Accounting for Non-Accountants #252004

Upon successful completion of this course, participants will be able to:

• Define fundamental accounting terms and principles (e.g., accruals, depreciation, GAAP).

• Read and interpret the three core financial statements: the Income Statement, Balance Sheet, and Statement of Cash Flows.

• Understand how operational activities translate into financial results.

• Analyze a company’s performance and financial health using key ratios and metrics.

• Apply budgeting and forecasting principles to manage departmental budgets effectively.

• Communicate more effectively with finance teams and contribute to data-driven decision-making.

This course is essential for any professional who needs to understand financial information to perform their job better:

• Non-Financial Managers and Team Leaders with budget responsibility

• Project Managers and Engineers

• Sales and Marketing Managers

• Operations and Logistics Managers

• Founders and Small Business Owners without a finance background

• HR Professionals and Recruiters

• Anyone interested in gaining a practical understanding of accounting and finance

• Pre-assessment
• Live group instruction
• Use of real-world examples, case studies and exercises
• Interactive participation and discussion
• Power point presentation, LCD and flip chart
• Group activities and tests
• Each participant receives a binder containing a copy of the presentation
• slides and handouts
• Post-assessment

Day 1: The Language of Business – Accounting Fundamentals

Morning Session: Why Accounting Matters to You

Introduction to Key Concepts: What is Accounting? Who uses it and why?

The Basic Accounting Equation (Assets = Liabilities + Equity) demystified.

Accrual vs. Cash Accounting: Understanding the timing of revenue and expenses.

Afternoon Session: The Balance Sheet

What is a Balance Sheet? A snapshot of the company’s financial position.

Understanding Assets, Liabilities, and Shareholders’ Equity.

Interactive Exercise: Classify common business items into assets, liabilities, or equity.

Day 2: Measuring Performance – The Income Statement

Morning Session: The Income Statement (P&L)

What is an Income Statement? Measuring profitability over time.

Revenue, Cost of Goods Sold (COGS), Gross Profit, Operating Expenses, and Net Income.

Afternoon Session: Connecting the Dots

How operational decisions (e.g., marketing spend, hiring) affect the P&L.

Case Study: Analyze a simple P&L statement for a coffee shop and discuss what the numbers reveal about its business.

Day 3: Follow the Cash – The Statement of Cash Flows

Morning Session: Cash is King

Why Profit ≠ Cash. The crucial difference.

The Three Sections: Cash from Operating, Investing, and Financing Activities.

Afternoon Session: Analyzing Cash Flow

How to tell if a profitable company is in trouble from its cash flow.

Workshop: Trace a company’s transactions through all three financial statements to see how they interconnect.

Day 4: Making Sense of the Numbers – Analysis and Decision-Making

Morning Session: Key Financial Ratios

Profitability Ratios (e.g., Net Profit Margin, ROA).

Liquidity Ratios (e.g., Current Ratio).

Leverage Ratios (e.g., Debt-to-Equity).

Afternoon Session: Using Ratios for Insight

Using ratios to benchmark performance against competitors and industry standards.

Group Activity: Analyze the financial health of two competing companies using their provided ratios.

Day 5: Applying Your Knowledge – Budgeting and Operational Finance

Morning Session: Budgeting Basics

The purpose of budgets and how they are created.

Managing a departmental budget: variances and forecasting.

Afternoon Session: Capstone and Course Integration

Final Case Study: Act as a manager reviewing your company’s annual report. Present your assessment of the company’s performance and health to the “CEO” (the class).

How to talk to your finance department: Asking the right questions.

Course Recap: Key takeaways and how to apply them immediately in your job.

Q&A Session.