Financial Management for Non-Financial Managers
Development organisations are under pressure to prove their effectiveness and to prove their accountability has become a constant companion in their mission. Proper management and thorough reporting of finances is fundamental in maintaining relationships with funding agencies, governments and other stakeholders. 
Participants
You are a manager, adviser or desk officer involved in planning and implementing development interventions, or you are involved in the management of development organisations. You are responsible for (certain areas of) financial management relating to your organisation, its programmes or projects, but you don’t have a specific financial background. You would however like to be able to appraise financial information for decision making purposes.
What participants from 2010 and 2011 say about the course:
`I now have a clearer picture on financial management in my mind and can understand the role of finances within project management.`
`Financials can be interesting and understandable if (knowledgeable) people explain you the backgrounds, links and "stories" behind it.`
`Financial management is not only important but actually really interesting.`
`Great for non-financial managers who would like to understand what finance people are doing.'
'Very useful introduction to financial management for those with no prior background in the subject.'
Course objectives
This course provides you with a foundation of sound financial management essentials. You will learn the terminology and be introduced to financial management techniques and tools to make a basic analysis of financial performance relating to projects, programmes or your organisation. You will also learn how to integrate financial management into the monitoring & evaluation system in your project or organisation. Throughout the course, you will be invited to identify the specific needs for further capacity development on financial management within your area of interest.
Course outline
| Monday | • What is Financial Management? • Project cycle and Project funding • Assessing proposals |
| Tuesday | • Resource allocation and budgeting • Appraising a budget • Disbursement • Cash planning |
| Wednesday | • Cost accounting • Justification of expenditure • Exposure visit |
| Thursday | • Financial ratios • Understanding financial statements • Financial reporting |
| Friday | • Auditing and internal control • Improving financial management • Individual action plans and presentations |
