Overview This course will enable you to obtain a deeper understanding of what is required to ensure Cash flow success; from the calculation and interpretation of financial ratios to the developing of essential KPIs and managing vendors' risks. You will uncover how to meticulously plan and forecast your working capital and tackle day-to-day problems in commercial cash management, enabling you to identify the financial health of your business. This financial Management course will feed you with all the skills required to manage cash flow, analyse profitable ratios, and evaluate the features that change in costs have on financial statements.
Overview It will provide the necessary skills to develop efficient strategic planning, forecasting and budgeting processes. The main aim of the training is to enable the participants to understand the framework that builds strategies for annual budgets targeting efficient management and organisational performance. Our course will explain financial terms and budgeting tools in such a way that a financial professional or even a non-financial profession will be able to understand and relate to them in their working environment. It will include a lot of examples, a budgeting format and case studies.
Certified Business Relationship Manager (CBRM®): In-House Training The CBRM® Practitioner Qualification is intended for the intermediate-to-advanced Business Relationship Manager, as it focuses on advancing to the role of Strategic Business Relationship Manager. As such, the primary focus is on strategic business relationship management, leveraged to optimize business value to the enterprise. The purpose of the Practitioner qualification is to confirm whether the candidate has achieved sufficient understanding and competence to perform the role of Strategic Business Relationship Manager. To pursue the CBRM® certification, a candidate must be a certified Business Relationship Management Professional (BRMP®).
Network management technologies course description A comprehensive tour of the available network management technologies available for todays networks. The course starts with basic tools such as syslog along with Python network automation. SNMP is then covered with the *flow technologies and streaming telemetry. Configuration management with ansible, Python, NETCONF and RESTCONF is then studied. The final part of the course looks at SDN. Hands on sessions are used throughout to reinforce the theory rather than teach specific manufacturer equipment. Note that sections are available as individual courses. What will you learn Evaluate network management technologies. Evaluate network management technologies. Recognise the weaknesses of SNMP versus NETCONF and streaming telemetry. Explain the role of NETCONF and RESTCONF. Compare & contrast *flow and streaming telemetry. Explain the role of SDN in network management. Automate network configuration with ansible and Python. Network management technologies course details Who will benefit: Those wishing to manage networks. (Previous Python experience is NOT needed) Prerequisites: Intro to data comms Duration 5 days Network management technologies course content Basic network management Network management What is network management? Benefits, issues. FCAPS model. Fault management, Configuration management, accounting, performance, security. What to manage, what not to manage. Managing network devices, managing servers. Monitoring networks Traditional network tools Ping..., SSH, syslog, TFTP for configurations. nmap. Wireshark. CLI. Web based management. Splunk. Nessus, snort, Kali. Hands on syslog, network inventories. Network automation using the CLI Programming and automating networks, netOps. Python, Git. Python network modules, SSH, paramiko, netmiko. EVE-NG. Hands onPython network modules. Structured versus unstructured data Problems with automation and unstructured data. XML, JSON, YAML. The role of YANG. Hands on Parsing data. SNMP SNMP architecture, SNMP MIBs, SMI, the SNMP protocol, polling security. Configuring SNMP. SNMPv1, v2, v3, SNMP security. Which version should you use? MIBs and MIB structure. mib-2, extra parts of mib-2, Private enterprise MIBs. Summary: What SNMP is good/bad at. Hands on Configuring agents and a NMS. MIB browsing. Server management Microsoft, Linux, application polling. WMI vs SNMP. Hands on: Application polling. Performance management *flow Polling, push vs pull, netflow, sflow, IPFIX, *flow. Flows. Where to monitor traffic. Comparing *flow with SNMP. Architecture: Generators and collectors. When flows are exported. NetFlow reporting products. SolarWinds. Hands on Netflow configuration. Collectors. Streaming telemetry Model driven telemetry, periodic/on change. Structured data. Telemetry protocol stack. gRPC and gNMI. Protobuf. gNMI operations. Telemetry architecture. Telegraf, databases, Grafana. Hands on Telemetry example. Configuration management Configuration management tools Chef, puppet, ansible, saltstack. Ansible architecture, controlling machines, nodes, agentless, SSH, modules. Inventories, playbooks, modules, network modules, jinja2 templates. Hands on Network configuration with ansible. NETCONF What is NETCONF? Protocol stack, Data stores, traffic flows, validating configurations, rollback. YANG data models and how YANG is used by NETCONF. XML. Explorers and other tools. Hands on anx, Python and NETCONF. RESTCONF The REST API, HTTP, What is RESTCONF? Tools including Postman. Comparison with NETCONF. Hands on Configuration with RESTCONF. Python network automation: configuration SSH issues. Using structured data. Jinja2. ncclient, requests, NAPALM, Nornir. Automated testing. Hands on Python network device configuration with nornir. Software Defined Networks and orchestration Classic SDN What is SDN? benefits. SDN architecture. SDN applications, SDN switches, SDN controllers, Network Operating Systems. Control plane, data plane. Northbound interfaces. SDN components. Southbound interfaces. OpenFlow. ONF, OpenFlow ports, Flow tables. Network virtualization Virtual networks, virtual switches, NfV. Service chaining. NfV and SDN. SDN implementations Classic SDN, Hybrid SDN, SDN via APIs, SDN via overlays. Data centre SDN, VXLAN, Service Provider SDN, SD WAN, Enterprise SDN, WiFi. SDN and open source OpenDaylight, OpenVSwitch, Open Networking Forum, Open Network Operating System. Hands onOpenStack. SD-WAN What is SD-WAN? Architecture: Edge, gateway, orchestrator, controller. Overlay and underlay. Use of MPLS, 4G/5G. Benefits and features. Secure Access Service Edge (SASE).
