Overview
Overview

Ever find yourself nodding along in meetings when finance is mentioned, only to glance down at a spreadsheet with a sense of dread? You’re not alone—and this one-day course is designed to change that. Finance for Non-Finance Managers cuts through the jargon to give you practical, usable financial knowledge, empowering you to take control of your decisions and contribute more confidently at every level of your organisation. With a focus on real-world application, this session strips back the complexity and shows you that finance isn’t just for accountants—it’s a powerful tool every manager can master.

Through expert-led discussion, interactive examples and hands-on exercises, you’ll gain clarity on key financial documents, explore how to manage costs effectively, and uncover the hidden impact your day-to-day decisions have on business performance. Whether you’re looking to make more informed choices, hold your own in budget reviews, or simply feel less reliant on your finance team, this course is your gateway to financial fluency.

Learning Outcomes

  • Understand the structure and purpose of financial statements
  • Recognise the relationship between income, costs, and business performance
  • Use financial information to support strategic and operational decisions
  • Identify and interpret key metrics like depreciation, margins, and mark-ups
  • Distinguish between capital and operational expenditure
  • Gain confidence in analysing financial reports and statements
  • Improve communication with finance professionals
  • Access and assess your organisation’s or competitors’ financial health
  • Make decisions rooted in financial awareness, not guesswork
  • Demystify finance and realise that it’s a skill you can master too
Agenda
  • Registration and GovPD Welcome Address
  • Introduction to Finance
    • Why finance matters in every role
    • Understanding key financial terms: revenue, profit, assets, liabilities, equity, etc.
    • The role of finance in business success
    • Interactive poll or quiz on financial jargon
  • Morning Break
  • Understanding Financial Statements
    • Balance Sheet: what it shows and how to read it
    • Profit & Loss (Income Statement): measuring performance
    • Cash Flow Statement: understanding liquidity
    • How the three statements connect
    • Practical walkthrough of a simplified set of statements
  • Profit vs. Cash – Spotting the Difference
    • Why cash-rich companies can still post losses, and vice versa
    • What affects profit vs. what affects cash
    • Understanding the risks of focusing on one without the other
    • Key considerations for budget holders
    • Scenario-based discussion: What would you do in this situation?
  • Lunch
  • Financial Ratios Demystified
    • Introduction to key financial ratios: liquidity, profitability, efficiency
    • How ratios help interpret performance beyond raw numbers
    • Applying ratios to real-life decision-making
    • Mini-exercise: Match the ratio to the insight it provides
  • Afternoon Break
  • Q&A and Open Discussion
    • Revisit learning outcomes
    • Participant questions and clarification of concepts
    • Discussion: how will you apply this knowledge back at work?
  • Break

     

  • Wrap-Up and Close
    • Key takeaways
    • Feedback and next steps
    • Thank you and course close

    *Programme subject to change

Sponsorship

We are now taking bookings for our wide range of training packages in-house your organisation; we also offer bespoke packages tailored for your organisation.

For more information or to discuss the available option please call 0203 961 5002 or email Info@GovernmentEvents.co.uk 

Pricing
  • Public Sector : £525 +VAT
  • Private Sector : £595 +VAT
  • Voluntary Sector: £460 +VAT