overspending. This course will develop the participants' skills in: Being aware of costs at all times Seeking cost reduction from the start (including life-cycle costing) Appraising projects / production to identify and take out risk Understanding real budgeting Using techniques such as ZBB and ABC where appropriate Ensuring cost reports lead to action Managing a cost reduction process that delivers Benefits to the organisation will include: Identification of cost reduction and business improvement opportunities Better reporting and ownership of costs Greater awareness and control of everyday costs 1 Introduction - the cost management process The risks of poor cost control Capital and revenue costs The importance of cost awareness The importance of cost reduction Cost management - the key aspects How to build a cost management and control process checklist for your areas of responsibility 2 Cost removal - taking out costs Cost awareness Costs of poor design / poor processes Value engineering Removing redundant costs 3 The need for commercial, technical and financial appraisals Understand the problems before cash is committed and costs incurred Making the effort to identify commercial and technical risk The time value of money - DCF techniques for long term projects Cost models for production processes and projects Costing models - project appraisals The use of spreadsheets to identify sensitivity and risk How to focus on risk management 4 Budgeting - proper budgeting challenges costs The philosophy of the business - are costs an issue? The importance of having the right culture The need for detailed business objectives Budgetary control measures Designing budget reports - for action 5 Zero-based budgeting (ZBB) - the principles Much more than starting with a clean sheet of paper What ZBB can achieve The concept of decision packages - to challenge business methods and costs Only necessary costs should be incurred A review of an operating budget - demonstrating what ZBB challenges and the costs it may lead to being taken out 6 Awareness of overheads and other costs Definitions of cost - direct and indirect Dealing with overheads - what is meant by allocation, absorption or apportionment? The apparent and real problems with overheads Different ways of dealing with overheads Review of overhead allocation methods and accounting and reporting issues 7 Overheads and product costing Activity-based costing (ABC) - the principles Where and how the ABC approach may be helpful Know the 'true' cost of a product or a project Should you be in business? Will you stay in business? Identifying weaknesses in a traditional overhead allocation How ABC will help improve product or service costing Identifying which products and activities should be developed and which abandoned 8 Cost reduction culture The need for cost reports What measures can be used to identify over-spends as early as possible Cost control performance measures and ratios 9 Design of cost control reports Reports should lead to action and deliver Selecting cost control measures which can be acted upon Practice in designing action reports 10 Course summary - developing your own cost action plan Group and individual action plans will be prepared with a view to participants identifying their cost risks areas and the techniques which can be immediately applied to improve costing and reduce costs
Foundation Year, Bachelors degree, Masters, no IELTS needed, Student finance support
Starting a small business can be a rewarding journey, but it requires careful planning and the right strategies to succeed. From creating a solid business plan to organizing finances and finding the right support, this guide will help you establish a foundation for a thriving business. For entrepreneurs in Calgary, key resources like reliable bookkeeping services can make a significant difference. Here’s how to start a small business and set it up for lasting success. Developing a business plan A clear, well-researched business plan serves as a roadmap for your business. It outlines your goals, target market, competitive advantage, and financial projections. This plan will also help attract investors or secure loans. To create an effective business plan: Define your mission and vision: Explain why your business exists and what you aim to achieve. Identify your target audience: Determine who your customers are and what problems your business will solve for them. Analyze competitors: Study your competitors to understand what they offer and find ways to differentiate your business. Set realistic financial projections: Estimate costs, revenue, and profits. This will give potential investors confidence in your business. Choosing a business structure Selecting the right business structure is essential, as it affects your taxes, liability, and daily operations. Common options include: Sole proprietorship: Simple to set up, with minimal paperwork, but offers no separation of personal and business liability. Partnership: Ideal for two or more owners, allowing shared responsibilities, but partners share liabilities. Corporation: Provides liability protection, but involves more paperwork and regulatory requirements. LLC (Limited Liability Company): Offers liability protection without the complexity of a corporation. Choose a structure that best suits your needs, and consult a legal professional to ensure compliance with Calgary’s business