Executive Diploma in Accounting & Finance

Introduction:

The mini-master in accounting and finance course takes a closer look at the field of accounting and finance, with an emphasis on the vital role they play in making decisions under uncertainty.

This program blends case studies, background theories, analytical rigor and practical approaches to equip participants with key financial terminologies and practices that will not only enhance their understanding of corporate reporting, risk management and governance but also enable them add value to their organizations through effective decision-making.

As participants go through the course, they will see how financial tools are embedded in a holistic view that reveals strategic decision making insights to understand how budgets are developed from financial statements, data analysis planning-control framework is constituted and appreciate why finance-accounting-governance nexus is central for a corporate strategy or operational plan.

Course Objectives:

At the end of this Mini-Master in Accounting and Finance certificate course, trainees should be capable of:

• Critique the principles behind corporate reporting as explained by accounting and finance;
• Integrate risk management seamlessly within corporate governance frameworks;
• Know what precisely each particular IFRS or U.S. GAAP item means for each statement;
• Evaluate organizational financial performance through financial statement analysis;
• Understand cost behavior and its significant impact on management decisions;
• Communicate Financial information effectively (both verbally & written);
• Appreciate Cross-Functional Roles of Finance – Accounting – Governance.
• Align overarching business plans with strategic intent for informed decision-making.
• Enhance productivity and professionalism in addressing current-and-future finance-related challenges.
• Promote internal recognition within companies for continuous learning/professional development.

Training Methodology:

• Interactive lectures
• Case study analysis
• Group discussions
• Real-world simulations
• Workshops and hands-on sessions
• Continuous assessment and feedback
• Guest speaker sessions
• Capstone project or final presentation

Course Outline:

Unit 1: Financial Statement Analysis:

• Welcome note and course objectives overview.
• Introduction to key financial statement analysis concepts.
• Use of financial statement analysis for internal and external purposes.
• Primary types of financial statements with the “Basket Wonders Co.” case study.
• Create a structure for an exhaustive financial analysis.
• Analysis of Liquidity Ratios, including comparisons and trend reporting.
• Study into Financial Leverage Ratios and Implications

Coverage ratios should be reviewed

• Activity Ratios/Pofitability metrics including ROI/Du Pont Analysis
• Synthesis of Ratio Analysis outcomes
• Common-size/ Index analyses approach on financial statements.
• Predicting Financial Risk Using DuPont, Altman Z-score, Basel techniques
• Q&A session as we conclude day one’s housekeeping

Unit 2: Cost Control (Cost Behavior):

• A brief recap of the previous session
• Address housekeeping questions
• The three primary manufacturing cost categories with examples.
• Give illustrations that can be used to distinguish between product costs and period costs
• Understand Patterns Of Cost Behavior - Variable Costs
• Scatter Graph Plots & High-Low Method For Analyzing Mixed Costs
• Design income statements using different formats for merchandising companies.
• Distinguish between direct and indirect costs.
• Decision Influencing Cost Classifications: Differential, Opportunity And Sunk Costs.
• Basic Principles Of Cost-Volume-Profit (CVP) Analysis.
• Practical exercise and Q&A throughout the rest of this session before concluding with some housekeeping notes.

Unit 3: Cost Control (Inventory):

• Inventory’s management scope and definition.  
  • Purchases, sales and reporting insights of the inventory under accounting principles.
  • The distinctions between inventory systems: Perpetual & Periodic.
  • Hands-on study about cost flow assumptions.
  • A comparative view on FIFO vs LIFO approaches.
  • Cost entries which are essential in connection to materials, labor, and overheads.
  • Cost center accounting fundamentals and practice stressed.
  • Moreover, there will be a need for an in-depth question answer session as well as a round of housekeeping.