Training Course on Financial Planning Budgeting and Forecasting

Course Overview

Budget planning and forecasting are two of the most important tasks that provide direction and financial objectives of an organization. This course is designed to equip participants with the knowledge and practical skills necessary to excel in financial planning, budgeting, and forecasting, contributing to effective strategic decision-making within their organizations.

Target Audience:

• Financial managers, Budget analysts, Planning professionals, and anyone involved in the financial planning process
• Individuals seeking to enhance their skills in budgeting and forecasting for better organizational decision-making.

Course Duration: 5 days

Course Outline

Module 1: Introduction to Financial Planning

• Importance and purpose of financial planning
• Key components of a comprehensive financial plan
• Linking financial planning to organizational goals and strategies

Module 2: Budgeting Fundamentals

• Overview of budgeting as a planning tool
• Types of budgets: operating, capital, and cash budgets
• Budgeting process: preparation, approval, and monitoring

Module 3: Creating and Managing Budgets

• Developing a budget: top-down vs. bottom-up approaches
• Setting realistic and achievable financial goals
• Budgeting best practices and common challenges

Module 4: Rolling Forecasts

• Understanding the concept of rolling forecasts
• Benefits of adopting rolling forecasts over traditional static budgets
• Implementation strategies for rolling forecasts

Module 5: Forecasting Techniques

• Overview of forecasting methods: quantitative vs. qualitative
• Time-series analysis, regression analysis, and scenario planning
• Selecting the appropriate forecasting technique for different situations

Module 6: Financial Modeling for Decision-Making

• Introduction to financial modeling
• Building and interpreting financial models
• Using financial models to support decision-making

Module 7: Cash Flow Forecasting

• Importance of cash flow forecasting
• Building a cash flow forecast
• Managing cash flow to ensure liquidity

Module 8: Performance Metrics and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• Identifying relevant performance metrics
• Using KPIs for monitoring and evaluation
• Aligning KPIs with organizational goals

Module 9: Budget Variance Analysis

• Understanding budget variances
• Analyzing variances to identify causes and trends
• Implementing corrective actions based on variance analysis

Module 10: Integrated Financial Planning

• Integrating financial planning, budgeting, and forecasting processes
• Aligning financial plans with strategic objectives
• Case studies on successful integrated financial planning

Note: This outline provides a general structure for the training. The specific content, activities, and duration of each session may be adjusted based on the target audience, learning objectives, and available time.