Finance for Non-Finance Managers Specialization
CFI’s Finance for Non-Finance Managers Specialization is designed for professionals leading non-finance functions who want to strengthen their financial decision-making. No prior finance experience is required. Guided by expert instructors, learners build foundational skills in accounting, financial analysis, budgeting and forecasting, and corporate strategy. Through hands-on exercises and case studies, you will learn to interpret financial statements, evaluate performance, manage budgets, and communicate effectively with finance teams and executives to drive business growth.
This program empowers you to communicate more effectively with finance teams and executives, apply financial insights to business decisions, and make greater contributions to your organization’s success. With CFI's Finance for Non-Finance Managers Specialization, you will gain the financial acumen and practical skills that make you a stronger leader — positioned for career growth.
The article below contains the following information about CFI's Finance for Non-Finance Managers Specialization:
Skills You'll Gain |
|---|
Accounting, Finance, Budgeting and Forecasting, Strategy, and more.
This specialization is ideal for Operations teams, Marketing or Sales Managers, Department Heads/Team Leaders, Strategy Consultants, Non-Finance Executive Roles (e.g., COO, CTO), and more. |
Enrolling in the Finance for Non-Finance Managers Specialization Program requires an active Self-Study or Full-Immersion Subscription. Click here to review and select the subscription that best suits your needs!
No additional fees are required to earn your certification once you've enrolled.
Finance for Non-Finance Managers Specialization Requirements
Please click here and select "How it Works" to learn more about earning your Finance for Non-Finance Managers Specialization requirements.
- Step 1: Complete all required coursework.
- Step 2: Sign the CFI Honor Pledge. Program candidates must sign and abide by the CFI Honor Pledge to receive and maintain program certification. Failure to abide by the CFI Honor Pledge will result in the revocation of one's certificates.
- Step 3 (optional): View and download your online certificate & student transcript.
Duration & Delivery
Lectures, study materials, and exams are all online and accessible worldwide, allowing the program to be completed anytime on a self-paced timeline.
The estimated time to complete the Finance for Non-Finance Managers Specialization Program is 14 hours.
Skills You'll Gain
Every business decision has financial implications, influencing daily operations and long-term strategy. Managers who understand key financial concepts can proactively align strategy and resources with financial goals and make financially informed decisions to drive growth. CFI's Finance for Non-Finance Managers Specialization will help you build skills in:
Accounting
- Break down the structure of an annual report, including financial statements, management discussion and analysis (MD&A), and key risk disclosures.
- Analyze financial statements to evaluate a company’s operations, strategic direction, and overall performance.
- Understand how companies record financial transactions, flow through financial statements, and prepare a basic financial report.
Finance
- Learn how capital investments affect company assets and impact business and funding cycles.
- Evaluate investment metrics and strategies to control capital costs and apply a key metric — weighted average cost of capital (WACC).
- Explore equity and debt financing options, including the pros and cons of various capital return methods.
Budgeting and Forecasting
- Learn best practices in financial management and how budgeting supports business strategy.
- Develop robust budgeting processes, apply different budgeting methods, and confidently forecast future performance.
- Use Excel tools to analyze revenue, manage costs, and track performance by comparing budgeted vs. actual results through variance analysis.
Strategy
- Learn the strategic analysis process and the differences between corporate, business, and functional strategies.
- Perform a competitive analysis for an organization by evaluating internal capabilities, external market factors, and sources of competitive advantage.
- Identify and evaluate strategic options that align with a company’s mission, vision, and long-term goals.
Improve Your Skills & Advance Your Career
- Mid-level and Senior Managers - Make data-driven decisions, analyze financial reports, and align strategy with financial goals to drive business success.
- Department Heads and Team Leaders - Confidently manage budgets, optimize resources, and collaborate with finance teams to enhance team performance.
- Aspiring Executives and Directors - Gain the financial expertise to interpret statements, assess investments, and lead with strategic financial insight.
- Entrepreneurs and Business Owners - Develop financial literacy to manage cash flow, evaluate risks, and communicate effectively with investors and stakeholders.
- Professionals Transitioning into Management - Build financial acumen to oversee budgets, assess performance, and make informed management decisions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will these courses help me advance my career?
- Reviews from learners who have taken CFI courses include numerous stories about how people have been able to advance their careers. There is a proven track record of CFI graduates marking successful transitions into the careers of their dreams. This is based largely on the resources we make available to our learners upon enrolment. Our training is designed to be fully practical and simulate the experience of being trained as a professional financial analyst. Additionally, we offer a wealth of information through our free career resources. The unique blend of all these elements sets us apart from other eLearning platforms because we give you all the tools you need to create a successful career in finance.
What are the admission requirements for the Finance for Non-Finance Managers?
- To take the courses and complete the exercises, learners only need access to a PC and/or Mac, Microsoft Suite (2016 or newer), and a stable internet connection.
How much time do I have to complete the courses?
- Take as much time as you need. You will have access to all courses and all future upgrades in your subscription. You can review the video lessons as often as you like and complete the courses at the most convenient pace. All required courses, resources, and assessments to obtain the certifications will be provided as long as your subscription is active.
How are the exams conducted?
- Learners must complete an online assessment (MCQs, Fill-in-the-Blanks, and Excel Questions) at the end of each course. You can take the exams on your own schedule and will need to earn at least 80% to pass the course and earn your certificate of course completion.
When was the AI for Finance Specialization released?
- The Finance for Non-Finance Managers Specialization was launched on March 21, 2025.