Financial Times Guide to Finance for Non-Financial Managers, The

by Haigh, Jo

• ISBN13: 9780273756200
• ISBN10: 0273756206
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2011-11-10
• Publisher: FT Publishing International

Summary

Understand the language of finance, so you can make better decisions, and make them more confidently. Transform complex financial data into knowledge for action. Use KPIs and ratios to assess business health and identify 'warning signals' Make better choices about capital investments. Communicate more effectively with financial professionals. Build skills that are essential to helping businesses achieve their goals -- and to moving forward in your career.FT Guide to Finance for Non-Financial Managers teaches non-financial managers the language of finance, so they can translate complex financial data into actionable knowledge for better decision-making. In plain English, Jo Haigh introduces techniques that can make every business professional more effective -- both in the business, and in their own careers. Haigh shows how to: Accurately interpret financial reports, and understand the drivers of profit and loss. Recognize the difference between cash and profit. Understand balance sheets. Work with budgets and forecasts. Use Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and business ratios. Assess the health of the business, and quickly identify 'warning signals' so they can be addressed early and cost-effectively. Identify opportunities to increase profits and solve business problems. Compare capital projects and choose better investments. Communicate and coordinate more effectively with financial professionals. Take a more proactive role in helping the business achieve its goals The book includes a complete glossary of finance and investing terms, as well as many sample documents, from KPI summaries to sample full and abbreviated published accounts.

Author Biography

Jo Haigh is Head of Corporate Finance and a Partner at ATF Group Ltd and Head of Corporate Finance for MGR, an accountancy and financial management firm. Jo has been the Institute of Directors (IOD) Business Adviser of the Year and Business Woman of the Year and is the author The Business Rules; Buying and Selling a Business and Tales from the Glass Ceiling. All published by Piatkus/LittleBrown.

Table of Contents

About the author

Acknowledgements

Introduction

1. Data and Decisions

2. Who uses Accounting Information and why

3. The language of Finance

4. Profit and Loss Business Drivers

5. Cash and Profit – Understand the Difference

6. The Balance Sheet

7. Budgets and Forecasts

8. The Management Accounts Pack

9. Capital Investment (Capex) and Investment Appraisal

10. Health Checks and KPI’s

Glossary of Finance and Investing Terms

Appendix A: Sample Management Accounts Pack

Appendix B: Sample Full Published Accounts

Appendix C: Sample Abbreviated Published Accounts

Appendix D: KPI Summary

Appendix E: List of Regulators

Appendix F: Sample Budget

Index