This qualification covers complex accounting and finance topics and tasks leading to students becoming confident with a wide range of financial management skills and applications. Course Overview This qualification covers complex accounting and finance topics and tasks leading to students becoming confident with a wide range of financial management skills and applications. Students will gain competencies in drafting financial statements for limited companies, recommending accounting systems strategies and constructing and presenting complex management accounting reports. Study the Level 4 Diploma in Professional Accounting to master complex accounting tasks and qualify for senior finance roles, as well as AAT full membership. The jobs it can lead to: • Accounts payable and expenses supervisor • Assistant financial accountant • Commercial analyst • Cost accountant • Fixed asset accountant • Indirect tax manager • Payroll manager • Payments and billing manager • Senior bookkeeper • Senior finance officer • Senior fund accountant • Senior insolvency administrator • Tax supervisor • VAT accountant Entry Requirements: Students can start with any qualification depending on existing skills and experience. For the best chance of success, we recommend that students begin their studies with a good standard of English and maths. Course Content: Applied Management Accounting (mandatory): This unit allows students to understand how the budgetary process is undertaken. Students will be able to construct budgets and then identify and report on both areas of success and on areas that should be of concern to key stakeholders. Students will also gain the skills required to critically evaluate organisational performance. Learning outcomes: • Understand and implement the organisational planning process. • Use internal processes to enhance operational control. • Use techniques to aid short-term and long-term decision making. • Analyse and report on business performance. Drafting and Interpreting Financial Statements (mandatory): This unit provides students with the skills and knowledge for drafting the financial statements of single limited companies and consolidated financial statements for groups of companies. It ensures that students will have a proficient level of knowledge and understanding of international accounting standards, which will then be applied when drafting the financial statements. Students will also have a sound appreciation of the regulatory and conceptual frameworks that underpin the preparation of limited company financial statements. Learning outcomes: • Understand the reporting frameworks that underpin financial reporting. • Draft statutory financial statements for limited companies. • Draft consolidated financial statements. • Interpret financial statements using ratio analysis. Internal Accounting Systems and Controls (mandatory): This unit teaches students to consider the role and responsibilities of the accounting function, including the needs of key stakeholders who use financial reports to make decisions. Students will review accounting systems to identify weaknesses and will make recommendations to mitigate identified weaknesses in future operations. Students will apply several analytical methods to evaluate the implications of any changes to operating procedures. Learning outcomes: • Understand the role and responsibilities of the accounting function within an organisation. • Evaluate internal control systems. • Evaluate an organisation’s accounting system and underpinning procedures. • Understand the impact of technology on accounting systems. • Recommend improvements to an organisation’s accounting systems. Business Tax (optional): This unit introduces students to UK taxation relevant to businesses. Students will understand how to compute business taxes for sole traders, partnerships and limited companies. They will also be able to identify tax planning opportunities while understanding the importance of maintaining ethical standards. Learning outcomes: • Prepare tax computations for sole traders and partnerships. • Prepare tax computations for limited companies. • Prepare tax computations for the sale of capital assets by limited companies. • Understand administrative requirements of the UK’s tax regime. • Understand the tax implications of business disposals. • Understand tax relief, tax planning opportunities and agent’s responsibilities in reporting taxation to HM Revenue & Customs. Personal Tax (optional): This unit provides students with the fundamental knowledge of the three most common taxes that affect taxpayers in the UK: Income Tax, Capital Gains Tax and Inheritance Tax. With this knowledge students will be equipped to not only prepare the computational aspects of taxes, where appropriate, but also appreciate how taxpayers can legally minimise their overall taxation liability. Learning outcomes: • Understand principles and rules that underpin taxation systems. • Calculate UK taxpayers’ total income. • Calculate Income Tax and National Insurance contributions (NICs) payable by UK taxpayers. • Calculate Capital Gains Tax payable by UK taxpayers. • Understand the principles of Inheritance Tax. Audit and Assurance (optional): This unit aims to give a wider understanding of the principles and concepts, including legal and professional rules of audit and assurance services. The unit will provide students with an awareness of the audit process from planning and risk assessment to the final completion and production of the audit report. Students will also get a practical perspective on audit and assurance, with