Strategic Finance for Non-Finance Executives: Essential Skills in Financial Statements and Analysis

Learning Outcomes
By the end of this course, you will be able to:

• Apply the fundamental conventions and principles of accounting.
• Interpret the statement of financial position (balance sheet) and explain its uses and limitations.
• Prepare and review the main financial statements (statement of financial position, income statement and cash flow statement)
• Prepare and analyse the income statement, including depreciation, inventory valuation, and bad debts.
• Differentiate between profit and cash generation through the statement of cash flows.
• Apply ratio analysis to evaluate a business's financial strengths and weaknesses.

Who is this course for?
This course is designed for non-finance executives and professionals who want to develop essential skills in financial statements and analysis. It is ideal for managers, business leaders, and entrepreneurs who need to make informed financial decisions but do not have a formal finance background. Whether you aim to enhance your understanding of financial statements, improve your decision-making skills, or prepare for higher-level financial responsibilities, this microcredential provides the knowledge and tools you need.

What's included?

• Comprehensive video lectures and readings on financial accounting and management accounting.
• Practical exercises and case studies to apply your learning.
• One live webinar session with the instructor for real-time interaction and Q&A.
• Downloadable resource toolkit for ongoing reference.
• Final assessment to evaluate your understanding and application of the course material.

Instructor(s)
Dr. Danielle Lyssimachou is an award-winning educator and academic leader in Accounting, currently part of the Finance Department at Imperial College Business School. With over two decades of experience in teaching accounting globally and designing executive education programmes for major companies, Dr. Lyssimachou brings exceptional expertise and practical insights to this microcredential.

Duration
This microcredential is designed to be completed over five weeks, with a recommended total study time of 40 hours. You will spend approximately 6-10 hours per week exploring the topics.

Level / Requirements
There are no specific prerequisites, but an understanding of business concepts will be beneficial.

Start Date
For maximum flexibility, the course can be started at any time.

Technical Requirements
You will need a reliable internet connection and a modern web browser to access the online materials and participate in the course.