This course equips decision-makers with the practical financial literacy needed to interpret core financial statements, differentiate profit from cash flow, and assess how accounting choices influence reported performance. Delegates will learn to evaluate working capital efficiency, scrutinise financial forecasts for reliability, and identify red flags in notes and disclosures that signal underlying risk. By translating complex financial concepts into plain English, participants will gain the confidence to apply insights directly to strategic decisions within their organisations. Ultimately, this course empowers non-finance leaders to engage critically with financial information, drive better-informed choices, and communicate effectively across functions — turning financial awareness into a strategic advantage.
What if you could read a balance sheet like a story — and use it to steer your business?
This one-day course gives non-finance leaders the confidence to interpret financial statements, spot risk, and make sharper decisions.
You’ll learn to tell profit from cash flow, see how accounting choices shape performance, and unlock the real power of working capital.
No jargon. No fluff. Just practical insight you can apply tomorrow.
Available as an open course, closed group session, or one-to-one coaching — tailored to your team’s needs.
And yes, it counts towards six CPD hours.
To find out more, contact us at lets talk at e q v dot co dot uk.
Counts towards 6 CPD Hours1 Day9:00 - 5:00 for GroupsOpen Public & Closed Group
Please reflect on one or more of the questions below and come prepared to discuss your responses during the session.
Self-Assessment: On a scale of 1–10, how would you rate your current skill level in this subject? What factors influenced your rating?
Development Focus: Identify one specific behaviour, skill, or capability you would like to improve or develop further.
Relevant Examples: If possible, bring one or two relevant examples or scenarios from your experience that you would be willing to share with the group.
What You Will Learn
Interpret the three key financial statements to assess business health and risk.
Distinguish clearly between profit generation and cash flow management.
Evaluate the impact of different accounting policies on reported performance.
Analyse working capital efficiency and its effect on liquidity.
Assess the reliability of financial forecasts and understand sensitivity.
Identify red flags and potential risks within financial notes and disclosures.
Apply financial insights to real-world strategic decisions in your own organisation.
Communicate financial concepts effectively using plain English to non-finance stakeholders.
Your Post-Course Challenge
Within 30 days, review the latest financial accounts of your organisation.
Identify one area of Working Capital that could be improved and propose a specific action.
Share your findings and proposed action with your line manager or finance lead.
Reflect on how this new perspective changes your approach to budgeting and forecasting.
Counts Towards 6 CPD Hours
This course contributes 6 hours of Continuing Professional Development. Delegates can log these hours as evidence of structured learning for professional bodies and employers.
This course is designed for professionals who need to understand financial information to make better business decisions, even if they do not work in finance. It is ideal for anyone who wants to move beyond financial jargon and use accounting insights to support strategic thinking and communication within their organisation.
This course is ideal for:
Department heads who need to interpret financial reports to manage budgets and performance
Project managers responsible for delivering initiatives with financial accountability
Operations leaders seeking to improve efficiency and working capital management
Sales and marketing directors aiming to align commercial strategies with financial outcomes
HR and talent leaders involved in workforce planning and cost optimisation
Executives and senior managers without a finance background who want to contribute more effectively to board-level discussions
No prior experience needed
No prior financial training or qualifications are required to benefit from this course. Concepts are introduced from the ground up, making it accessible to anyone regardless of their current familiarity with financial statements or accounting principles.
What you will take away
You will leave with the confidence to read and interpret key financial reports, spot potential risks, and apply financial insights to real-world decisions in your role. You’ll also be able to communicate financial ideas clearly to colleagues across the organisation using plain, jargon-free language.
For Groups & Teams
We can deliver this training session in several ways to suit your organisation’s needs:
Open Public Course
Join delegates from other organisations on a scheduled date
Closed Group
Exclusively for your team, using your real scenarios
In Person
Face-to-face at your premises or a venue of your choice
Virtual
Live, interactive online delivery via Teams or Zoom
One-to-One Coaching
Personalised sessions tailored entirely to you
Have two or more people to train?
You may want to consider a closed group course. Benefits include:
Cost effective for teams
Choose a date to suit you
Customise content and timings
No minimum delegate numbers
Uses your real-world scenarios
Builds shared language in your team
Contact us on [email protected] to discuss specific dates and delivery requirements.
How Our Tutor-Led Courses Are Delivered
Before the day
Delegates are given pre-work to complete before attending. This ensures everyone arrives with relevant context and real scenarios from their own experience, so learning is immediately relevant and actionable from the first minute.
On the day
Our sessions are participative and highly interactive. We don’t do “death by PowerPoint” — instead, the day includes a variety of engaging activities throughout:
Real-world casework using your scenarios
Practical hands-on exercises
Real Play (not role play) simulations
Peer learning and group discussion
Case studies and scenario work
Facilitated discussion and structured reflection
What you leave with
Participants leave with:
Practical tools — frameworks and models you can use straight away
Clear action plans — specific next steps tailored to your role
Greater confidence — built through intensive, realistic practice
Skills you can apply immediately — not theory, but techniques tested during the day
After the day
Post-session measurements and a 30-day challenge ensure that learning is embedded and behaviour change is sustained.
Key Features
Course Duration is 1 Day
Engaging tutor led event
Comprehensive course materials
Certificates of attendance
Access to Customer Portal (course bookers)
Course Guarantee
Priced per delegate per day for open public course
£695.00 Plus VAT
Can’t see a suitable date? Please request a date here
Payment available via all major credit cards or Invoice. All options available during the online booking process.
