Finance and Accounting for Non-Financial Managers

New managers and supervisors with budget responsibility

Team leads and specialists transitioning into management roles

Operations, HR, admin, and support managers who review spending

Project coordinators and PMs who track costs and invoices

Anyone who works with finance reports but lacks a finance background

Understand core accounting terms and how transactions flow into reports

Read basic income statement, balance sheet, and cash flow statements

Distinguish fixed/variable costs and use simple break-even logic

Build and manage a basic budget and explain variances clearly

Apply simple controls to avoid errors, waste, and compliance issues

Finance Basics Without Jargon

• Key terms: revenue, cost, expense, profit, margin, cash, accrual
• The accounting equation and why it matters
• Accrual vs. cash: what changes and why
• Common misunderstandings managers make with finance
• Practical glossary and workplace examples

Understanding Financial Statements

• Income statement: how profit is calculated and what drives it
• Balance sheet: assets, liabilities, equity in everyday language
• Cash flow: operating, investing, financing—what they mean
• How statements connect (profit ≠ cash)
• Simple red flags and what to ask finance

Cost Management for Managers

• Fixed vs. variable vs. semi-variable costs
• Direct vs. indirect costs and cost allocation basics
• Unit cost, productivity, and cost-to-serve concepts
• Break-even and contribution margin in simple examples
• Cost control habits: approvals, buying discipline, and waste reduction

Budgeting & Forecasting Essentials

• Building a simple budget: assumptions and categories
• Managing budgets monthly: tracking, commits, and remaining spend
• Variance explanation: volume, price, efficiency, timing
• Forecast updates: what changes and how to communicate it
• Practical budget conversation with finance: what to prepare

Everyday Controls & Finance Communication

• Purchase-to-pay basics: PO, invoice, receiving, and payment logic
• Common compliance risks: splitting orders, weak documentation, conflicts
• Expense claims, petty cash, and approvals best practices
• Writing a clear financial update: short, factual, action-focused
• Personal action plan: 10 habits for better financial management

New managers and supervisors with budget responsibility

Team leads and specialists transitioning into management roles

Operations, HR, admin, and support managers who review spending

Project coordinators and PMs who track costs and invoices

Anyone who works with finance reports but lacks a finance background