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Demystifying the Math and Jargon in Finance and Accounting

Speak the Language of Business

Do some of your employees or managers need a refresher?

To many people, the calculations involved in finance and accounting appear mysterious. It must be complex (they reason) — just look how long it takes to get the annual report out, or just to receive a requested report. And the language they use: EBITDA, ROA, IRR! It all looks pretty overwhelming.

In reality, however, most accounting procedures employ simple addition and subtraction. When things get really complicated, they multiply and divide. Even the acronyms and other financial jargon are pretty simple and straightforward, once they're explained.

This half-day class demystifies the math and lingo used in business. By the end of the class, the attendees will be confident in understanding the financial terms and concepts used by their boss or manager. They will understand the language of business.

Target Audiences for This Class

  • New employees. New employees need to comprehend the financial lingo they hear. And this class will ensure that they know how to perform the calculations their duties require.
  • Newly promoted employees. Do your high-potential supervisors speak the language of business? As managers, they will need to communicate to their boss and subordinates about the business.
  • Employees who struggle with financial concepts. This class will enable these people to fully participate in the business, both in performance and planning.

Key Takeaways

  • Strong foundation. Learn the secrets of the math behind the accountants' numbers.
  • Speak the language. Once they learn the language of business, people can engage in informed discussions with fellow employees and managers.

Topics to Consider for "Demystifying the Math and Jargon in Finance and Accounting"

  • The math basics — for example, terms like "percent," "percent change," "percent of."
  • The language basics — for example, the key terms in the income statement, balance sheet, and cash flow statement. Also, key measures such as EBITDA, ROI, and others.

Recommended Customization

  • Practice calculations using a recent financial report.
  • Use your annual or quarterly report to practice interpreting the language.

Where to Start

Call us and we can help you think through the appropriate content of the class. We'll discuss your specific needs and your target audience. Think about the following questions:

  • What results do you want to achieve with the course?
  • Which people in your organization would benefit the most from this knowledge?
  • What is the current level of understanding and use of financial concepts?

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