regulations. Securing funding Most small businesses require some level of funding to get started. Consider various financing options to find the best fit: Personal savings or family support: Often the first source of funding for many entrepreneurs. Business loans: Many banks offer small business loans with varying interest rates. Grants and government programs: Explore government grants and programs specifically designed to support small businesses in Calgary. Angel investors or venture capital: For businesses with high growth potential, attracting investors may be an option. Registering your business To operate legally, you’ll need to register your business. This process involves choosing a unique name, filing the necessary documents, and obtaining a business license in Calgary. You may also need specific permits depending on your industry. Completing these steps ensures that your business complies with all local regulations. Organizing your finances Managing finances effectively is crucial for any small business. Accurate bookkeeping keeps your business organized, tracks income and expenses, and prepares you for tax season. Many small businesses in Calgary choose to hire a bookkeeper in Calgary to handle these responsibilities, allowing owners to focus on growth. Working with one of the best bookkeeping services in Calgary can provide: Accurate financial records: Professional bookkeepers help maintain up-to-date records, which is essential for financial health. Compliance with tax laws: Calgary’s best bookkeeping services are familiar with local tax regulations, ensuring that you file correctly and on time. Insights for decision-making: With accurate records, you can make informed decisions on budgeting, spending, and investments. Creating a strong brand identity Building a brand that resonates with your target audience is essential. Your brand identity includes your business name, logo, colors, and messaging, as well as the experience you offer customers. Developing a consistent brand identity sets you apart from competitors and builds trust with customers. Here are some steps to create a strong brand identity: Design a logo and visual theme: Choose a professional logo, color scheme, and design elements that reflect your brand’s personality. Develop a unique brand voice: Whether it’s friendly, professional, or playful, keep your brand voice consistent in all communications. Focus on customer experience: Aim to provide exceptional service that keeps customers coming back and sharing their positive experiences. Building an online presence In today’s digital world, an online presence is crucial for reaching potential customers. Start by creating a professional website where customers can learn more about your products or services. Next, consider establishing a presence on social media platforms that suit your audience. Key components of a strong online presence include: User-friendly website: Make sure your website is easy to navigate, mobile-friendly, and includes essential information about your business. Social media profiles: Engage with customers and share updates on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, or LinkedIn. Google My Business: Setting up a Google My Business profile helps customers in Calgary find you more easily. Building a support network Running a small business can be challenging, and having a network of support is invaluable. Surround yourself with people who can provide advice, resources, and encouragement. Consider these ways to build a support network: Join local business associations: Groups like the Calgary Chamber of Commerce offer networking opportunities, resources, and workshops. Seek mentorship: Experienced business owners can offer guidance and insights that help you avoid common pitfalls. Hire professionals for specialized tasks: For financial and legal matters, work with professionals like accountants, lawyers, and bookkeepers. Tracking progress and making adjustments As your business grows, it’s essential to review your progress and adjust your strategies. Regularly assessing financial performance, customer feedback, and market trends can help you refine your approach and stay competitive. Working with one of the best bookkeeping services in Calgary can make tracking your financial performance much easier, giving you insight into profit margins, cash flow, and budgeting. Consider these strategies for tracking progress: Set measurable goals: Establish specific goals for growth, such as revenue targets or customer acquisition numbers. Analyze performance data: Use financial statements, sales reports, and customer feedback to assess performance. Stay flexible: Be willing to make changes to products, services, or marketing strategies if they aren’t meeting customer needs. Conclusion Starting a small business takes effort, planning, and ongoing management. By creating a solid business plan, organizing your finances, and developing a strong brand, you can set your business up for success. In Calgary, many new business owners choose to hire a bookkeeper in Calgary to ensure accurate financial management and stay compliant with local regulations. Taking advantage of the best bookkeeping services in Calgary can free up your time, allowing you to focus on growing your business and achieving long-term success. With dedication and the right strategies, your small business can thrive in today’s competitive market.
