Corporate Finance for Non-Financial Managers (AF-071) Training Course

Corporate Finance for Non-Financial Managers

Managers in operations, engineering, sales, marketing, human resources and technology make decisions every day that affect cash, profit and shareholder value. Yet many…

5 daysClassroom or online

49Upcoming dates

12Cities

£2,250Fees from

Course overview

Introduction

Managers in operations, engineering, sales, marketing, human resources and technology make decisions every day that affect cash, profit and shareholder value. Yet many have never been taught how finance works, which makes budget discussions, investment proposals and performance reviews more difficult than they need to be.

This Corporate Finance for Non-Financial Managers training course explains the essential concepts of corporate finance in clear, practical language. Participants learn how value is created, how financial statements fit together, how to read key ratios, how investment and financing decisions are made, and how working capital and cash flow affect the business.

Using everyday business examples rather than complex theory, the course builds the confidence to understand financial information, ask good questions and present business proposals that finance teams and senior leaders will support.

Course Objectives

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

Explain how businesses create value and the role of corporate finance
Understand the income statement, balance sheet and cash flow statement
Interpret key ratios for profitability, liquidity, efficiency and gearing
Explain the time value of money and its role in investment decisions
Evaluate simple investment proposals using payback, NPV and IRR
Understand how organisations finance themselves and the cost of capital
Manage working capital decisions that affect cash flow
Prepare financially sound business cases and budget requests

Target Audience

This training course is suitable for a wide range of professionals, including:

Managers and team leaders without a finance background
Engineers and technical specialists moving into management
Project managers responsible for budgets
Sales, marketing and commercial managers
HR and support function managers
Entrepreneurs and business owners
High-potential employees preparing for leadership roles

Training Methodology

The course avoids jargon and uses simple worked examples, business simulations, group exercises and discussions linked to participants' own roles. Participants analyse real company reports, evaluate investment ideas and build a business case, gaining practical confidence with financial concepts.

Target Competencies

Financial literacy
Financial statement interpretation
Investment decision awareness
Cash and working capital management
Business case preparation
Communication with finance teams

Course outline

1Day One: How Business Creates Value

The Purpose of Finance: Supporting decisions and measuring performance
Value Creation: Revenue, margins, capital and risk
Key Financial Vocabulary: Common terms explained simply
Financial and Management Accounting: Different purposes and users
The Role of the Finance Function: Partner, controller and steward
Business Model Thinking: Linking operations to financial results
Group Exercise: Mapping how participants' roles affect financial results

2Day Two: Understanding Financial Statements

The Income Statement: Revenue, costs and profit levels
The Balance Sheet: Assets, liabilities and equity
The Cash Flow Statement: Why profit is not the same as cash
Linking the Three Statements: Following transactions through the accounts
Ratio Analysis: Profitability, liquidity, efficiency and gearing
Reading an Annual Report: Where to find key information
Practical Exercise: Analysing a company's published financial statements

3Day Three: Costs, Budgets and Performance

Cost Behaviour: Fixed, variable and semi-variable costs
Break-Even Analysis: Volume, price and margin decisions
Budgeting Process: Preparing and defending a departmental budget
Variance Analysis: Understanding performance against budget
Key Performance Indicators: Linking operational and financial measures
Pricing Decisions: Cost-based and value-based approaches
Workshop: Preparing a departmental budget with assumptions

4Day Four: Investment and Financing Decisions

Time Value of Money: Why money today is worth more than money tomorrow
Investment Appraisal Methods: Payback, NPV and IRR in practice
Risk in Investment Decisions: Sensitivity and scenario thinking
Sources of Finance: Equity, debt, leases and internal funds
Cost of Capital: What it means for project approval
Shareholder Value and Return on Capital
Practical Exercise: Evaluating competing investment proposals

5Day Five: Cash Flow and Business Cases

Working Capital: Receivables, inventory and payables decisions
Cash Flow Forecasting: Simple methods for managers
Building a Business Case: Structure, benefits, costs and risks
Presenting Financial Information: Clear and credible communication
Working with Finance Partners: Asking the right questions
Personal Action Plan: Applying financial thinking in daily decisions
Final Presentation: Business case pitch to a simulated approval panel

Frequently asked questions

How long is the Corporate Finance for Non-Financial Managers course?

The course runs over 5 days of classroom training, usually Monday to Friday.

When is the next Corporate Finance for Non-Financial Managers course?

The next public date is 7 - 11 Dec 2026 in London. There are 49 upcoming dates in total.

Where is this course held?

Upcoming sessions run in London, Barcelona, Frankfurt, Geneva, Istanbul, Kuala Lumpur, Madrid, Munich, Rome, Vienna, Cape Town, Dubai.

Can I take Corporate Finance for Non-Financial Managers online?

Yes. Every date can also be joined live online in a virtual classroom with the trainer, for £1,280 per participant. Choose "Live online" in the dates table when you register.

How much does the course cost?

Fees start from £2,250 per delegate, depending on the city. Fees include tuition and course materials.

Do participants receive a certificate?

Yes. Delegates who complete the course receive a London Leadership Management Innovation certificate of completion.

Can this course be delivered in-house for our team?

Yes. LLMI can tailor and deliver this course privately for your organisation at your premises or in one of our training cities.

Course information last updated 14 November 2026.

Corporate Finance for Non-Financial Managers

Course overview

Introduction

Course Objectives

Target Audience

Training Methodology

Target Competencies

Course outline

Dates and fees

Frequently asked questions

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