an emphasis on the application of audit and assurance techniques to current systems. Learning outcomes: • Demonstrate an understanding of the audit and assurance framework. • Demonstrate the importance of professional ethics. • Evaluate the planning process for audit and assurance. • Review and report findings. Cash and Financial Management (optional): This unit focuses on the important of managing cash within organisations and covers the knowledge and skills to make informed decision on financing and investment in accordance with organisational policies and external regulations. Students will identify current and future cash transactions from a range of sources, learn how to eliminate non-cash items and use various techniques to prepare cash budgets. Learning outcomes: • Prepare forecasts for cash receipts and payments. • Prepare cash budgets and monitor cash flows. • Understand the importance of managing finance and liquidity. • Understand the way of raising finance and investing funds. • Understand regulations and organisational policies that influence decisions in managing cash and finance. Credit and Debt Management (optional): This unit provides an understanding and application of the principles of effective credit control systems, including appropriate debt management systems. Students will be introduced to techniques that can be used to assess credit risks in line with policies, relevant legislation and ethical principles. Learning outcomes: • Understand relevant legislation and contract law that impacts the credit control environment. • Understand how information is used to assess credit risk and grant credit in compliance with organisational policies and procedures. • Understand the organisation’s credit control processes for managing and collecting debts. • Understand different techniques available to collect debts. DURATION 420-440 Hours WHATS INCLUDED Course Material Case Study Experienced Lecturer Refreshments Certificate
Students will learn and develop skills needed for a range of financial processes, including maintaining cost accounting records, advanced bookkeeping and the preparation of financial reports and returns. Course Overview This qualification covers a range of essential and higher-level accounting techniques and disciplines. Students will learn and develop skills needed for a range of financial processes, including maintaining cost accounting records, advanced bookkeeping and the preparation of financial reports and returns. Study the Level 3 Diploma to learn higher accounting techniques and disciplines and qualify for AAT bookkeeping membership (AATQB). The jobs it can lead to: • Accounts assistant • Accounts payable clerk • Audit trainee • Credit controller • Payroll administrator/supervisor • Practice bookkeeper • Finance assistant • Tax assistant • Accounts payable and expenses supervisor Entry requirements: Students can start with any qualification depending on existing skills and experience. For the best chance of success we recommend that students begin their studies with a good standard of English and maths. Course Content: Business Awareness: This unit provides students with an understanding of the business, its environment and the influences that this has on an organisation’s structure, the role of its accounting function and its performance. Students will examine the purpose and types for businesses that exist and the rights and responsibilities of the key stakeholders, as well as gain an understanding of the importance of professional ethics and ethical management within the finance function. Learning outcomes: • Understand business types, structure and governance and the legal framework in which they operate. • Understand the impact of the external and internal environments on business, their performance and decisions. • Understand how businesses and accounts comply with principles of professional ethics. • Understand the impact of new technologies in accounting and the risks associated with data security. • Communicate information to stakeholders. Financial Accounting: Preparing Financial Statements: This unit provides students with the skills required to produce statements of profit or loss and statements for financial position for sole traders and partnerships, using a trial balance. Students will gain the double-entry bookkeeping skills needed to record financial transactions into an organisation’s accounts using a manual bookkeeping system. Learning outcomes: • Understand the accounting principles underlaying final accounts preparation. • Understand the principles of advanced double-entry bookkeeping. • Implement procedures for the acquisition and disposal of non-current assets. • Prepare and record depreciation calculations. • Record period end adjustments. • Produce and extend the trial balance. • Produce financial statements for sole traders and partnerships. • Interpret financial statements using profitability ratios. • Prepare accounting records from incomplete information. Management Accounting Techniques: This unit provides students with the knowledge and skills needed to understand the role of management accounting in an organisation, and how organisations use such information to aid decision making. Students will learn the principles that underpin management accounting methodology and techniques, how costs are handled in organisations and why organisations treat costs in different ways. Learning outcomes: • Understand the purpose and use of management accounting within organisations. • Use techniques required for dealing with costs. • Attribute costs according to organisational