Basics of Financial Planning and Analysis

Overview:

Introduction:

This training program delves into the fundamentals of financial planning and analysis (FP&A), providing essential tools and techniques for effective budgeting, forecasting, and financial decision-making. It empowers participants to create robust financial plans and analyses that drive organizational success.

Program Objectives:

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

• Understand the core concepts of financial planning and analysis.

• Develop and manage budgets and financial forecasts.

• Analyze financial statements and performance metrics.

• Implement strategies for improving financial decision-making.

• Use FP&A tools to support organizational goals and performance.

Targeted Audience:

• Financial Analysts.

• Budget Managers.

• Finance Directors.

• Business Controllers.

• Financial Planning Professionals.

Program Outline:

Unit 1:

Introduction to Financial Planning and Analysis:

• Overview of FP&A and its role in organizational success.

• Key components of financial planning: budgeting, forecasting, and reporting.

• Understanding financial statements and their impact on planning.

• The relationship between FP&A and strategic planning.

• Case studies on effective financial planning and analysis.

Unit 2:

Budgeting Fundamentals:

• Steps in the budgeting process: planning, preparation, and approval.

• Types of budgets: static vs. flexible, zero-based vs. incremental.

• Techniques for developing accurate and realistic budgets.

• Analyzing budget variances and making adjustments.

• Tools and software for budgeting.

Unit 3:

Financial Forecasting Techniques:

• Overview of forecasting methods and their applications.

• Quantitative vs. qualitative forecasting techniques.

• Building and refining financial models for forecasting.

• Scenario analysis and its role in forecasting.

Unit 4:

Analyzing Financial Performance:

• Key performance indicators (KPIs) and financial metrics.

• Techniques for analyzing financial statements (income statement, balance sheet, cash flow statement).

• Performance benchmarking and comparison.

• Identifying trends and making data-driven decisions.

• Tools for financial analysis.

Unit 5:

Enhancing Financial Decision-Making:

• Strategies for effective financial decision-making.

• Integrating FP&A insights into business strategy.

• Communicating financial information to stakeholders.

• Continuous improvement in FP&A processes.

• Examples of improved decision-making through FP&A.