Lisa Newton – Budgets, Cashflow Forecasting and Management Accounts (Download)
Running a small business, charity, or not-for-profit requires more than passion and good intentions—it demands solid financial management. Without proper budgeting, cashflow forecasting, and understanding of management accounts, even well-funded organizations face cash crunches, missed opportunities, and sustainability challenges. For non-financial managers, treasurers, and bookkeepers, mastering these essential skills transforms financial anxiety into confident decision-making.
Course and Instructor Overview
Lisa Newton brings over 20 years of accounting and investment management experience to this practical course tailored specifically for small businesses, charities, not-for-profits, and project-based organizations. She explains financial concepts without jargon, making complex topics accessible regardless of your accounting background. Available online daily for questions, she provides personalized support throughout your learning journey.
What You’ll Learn
Budgeting Fundamentals
Understand what budgets truly are and their critical role in organizational planning. Learn to create and develop comprehensive budgets from scratch using provided templates. Master the art of presenting budgets to funders, trustees, and stakeholders in ways that build confidence and secure financial support.
Project Budget Management
Develop project-specific budgets that accurately capture costs and resource needs. Learn to distinguish between direct costs, fixed costs, and variable costs—essential knowledge for pricing projects correctly and maintaining profitability. Use practical templates to streamline your project budgeting process.
Cashflow Forecasting
Create detailed cashflow forecasts that predict when money enters and leaves your organization. Learn the critical relationship between budgets and cashflow—understanding that profitable projects can still create cash problems if timing isn’t managed. Master inputting expenses, calculating net cashflow, and identifying potential cash shortfalls before they become crises.
Management Accounts and Reporting
Understand what management accounts reveal about your organization’s financial health. Learn to analyze actual results against budgets, interpret variances (differences between planned and actual figures), and use this information to make informed strategic decisions. Develop skills in presenting financial information clearly to boards, committees, and stakeholders.
Financial Sustainability Principles
Gain comprehensive understanding of financial management practices that ensure long-term organizational viability. Learn to manage both unrestricted and restricted funds appropriately, a crucial skill for charities and grant-funded organizations.
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Practical Application
The course includes step-by-step guidance with real-world templates and examples. You’ll work through creating actual budgets and cashflow forecasts, learning by doing rather than just theory. This hands-on approach builds confidence to immediately apply skills in your organization.
Who Should Enroll
This course serves bookkeepers, non-financial managers, trustees, treasurers, admin staff, small business owners, and anyone responsible for organizational finances who wants stronger financial management capabilities. Whether you’re new to financial oversight or seeking to formalize existing knowledge, the course assumes no previous accounting background.