requirements. • Investigate deviations from budgets. • Use spreadsheet techniques to provide management accounting information. • Use management accounting techniques to support short-term decision making. • Understand principles of cash management. Tax Processes for Businesses: This unit explores tax processes that influence the daily operations of businesses and is designed to develop students’ skills in understanding, preparing and submitting Value Added Tax (VAT) returns to HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC). The unit provides students with the knowledge and skills that are needed to keep businesses, employers and clients compliant with laws and practices that apply to VAT and payroll. Learning outcomes: • Understand legislation requirements relating to VAT. • Calculate VAT. • Review and verify VAT returns. • Understand principles of payroll. • Report information within the organisation. DURATION 250-300 Hours WHATS INCLUDED Course Material Case Study Experienced Lecturer Refreshments Certificate
About this Training Course The two elements which consistently remain in the forefront of every executive, tasked to manage a project, are 'Cost' and 'Time'. There is probably no disagreement or a need to prove that a strong correlation exists between Cost and Schedule. The mechanics of capturing cost during the execution is not that difficult a task, as it is when undertaking Design, Engineering, Estimating, Planning, Scheduling, and seeking financing for the project. The corporate management is expected to provide realistic, reliable and risks adjusted projections of a project's overall financial performance. This 3 full-day course and workshop is developed to make the delegates walk through the engineering formulas and equations to become a professional in managing estimates, projections, risks, uncertainties and secure financing for high value, high risk projects, from both On-shore and Offshore Oil & Gas industry segments. This course can also be offered through Virtual Instructor Led Training (VILT) format. Training Objectives Objectives of this Training Course: This course and the workshops are developed for the participants to gain comprehensive understanding of the field of Cost Engineering and its impact on the project execution, financing and risk management. The underlying objectives are: Enhance familiarization with mechanics of cost engineering in developing budgets and Project Cost Models. Gain understanding of diversity in financing of EPC Projects in context of Offshore and Onshore Oil & Gas projects in international arena. Identify risks associated with cost estimates and costing elements, with an objective of developing project strategies and minimizing the exposure to escalation of prices and market factors. Appreciate the correlation between cost and schedule, resulting in the delivery of contractual obligations. Develop competency to manage risks of costs and time overrun, by implementing appropriate cost control mechanism. Target Audience If you are responsible for undertaking one or more of the following functions in the Oil & Gas and Offshore & Marine Industry, you can't afford to miss this course: Management Accountants, Finance Managers, Cost Controllers, Project Directors, Contracts & Projects Managers, Estimators, Planners and Risk Managers. Course Level Intermediate Training Methods Unique Features of this Enhanced Course Curriculum: This course and the workshops are developed for the participants to gain comprehensive understanding of the field of Cost Engineering and its impact on the project execution, financing and risk management. The underlying objectives are: Enhance familiarization with mechanics of cost engineering in developing budgets and Project Cost Models. Gain understanding of diversity in financing of EPC Projects in context of Offshore and Onshore Oil & Gas projects in international arena. Identify risks associated with cost estimates and costing elements, with an objective of developing project strategies and minimizing the exposure to escalation of prices and market factors. Appreciate the correlation between cost and schedule, resulting in the delivery of contractual obligations. Develop competency to manage risks of costs and time overrun, by implementing appropriate cost control mechanism. Trainer Principal Management Consultant Chartered Valuer and Appraiser (CVA) FACICA | FAMTAC | FAIADR | M.S.I.D | Member, AIEN LL.M. (IP Law), M. Sc. (Maritime Studies), M. Tech (Knowledge Engineering), MBA, First Class CoC (MCA, UK), B. E. (Elect) Your expert course leader, during the last 47 year period, has worked and consulted in the industry verticals encompassing: Technology, Oil & Gas Exploration & Production, Petrochemical Process Plants and Power Plant Construction Projects, Logistics & Warehousing, Marine, Offshore, Oil & Gas Pipelines, Infrastructure Development Projects (Ports, Offshore Supply Bases, Oil & Gas Terminals and Airports etc), EPCIC Contracts, and Shipyards, in South East Asia, Africa, Middle East, Americas and Europe. He serves as the Principal Management Consultant with a management consultancy in Hong Kong and Singapore, specialising in the fields of corporate management consultancy, international contracts reviews and alternative dispute resolutions services. He undertakes special assignments for conducting audits and valuation of intangible properties involving proprietary processes for licensed production, and licensing of intellectual property rights (IP Rights) in patents, trademarks, and industrial designs. He is frequently engaged for