Finance for Non-Finance Directors
Course Overview
The Finance for Non-Finance Directors course is an intensive 2-day programme designed to bridge the financial knowledge gap for senior executives and board members who do not have a background in finance, equipping them with the essential financial knowledge and skills necessary to make informed business decisions in today’s complex business environment.
This course covers key financial concepts, principles, and practices, enabling participants to interpret financial statements, understand financial performance, and contribute effectively to strategic discussions. The programme empowers leaders to navigate financial challenges effectively and drive organisational success and growth.
Eligible participants can either choose to attend this course as a standalone programme, or alternatively complete the Certified Directors Programme which comprises of four courses and an accreditation, in order to obtain a CMI Level 8 Certificate in Strategic Direction and Leadership.
This module is part of The Certified Directors Programme, other modules include:
- Advanced Leadership for Directors
- Board Dynamics and Corporate Governance
- Advanced Strategic Planning for Directors
At a glance
Enhanced Decision-Making: Gain the confidence to make informed financial decisions and contribute effectively to board-level discussions.
Improved Financial Literacy: Develop a strong understanding of financial concepts and principles, enabling you to interpret and analyse financial data.
Strategic Insight: Learn how to align financial strategies with business objectives to drive growth and sustainability.
Risk Management: Identify and manage financial risks, ensuring robust corporate governance.
Ethical Awareness: Understand the importance of ethics in financial reporting and how to spot potential accounting scandals.
Practical Tools: Acquire practical tools and techniques for budgeting, financial analysis, and project appraisal.
Value Creation: Learn how to evaluate and implement value creation activities such as acquisitions and demergers.
Networking Opportunities: Connect with peers from various industries, sharing insights and best practices
- Understand the role of finance in business and the regulatory environment.
- Identify the duties of directors and the specific responsibilities of the CFO/FD.
- Interpret and analyse key financial statements including Profit and Loss, Balance Sheet, and Cash Flow statements.
- Assess the financial health of a business using various financial ratios.
- Differentiate between cash flow and profits and understand cash management.
- Recognise creative accounting practices and identify red flags in financial reporting
- Apply budgeting disciplines and break-even analysis in decision-making.
- Develop strategies for funding and understand the cost of capital and time value of money.
- Evaluate the financial implications of acquisitions, including valuation and synergy realisation.
- Identify and manage financial risks, ensuring robust corporate governance.
- Use management reporting tools and key performance indicators to monitor business performance
This course is designed for CEO’s, Directors and Global Leaders who have the responsibility for developing and implementing effective, ethical and collective strategies across their organisation.
Learners should be either operating in a Global/ multinational organisation and have the ability to explore the complexity and challenges of global operations or strategically look beyond the confines of their own organisation and apply critical thinking and analysis to the complexity of their organisational operations and supply chain.
In order to be accepted onto the course participants must have a minimum of 2 years’ experience in a director level role and have had responsibility for developing and implementing strategy.
Francesca Spence
Francesca is a dynamic and forward-thinking accountant who defies the conventional stereotype.
With a unique blend of financial acumen and strategic vision, she brings a fresh perspective to the table, focused on driving real, tangible results.
Francesca’s diverse background includes hands-on experience working within operational and trading teams in businesses varying in size - from start-ups to global companies turning over more than £40billion p/a. Her solid grasp of how finance interacts with other business functions enables her to offer practical insights and solutions that have a direct impact on financial performance.
By championing efficiency, collaboration and innovation, she empowers organisations to thrive in today's fast-paced and ever-changing market environment.
Her core skills and experiences include strategic business planning, financial planning and analysis, reporting on financial performance and business transformation.
Combining financial acumen with a creative flair, Francesca is not your typical accountant – she is a catalyst for change and a trusted partner in achieving sustainable growth.
Alongside running her boutique consultancy, Francesca serves as a member of the ICAEW Greater Manchester Regional Board and is a Trustee of Manchester charity TiPP.
