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In-Person
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Expand your fluency in the language of business finance. Connect key accounting concepts to operational decision-making and recognize your impact on the bottom line.
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(4.5/5)
Average Participant Rating
Price
$4,990 CAD
Spring Session
$4,990 CAD
Module 1: April 17 - April 19, 2023
In-Person
3 days
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Spring Session
$4,990 CAD
Module 1: May 8 - May 10, 2023
In-Person
3 days
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Fall Session
$4,990 CAD
Module 1: October 16 - October 18, 2023
In-Person
3 days
London, Ontario, Canada
Program Overview
Not a finance person? Numbers seem like a different language? Dread the thought of cash flows, or budget decisions?
We can help.
Finance for Non-Financial Professionals will help you manage cash flows, make good financial decisions, and discuss statements with your finance and accounting colleagues. You’ll come out of the program understanding the principles, even if you felt clueless going in.
Through case studies and exercises, you become the decision maker. Understand how to connect financial implications to strategy. Work with Ivey faculty to better understand your own organization’s statements. Determine the key questions you should ask when you return to the office.
Understanding numbers is crucial to making good business decisions. Don’t get left behind.
Who Should Attend?
This program was designed for individuals looking to advance their careers by learning the basics of finance and accounting.
This program is open to individuals at any stage of their career and all organizational levels who wish to further augment their decision making with sound financial and accounting analysis.
What You Learn
The program is designed specifically for individuals with little to no financial background. It starts with the basics and builds a foundation. You won’t feel “behind” your classmates. You’ll be comfortable asking questions and participating in class discussions.
The program is practical. As you explore each business case, you’ll compare the situation to your own firm’s financial issues. And you’ll return to the office with solutions. You'll bemore effective at interacting with the accounting and financial groups using their capacities to your benefit.
Understand the basics of financial statements
- Become a pro at interpreting the income statements, balance sheets, and cash flow statements of your own firm
- Gain insight into the relevance and limitations of key financial statements in annual reports
- Get familiar with financial ratios and key performance measures
Better manage day-to-day cash flows and working capital
- Understand cost measurement and cost behaviour
- Make effective capital budgeting decisions by incorporating relevant cash flows, cost of capital, sensitivity analysis and qualitative factors
Learn how to use financial information to make good decisions
- Identify key economic and industry factors, risks and opportunities, and financial implications
- Understand time value of money concepts
- Get familiar with hurdle rates and return-on-investment requirements
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How You Learn
Finance for Non-Financial Professionals is deeply experiential, grounded in case research, and facilitated by expert faculty from Ivey Business School. Working in peer teams, you'll build financial acumen with other leaders and use real metrics to make sound decisions. You'll finish the program with new skills, crowdsourced wisdom, and enhanced skills in the world of business finance.
Learn more about the Ivey Experience
Expert Faculty Led Sessions
Ivey Case Method
Peer Learning Teams
Online Learning Activities
Return on Investment
- For you
- For your organization
- When you complete Finance for Non-Financial Professionals, you’ll receive a certificate and digital credential from Ivey. This Ivey badge is linked to a unique URL, allowing you to showcase your expertise in business finance through online profiles.
- Through your peer learning teams and social events, you'll form lasting bonds with your classmates. The Ivey alumni network is a powerful resource for participants to share business opportunities or seek advice on life and career challenges.
- During the program, you’ll explore new perspectives while taking time for mindfulness, reflection, and practice away from the demands of work. Return to your role ready to bring sound financial decision-making into your day-to-day work.
- Bring a new financial perspective to your role and gain the ability to better communicate and achieve strategic goals.
- Work more closely and efficiently with your organization's finance team, ensuring your decisions are putting the organization's fiscal health first.
- Network with other leaders from across industries, in both the public and private sectors, to borrow ideas and jump-start fresh thinking within your own organization.
Program Faculty
Participant Testimonials
No matter when you take this class during your career, it is a great investment.
Susan Wilson, Director, Human Resources, J.D. Irving Limited
For those who have an interest in Finance and Accounting but no background in the subjects, I can’t think of a better way to introduce the topics at a high but thoroughly understandable level. The program left one looking forward to further courses.
Jason Green, Director, Industrial Relations, J.D. Irving Limited
It has considerably broadened my knowledge in accounting and finance in a way that I could not have done on my own or over such a short period of time.
Nicole Blanchette, Executive Director, La Ribambelle
Fees
Program sessions offered in Toronto and Calgary include program materials, along with breakfast and lunch. Participants are responsible for accommodations and meals outside of program hours. For programs held at our Ivey Spencer Leadership Centre, the program fee covers all program materials, meals, and accommodations. Program fees are tax-exempt.
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FAQs
What funding resources are available for executive education programs at Ivey? 
Organizations and participants in Canada may benefit from the Canada Job Grant or the Canada Training Credit to offset a portion of program fees.Visit our Funding Resources page to learn more.
What is the application process?
On the program page, select 'Apply Now' and choose your preferred start date. Submit the program application form and select a payment method. Once your application is approved, you will be billed directly or receive an invoice. Payment of program fees is due within 30 days of receipt of invoice and no less than 15 days before the program start date.
How should I prepare before attending the program?
Our program managers will contact all registered participants prior to the program start date with instructions to join our online Learning Management System. Once logged in, you will be able to create a class profile, view other participants' profiles, and access a list of assigned pre-reading, cases, and activities. Plan to review and complete preparation work in advance of each class session.
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