assignments like due diligence, acquisitions, mergers, resolving various operational issues, technology transfer and agency services contracts reviews, cost controls, and enhancement of Supply Chain Management. He has been conferred the credentials of Chartered Valuer & Appraiser (CVA) by SAC and IVAS, in accordance with the international valuation standards setting body IVSC. His consulting experience includes Charterparty Management, Business Process Re-engineering, Diversifications, Corporate Development, Marketing, Complex Project Management, Feasibility Studies, Dispute Resolutions and Market Research. He has successfully assisted Marine and offshore E & P clients in managing contractual disputes arising from various international contracts for upgrading & conversion projects. He continues to be actively engaged in claims reviews, mediation, arbitration, litigation, and expert witness related assignments, arising from international contracts and Charterparty Agreements. He graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, MBA in General Management, Master of Technology in Knowledge Engineering, Master of Science in Maritime Studies, and LL.M. (IP Law). He also holds professional qualifications in Business Valuations and Appraisers for CVA, arbitration, law, and marine engineering, including the Chief Engineer's First-Class Certificate of Competency (MCA, UK). He is further qualified and accredited as Certified International Arbitrator, Chartered Arbitrator, Sports arbitrator under CAS Rules, WIPO Neutral, Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) Bargaining Code Arbitrator, Accredited Adjudicator and Accredited Mediator (Malaysia). He is admitted to the international panels of arbitrators and neutrals with WIPO, Geneva; ACICA, AMTAC and ACMA, Australia; BVIAC (British Virgin Islands); JIAC (Jamaica); HKIAC Hong Kong; AIAC, Malaysia; AIADR, Malaysia; KCAB, Seoul, South Korea; ICA, Delhi, India; ICC (Singapore); SISV, Singapore; SCMA, Singapore; SCCA, Saudi Arabia; VIAC Vienna, Austria; Thailand Arbitration Centre (THAC), and Mediator with AIAC Malaysia, CMC, and SIMI Singapore. 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
This qualification delivers a solid foundation in finance administration and core accounting skills, including double-entry bookkeeping, basic costing and an understanding of purchase, sales and general ledgers. Course Overview This qualification delivers a solid foundation in finance administration and core accounting skills, including double-entry bookkeeping, basic costing and an understanding of purchase, sales and general ledgers. Students will also learn about accountancy related business and personal skills and be introduced to the four key themes embedded in the qualification: ethics, technology, communications and sustainability. The jobs it can lead to: • Account administrator • Accounts assistant • Accounts payable clerk • Purchase/sales ledger clerk • Trainee accounting technician • Trainee finance assistant Entry requirements: Students can start with any qualification depending on existing skills and experience. For the best chance of success, we recommend that students begin their studies with a good standard of English and maths. Course Content: Introduction to Bookkeeping: This unit provides students with an understanding of manual and digital bookkeeping systems, including the associated documents and processes. Students will learn the basic principles that underpin double-entry bookkeeping systems. Learning outcomes: • Understand how to set up bookkeeping systems. • Process customer transactions. • Process supplier transactions. • Process receipts and payments. • Process transactions into the ledger accounts. Principles of Bookkeeping Controls: This unit builds on the knowledge and skills acquired from studying Introduction to Bookkeeping and explores control accounts, journals and reconciliations. Students will develop the ability to prepare the value added tax (VAT) control accounts as well as the receivables and payables ledger accounts. They’ll use the journal to record a variety of transactions, including the correction errors. Students will be able to redraft the initial trial balance, following adjustments. Learning outcomes: • Use control accounts. • Reconcile a bank statement with the cash book. • Use the journal. • Produce trial balances. Principles of Costing: This unit gives students an introduction to the principles of basic costing and builds a solid foundation in the knowledge and skills required for more complex costing and management accounting tasks. Students will learn the importance of the costing system as a source of information that allows management to plan, make decisions and control costs. Learning outcomes: • Understand the cost recording system within an organisation. • Use cost recording techniques. • Provide information on actual and budgeted cost and income. • Use tools and techniques to support cost calculations. The Business Environment: This unit provides knowledge and understanding of key business concepts and their practical application in the external and internal environment in which students will work. Students will gain an understanding of the legal system and principles of contract law and an appreciation of the legal implications of setting up a business and the consequences this may have. This unit will also give an understanding of how organisations are structured and where the finance function fits. Learning outcomes: • Understand the principles of contract law. • Understand the external business environment. • Understand the key principles of corporate social responsibility (CSR), ethics and sustainability. • Understand the impact of setting up different types of business entity. • Understand the finance function within an organisation. • Produce work in appropriate formats and communicate effectively. • Understand the importance of information to business operations. DURATION 170-190 Hours WHATS INCLUDED Course Material Case Study Experienced Lecturer Refreshments Certificate
