Course Objectives
Certificate in Accounting and Financial Control
Course Methodology
This courses focuses on exercises, case studies, Excel workshops, and individual and group presentations.
Course Objectives
By the end of the course, participants will be able to:
Identify the main responsibilities handled by financial controllers
Describe the different financial statements used in their organizations
Analyze company performance highlighting impact of current operations on future financial results
Evaluate and present company budgets and assist management in selecting proper plans
Practice some of the key skills required using Excel to boost the efficiency of accounting and finance work
Assess internal controls within the finance department and the organization in general
Target Audience
Financial controllers, chief accountants, finance or accounting managers, supervisors, staff accountants, general ledger accountants and any professional in accounting and finance who wish to upgrade their skills as well as prepare themselves to assume the responsibilities of a financial controller.
Target Competencies
Financial accounting and reporting
Financial statements analysis
Budgeting and process improvement
Excel functions and tools
Note
This is a hands-on training course using laptops, which will be made available by Meirc. For courses outside the UAE, participants are required to bring their own laptops with a fully functional version of MS Excel 2010/2013.
Course Outline
The main responsibilities of financial controllers
Accounting and reporting responsibilities
Budget reporting and analysis
Managing finance and accounting staff
Evolving role of financial controller
Accounting and reporting
Overview of the main International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS)
An inside look at the key financial statements
Statement of financial position
Statement of comprehensive income
Statement of cash flows
Statement of changes in owner equity
Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
Supporting bottom-line focus
Month and year end close: Controller as a project manager
Financial statements interpretation and analysis
Key tools in analysis
Building block of ratios
Liquidity ratios
Solvency ratios
Activity and investment ratios
Profitability ratios
Going beyond numbers reporting
Excel techniques used in presenting analysis to management
Budget reporting and analysis
The budget as an added value activity
Evaluating the budget and highlighting objectives
Presenting budget to top management
Preparing meaningful actual versus budget reports
Control function
Structure of internal controls
Setting and updating policies and procedures
Assessing internal control policies
Internal controls on financial reporting
System controls
Backup and disaster recovery planning
Ethical considerations
Boosting efficiency in your department
It’s all about Excel
The 10 must have Excel tips
Working with text files
Looking up records from a database
Validating data and controlling data input
Reconciliations and accounts analysis using pivot tables
Creating management reports and dashboards
Personal organization and time management
Monitoring staff efficiency to support the accounting close
Tools to increase staff productivity
Managing staff skills and attitudes
The main responsibilities of financial controllers
Accounting and reporting responsibilities
Budget reporting and analysis
Managing finance and accounting staff
Evolving role of financial controller
Accounting and reporting
Overview of the main International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS)
An inside look at the key financial statements
Statement of financial position
Statement of comprehensive income
Statement of cash flows
Statement of changes in owner equity
Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
Supporting bottom-line focus
Month and year end close: Controller as a project manager
Financial statements interpretation and analysis
Key tools in analysis
Building block of ratios
Liquidity ratios
Solvency ratios
Activity and investment ratios
Profitability ratios
Going beyond numbers reporting
Excel techniques used in presenting analysis to management
Budget reporting and analysis
The budget as an added value activity
Evaluating the budget and highlighting objectives
Presenting budget to top management
Preparing meaningful actual versus budget reports
Control function
Structure of internal controls
Setting and updating policies and procedures
Assessing internal control policies
Internal controls on financial reporting
System controls
Backup and disaster recovery planning
Ethical considerations
Boosting efficiency in your department
It’s all about Excel
The 10 must have Excel tips
Working with text files
Looking up records from a database
Validating data and controlling data input
Reconciliations and accounts analysis using pivot tables
Creating management reports and dashboards
Personal organization and time management
Monitoring staff efficiency to support the accounting close
Tools to increase staff productivity
Managing staff skills and attitudes