Financial Training for non-Financial Manager
Issued on 01 May 2026 by
Seneca Polytechnic
Finance for Non Financial Leaders equips participants with the confidence and practical skills to understand, interpret, and use financial information to support better decision making. Through hands on exercises, learners explore internal financial reports, budgeting, variance analysis, and project financial evaluation within a public sector and not for profit context. The program emphasizes real world application, enabling leaders to assess financial performance, manage budgets, and evaluate projects using clear, practical tools.
Issuer
Seneca Polytechnic
info@senecapolytechnic.ca
Seneca Polytechnic is a multiple-campus public college located in the Greater Toronto Area of Ontario, Canada. It offers full-time and part-time programs at the baccalaureate, diploma, certificate and graduate levels.
Criteria
The recipient of this digital badge has demonstrated:
Financial Literacy & Reporting
- Interpret internal financial reports using public sector and not for profit naming conventions (e.g., Statement of Operations and Accumulated Surplus, Statement of Financial Position, Statement of Cash Flows).
- Distinguish between accrual and cash basis accounting, including how grant funding may differ and how to reconcile between the two.
- Identify timing and cut off issues, including calendar year reporting versus funding cycles and calendarization.
Financial Analysis & Insight
- Perform horizontal and vertical analyses on internal financial statements.
- Apply key financial metrics and ratios to assess financial health, performance, and sustainability.
- Interpret trends, variances, and anomalies to support operational and strategic discussions.
Budgeting & Financial Planning
- Apply core budgeting principles within a public sector or departmental context.
- Build and analyze operating budgets, including calendarized revenues and expenses.
- Conduct variance analysis to explain differences between budgeted and actual results.
Project & Investment Evaluation
- Conduct basic cost benefit analysis for proposed initiatives.
- Evaluate projects using ROI and payback period calculations.
- Assess financial risks using a risk matrix and incorporate uncertainty, opportunity cost, and prioritization into project decisions.
Strategic & Decision Support Competencies
- Use financial information to support evidence based decision making rather than compliance only reporting.
- Communicate financial insights clearly to non financial stakeholders.
- Align financial analysis with organizational priorities, funding realities, and risk considerations.