Total Accounting Courses It is a comprehensive practical accountancy training programme designed to build the bridge between knowledge and practical aspects of accounting and tax. With this programme various modules of tax and accounting are covered as well as Computerised based Accounting & Payroll. After completion of the modules you will have the chance to get hands on practical work experience which will open the door for lucrative Accounting, Tax & Payroll sector. Duration Accountancy Training: 10-12 Weeks (Weekdays/weekend/Evening) Accounting Work Experience 3 Months after the training You can start anytime of the year. The training takes place once each week. Once you finish your training modules then you can start job placement. What accounting jobs will I qualify for? Tax advisor Tax consultant Payroll Consultant Finance Officer Financial Accountant In these roles, you could earn up to £42,000 per annum (source: reed Salary Checker, UK Only). Benefits for Trainees Completion of this training will open new doors to exciting careers, as well as extending current skills if you are currently employed Free Job Placement(optional) Start your own accountancy Practice Work in a wide range of businesses Update your knowledge on tax and accountancy Improve your employability prospects A career path into tax and accountancy Ideal Continuing Professional Development course Gain a qualification to boost your CV Start your training soon without having to wait long for the new term to begin Free Tablet PC when paying in full upfront Gain Verifiable CPD Units Accounting Courses Contents Advanced Excel Bookkeeping VAT Training - Preparation and Submission Personal Tax Return Training Company Accounting and Tax Training Sage 50 Accounting Training Sage Payroll Training Accounting work experience (optional)
Total Accounting Training Course Package - With Guaranteed Job Placement It is a comprehensive practical accounting training program designed to build the bridge between knowledge and practical aspects of accounting and tax. With this accounting courses many modules of tax and accounting are covered as well as Computerised Accounting & Payroll. Moreover, After completing the modules you will have the chance to get hands on experience which will open the door for lucrative Accounting, Tax & Payroll sector. CompletOsborne Trainingion of this training program will earn you valuable verified CPD points. As an accountant, it is vital to gain CPD points to retain your accounting membership and to comply with Professional Accounting Bodies (such as ACCA, AAT, CIMA, ICAEW etc.) requirements. Advanced Excel Bookkeeping VAT Training - Preparation and Submission Personal Tax Return Training Company Accounting and Tax Training Sage 50 Accounting Training Sage Payroll Training
Sage Line 50 Accounting / Bookkeeping Training - Fast Track If you're looking to gain competency in the world's most popular bookkeeping software, the Sage 50 Computerised Accounting course will teach everything you need to know, while helping you gain a recognised qualification. This Course is designed to provide individuals from beginner to advanced knowledge of bookkeeping and Sage 50 accounts. It is intended for individuals who aim to improve career prospects and to be able to better financial management and control of business. This course covers Level 1-3 of Sage 50 Bookkeeping/Accounting Training. Every business, no matter how large or small, is required by law to 'keep books'. Therefore, Bookkeepers play a vital role within organisations; ensuring records of individual financial transactions are accurate, orderly, up to date and comprehensive. If you are organised and methodical, like working through documents and enjoy seeing a set of figures add up properly, then bookkeeping is the career for you. What qualification will I gain? You have the choice to gain certification from one of the following awarding bodies. CERTIFICATION FROM SAGE (UK) As Osborne Training is a Sage (UK) Approved training provider, you could gain the following qualifications provided that you book and register for exams and pass the exams successfully: Sage 50c Computerised Accounting Course (Level 1) Sage 50c Computerised Accounting Course (Level 2) Sage 50c Computerised Accounting Course (Level 3) Level 1 Working with Sage 50 Accounts Program Basics. Creating Account names, Numbers & Bank Payments Financials Bank Reconciliations Generating Customers Invoices Monitoring Customer Activity Generating Product Invoices & Credit Notes Compiling & Sending Customer Statements Creating Customer Receipts & Purchase Invoices Supplier Payments Managing Recurring Entries Generating Reports & Information The Active Set-Up Wizard VAT Changes. Level 2 An overview of the Sage program Entering opening balances, preparing and printing a trial balance Creating