Advanced Budgeting & Forecasting: Strategic Financial Planning

Course Description

This intensive 5-day course equips finance professionals with advanced skills in budgeting and forecasting. Participants will learn cutting-edge techniques to enhance financial planning, improve forecast accuracy, and drive strategic decision-making. The course covers advanced Excel modeling, scenario planning, and performance measurement methodologies.

Learning Objectives

• Master advanced budgeting techniques and forecasting methods
• Develop sophisticated financial models using Excel and other tools
• Implement strategic planning and performance measurement frameworks
• Enhance decision-making through scenario analysis and risk assessment
• Integrate budgeting and forecasting with long-term corporate strategy

Course Modules

Day 1: Foundations of Advanced Budgeting

• Strategic planning and budgeting alignment
• Advanced budgeting approaches (Zero-based, Activity-based)
• Key performance indicators (KPIs) for effective budgeting
• Behavioral aspects of budgeting

Day 2: Forecasting Techniques and Time Series Analysis

• Statistical forecasting methods
• Time series analysis using Excel
• Regression analysis for predictive modeling
• Exponential smoothing and moving averages

Day 3: Advanced Financial Modeling

• Building dynamic, integrated financial models
• Scenario planning and sensitivity analysis
• Monte Carlo simulation for risk assessment
• Dashboard creation for executive reporting

Day 4: Performance Measurement and Analysis

• Balanced Scorecard implementation
• Rolling forecasts and beyond budgeting
• Variance analysis techniques
• Activity-based costing for performance improvement

Day 5: Strategic Financial Management

• Capital budgeting and investment appraisal
• Cash flow forecasting and working capital management
• Risk management in budgeting and forecasting
• Integrating budgets with long-term strategy

Practical Wins for Participants

• Ability to create sophisticated financial models for accurate forecasting
• Skills to implement rolling forecasts and scenario planning in their organization
• Techniques to align budgeting processes with strategic objectives
• Methods to enhance decision-making through advanced variance analysis