Finance for Non-Financial Managers

George profile picture
George
6 months ago
I recently completed the Financial Modelling in Excel course at the Johannesburg School of Finance, and I can confidently say it was an incredibly valuable experience.
The course is exceptionally well structured, focusing not only on Excel techniques but also on the underlying thinking and design principles required to build reliable and effective financial models. What stood out most was the emphasis on practical application — every concept was grounded in real-world scenarios, making it immediately useful beyond the classroom. The course successfully builds both confidence and competence, even for those without a strong financial background, which aligns with its goal of making finance accessible and practical.
Mr John Mitchell is an outstanding instructor. His ability to simplify complex financial concepts and explain them in a clear, logical, and relatable way truly sets him apart. With decades of experience in finance training, he brings both depth of knowledge and a very human, patient teaching style to the course.
He ensures that no one is left behind, taking the time to reinforce understanding and encourage questions. His approach makes learning engaging, structured, and genuinely enjoyable.
Overall, this course exceeded my expectations. It is highly practical, thoughtfully delivered, and extremely relevant for anyone looking to build strong financial and analytical skills using Excel. I would highly recommend the Johannesburg School of Finance to anyone serious about developing real, applicable financial expertise
Allan B. profile picture
Allan B.
6 months ago
I did the Financial Modeling course with the Johannesburg School of Finance. I had an exceptional experience with this course. From the very beginning, the structure was clear, well-organized, and easy to follow. Each module built logically on the previous one, making even complex topics feel manageable and engaging.
The instructor, Mr John Mitchell demonstrated deep knowledge of the subject matter and explained concepts in a way that was both practical and easy to understand. I especially appreciated the real-world examples, which helped bridge the gap between theory and application.
The course materials were high quality, and the assignments were thoughtfully designed to reinforce learning without feeling overwhelming. Feedback was timely and constructive, which made a big difference in my progress and confidence.
What stood out most was how relevant and applicable the content was. I’ve already been able to apply what I learned in real-life situations, which speaks volumes about the value of this course.
Francis C. profile picture
Francis C.
7 months ago
I recently attended a financial short course offered by the Johannesburg School of Finance, and I would like to commend the institution for delivering a highly professional and impactful training experience. The course was well organized and structured in a way that ensured participants gained both theoretical understanding and practical financial skills.
The training content was relevant and comprehensive, covering key financial concepts that are essential for effective financial management and decision-making. The facilitator demonstrated a high level of expertise and was able to present complex financial topics in a clear, practical, and engaging manner. The use of real-life examples and practical exercises greatly enhanced the learning process and made it easier to relate the concepts to real work situations.
Another notable strength of the program was the interactive learning environment. Participants were encouraged to actively participate through discussions, questions, and sharing of experiences, which enriched the overall learning experience and allowed for a deeper understanding of the subject matter.
The course materials provided were also very useful and will continue to serve as valuable reference tools in my professional work. The knowledge and skills gained from this training will undoubtedly contribute to improving financial analysis, budgeting, and financial decision-making in my professional role.
Overall, the training delivered by the Johannesburg School of Finance was of a very high standard. I would highly recommend their short courses to professionals seeking to strengthen their financial knowledge and practical financial management skills.
Saskia van R. profile picture
Saskia van R.
7 months ago
I had a fantastic experience with John doing the Finance for Non-Financial Managers course. It was fun, informative and practical. I felt like I really understood the fundamentals which made me more confident. He has a great teaching style; patient and encouraging! There were lots of practical exercises to apply everything. Highly recommended!
Roberto Bauab P. profile picture
Roberto Bauab P.
7 months ago
I've made a Finance course in Johannesburg School of Finance when I was a Commercial Director. Couple of months after I've got a promotion to Country Manager, partly because I've got a better understanding of the business finance language and principles acquired in this course. I highly recommend it.
Dalene B. profile picture
Dalene B.
7 months ago
When you are done with the frustration of trying to understand text books, you go straight to Johannesburg School of Finance where you understand the training from the get go. Personal attention from John Mitchell who has decades of experience will bring clarity to the non-financial person to fully understand the world of finance in business.
Thank you John for your unique and patient sharing of your knowledge - your passion makes all the difference!
Ashraf I. profile picture
Ashraf I.
7 months ago
As an attendee of the Johannesburg School of Finance in 2018, I am writing this review to express my sincere appreciation for the quality of education and professional development provided by the institution.

Navigating the complexities of modern finance requires more than just theoretical knowledge; it requires a sharp, analytical mindset and the ability to apply concepts to real-world scenarios. My experience at JSF was instrumental in sharpening these skills.

