Chartered Accountants Ireland has recently widened its educational remit to include a new programme designed to help professionals from non-financial backgrounds develop the skills required.
Since 1888, Chartered Accountants Ireland has established a reputation for excellence in training finance professionals. With a global network of more than 30,000 members, the strength of the qualification is in evidence in business, practice, and public sectors all around the world. With more than 7,500 students studying with the Institute, there is also a strong pipeline of professionals to support future economic growth at home and abroad.
Chartered Accountants Ireland is proud of the role that its members play, and this role came into even sharper focus overthe last two years, as members supported businesses and clients through the pandemic. Recognising the strength of its professional development offering, the Institute recently widened its educational remit to include an executive programme for non-financial managers.
The new Certificate in Finance for Managers has been specifically designed to help professionals from non-financial backgrounds develop the financial skills they need. There is a financial dimension to every business decision - whether appraising budgets, determining pricing strategies or evaluating investment decisions.
Understanding the language of finance and being able to interpret financial information is, therefore, an essential skill when making these decisions. The programme is particularly suitable for those in a management position or aspiring to take on managerial responsibilities. No previous knowledge of finance is required.
The programme is delivered entirety online with four live virtual classrooms over an 8-week period with designated pre-reading, exercises, post-class revision, and assessment, including a final written assignment. The content draws on real-world scenarios, equipping participants with the confidence to ask informed questions and contribute fully to the financial debate in key business decisions.
Modules include:
- Introduction to accounting and financial management
- Understanding and interpreting financial statements
- Management accounting, decision-making and budgeting
- Capital investment decisions and strategic financial management
A team of managers from Dublin-based medical company PEI recently completed the Institute’s Finance for Managers programme. The company, established in 1963, employs more than 100 staff across Ireland, and operates across a diverse range of medical sectors. PEI wanted to upskill its sales managers in finance to enhance the quality of decision-making and to support career development.
On hearing about the Certificate, PEI’s finance director Michael Keating engaged with Chartered Accountants Ireland to develop a bespoke programme for a group of the company’s managers. Four live virtual classrooms were run from 9am to 3pm for PEI participants, who were also required to complete two to three hours of pre-reading and exercises in advance of each class. This work was the basis for the collaborative in-class exercises, breakout rooms and group discussion.
Keating noted: 'The course was very successful, as it enabled the team to become more confident in their business decision making. Brian and Anthony from Chartered Accountants Ireland worked with us on ensuing the course was tailored to our industry, and used real-life examples to bring the course to life for participants. We were so happy with the outcomes of the course that we plan to repeat the programme with other staff.’
The programme director is Brian Feighan. A corporate strategy and finance consultant he is a Chartered Accountant and a member of the Institute’s Professional Development faculty. Brian has extensive C-Suite experience gained in senior leadership roles in international finance, investment banking and the education technology (‘EdTech’) sector.
On completion of the programme, participants are awarded the Certificate in Finance for Managers by Chartered Accountants Ireland Executive Education DAC. Enrolments are now open for the next Certificate in Finance for Managers programme, which commences on Wednesday 4 May.
Companies who wish to enrol six or more managers on the programme can opt to structure the Certificate as an ‘in-house’ training programme. Contact our team to find out more.
LOADING...