This course offers an in-depth exploration of financial analysis, modelling, and forecasting tailored specifically for the public sector. Participants will gain a comprehensive understanding of how to evaluate financial data, create models for financial planning, and predict future financial performance in a governmental or public organizational context.

At the end of this training, participants will be able to:

• Design and build practical and effective financial models in Excel.
• Improve your skills in analysing and interpreting financial statements.
• Build financial forecasting models for a range of business applications.
• Apply financial modelling techniques to investment decision-making.
• Use a range of tools to analyse and manage business risk.

Content

The Competitive Challenge in the 21st Century

• Identifying and Managing Stakeholder Needs
• Business Models and How They are Disrupted.
• An Integrated Approach to Risk Management
• The Essentials of Business Performance Management

Fundamentals of Financial Modelling

• Financial Statements Basics
• Fundamentals of Financial Modelling

Mastering Financial Analysis

• Building a Financial Ratio Database in Excel
• Practical Modelling: The Cost-Volume-Profit Relationship
• Measuring and Improving Return on Investment
• Measuring and Improving Asset Management Efficiency
• Measuring and Managing Capital Structure and Risk
• Practical Modelling: The Effect of Gearing on Shareholders’ Earnings

Improving Financial Forecasting

• Practical Modelling: Using Excel Statistical Analysis Tools
• Avoiding Common Forecasting Problems
• Using Moving Averages to Analyse Time Series Data
• Using Linear Regression for Sales Trend Analysis
• Using Excel Solver to Minimise Forecasting Error
• Using Regression and Correlation to Forecast Costs
• Practical Modelling: Cash Flow Forecasting

Financial Models to Improve Investment Decision-making

• Principles of Capital Investment Decision-making
• Sources and Cost of Business Finance
• Practical Modelling: Using Excel Discounted Cash Flow Tools
• Practical Modelling: Capital Investment Analysis
• Essentials of Business Valuation
• Practical Modelling: Business Valuation Based on Shareholder Value Added

Managing Risk and Uncertainty

• Identifying and Analysing Business Risk
• Probability Based Approach to Decision-making
• Monte Carlo Simulation
• Sensitivity Analysis and “what-if” Forecasting
• Identifying the Key Drivers of Financial Performance
• Practical Modelling: Key Driver “what-if” Forecast

Training Methodology

The training methodology combines lectures, discussions, group exercises and illustrations. Participants will gain both theoretical and practical knowledge of the topics. The emphasis is on the practical application of the topics and as a result participant will go back to the workplace with both the ability and the confidence to apply the techniques learned to their duties.