Key Highlights of the Experience:

Practical Curriculum: The coursework was meticulously designed, bridging the gap between academic theory and the practicalities of the South African and global financial markets.

Expert Instruction: The facilitators demonstrated not only a deep mastery of financial principles but also a keen understanding of current industry trends and regulatory environments.

Networking & Engagement: The environment fostered meaningful dialogue among professionals, allowing for a diverse exchange of ideas that added immense value to the formal sessions.

"The insight gained during my time at the Johannesburg School of Finance has been a cornerstone of my professional growth and my continued drive to keep myself up to date in respect of financial education especially from a business perspective.

The clarity with which complex investment and corporate finance modules were delivered is a testament to the school's excellence."

I highly recommend the Johannesburg School of Finance to any professional or organization looking to improve their financial literacy and strategic decision making capabilities.

It is an investment that yields immediate and tangible returns.

Best regards,

Mr. Ashraf Ismail
Richard H. profile picture
Richard H.
7 months ago
This is an excellent course that explains the financial workings of a business in clear and simple language, progressively introducing you to the concepts and with many practical examples and exercises. John Mitchell is a wonderfully patient tutor who is always prepared to answer your questions and explain anything you don't fully understand. He also has many fascinating anecdotes and insights that give real world relevance to what is being taught. I would thoroughly recommend this to anyone who is seeking to gain a good understanding of financial concepts in their professional lives.
Samantha P. profile picture
Samantha P.
7 months ago
Did a course Finance for Non-Financial Managers with John Mitchell and it was such a dynamic and powerful course - took my career to new heights! Got an amazing job offer not long after I took the course. John is very intuitive and he has a hands-on approach on how to apply what you have learned to what you are acually doing. Highly recommend!
H P. profile picture
H P.
7 months ago
I found the course very Interesting and a serious learning curve, and although I did it a long time ago I still use what I was taught in my current daily job.
Sarah M. profile picture
Sarah M.
7 months ago
Having completed the course in Finance for non Financial Managers, I feel much more confident in attending work meetings where financial topics are being discussed. As a trainer, John was warm, engaging, and easy to approach. He broke down the concepts in a clear, simple way and used lots of examples and practical exercises to help the knowledge stick. He also shared stories from his own experience in business, which made the course feel real and relatable. The training made key finance and accounting ideas easy to understand and showed why they matter so much for running a healthy, successful business. I can gladly recommend the JSF for those looking to deepen their knowledge in in business finance.

What is Finance for Non-Financial Managers?

Finance for Non-Financial Managers is a practical short course that teaches managers, team leaders, and professionals without an accounting background how to read financial statements, understand profit and cash flow, and make confident business decisions. It is delivered over four days in small groups, online or in-house, with a focus on real-world application rather than theory.

Why Choose Our Finance Course for Non-Financial Managers?

Understand the Language of Finance

Learn key finance terms using simple language, clear visuals, and relatable business examples — no jargon.

Learn Through Practical Exercises

Gain real confidence by working through easy, hands-on exercises using simple numbers and clear explanations.

Think Like a Finance Professional

Discover how finance professionals think and make sense of business decisions through financial logic.

Grasp Profit and Cash Flow

Explore income, costs, and break-even points through structured exercises that explain money movement clearly.

Read Financial Statements With Confidence

Understand balance sheets, income statements, and cash flows — and how they relate to each other.

Who Should Take This Finance for Non-Financial Managers Course?

Stacked coins with growing plants symbolizing financial growth for non-financial managers taking a short-term finance certification course

Course Breakdown: Week 1 / Module 1

The perfect first finance course for non-financial managers who want clarity, not confusion.

Four Days

Monday to Thursday

08h30 to 12h30

Online or In-house

Online: Max 6 Delegates

In-house: Max 12 Delegates

R18,400 p.p. / $1,122 p.p.

Certificate of Competence

Instructor Led

Qualifying for the Financial Management Programme

Day One

Essential Tools

Get to grips with the building blocks of finance

• Discover where business funding comes from (and why it matters)
• Understand assets, working capital and cash flows
• Explore mark-ups, margins, and fixed vs variable costs
• Learn using relatable examples and step-by-step exercises

Day Two

Profit and Cash Flow

Understand how the timing of profit differs from cash flow

• Learn how profit is measured and where common errors are made
• Practice simple calculations with easy-to-follow steps
• Understand timing differences with the Matching Rule
• Unpack depreciation, amortisation, and their cash impact on the business

Day Three

Costing and Interpretative Analysis

Read and make sense of financial results

• Build income and cash flow statements from scratch
• Practice interpreting what those numbers actually mean
• Learn why cash flow doesn’t always match profit
• Explore breakeven with clear, guided exercises

Day Four

The Balance Sheet and Ratios

See the full financial picture come together

• Understand what a balance sheet really tells you
• Complete the picture using past exercises and clues
• Learn how to calculate and interpret basic ratios
• Make better decisions using your new financial lens

Course Breakdown: Week 2 / Module 2

Take your finance confidence further with practical tools for reading and interpreting real financial reports.