AAT Level 4 Professional Diploma in Accounting 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 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. You will be awarded âAAT Level 4 Professional Diploma in Accounting certificateâ from the Association of Accounting Technicians (AAT), once you have passed all the professional-level qualification exams and skill tests. Once you finish Level 4 you become a professional member of AAT and you may use MAAT after your name to stand out from the crowd as an officially Accredited Accountant. What you will gain? Here you'll learn how to draft financial statements for limited companies, perform complex management accounting tasks and develop your own management skills, perform tax calculation for business & individuals and other specialist learning areas. The Level 4 Professional Diploma in Accounting covers the following areas: Management Accounting: Budgeting Management Accounting: Decision and Control Financial Statements of Limited Companies Accounting Systems and Controls Business Tax Personal Tax
What do engineers and project managers need to know of finance? 'Nothing - leave it to the accountants!' No, no, no! Engineers must be conversant with the terminology and statements that accountants use. Technical expertise in projects, service delivery, production or other areas can only really be harnessed if the managers understand the accounting and reporting that drives businesses. This course gives the necessary understanding to project, production and technical managers. It develops their skills in understanding financial and management accounting. Accountants may not always like it but a major part of their work is to be the 'servants of business' and to gather, compile and present your figures. So you must understand the figures - they belong to you, your processes or projects. There are many reasons for maintaining accurate accounts. This course focuses on the strategic issues (those over-used words) - what figures reveal about the drivers of business and what they reveal about the day-to-day issues that accountants bother you with. The course will enhance your understanding of finance and of the accounting issues which affect your projects, production and technical areas of business. This course will help you: Understand the business world in figures - make sense of what the accountants are telling you Appreciate what drives business - and how this affects your role in your part of the business Relate your activities to the success of the business - through figures Gain the skills to advance in management - financial awareness is a 'must have' if you are to progress in your career 1 What do accountants do? The finance function, types of accountant, financial v management accounting and the treasury function Understanding the role of the finance function and how the information you provide may be used 2 The basic financial statements Balance sheets and income statements (P&L accounts) What they are, what they contain and above all what they can reveal - how to read them The accounting process - from transactions to financial statements What underpins the statements - accounting systems and internal controls 3 Why be in business - from a financial perspective The driving forces behind financial information Performance measures - profitability, asset utilisation, sales and throughput, managing capital expenditure 4 Accounting rules - accounting standards Accounting concepts and the accounting rules: accruals, 'going concern' - substance over form and other 'desirable qualities' Accruals - why the timing of a transaction is so important to the finance function Depreciation and amortisation - the concepts and practice Accounting standards - the role of International Financial Reporting Standards 5 Cash The importance of cash flow - working capital management Cash flow statements - monitoring overall cash flows Raising cash - levels of borrowing, gearing Spending cash - an outline of capital expenditure appraisal 6 Budgeting Why budget? - good and bad practice Determining why budgets play a key role and should not be simply an annual ritual Justifying your budgets - the link between the strategic plan and day-to-day budgeting - alignment of company culture Budgets as motivators - the importance of the right culture Techniques to improve budgeting - whether day-to-day or capital budgeting 7 Costing The type and detail of costing very much depends on your business - eg, manufacturing piston rings is quite different from the construction of a power plant Issues with overhead allocation Accounting for R&D 8 Reading financial statements Annual financial statements - why they are produced, what's in them and what you should look for Learning what a set of accounts reveals about a company's current situation, profitability and future prospects 9 Performance measurement - analytical reviews and ratio analysis ROI/ROCE Profitability, margins and cost control Sales - asset turnover Efficiency (asset / stock turnover, debtor / creditor days) 'City' measures Investment (interest / dividend cover, earnings per share, dividend yield)