More than 35 participants from 16 companies attended the first Finance for Non-Financial Professionals training on September 19-20
The Finance for Non-Financial Professionals program, presented by Envision Group, is a two-day virtual seminar with a one-on-one executive coaching session which aims to increase financial literacy and help employees understand their role in strategic decision-making. The program helps participants understand the complexities of financial statements, capital budgeting and the importance of cash flow.
Envision Founder and CEO Pat Lipovski and his team shared tools and strategies to help develop and refine overall accounting and financial understanding. The group explored and analyzed practices to help them understand topics such as sales, asset acquisitions and capital allocation within their organizations, so that they can make better business decisions.
Participants covered 10 different modules covering various fundamental finance and accounting basics. At the start of the program, the participants were asked what they hoped to get out of the course. Responses varied from learning basic financial terminology to focusing on best practices. Participants also mentioned interest in learning about company evaluation from an M&A status, as well as key performance indicators that can be used to tell a company is making healthy progress.
“There are several things we have talked about I hadn’t heard before. Things about the balance sheet, assets, what equity is, how culture itself can make or break a merger or acquisition. It’s valuable to be exposed to these terms and conversations.”
Program Participant
During the seminars, participants broke into groups to practice and evaluate the reports being shared. Some exercises were to review and analyze real, publicly available balance and cash flow statements. The breakouts provided the participants time to put what they had learned into practice, all while developing relationships with people they haven’t worked with before.
“This isn’t part of my day-to-day role, but it was an excellent and very interesting exercise. I plan to spend more time on my own after the class to dig deeper and analyze the details of these documents.”
Program Participant
Topics discussed during the second day of the program were EBITDA, cash flow statements, cash and cash equivalents, financial ratios, project economics and types of financing.
At the end of the program, participants shared thoughts on the training as well as ways they would be able to use what they learned within their organizations
“Sometimes when you are not very financially savvy, it can be intimidating to even ask questions. It was nice to have other industry people in this program where we had a space to ask questions and form this community.”
Program Participant
“After reviewing the balance sheet, my knowledge around that has improved considerably,” said another participant. “I think I will feel more confident about being involved in making overall financial business decisions after the discussions.”
Following the program, each participant will have an executive coaching session, which will provide an opportunity for the participants to invest time in themselves and discover ways to fill gaps, identify blind spots and build upon the other skills they already have in place.
The next iteration of this program will be held September 25-26, 2023, and registration will open soon.
Energy Workforce would like to thank Strategic Partners Chevron and Schlumberger.
For more information about Energy Workforce training programs, contact Vice President Programs & Events Peggy Helfert.
Peggy Helfert, Vice President Programs and Events, writes about the Energy Workforce’s sector-specific best practices and leadership. Click here to subscribe to the Energy Workforce newsletter, which highlights sector-specific issues, best practices, activities and more.
