Finance for Non-Financial Managers

Programme Summary

Operational managers influence financial performance through staffing, purchasing, pricing and resource decisions, even when finance is not their specialist role. This programme explains the main financial statements, cost behaviour, budgets, cash flow and straightforward investment appraisal. Participants interpret a business case, calculate selected measures and present a practical recommendation with explicit assumptions, risks and financial limitations.

Training Objectives

1 Build confidence with essential business financial terminology; 2 Improve interpretation of financial performance and position; 3 Connect operating decisions with cost profit and cash; 4 Develop practical budgeting and variance analysis skills; 5 Promote disciplined financial reasoning in business proposals.

Learning Outcomes

1 Distinguish profit cash flow and financial position; 2 Calculate selected margins and working capital measures; 3 Prepare a simple departmental budget from stated assumptions; 4 Explain material budget variances using provided evidence; 5 Compare investment options using basic payback calculations.

Target Audience

Operations Managers; Department Heads; Project Managers; Sales Managers; Procurement Managers; Facilities Managers.

Target Industries

Manufacturing; Retail; Hospitality; Construction; Healthcare Administration; Professional Services.

Course Contents

• Module 1 Finance in Management Decisions: Business value and financial responsibilities; Common financial terms and accounting assumptions; Boundaries between analysis and professional advice.
• Module 2 Understanding Financial Statements: Income statement and operating performance; Statement of financial position fundamentals; Cash flow statement and statement connections.
• Module 3 Costs and Profitability: Fixed variable and mixed costs; Contribution margin and break even concepts; Relevant costs and decision assumptions.
• Module 4 Working Capital and Cash: Inventory receivables and payables relationships; Cash collection and payment timing; Profit versus available operating cash.
• Module 5 Budgeting and Forecasting: Departmental budgets and realistic operating assumptions; Budget ownership and expenditure approval controls; Updating forecasts when business conditions change.
• Module 6 Variance and Ratio Analysis: Actual budget and forecast comparisons; Margin liquidity and efficiency calculations; Interpreting trends without unsupported causal claims.
• Module 7 Investment Appraisal Basics: Project cash flows and capital expenditure; Simple payback and return comparisons; Risk uncertainty and appraisal method limitations.
• Module 8 Communicating Financial Recommendations: Evidence assumptions and financial sensitivity; Presenting options and resource implications; Explaining decisions clearly to finance colleagues.

Assessment

• 40 single best answer questions, including applied scenarios; one mark per question.
• 60 minute invigilated digital examination with identity verification. Approved accessibility adjustments preserve the assessed competence.
• Closed book; nonprogrammable calculator permitted. Internet and AI assistance prohibited.
• Individual applied assessment (30 minutes): Using supplied financial statements and operating data, calculate three performance measures, explain two budget variances and compare two investment options using simple payback. Submit a brief recommendation identifying assumptions and one important limitation.
• Assessment criteria: Accuracy of calculations and financial interpretation; Quality of variance explanations and assumptions; Clarity and balance of the recommendation.
• Pass each component separately: 30/40 written marks (75%) and at least 70% on the applied task.
• Individual results and feedback are provided. One reassessment may follow coaching under the published enrolment terms.

Certification

• Successful learners receive a TQCSI Arabia digital Certificate of Successful Completion.
• The certificate records the learner name, exact programme title, teaching hours, completion date and unique verification reference.
• Verified identity, full attendance and separate written and applied passes are required; all mandatory critical criteria must be met.
• Proposed issue target: within 30 calendar days of approved results and settlement of applicable fees.
• Records assessed managerial finance literacy; it does not confer accounting, financial advisory or investment credentials.
• Attendance confirmation may record completed hours for unsuccessful learners; it does not certify successful completion.

Programme Profile

Number of daysNumber of daysNumber of days

222

Total teaching hoursTotal teaching hoursTotal teaching hours

12 hours; breaks, pre course work and formal final assessments excluded.12 hours; breaks, pre course work and formal final assessments excluded.12 hours; breaks, pre course work and formal final assessments excluded.

Delegates allowedDelegates allowedDelegates allowed

Maximum 20 delegates.Maximum 20 delegates.Maximum 20 delegates.

Training prerequisitesTraining prerequisitesTraining prerequisites

No accounting qualification is required. Basic numeracy, percentages and spreadsheet familiarity are recommended; the programme is designed for managers without a finance specialism.No accounting qualification is required. Basic numeracy, percentages and spreadsheet familiarity are recommended; the programme is designed for managers without a finance specialism.No accounting qualification is required. Basic numeracy, percentages and spreadsheet familiarity are recommended; the programme is designed for managers without a finance specialism.

Pre course assignment and assessmentPre course assignment and assessmentPre course assignment and assessment

Complete a 25 minute numeracy and terminology diagnostic, then review a supplied simplified income statement and budget.Complete a 25 minute numeracy and terminology diagnostic, then review a supplied simplified income statement and budget.Complete a 25 minute numeracy and terminology diagnostic, then review a supplied simplified income statement and budget.

End of course assessmentEnd of course assessmentEnd of course assessment

40 question written exam (60 minutes) and individual applied task (30 minutes).40 question written exam (60 minutes) and individual applied task (30 minutes).40 question written exam (60 minutes) and individual applied task (30 minutes).

Passing criteriaPassing criteriaPassing criteria

75% written and 70% applied, passed separately; full attendance.75% written and 70% applied, passed separately; full attendance.75% written and 70% applied, passed separately; full attendance.