Financial Analysis I: Critical Thinking & Decision-Making

This course focuses on critical thinking skills, financial data analysis and systems thinking to improve value-added decision-making. Participants learn how to evaluate different problem-solving processes and identify trends and “stories” in the data that are important for improved decision-making.

AGENDA TOPICS

  • Critical thinking
  • Situational awareness
  • Systems Analysis
  • Decision Analysis and Theory
  • Data Analysis

COURSE LENGTH

Two 2-Hour Virtual Sessions or One Half Day In-Person

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

  • Recognize trends within data to determine potential actions and conclusions
  • Determine the most effective ways to present conclusions and data analysis
  • Learn to professionally present data analysis and prepare reports


Financial Analysis II: Insights Through Data Analytics

Participants get hands-on training using Microsoft Excel to evaluate financial data for value-added decision-making, from learning how to mine data using Excel pivot tables, to gaining insight into when and where to use key financial analytics. 

AGENDA TOPICS

  • Profitability Analysis
  • Bridge Analysis
  • Data Mining & Pivot Tables
  • Detailed Revenue & Expense Analysis in Excel
  • Sensitivity Analysis

COURSE LENGTH

Two 2-Hour Virtual Sessions or One Half Day In-Person

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

  • Apply analytics to understand profitability
  • Use analytics to perform a bridge analysis of actual and forecasted results
  • Evaluate revenue and expense information using descriptive analytics and time series analysis 
  • Perform sensitivity analysis to assess possible future outcomes of different strategic choices

FP&A's Role in Business Strategy & Decision-Making

Participants learn how a clear identification of the firm’s values, an effective governance structure, a consistent process for making decisions, and knowledge of the appropriate key performance indicators (KPIs) central to business success can drive business growth. 

AGENDA TOPICS

  • Firm values
  • KPIs
  • Decision-Making Theory
  • Establishing Effective Governance Structures

COURSE LENGTH

Two 2-Hour Virtual Sessions or One Half Day In-Person

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

  • Understand the role FP&A plays in business strategy
  • Understand how governance and decision-making impacts business growth
  • Learn effective decision-making strategies
  • Identify the KPIs essential to business growth