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Financial Report Writing for Non-Financial Managers

Many managers in South African organisations must interpret and report on budgets, variances and financial performance without a finance background. This course builds practical skill in reading management accounts, explaining financial results in plain language, and writing budget commentary and variance reports that finance teams, executives and boards can trust and act on.

What you will be able to do

  • Interpret basic management accounts, budgets and variance reports without formal finance training.
  • Explain financial terminology and figures in plain language for non-finance audiences.
  • Write budget commentary that identifies causes of variance rather than restating numbers.
  • Structure financial narrative reports that connect figures to operational decisions and actions.
  • Flag financial risks and anomalies clearly and escalate them through appropriate channels.
  • Prepare financial commentary suitable for inclusion in management and board reporting packs.

Course outline

  1. 01Reading Management Accounts and Budgets
  2. 02Understanding Variance and Trend Data
  3. 03Financial Terminology in Plain Language
  4. 04Structuring Budget Commentary Reports
  5. 05Linking Figures to Operational Decisions
  6. 06Identifying and Escalating Financial Risk
  7. 07Writing for Finance and Audit Reviewers
  8. 08Contributing to Board Reporting Packs

Who should attend

This course is aimed at operational managers, project leads, department heads and other non-finance staff who must write or contribute to financial and budget reports.

Dates, venues and fees

DatesVenueDaysFeeCalendar
17 to 18 Aug 2026Harare2US$1,100
24 to 25 Aug 2026Kampala2US$1,100
31 Aug to 1 Sep 2026Dar es Salaam2US$1,100
7 to 8 Sep 2026Pretoria2R10,000
14 to 15 Sep 2026Cape Town2R10,000
28 to 29 Sep 2026Online2US$900
5 to 6 Oct 2026Mozambique2US$1,100
12 to 13 Oct 2026Cairo2US$1,100
19 to 20 Oct 2026Accra2US$1,100
26 to 27 Oct 2026Lusaka2US$1,100
2 to 3 Nov 2026Kigali2US$1,100
9 to 10 Nov 2026Nairobi2US$1,100
16 to 17 Nov 2026Durban2R10,000
23 to 24 Nov 2026Johannesburg2R10,000
7 to 8 Dec 2026Mauritius2US$1,100
14 to 15 Dec 2026Dubai2US$1,100
21 to 22 Dec 2026Lagos2US$1,100

Fees are per delegate. South African venues are priced in rand; other locations and online in US dollars. Fees exclude 15% VAT where applicable. Group bookings of three or more delegates from the same organisation qualify for a reduced rate; contact us for a quotation.

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