Introduction

The aim of this qualification is to enable learners to have an understanding of the preparation of numerical, graphical and financial formats sufficient to provide useful information for management needs in monitoring, decision making and problem-solving.

The qualification will:

• Meet the needs of candidates who work or want to work in job roles such as:
  • Accounts Assistant
  • Accounting Technician
  • Office Administrator
  • Clerical Assistant
  • Manager (non-financial roles)
  • Team Leader
• Allow candidates to learn, develop and practice the skills required for employment and/or career progression in the business sector

Course Objective of Award in Business Finance

After attending the program delegates will be able to:

• Know how to prepare business budgets
• Understand budget deviations and variances
• Know how a business may maintain liquidity
• Prepare to cost information for business
• Record stock movements in a business
• Understand the principles of credit control
• Understand how to use business performance indicators

The Process of Award in Business Finance

Participants will learn by active participation throughout the program through the use of the course material, case studies, simulation, and discussion of “real life” issues in their organizations, to ensure the development of skills as well as knowledge.

The Benefits of Award in Business Finance

As a result of attending the employee will:

• Gain an internationally recognized qualification
• Develop essential skills to enhance their position within the workplace
• Be able to work more effectively with colleagues
• Develop an ability to prepare and manage budgets effectively
• Appreciate the need for liquidity and stick management

The Results of Award in Business Finance

As a result of sending a delegate on this seminar the organization will:

• Improve the knowledge and qualifications of their staff
• Improve the professional finance skills of staff
• See an improved performance within the workplace resulting in better cost control and increased profitability
• Allow knowledge and skills to be shared within the organization
• Ensure staff and up-to-date with the latest developments and events in the world of finance

The Course Competencies of Award in Business Finance

• Budget Preparation
• Sales Budgets
• Production Budgets
• Cash Budgets
• Capital Budgets
• Budget Management including “What If, Sensitivity Analysis and Budget Control including Variance Analysis
• Liquidity Management and the assessment of risks
• Methods of Stock Control
• Performance Measurement to improve performance, liquidity, and profitability

Course Summary of Award in Business Finance

This program covers the essential skills necessary for the Preparation and Management of Budgets, Management of Liquidity and Working Capital (Stock and Credit Control) and the Measurement of Performance

Course Outline of Award in Business Finance

Day One

Preparing Business Budgets

• Calculate increases and decreases in quantities and money value of materials
• Calculate increases and decreases in hours, wage rates and labor costs
• Calculate increases and decreases in expenses
• Calculate increases and decreases in amounts and money value of income
• Make allowance for the timing of receipts and payments arising from credit transactions
• Prepare sales, production, materials, labor, expenses and cash budgets

Day Two

Managing Budgets - Budget Deviations/Variances and Costing

• Identify variances (deviation) between actual outcomes and budget information
• Calculate variances (deviation) between actual and budget data
• Identify fixed, variable, direct and indirect costs
• Extract data about income and expenditure from given information
• Prepare estimates and job costs
• Check estimates and job for accuracy

Day Three

Liquidity Management

• Identify how a business may maintain a level of liquidity in accordance with cash budgets and forecasts
• Invest surplus funds
• Investment risk
• Obtain loans and obtain overdrafts
• Interest rate risk
• Recent events in the banking and financial markets

Day Four

Stock & Credit Control

• Apply stock valuation methods to record the movement in stock using First In, First Out (FIFO), Last In, First Out (LIFO) and Weighted Average Cost (AVCO) perpetual method.
• Calculate cost information
• Explain the benefits and risks of providing credit
• Calculate credit prices and compare them with cash prices
• Use an age analysis of debtors to determine the appropriate action in accordance with given policies and circumstances
• Calculate average periods of credit given and bad and doubtful debts

Day Five

Measuring Performance

• Key performance indicators
• Extract and organize information into an appropriate form from data provided in tables or graphical format
• Calculate performance indicators measuring customer growth, satisfaction, quality of service, efficiency, effectiveness and productivity.
• Prepare information about financial and non-financial performance in graphical format - line graphs, bar charts, and pie charts
• Compare performance indicators/trends over time and benchmark information against a comparative organization or collected industry-relevant data
• Financial ratio analysis