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Fundamentals of Finance for Non-Finance Backgrounds

Scale up from beginner to financially savvy with essential business skills in financial reporting and statements with INCEIF.

a person holding a tablet with graphs on it in front of a group of business people

Fundamentals of Finance for Non-Finance Backgrounds

  • 4 weeks

  • 3 hours per week

  • Digital certificate when eligible

  • Introductory level

Find out more about how to join this course

  • Duration

    4 weeks
  • Weekly study

    3 hours
  • 100% online

    How it works
  • Unlimited subscription

    $244.99 for a whole yearLearn more

Master essential financial concepts without a finance background

In today’s business landscape, financial acumen is essential for those at management roles, though not everyone needs a finance background to land these positions.

On this four-week course from the INCEIF University, you’ll gain a solid understanding of financial principles to excel as a manager in any industry.

By mastering these critical financial skills, you’ll position yourself as a versatile manager, capable of making informed decisions and contributing effectively to strategic initiatives.

Grasp accounting principles and financial reporting

Begin this course by learning the basics behind one of business’s most crucial arms: accounting and finance.

You’ll be introduced to the core principles of financial accounting, gaining a clear understanding of how financial statements are prepared and what they reveal about an organisation’s financial health.

Understanding the presentation of financial statements that adhere to reporting standards

You’ll learn step-by-step the structure of Statements of Financial Position, Income Statements, and Cash Flow Statements.

Beyond the technical aspects of preparing these statements, you’ll also learn how these documents interrelate to provide a comprehensive view of an organisation’s financial affairs.

This knowledge will equip you with the skills to effectively interpret and analyse financial statements, enabling you to perform insightful financial analysis that drives informed economic decision-making. A more comprehensive version can be delivered through webinar training upon request.

Syllabus

  • Week 1

    Fundamentals of Accounting and Financial Reporting

    • a person is using a calculator with money on top of it

      What is Accounting?

      Accounting is the process of recording, summarizing, and reporting financial transactions to provide insights into a company's financial health and support accurate financial reporting and decision-making.

    • statement of financial position

      Financial Statements

      Financial statements, including the statement of financial position also known as balance sheet, income statement, cash flow statements and statement of changes in equity provide insides of financial affairs of an institution.

    • a group of business people looking at graphs and papers

      Who Uses Accounting Information?

      Identifying who uses accounting information is key to understanding its role, as it aids various stakeholders in making informed decisions and evaluating financial performance.

    • summary written with a white marker

      Summary

      Summary and reflection for Week 1

  • Week 2

    Overview of Financial Reporting

    • a hand is holding a pen and a calculator in front of financial documents on a desk

      Accounting Conceptual Framework

      The Accounting Conceptual Framework establishes the foundational concepts, objectives, and definitions for developing accounting standards and ensuring consistency in financial statement preparation and presentation.

    • a person holding a scale with a house on one side and stacks of money on the other side

      Scenario 1

      The scenario discusses your company's assets and liabilities and how previous assets were financed.

    • liabilities and equity on a balance sheet

      Accounting Equations

      "Accounting Equations" form the foundation of financial accounting, representing the relationship between a company's assets, liabilities, and equity.

  • Week 3

    Sequence of Preparation of Financial Statements and Their Relationship

    • how to write a financial statement

      Steps to Prepare a Financial Statement

      This section explains a simple, step-by-step guide to help managers and non-finance professionals create accurate financial statements for effective business decision-making.

    • a financial statement on a balance sheet

      Statement of Financial Position

      The "Statement of Financial Position," or balance sheet, provides a snapshot of a company's assets, liabilities, and equity at a specific point in time.

    • income statement and pen on a table

      Statement of Comprehensive Income

      The "Statement of Comprehensive Income" details a company’s financial performance over a period, showing revenues, expenses, gains, and losses.

    • statement of stockholder's report with pen and magnifying glass

      Statement of Changes in Equity

      The "Statement of Changes in Equity" tracks the variations in a company’s equity over a specific period.

    • A person holding a tablet with cash flow concept stock photo.

      Statement of Cash Flows

      The "Statement of Cash Flows" outlines a company’s cash inflows and outflows over a period, categorized into operating, investing, and financing activities.

  • Week 4

    Presentation of Statement of Financial Position, Income Statement and Cash Flow Statement

    • a person is typing on a laptop while sitting at a desk

      Accounting Assumptions, Principles and Concepts

      Foundations of accounting: assumptions, principles, and key concepts.

    • Three business people standing in front of a table with papers and pens

      Financial Reporting Environment

      The accounting process did not exist in isolation without the various regulatory bodies and governmental bodies. we will discuss six reporting parties.

    • a person is working on their computer with a checklist on the screen

      What's Next?

      Congratulations, you have completed the 4-week lessons. Next, to obtain the certificate of completion, you are required to take the course assessment. Details of the course assessment are provided on the next page.

When would you like to start?

Start straight away and join a global classroom of learners. If the course hasn’t started yet you’ll see the future date listed below.

  • Available now

Learning on this course

On every step of the course you can meet other learners, share your ideas and join in with active discussions in the comments.

What will you achieve?

By the end of the course, you‘ll be able to...

  • Interpret financial statements to assess the financial health and performance of an organization.
  • Apply financial evaluation techniques to assess investment projects and make informed decisions regarding capital allocation.
  • Create, monitor, and manage budgets effectively to support organizational goals and objectives.
  • Investigate the role of financial markets in investment decision-making and portfolio management.
  • Develop strategies to mitigate risks effectively, ensuring financial sustainability and success.

Who is the course for?

Designed for professionals without finance backgrounds, this course equips you with essential finance skills to enhance your leadership and decision-making. No prior knowledge is required; everything you need to know will be covered in the course itself.

Who will you learn with?

Who developed the course?

INCEIF logo

INCEIF

INCEIF is considered to be the knowledge leader in Islamic finance through providing excellent teaching, research and thought leadership.

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Ways to learn

Choose the best way to learn for you!

Subscribe & save

$244.99 for a whole year

Automatically renews

Develop skills to further your career

  • Access to this course
  • Access to 1,000+ courses
  • Learn at your own pace
  • Discuss your learning in comments
  • Tests to boost your learning
  • Digital certificate when you're eligible

Cancel for free anytime

Buy this course

$109/one-off payment

Fulfill your current learning need

  • Access to this course
  • Learn at your own pace
  • Discuss your learning in comments
  • Tests to boost your learning
  • Printed and digital certificate when you’re eligible

Limited access

Free

Sample the course materials

  • Access expires 12 Mar 2025

Find out more about certificates, Unlimited or buying a course (Upgrades)

Sale price available until 3 March 2025 at 23:59 (UTC). T&Cs apply.

Find out more about certificates, Unlimited or buying a course (Upgrades)

Sale price available until 3 March 2025 at 23:59 (UTC). T&Cs apply.

Learning on FutureLearn

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  • Learn through a mix of bite-sized videos, long- and short-form articles, audio, and practical activities
  • Stay motivated by using the Progress page to keep track of your step completion and assessment scores

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Map your progress

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  • Whenever you’re ready, mark each step as complete, you’re in control
  • Complete 90% of course steps and all of the assessments to earn your certificate

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