Four Days

Monday to Thursday

08h30 to 12h30

Online or In-house

Online: Max 6 Delegates

In-house: Max 12 Delegates

R18,400 p.p. / $1,122 p.p.

Certificate of Competence

Instructor Led

Qualifying Module for the Financial Management Programme

Day One

Essential Tools

Understand financial statements and IFRS basics

• Learn the difference between rules based and concept based accounting
• Break down key components of financial statements
• Explore the income statement, cash flow and equity statement formats
• Demystify terms like “comprehensive income” into constituent parts

Day Two

Profit and Cash Flow

Explore real-world profit, cash, and equity

• Work through profit, EBITDA and equity adjustments
• Discover what financial statements actually reveal
• Explore common cash flow adjustments and why they matter
• Practice interpreting results with confidence and clarity

Day Three

Statement of Financial Position

See what the balance sheet really shows

• Understand the purpose and structure of balance sheets
• Learn how to analyse a company’s financial position
• Practice decoding common financial terms and what they imply
• Complete a working capital exercise using real scenarios

Day Four

Ratios and Practical Interpretation

Turn numbers into insight and action steps

• Use ratios to assess and improve performance
• Identify strengths, risks, and red flags in financial statements
• Analyse statements to find areas needing corrective action
• Build a derived cash flow statement step by step

How You’ll Benefit from This Finance Course

Whether you’re stepping into management, running a business, or finally ready to learn about finance, this financial management short course is designed to make financial thinking available to all employment levels, providing real-world skills. Clear, structured, and jargon-free, it’s the ideal financial course for management and staff alike. The level and pace of the course is adjusted to the delegates attending.

Feel more confident in finance conversations with simple explanations and a welcoming, jargon-free approach.
Understand profit, cash flow, and business metrics — even if you’ve never opened a spreadsheet before.
Make better decisions using real-world financial tools taught by experienced instructors in a supportive environment.
Recognise financial red flags and opportunities by learning to read reports and key performance ratios.
Earn a certificate in finance for non-financial managers and boost your credibility across any role or industry.
Learn flexibly through a short-term online course designed for busy professionals — no prior knowledge needed.
Master essential financial statements like income statements, balance sheets, and cash flow reports.
Build a foundation for long-term financial learning — or prepare for more advanced financial management training.
Excited woman celebrating success after completing a short-term finance course for non-financial managers

Frequently Asked Questions

Unsure where to start? Just ask.

We’re happy to chat and see how we might be able to help. We respond within one business day, and if our courses aren’t quite what you’re looking for, we’ll do our best to point you in the right direction.

Alternatively, drop us a WhatsApp on +27 82 494 4663.

Otherwise, why not have a look at our other courses?

Category F training, fully claimable.

This course is classified as Category F on the B-BBEE Learning Programme Matrix — informal instructional programmes such as workshops, seminars, and short courses. Your organisation can claim the full invoice amount as Skills Development spend without any SETA accreditation on our side.

No SETA Accreditation Needed

Under the Amended B-BBEE Codes, Category F short courses don’t require SETA accreditation on the provider’s side for your organisation to claim the spend. Many specialist Cat F providers — JSF included — deliberately operate outside SETA to keep course costs lower.

Simple Evidence Required

For verification purposes, your organisation only needs an invoice or internal accounting record confirming the spend (Statement 300, s.5.2). That’s it — no additional SETA documentation, no external validation.

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Claimable Within the 25% Cap

Category F and G spend combined may form up to 25% of your total Skills Development Expenditure under the B-BBEE scorecard (s.5.3) — a meaningful portion of most mid-size training budgets.

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Referenced: Government Gazette 42496, 31 May 2019

Amended Codes of Good Practice for Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment — Code Series 300, Statement 300, Annexe 300(A). JSF short courses map to Category F: “Occupationally-directed informal instructional programmes such as workshops, seminars, conferences and short courses.”

What to Explore First? Start With These

Not ready for the full course? Explore some of the ideas and thinking behind what we teach — straight from our blog.

Financial management skills for managers
Variance analysis for non-finance managers

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