Financial and Commercial Awareness Training

We are experts in making the potentially complex area of finance easy to understand. Our aim is to boost your confidence and ability when using financial information to make commercial decisions.

Do you understand the difference between cash and profit? Do you know the difference between gross profit, net profit and EBITDA? Can you pick up a set of accounts and understand the financial performance and health of a business? Do you make the most of budgetary information and KPIs? Are you effective business partners with the finance function?

Insight Training financial and commercial awareness bespoke training

All our programmes are tailored specifically to the client’s needs. Run over one or two days, a typical financial and commercial awareness programme will include the core topics opposite.

Financial information – who uses it and why
Business structures
Business and strategic analysis
Financial and management accounts
Financial reporting and the regulatory framework
The primary financial statements – profit and loss, balance sheet and cash flow
Understanding shareholder value
Business finance
Case studies building simple financial statements
Key accounting concepts and areas of judgement
Managing cash flows
Working capital management
Pricing strategy
Budgeting as a management tool
Risk management and key financial controls
Investment appraisal and decision making
Current financial issues

CORE TOPICS

Case Study:

NatWest Group - Financial Awareness, Lending Skills and Credit Stewardship

The Insight Training team have been delivering training for the NatWest Group for over 20 years.

We have designed and delivered a range of financial awareness, lending skills, credit stewardship and personal development programmes.

Key programmes for the group include:

Lending skills for business and commercial managers
Commercial awareness for relationship managers
Financial awareness for HR and non-banking staff
Essential business report writing
Technical updates for credit managers
Business simulations

Much of our work has focussed on credit skills training for relationship managers. We have worked closely with NatWest and professional bodies including the Chartered Institute of Bankers in Scotland to structure and develop professional accreditation for these programmes.

“The delivery was very friendly and professional. The facilitator helped me uncover areas that I need to work on and the importance of understanding cashflow statements. 10/10 for me.”

Delegate,
NatWest Group

“This has been the best remote delivery course I have attended. It had a great mix of presentation and practical elements.”

Delegate,
NatWest Group

“Really informative – covered a range of aspects and made them easier to understand. Practical examples given to help build understanding.”

“It was pitched at an appropriate level and the speed was perfect. The trainer was excellent, very personable, knowledgeable and kept the group engaged in what is not always the most exciting topic.”

Case Study:

Financial Awareness for Procurement

This course was developed in collaboration with a consulting client working with public sector organisations looking to transform their commercial services and to deliver benefits to the front line.

Our course is part of an inclusive capability programme supporting the development of commercial acumen and competency in procurement and commercial teams, across all levels.

We were asked to design a remotely-delivered financial awareness programme, suitable to be delivered to senior leaders, procurement professionals and operational employees.

After a successful pilot, the programme now runs several times a year, delivered in three parts:

Essential Financial Awareness
Finance Fundamentals
Financial Analysis

The programme also supports those preparing for the Commercial Assessment and Development Centre (ADC) for commercial specialists working in Government and the public sector.