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Business Finance

Having a sound grasp of financial concepts and techniques is essential for business analysts. This Business Finance course introduces you to the sources and use of finance in business and explains the key documents and how to interpret them.

It goes on to tackle business cases and investment appraisal techniques before showing you how to evaluate suppliers’ finances, how to use Financial ratio analysis and concludes with a session on Financing service delivery.

Presented to you by one of the expert training consultants pictured below, each member of our Business Finance training team bring their substantial practical experience of using business finance tools to the programme.

Who is this course for?

Business analysts, project managers, business change practitioners and anyone in business who needs a sound grasp of financial concepts and techniques. Business Finance is also a Business Skills module on the BCS (ISEB) Advanced Diploma in Business Analysis.

You’ll  be given a comprehensive Business Finance course manual, containing additional information and guidance on further reading.

Learning Objectives

Day 1

  • Sources and use of finance in business
  • Key financial reports and their interpretation
  • Cash flow forecasting
  • The purpose and contents of a business case

Day 2

  • Investment appraisal techniques
  • Budgets and budgeting
  • Costs and costing

Day 3

  • Evaluating supplier financial stability
  • Financing service delivery

Course Content

Finance in the project lifecycle

  • A financial perspective on the project lifecycle
  • Published regulatory accounts
  • The statement of cash flows and the distinction between cash and profit
  • Cash flow forecasting

Developing the business case

  • The business case in the business change lifecycle
  • The contents of a business case

Constructing the financial case

  • Costs and benefits to include in a business case
  • Investment appraisal: payback, NPV and IRR
  • The cost of capital and the weighted average cost of capital
  • NPV, IRR, systemic risk and project risk
  • Return on investment (ROI) and ROI and risk
  • The concept of shareholder value added (SVA)

Budgets and budgeting

  • Budgeting, long-term plans and corporate objectives
  • Cost centres, profit centres and the use of charge-out
  • Capital and revenue expenditure
  • Actual versus budget comparisons and actions
  • Budgetary control

Costs and cost behaviour

  • Fixed and variable costs and the concept of contribution
  • Breakeven analysis and the margin of safety
  • Price/volume calculations and charts
  • Marginal analysis: outsourcing, make or buy decisions
  • Costing approaches and types of cost

Evaluating supplier financial stability

  • Financial analysis and the calculation of ratios
  • Calculating and interpreting ratios
  • The relationship between primary and secondary ratios
  • Principles of shareholder value added (SVA) and economic value added (EVA)
  • The limitations of ratio analysis

Financing service delivery

  • Depreciation of assets: straight-line and reducing balance
  • Depreciation of assets: disposal and upgrade issues
  • Financing and leasing
  • Outsourcing

Exams & Certification

During this three day course you’ll receive all the training you need to prepare for the BCS Professional Certificate in Business Finance examination, which is held on the final afternoon of the course. This closed-book multiple-choice examination uses business scenarios to put your knowledge of business finance to the test. A pass means you’re another step closer to achieving the BCS International Advanced Diploma in Business Analysis.

If this course is part of your BCS Advanced Diploma in Business Analysis programme you have a choice of further modules you can take including Business Architecture, Agile Business Analysis, Data Analysis, Advanced Requirements Engineering, Team Leadership, Benefits Planning and Realisation and Stakeholder Engagement. 

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