Most strategic and operational business decisions rely on a fundamental knowledge of financial management including the ability to speak and understand the language of fi…
Most strategic and operational business decisions rely on a fundamental knowledge of financial management including the ability to speak and understand the language of finance. While this knowledge is an essential skill for leaders and managers throughout the organization, it is also a prerequisite for both finance professionals who need to make day to day decisions as well as accounting professionals who wish to advance their careers. Those without a clear understanding of financial statements analysis and management are unable to communicate professionally with finance managers and business leaders. This course consists of modules that clarify financial terminology and concepts giving you the required tools to communicate fluently with top executives and articulate business investment and project proposals to decision makers.
Course Methodology
The course uses a mix of interactive techniques such as brief presentations by the consultant, group exercises, case studies and the use of Excel to apply knowledge acquired throughout the course followed by participants' presentations of the results.
Course Objectives
By the end of the course, participants will be able to:
Apply financial analysis techniques to generate conclusions and recommendations regarding business performance
Utilize their macro finance understanding from a strategic and operational perspective
Part of this course includes hands-on training using laptops, which will be made available by Arab for the duration of the training.
Course Outline
The scope of financial analysis and management
Introduction to the three pillars of financial management
Operating, investing, financing decisions
An inside look at the key financial statements
The building blocks of financial statements analysis
Vertical analysis and common size financial statements
Horizontal and trend analysis
Liquidity analysis
Solvency analysis: debt and equity
Efficiency and working capital management
Balances of cash
Balances of accounts receivable
Balances of inventory
Balances of trade payables
Using short term bank facilities
The cash conversion cycle
Profitability analysis: margins and returns
Strategic financial planning and forecasting
Overview of the financial planning process
Revenue forecasting: bottom up versus top down
Forecasting cost of goods sold
Forecasting fixed and variable costs
Forecasting balance sheet accounts
Using days sales outstanding
Using days of inventory on hand
Using days of payables
Fixed assets forecasting
Retained earnings and dividend pay-out policy
Building 12 months forecast for a seasonal business
Modeling 'what-if' analysis
Mergers, acquisitions, and corporate control
Methods of acquisitions
Types of Mergers and Acquisitions (M&As)
Motives for mergers and acquisitions
5 phases to the M&A process
The process of due diligence
Reasons behind failed mergers
Financing decision: the right mix of debt and equity
Valuation fundamentals of financial instruments
How to price a bond before issuance
How to price a stock before offering
Weighted average cost of capital
Impact of debt-to-equity ratio on cost of funds
Deciding on the mix of debt and equity
Optimal financing structure
Capital budgeting and investment decisions
Practical applications of the time value of money using Excel
Future value calculations
Present value and NPV calculations
Internal rate of return
Verifying loan installments based on effective interest method
The capital budgeting process
Forecasting incremental cash flows
Deciding on appropriate discount rate
Identify working capital commitment
Net present value: key decision making criteria
Internal rate of return for decision making
Discounted payback period
Profitability index
Schedule & Fees
2026 Schedule & Fees
There are no public sessions remaining for the course this year. Please contact us if you wish to have a customized in-house session, or to find out how an additional public session can be scheduled.