Accounting has been said to be "scorecard of business." It translates a firm's many activities into objective numbers that allow both internal and external observers to assess a company's performance and drive strategic business decisions.

"To make informed decisions and shape corporate strategies, managers from all functions including marketing, human resources, operations and investor relations must understand the financial side of business," says Hemang Desai, Robert B. Cullum Professor of Accounting, Cox School of Business, SMU. 

Professor Desai continues "Business professionals who can interpret financial reports, assess the costs and benefits of business decisions, and communicate operating and financial strategies have a distinct advantage in today's business environment."

Accounting experience not required
Don't let financial principles intimidate you.  SMU EXED's The Essentials of Finance & Accounting for Non-Financial Managers helps you understand how to read, interpret and analyze financial statements.  You'll also learn forecasting and financial planning basics to help you with the budgeting process.  You'll get the basics of net present value and capital budgeting techniques to apply when evaluating projects.  You'll gain an understanding of various types of costs and how to allocate them to truly understand the financial performance of a business unit.  Ultimately, you'll learn to use financial information to make better strategic business decisions.    

Quick Facts

• What:  The Essentials of Finance & Accounting for Non-Financial Managers
• When: November 7 - 9, 2007 On-Line Application 
              March 10-12, 2008 On-Line Application
• Tuition:  $2,695. Corporate discounts with three or more participants.
• Location: SMU campus, Dallas, Texas

Strategic Financial Skills for the Energy Industry is a week-long course that offers a hands-on approach to mastering financial essentials geared specifically to today's energy industry.  "In today's competitive environment, energy companies are doing more with less," says Michael Vetsuypens, Ph.D., Professor of Finance, Cox School of Business, SMU. "As employees move up, technical skills matter less than business acumen -- financial skills, accounting knowledge, capital allocation expertise and strategic insights are necessary to make your mark in the company. This course tackles those subjects and helps non-financial managers in every function of the company understand, interpret and use data to make better business decisions."

Quick Facts

• What: Strategic Financial Skills for the Energy Industry
• When:March 3 - 7, 2008 - On-line Application 
          September 22 - 26, 2008 - On-line Application
• Tuition: $6,250. Corporate discounts with three or more participants.
  ** Register before January 28, 2008 and save $600
• Location: SMU campus, Dallas, Texas

Students speak up about The Essentials of Finance & Accounting for Non-Financial Managers.

"Great course!  The information was presented against real-world business cases, which helped tie the concepts to actual scenarios.  It was an honor to have such highly qualified instructors."

"The course was very beneficial to those with no formal finance and accounting training.  The information I learned will definitely prepare me to understand how reporting methods can impact the bottom line."

"Great job by the instructors in showing us the essential calculations to evaluate company profitability and forecasting.  I have a much better understanding and can now contribute when it comes to making financial decisions in my company".