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