Professional Diploma in Finance for Non-Financial Managers
Develop your practical understanding of business finance and become a financially fluent manager with a Professional Course in Finance for Non-Financial Managers. As you transition into management roles, up your game when it comes to dealing with financial concepts and using financial insights to make sound business decisions.
Why UCD Professional Academy?
- Valuable, trusted qualification
- Industry expert lecturers
- Flexible online learning

Course Information for Finance for Non-Financial Managers
Secure your place with a 5% deposit and pay the rest in instalments. Flexible payment options available.
ON DEMAND - 100% Self Paced Learning
Start today
€1,350 €1500 Save €150
- Choose your own schedule
- 36 hours of pre-recorded course material
- Complete within 18 weeks (average 6 weeks)
- Attend optional live Q&A sessions
Showing dates for: Jun - Sep 2022
LIVE ONLINE - Scheduled Interactive Classes
Starts 23 Jun - Ends 08 Sep 2022
Part-time
Live online lectures with an industry expert
10 weeks: Thursdays, 6.30pm - 9.30pm
€1,530 €1700 Save €170
Starts 19 Jul - Ends 04 Oct 2022
Part-time
Live online lectures with an industry expert
10 weeks: Tuesdays, 6.30pm - 9.30pm
Starts 22 Sep - Ends 08 Dec 2022
Part-time
Live online lectures with an industry expert
10 weeks: Thursdays, 6.30pm - 9.30pm
Compare On Demand and Live Online Learning in more detail
What will I learn about Financial Management?
Have you recently moved into a management role? This practical and accessible course covers the key concepts you will need in your management role, including how finance affects every layer of an organisation, how reporting works, and how to interpret financial figures. It will give you the confidence to communicate knowledgeably at any level and use financial reports and insights to improve outcomes for your organisation.
Or browse our wide range of expert-led online courses and grow your career potential today.
Finance for Non Financial Managers Course Modules
Choose between live online classroom learning or our on-demand courses, where you set the schedule. Download your brochure form more information.
Secure your place with a 5% deposit today and pay the rest in instalments.
Module 1: Financial Accounting Function & Concepts
Explore the function of accounting and the conceptual models that underpin the financial function.
- Accounting constructs
- Context of accounting in business
Module 2: Financial Statements
Study the statutory financial statements - their use, importance, and function. Understand the legal and regulatory framework that guide their preparation and distribution.
- Balance sheet
- Profit & Loss account
- Statement of changes to equity
- Cash flow statements
Module 3: Cash Flow Statement
Examine the cash flow statement in depth and explore its purpose in illuminating the financial affairs of a firm.
- The importance of cash flow
- Managing cash flow
Module 4: Budgeting
Learn the importance of budgeting and investigate budgeting techniques.
- Short term planning and control
- Budgeting methods
- Budgeting tools
Module 5: Investment Appraisal
Review investment appraisal techniques and discover their application in investment decision-making.
- Making strategic decisions
- Non-discounted cash flow
- Discounted cash flow
- Evaluating investment and capital expenditure
Module 6: Working Capital Management
Define working capital and its role in achieving an organisation’s strategic objectives.
- Managing working capital
- Methods and techniques
Module 7: Interpreting Financial Statements
Learn to interpret the financial statements and derive insights into an organisation’s performance.
- Ratio analysis
- Categories of ratios
- Limitations of ratios as a tool
Module 8: Capital Structure
Identify the different funding structures of organisations and assess the relative merits of debt and equity in the funding mix.
- Financing operations
- Funding methods: debt vs. equity
Module 9: Costing
Explain the different costing techniques used by firms and appraise the benefits of breakeven analysis.
- Costing methods
- Breakeven analysis
Module 10: Company Valuations
Learn to determine the different methods of valuing a firm including non-trading entities.
- Valuation methods and techniques
Why Study With Us?
We deliver all instructor-led courses via an easy-to-use online study environment. Engage with your instructor and classmates from your computer. Our friendly Student Services team is on hand to assist with any questions or issues you may have.
96%
of alumni said they would recommend us to friends and family
98%
of our students say they would take another course with us.
14,000+
students have enrolled with us in the last 12 months

