THE ABCs OF FINANCE: FINANCE FOR NON-FINANCE PROFESSIONALS CONFERENCE

INSTITUTE OF CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS OF KENYA
(Established under the Accountants Act, Laws of Kenya)

THE ABCs OF FINANCE: FINANCE FOR NON-FINANCE PROFESSIONALS CONFERENCE
Theme: Empowering Non-Finance Professionals with Practical Financial Insights for Informed Decision-Making
Date: 11th-15th May 2026
Time: 09.00am-03.30pm
Venue: Sawela Lodge, Naivasha.

OVERVIEW

In today’s interconnected business environment, financial literacy is no longer confined to accountants and finance specialists. Non-finance professionals, such as managers in marketing, operations, HR, or IT, increasingly need to understand financial principles to contribute effectively to organizational success. Finance training equips them with the tools to interpret financial data, make informed decisions, and align their departmental goals with the company’s overall financial health.

There is a growing need for professionals in all fields to have a basic understanding of financial concepts that would enable them to contribute to organizational decision-making. Interpreting financial information and appreciating the consequences of budgetary decisions, or understanding the financial health of an entity, are no longer the exclusive domain of a finance department. As organizations increasingly adopt more integrated approaches to operations, finance continues to play a central role in ensuring transparency, sustainability, and responsible resource allocation. Enhancing financial competencies among staff outside the finance function supports better governance structures, reduces risk, and enhances the effective monitoring of performance

One of the primary benefits of finance training for non-finance professionals is enhanced decision-making. By understanding key concepts like budgeting and cost control, non finance professionals will be able evaluate the financial implications of their choices, leading to more strategic and profitable outcomes. This empowers them to identify opportunities for cost savings and revenue growth within their roles.

This finance training will also bridge communication gaps between departments. Non-finance staff often collaborate with finance teams on projects or reports. With basic financial knowledge, they can speak the “language of finance,” ask relevant questions, and provide meaningful input, fostering better teamwork and reducing misunderstandings. The conference will delve into reading and interpreting financial statements—the balance sheet, income statement, and cash flow statement. These documents provide a snapshot of a company’s financial position, performance, and liquidity, allowing professionals to assess health and spot potential issues early. The discussions will bridge the gap in knowledge by equipping the non-finance professional with fundamental financial concepts supportive of informed decision-making, accountability, and performance improvement across roles and sectors.

The ABCs of Finance for Non-Finance Professionals Conference aims to demystify core areas of finance perceived to be complex. The approach is designed to give participants insights, in a practical way, into how financial systems work, what the financial statements really say, and how financial plans drive strategy and operational priorities. This conference offers an enabling, yet simplified, approach toward financial literacy, empowering professionals to engage confidently with financial conversations and meaningfully contribute to organizational planning and control processes.

At the end of the conference, participants should be able to appreciate how to interpret financial information; understand how budgets are prepared; analyze the performance of an organization; and assist executives in strategic resource allocation decisions.

The following topics will be discussed during the conference:

• Introduction to Financial Management – Understanding the role of finance in organizational operations and decision-making.
• Understanding Key Financial Statements – A practical guide to interpreting the statement of financial position, income statement, and cash flow statement.
• Budgeting and Budgetary Controls – How budgets are prepared, monitored, and applied to manage resources effectively.
• Cost Management and Cost Behaviour – Key concepts in identifying, classifying, and managing costs within different operational settings.
• Working Capital and Cash Flow Essentials – Appreciating the importance of liquidity, short-term financing, and operational cash flow.
• Financial Ratios and Performance Analysis – How to evaluate financial performance and organizational health using simple analytical tools.
• Internal Controls and Risk Awareness for Non-Finance Staff – Strengthening accountability and safeguarding organizational resources.
• Linking Finance to Strategy and Decision-Making – Understanding how financial insights support long-term planning and strategic initiatives.
• Ethics, Compliance, and Governance Considerations – Building awareness of ethical responsibilities and compliance requirements influencing financial operations.

TARGET AUDIENCE

This course targets professionals from various fields who need to use financial information regularly in their interactions or organizational planning and decision-making. It will also be of relevance and great value to managers and supervisors in operations, human resources, procurement, administration, project management, and corporate services who seek a stronger foundation in the concepts of finance for improving their effectiveness. The program will also be of value to entrepreneurs, SMEs, heads of departments, technical staff seeking an improvement in financial literacy, and an understanding of budgets, reports, and financial performance indicators of organizations. Also targeted are public sector officers, NGO personnel, and people moving into positions that have financial responsibilities, for whom discussions will not only enhance their capacity but also provide them with the ability to support good governance, accountability, and proper resource management within their institutions.

CONTINUOUS PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT UNITS (CPD UNITS):

Members of ICPAK and reciprocating professional bodies will be awarded 20 Structured CPD Units upon successfully completion of the training.

FINANCIAL COMMITMENT:

1. Charges will cater for daytime meals, conference giveaways, learning materials, and certificates of attendance.
2. Delegates are advised to make own travel and accommodation arrangements.

ONLINE BOOKING

Registration: Delegates are reminded to note that online booking for webinar is mandatory on https://www.icpak.com/event-registration/Online Booking

We call on interested participants to note that booking for the event is available online at www.icpak.com  and will close two hours before the training session. Delegates are reminded to note that online booking for training sessions is mandatory.

 NATIONAL INDUSTRIAL TRAINING AUTHORITY (NITA) REIMBURSEMENT

The Institute is registered as a trainer with National Industrial Training Authority. The Institute’s registration number is DIT/TRN/47. Participants who are registered levy contributors should apply to NITA for reimbursement of their fees. Please note that this is applicable for Kenyan citizens only and subject to NITA regulations. Remember that to qualify you should apply to NITA for approval prior to the date of the conference. Further details can be obtained from their website (www.nita.go.ke)

Further requests can be channeled to us via telephone calls on +254 719 074 000,  or via email to marketing@icpak.com