customer records Creating supplier records Setting up opening assets, liabilities and capital balances, Producing routine reports Checking data, Entering supplier invoices Posting error corrections, amending records Invoicing, generating customer letters, entering new products, checking communication history Banking and payments, producing statements, petty cash Audit trails, correcting basic entry errors, reconciling debtors and creditors Creating sales credit notes, Processing purchase credit notes Preparing journals Verifying Audit Trail Purchase orders, processing sales orders Processing Trial Balance Creating Backups Restoring data Writing-off bad debts Level 3 Creating a Chart of Accounts to Suit Company Requirements Sole Trader Accounts preparation The Trial Balance preparation Errors in the Trial Balance Disputed Items Use of the Journal Prepare and Process Month End Routine Contra Entries The Government Gateway and VAT Returns Bad Debts and Provision for Doubtful Debts Prepare and Produce Final Accounts Management Information Reports Making Decisions with Reports Using Sage The Fixed Asset Register and Depreciation Accruals and Prepayments Cash Flow and Forecast Reports Advanced Credit Control
This course is designed to enable learners to increase their understanding of risk assessment and risk management in Health and Social Care settings.
Our Forensic Accounting Course is designed to help investment analysts detect earnings manipulation. It focuses on creative accounting rather than conducting detailed forensic analysis but we explain the tools short sellers employ to detect fraud and some of the techniques we used at hedge funds to identify short opportunities.
Working within Heath and Social Care settings often involves moving, lifting, or otherwise manually handling the people within your care. This moving and handling training course is designed to educate learners regarding both the requirements and risks associated with moving people safely. Learners will also participate in practical moving & positioning enabling competency sign-off.
Trade barriers are going up across the globe. And cybercrime is on the increase. The link between the two? The value of trade secrets. As countries become increasingly protectionist as regards international trade, so their IP law has been changing, with the result that companies that previously would have sought protection through patents are opting to go down the trade secret route instead. But is this a high-risk strategy? Technology is changing and this is having an impact on forms of commercial co-operation. Collaborative or open forms of innovation by their very nature involve the sharing of intellectual property (IP), and in many instances this IP is in the form of valuable confidential business information (ie, trade secrets). Little surprise, then, that trade secrets disputes have increased accordingly. At the same time, the changes in technology make trade secrets more vulnerable to attack, misappropriation, theft. So just how effective are the legal protections for trade secrets? How can organisations safeguard the value in their IP (increasingly, the single biggest line in their balance sheets)? This programme is designed to help you address these issues. Note: this is an indicative agenda, to be used as a starting point for a conversation between client and consultant, depending on the organisation's specific situation and requirements. This session is designed to give you a deeper understanding of: Emerging trends in trade secrets protection and exploitation The current situation in key jurisdictions Recent case law How leading companies are responding The importance of trade secret metadata Different external stakeholders and their interests Key steps for effective protection of trade secrets Note: this is an indicative agenda, to be used as a starting point for a conversation between client and consultant, depending on the organisation's specific situation and requirements. 1 What are trade secrets? Definitions Examples Comparison with other forms of IP (patents, confidential information, know-how, copyright) 2 Current trends The various changes taking place affecting trade secrets - legal changes, trade wars, cybercrime, technology, commercial practice The current position in the UK, Europe, USA, China, Japan, Russia Corporate best practice 3 Trade secret disputes - how to avoid them Trade secret policies, processes and systems Administrative, legal and technical protection mechanisms The role of employees The sharing of trade secrets with others 4 Trade secret disputes - how to manage them Causes Anatomy of a trade secret court case 'Reasonable particularity' 5 Related issues Insurance Tax authorities and investigations Investor relations 6 Trade secret asset management roadmap Maturity ladder First steps Pilot projects