Now includes exclusive access to thousands of journals, articles and papers. Free of charge.
Students taking part in this course will now have access to the EBSCO Online Library, free of charge, for the full duration of the course. Here you can browse thousands of books, relevant journal articles and other reliable academic and commercial texts like the Harvard Business Review, Bloomberg Businessweek and Forbes Magazine, to supplement your learning and assignments.
Looking to Develop Your Team?
With over 40 short courses to choose from, we’ll partner with you to tailor your group training plan. Make your training budget work harder this year.
Talk to our experts todayWe've trained the employees of...










































































































































Have questions about the Professional Diploma in Finance for Non-Financial Managers?
Find out how this industry-focused course will give you the job-ready skills and knowledge to advance your career.
Is this course right for me?
You do not need to have any prior financial experience as this course will give you a strong foundation in business finances. It is ideal for early to mid-career managers in any area of the organisation.
You may be:
• Someone looking to apply for a management role
• Someone in a management role
• A business owner or entrepreneur
• A recent graduate
How will this course help with my career?
In management, career advancement depends on results. The importance of good financial management in business cannot be overstated, as without it even long-established businesses will fail. You need to be someone who makes insight-driven decisions and can see the bigger picture. A successful track record will be vital as you go for promotions and move up the ladder. A qualification in business finance is a great addition to your CV and can help you negotiate a more competitive salary.
What is the online learning experience like?
Our online experience is designed to be just as interactive, supportive, and inspiring as the UCD Professional Academy campus experience.
Online courses can be accessed from any computer or laptop with an internet connection.
Live lectures are delivered using Zoom. During these lectures, your teachers will use technology interactively to ensure an engaging learning experience. When appropriate, students will be encouraged to activate their microphones so that they can ask questions and communicate with other students.
What is the student experience like?
Student care is a high priority at UCD Professional Academy, which is why our Student Services team is on hand to support you throughout your time with us. They will respond to any queries you have, help you with any technical issues, and facilitate your learning experience at every point. All students are given access to our Student Portal, where you can see your timetable, access all your study materials, and manage your account.
How is this course assessed?
If you are studying an online course, your assessment will also be submitted online.
This course is assessed through a written assignment – a case-study project to be submitted after the end of the course. You will have two weeks following the end of the course to complete and submit the final assignment. The written project is generally around 3,000 words (that’s about 5 pages of a standard Word document).
What are the benefits of a Professional Diploma?
UCD Professional Academy diplomas and awards are designed to give your career an advantage. Developed in conjunction with industry thought leaders and academic specialists our courses teach practical, applied skills to support you to achieve your career and business goals. Professional Diplomas are suitable for career minded learners wishing to advance their professional skills and prospects rather than their academic credentials.
The Professional Academy in an independent wholly owned part of UCD designed to address the need for skills development in the workforce. Courses tend to be short, designed and delivered by industry practitioners, and are not part of nor do they lead to a traditional University award such as a degree or a masters. They are widely accepted by employers and many students are sponsored to study by their organisation.
For full details of UCD Professional Academy’s Awards & Governance please visit https://www.ucd.ie/professionalacademy/governance/
How do I get my Diploma?
Your UCD Professional Academy Diploma will be issued electronically on a secure platform, with a link that you can share with employers and others wishing to verify your credentials. You can also add this qualification to your LinkedIn profile.
What payment options are available?
A place on any of our programmes can be secured with a 10% deposit.
For full-time (boot camp) programmes, the balance must be paid in full before course commencement.
For part-time programmes students will be required to pay 45% of the fees before the start of the course, with the remaining balance due within 30 days of the course commencing.
Please note that standard terms and conditions apply, which you can review here: https://www.ucd.ie/professionalacademy/terms-and-conditions/
Ready to start?
It’s easy - you’re just a few secure clicks away
On Demand
- Choose your own schedule
- 36 hours of pre-recorded course material
- Complete within 18 weeks (average 6 weeks)
- Attend optional live Q&A sessions
Live Classes
- Weekly Live Online Classes
- 36 Hours of Course Material
- Complete in 12 Weeks
- Live classes delivered via Zoom