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Business Finance Course

The Business Finance course is a comprehensive introduction to a range of finance topics related to business. Learn about financial concepts and how to interpret key documents, and explore techniques through practical sessions. The course is a Business Skills module that contributes to the BCS (ISEB) Advanced International Diploma in Business Analysis.

  • Classroom

    Course Details:

    Duration: 3 days

    Price: Virtual £1295*+VAT
    *includes BCS exam


    Next available course:

    Virtual Classroom
    Virtual Classroom
    Virtual Classroom
  • E-learning
Who is this course for?

Business analysts, customer journey analysts, project managers, business change practitioners and anyone in business who needs a sound grasp of financial concepts and techniques. Business Finance is also a Business Skills module on the BCS (ISEB) Advanced Diploma in Business Analysis.

About the course

A sound grasp of financial concepts and techniques is essential for today’s business analyst. The Business Finance course introduces you to a range of techniques used in business, explaining the key documents and how to interpret them.

You’ll examine business cases and investment appraisal techniques and learn how to evaluate suppliers’ finances and use Financial Ratio Analysis. The course concludes with a session on Financing service delivery.

Presented to you by one of the expert training consultants pictured below. Each member of our Business Finance training team brings substantial practical experience of using business finance tools to the programme.

How is the course structured?

To give you more of an idea of what you’ll learn and how the course will help you, here’s a quick guide to those three days.

Day
1
  • Sources and use of finance in business
  • Key financial reports and their interpretation
  • Cash flow forecasting
  • The purpose and contents of a business case
Day
2
  • Investment appraisal techniques
  • Budgets and budgeting
  • Costs and costing
Day
3
  • Evaluating supplier financial stability
  • Financing service delivery
Course manual

For virtual courses a printed copy of the latest edition of the comprehensive course manual will be sent to your home address in good time for the start of your course. Our delegates tell us that having access to a physical document is beneficial as both a reference document and for taking notes during the course. In addition, a link will be emailed to you to enable you to access an electronic copy of the same comprehensive manual for convenient future reference.

Is there an exam?

Yes. During this three day course you’ll receive all the training you need to prepare for the BCS Professional Certificate in Business Finance examination. This closed-book multiple-choice examination uses business scenarios to put your knowledge of business finance to the test. A pass means you’re another step closer to achieving the BCS International Advanced Diploma in Business Analysis.

For delegates attending a classroom, virtual classroom or online course, the exam may be taken remotely using the BCS online proctoring service. This exam consists of 40 multiple-choice questions with a pass mark of 26/40.

What’s next?

If this course is part of your BCS Advanced Diploma in Business Analysis programme you have a choice of further modules you can take including Business Architecture, Agile Business Analysis, Data Analysis, Advanced Requirements Engineering, Team Leadership, Benefits Planning and Realisation and Stakeholder Engagement. The structure of the certification is shown here.

Full course outline

Business Finance (a three-day course)

Course Content

Finance in the project lifecycle

  • A financial perspective on the project lifecycle
  • Published regulatory accounts
  • The statement of cash flows and the distinction between cash and profit
  • Cash flow forecasting

Developing the business case

  • The business case in the business change lifecycle
  • The contents of a business case

Constructing the financial case

  • Costs and benefits to include in a business case
  • Investment appraisal: payback, NPV and IRR
  • The cost of capital and the weighted average cost of capital
  • NPV, IRR, systemic risk and project risk
  • Return on investment (ROI) and ROI and risk
  • The concept of shareholder value added (SVA)

Budgets and budgeting

  • Budgeting, long-term plans and corporate objectives
  • Cost centres, profit centres and the use of charge-out
  • Capital and revenue expenditure
  • Actual versus budget comparisons and actions
  • Budgetary control

Costs and cost behaviour

  • Fixed and variable costs and the concept of contribution
  • Breakeven analysis and the margin of safety
  • Price/volume calculations and charts
  • Marginal analysis: outsourcing, make or buy decisions
  • Costing approaches and types of cost

Evaluating supplier financial stability

  • Financial analysis and the calculation of ratios
  • Calculating and interpreting ratios
  • The relationship between primary and secondary ratios
  • Principles of shareholder value added (SVA) and economic value added (EVA)
  • The limitations of ratio analysis

Financing service delivery

  • Depreciation of assets: straight-line and reducing balance
  • Depreciation of assets: disposal and upgrade issues
  • Financing and leasing
  • Outsourcing

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Customer Reviews

“Our tutor was great, very focused on ensuring we understood and were happy with each topic, and very engaging, making a dry course enjoyable.”Kavita Favelle

“An excellent and very personable trainer, bringing the subject to life. He was patient and took time to ensure that all delegates understood every topic, giving us ample opportunity to challenge, contribute and discuss.”Karen Williams

Presenters for this course

Ian Glenister
Ian Glenister