Modern Accounting and Finance Operations

Why Attend

Managing the accounting and finance department requires building on various dimensions to keep the balance between growth and performance. ‘Modern Accounting and Finance Operations’ presents a dynamic and modern approach to manage the accounting and finance operations on a strategical level, beyond the technical day-to-day skills.

Dimension 1 is about designing a Key Performance Indicator (KPI) measurement system which will serve as a cornerstone for managing the performance of the subsequent practices. Dimension 2 focuses on building teamwork, happiness, collaboration, and self-mastery for the team which is a base to achieving better results. Dimensions 3 and 4 are focused on re-inventing processes while using innovation. Dimension 5 is focused on the satisfaction of internal and external customers with whom the accounting and finance teams interact. Dimensions 6 is about using all the previous practices to improve profitability.

Course Methodology

This course uses a mix of exercises, workshops, group case studies, and presentations based on the issues and challenges facing the participants. Conceptual ideas, rules, and best practices will also be discussed in selecting KPIs, process mapping, cost-saving techniques, and innovative tools.

Course Objectives

By the end of the course, participants will be able to:

  • Describe and explain the financial and non-financial KPIs of the accounting and finance team
  • Build a knowledge-sharing culture and individual development plans for employees
  • Develop a plan to increase happiness and positive attitude in the workplace
  • Apply up-to-date practices in process mapping, value mapping, and process re-engineering
  • Develop a practical survey to understand internal and external stakeholders’ satisfaction from the accounting and finance operations
  • Implement costs saving strategies and innovation initiatives

Target Audience

Professionals in the field of finance and accounting, directors, managers, supervisors, and finance professionals who desire to understand, apply and implement practical tools to enable them to structure and run the finance and accounting departments more effectively.

Target Competencies

  • Develop financial and non-financial KPIs
  • Sharing of professional knowledge
  • Personal development
  • Accounting and finance process analysis
  • Problem-solving and process re-engineering
  • Change management and innovation in accounting and finance
  • Risk management / Stakeholder orientation
  • Cost management

Location:

South Africa

Training Dates:

Each course starts every Monday of each week. Please book your training on a date that is a Monday.

Course Duration:

Unit Standard:

NQF Level:

Number of Credits:


Course Fees

Note: Please fill in the online application form on the left or bottom if this page to receive a quotation with detailed pricing from AATICD.

How to Apply:

To Apply Simply Fill in the Online Enquiries / Applications form on the Right Sidebar or Bottom of this website https://www.aaticd.co.za

NB:

When filling the online application form; please take note of your desired Training Month, Duration in Weeks and Training Session. This will give us the exact dates you will be attending your classes.

Also note that Tuition Fees must be paid upfront on or before training start date. This is to ensure that all resources are made availabe for you before you start. You will not be allowed into training if fees are not paid and verified.

Also note that Tuition Fees Cancellations must be made 14 business working days before the starting date of training. This will allow us to do a 50% refund of the total amount paid. If cancellations are made thereafter note that no refund will be made to delegates.

Tuition Fees include teas and lunch as well as either a laptop or tablet which a delegate will take home free of charge.

Tuition Fee DOES NOT include Accommodation, Dinners and other Extra Curricular Activities or Incidentals. Delegates are expected to fund this on their own. AATICD will not be held accountable for any incidents to delegates.

In-House Trainings are also available for 3 or more delegates for any duration. Please consult with our Administration for such In-House training bookings.


Course Outline

  • Introducing Key Performance Indicators: financial and non-financial
    • What are Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
    • The crucial role of KPIs in managing performance
    • Designing a KPI measurement system
    • How KPIs should be linked to Key Result Areas (KRAs)
    • Input KPIs, process KPIs, output KPIs, outcome KPIs
    • Common problems with KPI systems
    • Evaluating your existing KPI measurement system for enhancement opportunities
    • Using KPIs in different management areas to assess the performance
    • Which financial KPIs do executives use?
    • A&F KPIs: operational-performance related
    • A&F KPIs: financial-performance related
  • Building the team’s capabilities
    • Knowledge sharing, learning, and human capital growth
    • Creating a culture of knowledge sharing
    • Knowledge sharing models: codification versus personalization
    • Placing incentives for A&F staff to share knowledge
    • Employee learning frameworks: push versus pull approach
      • Available “free” self-learning tools for A&F staff
      • Criteria for selecting training from external providers
    • Diversification of learning solutions
      • On-the-job training methods
      • Off-the-job training methods
    • Creating action plans for A&F staff development programs
    • Assessing a succession plan for the A&F team
    • Building individual development plans for team members
    • Happiness and wellness in the workplace
    • The right physical environment and work atmosphere
    • The appreciation system: do you reward effort or results?
    • Happy work protocols for different occasions
      • Birthdays, outings and events
      • Sports and wellness
    • Motivating management styles: building a trust relationship
    • Happy employee/manager relationship
  • Accounting and finance process re-engineering
    • Definition, elements, and characteristics of a process
    • Must-haves for each process
    • Process approach to improvement of A&F function
    • Advantages of process mapping
    • The Plan, Do Check, Act (PDCA) approach
    • Types of mapping tools: simple flowcharting, Swimlane, SIPOC
    • Process-mapping software
    • Best practices in process mapping
    • Mapping an A&F process
    • Value stream maps: value-added and non-value added analysis
    • Cycle time map: opportunities in terms of reducing cycle time and defects
    • Lean thinking to reduce waste in processes
    • 5S: a framework to organize and maintain your workplace
  • Roadmap for innovation in accounting and finance
    • Which A&F processes require most time and effort?
    • Automation opportunities in A&F
      • Utilizing ERP solutions to close time gaps
    • Eight essential attributes for innovation
    • Steps for innovation and transformation
    • Aligning key stakeholders
      • Step 1: Understand the problem
      • Step 2: Enlist champions for the tasks
      • Step 3: Start with the end in mind
    • Engaging the organization
      • Step 4: Motivate stakeholders by articulating a vision
      • Step 5: Communicate
      • Step 6: Act
      • Step 7: Consolidate
  • Stakeholders’ satisfaction: internal and external
    • A&F internal and external stakeholders
    • Why stakeholders’ satisfaction is important?
    • Using surveys and questionnaires as a tool for improvement
      • How to set an objective of surveys?
      • How to write survey questions?
        • How to ask?
        • What do survey questions tend to measure?
      • Sampling methods
      • Administration and analysis of survey results
    • The importance of demographics
    • Simulation: building satisfaction survey
      • Customers (A/R), suppliers (A/P), employees (payroll), banks (treasury), budgeting, control, financial reporting, and analysis
  • Achieving realistic cost savings
    • Importance of saving costs and improving productivity​
      • External reasons for cost reduction and savings
    • Advantages and disadvantages of saving costs
    • Cost reduction decision table
    • Example of capabilities developed by companies to reduce costs
    • Strategic and tactical cost actions
    • Shared service centers versus centralization versus outsourcing
      • Organizations that would benefit from shared service centers
      • Process of implementing a shared service center
    • Cost management scenarios based on the company’s situation
      • How to play going forward
    • Revenues and cost targets to increase shareholder value
      • ​Limitations of simple employee lay-offs
      • Use of target costing
      • Control of maintenance, office supplies, theft and lawsuits
    • ​10 steps to accomplish cost reductions