Fundamentals of Finance and Accounting for Non-Financial Managers

Turn financial information into better business decisions.

Learn. Apply. Succeed.

  • Build a practical foundation in Canadian accounting practices, including accrual accounting and the difference between profit and cash flow
  • Read and interpret the income statement, balance sheet, statement of retained earnings and cash flow statement as a connected financial picture
  • Use annual reports, financial statement notes and audit opinions to better understand an organization’s financial position
  • Calculate and interpret key financial ratios to assess liquidity, leverage and profitability
  • Compare financial performance against competitors, industry norms and budgeted goals while considering relevant non-financial information
  • Distinguish fixed and variable costs and use break-even and contribution-margin analysis to support more profitable operating decisions
  • Understand how operating budgets are developed, monitor significant variances and evaluate different approaches to budgeting
  • Evaluate capital investments using cash flow, time value of money, net present value, internal rate of return and other measures of return

Is This Course Right For You?

You need to understand the financial information and decisions involved in your role, but finance isn’t your primary area of expertise.

98% of participants recommend this course.

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The Learning Experience

  • Learn from Canadian facilitators. Build your understanding step by step through clear explanations, discussion and examples drawn from Canadian business.
  • Work directly with financial information. Practise reading financial statements and working through budgets, ratios and financial calculations in individual and small-group exercises.
  • Learn alongside other professionals. Discuss financial questions, compare approaches and work through practical exercises with your facilitator and peers.

Duration: 14 Hours 
Delivered in classrooms across Canada and Virtually. 
Available for private delivery and customizable to match your organization’s needs. 

What People Are Saying

“I really enjoyed the course. It covered a lot of material effectively. It will help me with my objectives in the future. The instructor was excellent. One of the best I've had over the years.”

- Jessica K.

$2,595 Non Member Fee
$2,345 Member Fee
View our pricing options
  • Date
    Location
    Time

Do you need a different date or location? We offer Courses On Request.

$2,595 Non Member Fee
$2,345 Member Fee
View our pricing options
  • Date
    Location
    Time

Do you need a different date or location? We offer Courses On Request.

Help your managers understand the financial consequences before committing resources.

A decision that meets a department’s needs can still put pressure on cash flow or profitability. This course helps non-financial managers interpret financial information and evaluate budget and investment choices.

Learning together helps colleagues look beyond their own resource requests to consider the financial picture. Comparing options brings practical questions into the discussion: How will costs change? When will cash be needed? What return justifies the investment? Working through these questions helps managers connect operational priorities with financial reasoning.

Canadian Management Centre can deliver this course as private corporate training and customize the learning to reflect your organization’s priorities. Shorter sessions focused on specific learning objectives may also be available to fit your team’s schedule.

Connect with an advisor to discuss private corporate training for your organization.

This course is part of the Build Business Acumen learning path. Discover more about our Learning Paths or explore how we can tailor a pathway to align with your development and career goals.
 

Frequently Asked Questions

 Who is this finance and accounting course designed for?

This course is designed for managers, leaders, and professionals who are responsible for budgets, forecasts, or financial decisions but don’t have a finance or accounting background. It’s ideal financial training for non-financial managers who want to better understand the numbers that drive the business.

 What topics are covered in this finance course?

This course covers the fundamentals of finance and accounting, including how to read financial statements, understand income statements and balance sheets, interpret cash flow, analyze budgets, and use financial data to make better business decisions. The focus is on practical understanding, not accounting theory.

 Do I need a finance or accounting background to take this course?

No. This course, Fundamentals of Finance and Accounting for Non-Financial Managers, is built specifically for those without formal training in finance or accounting. Concepts are explained in clear, plain language, making it accessible for managers who want to build confidence with financials without becoming accountants.
 

 How will this course help me in my role as a manager?

This management training for non-finance managers helps you ask better questions, interpret financial results, manage budgets more effectively, and communicate more confidently with finance teams. You’ll gain a working understanding of financials that supports smarter planning and decision-making.

 Is this course focused more on finance or accounting?

It covers both. This course explains how accounting principles connect to financial decision-making, helping you understand not just what the numbers are, but what they mean for your department or organization.

 Is this an introductory or advanced finance course?

This is a fundamental finance course designed as an introduction. It’s especially helpful if you’ve been looking for short accounting courses for non-finance managers or a practical starting point before more advanced financial training.

 What will I be able to do better after completing this course?

After completing this training, you should be able to read financial statements with confidence, understand budgets and forecasts, evaluate financial performance, and make more informed business decisions using financial data.

 Does this finance course cover Canadian accounting practices?

Yes. Fundamentals of Finance and Accounting for Non-Financial Managers uses Canadian accounting practices and business examples. The course is led by Canadian facilitators and helps participants understand financial information and apply accounting and finance concepts in Canadian workplaces.

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Course Reviews

4.2 ★★★★★★★★★★ 230 Reviews

Participant Feedback Summary (AI generated based on all reviews)

Participants say Fundamentals of Finance and Accounting for Non-Financial Managers provides valuable exposure to finance and accounting concepts for participants who do not have a strong financial background. They describe the course as informative and educational, with useful coverage of topics such as budgeting, financial statements, ratios, and accounting fundamentals. Many participants say the learning experience was supported by clear explanations, relevant examples, and opportunities to ask questions and work through activities.

  • Finance fundamentals
  • Accounting concepts
  • Budgeting basics

Recent Reviews

  • Past Participant, Band Representative Jun 21, 2026

    The instructor William was engaging, I think that was key as finance and accounting can be a lot of information all at once. He was great at explaining and showing the work throughout the course and clearly answered any questions. very informative and a great starting point

  • Joshua A., Technical Operations Manager Jun 21, 2026

    Distance is not an impediment in seeking knowledge and academic progress. This online tutoring is a game changer, and I encourage others to take advantage of such opportunities to sharpen their skills.

  • Past Participant, Manager of Children's Services and Early Years Jun 7, 2026

  • Weijia Z., Technical Business Development Manager Jun 3, 2026

  • Cactus C., Director, Akwesasne Justice Department Jun 3, 2026

    Excellent course instructor, I really liked his teaching style & his expertise

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