Financial Analysis, Planning and Control Training Course

This course equips participants with the skills to analyze financial performance, plan resources, and control organizational finances. It focuses on financial statement analysis, forecasting, budgeting, performance monitoring, and control frameworks that support strong decision-making.

Target Groups

• Finance managers and analysts
• Accountants and financial controllers
• Business unit and department managers
• Planning and performance officers
• Internal auditors
• Senior managers needing financial insight
• Managers and supervisors seeking to strengthen organizational practice in this field
• Consultants and professionals supporting related organizations

Course Objectives

By the end of this course, participants will be able to:

• Analyze financial statements to assess performance
• Calculate and interpret key financial ratios
• Develop financial plans and forecasts
• Prepare operating and cash budgets
• Monitor performance against plans
• Apply cost and working capital controls
• Assess financial risks and liquidity
• Use KPIs and dashboards for control
• Strengthen internal financial controls
• Communicate financial insights to decision-makers

Course Modules

Module 1: Financial Management Framework

• Role of financial analysis, planning, and control
• Financial objectives
• Stakeholders and information needs
• Planning and control cycle
• Governance basics

Module 2: Financial Statement Analysis

• Income statement and balance sheet review
• Cash flow statement analysis
• Horizontal and vertical analysis
• Common-size statements
• Quality of earnings

Module 3: Ratio Analysis

• Profitability and efficiency ratios
• Liquidity and solvency ratios
• Investor ratios
• Trend and peer comparisons
• Limitations of ratios

Module 4: Financial Forecasting

• Forecasting methods
• Revenue and cost projections
• Pro forma statements
• Assumption management
• Forecast accuracy

Module 5: Budgeting and Planning

• Strategic and operational plans
• Budget preparation
• Cash budgets
• Capital plans
• Linking plans to strategy

Module 6: Working Capital and Cash Control

• Working capital cycle
• Inventory, receivables, and payables control
• Cash flow management
• Short-term financing
• Liquidity indicators

Module 7: Cost Control and Performance Monitoring

• Cost control methods
• Variance analysis
• Responsibility centres
• KPIs and scorecards
• Management reporting

Module 8: Financial Risk and Capital Structure

• Financial risk types
• Leverage and capital structure
• Cost of capital basics
• Sensitivity analysis
• Risk mitigation

Module 9: Internal Controls and Governance

• Control frameworks
• Segregation of duties
• Fraud prevention
• Policies and authorization limits
• Monitoring and assurance

Module 10: Practical Exercises and Capstone Project

• Analyzing a case company’s financial statements
• Building a forecast and budget
• Preparing a performance dashboard
• Recommending control improvements
• Presenting findings to a mock leadership team