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For Individuals
For Teams
  • Includes 6 total courses to earn Finance for Non-Finance Managers certificate
  • Self-paced & 100% online
  • Get this program, community, & more with a CFI membership
  • Get this program and CFI's full training catalog for your organization
  • Manage learning, create custom paths & measure progress
  • For teams of 2 or more learners

Finance for Non-Finance Managers Specialization Overview

Every business decision has financial implications, influencing both 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 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.

What's in the Finance for Non-Finance Managers Specialization?

6 courses

6 Required Courses

60+ interactive exercises

Learn by doing with guided simulators

Receive a Certificate

To verify your skills

500,000+ 5-star ratings

Best-in-class training, as rated by you

Earning Your Certificate in Finance for Non-Finance Managers

Step 1.

6 Required Courses

This comprehensive bundle consists of 6 courses to deliver practical, real-world business skills.

Accounting Fundamentals
4.9 (7,489 Ratings)
2h 28min
2h 28min
Reading Financial Statements
4.8 (4,300 Ratings)
1h 45min
1h 45min
Budgeting and Forecasting
4.9 (981 Ratings)
2h 44min
2h 44min
Financial Analysis Fundamentals
4.8 (1,916 Ratings)
2h 4min
2h 4min
Corporate & Business Strategy
5 (825 Ratings)
2h 24min
2h 24min
Corporate Finance Fundamentals
4.8 (2,942 Ratings)
1h 36min
1h 36min
Hide All Courses

Skills & Learning Objectives in Finance for Non-Finance Managers Specialization

1
45%
Accounting
2
20%
Finance
3
20%
Budgeting and Forecasting
4
15%
Strategy
1
2
3
4
  1. 1.
    45%
    Accounting
  2. 2.
    20%
    Finance
  3. 3.
    20%
    Budgeting and Forecasting
  4. 4.
    15%
    Strategy

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 the impacts on 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 forecast future performance with confidence.
  • 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.

Taught by Industry Experts

Duncan McKeen

Duncan McKeen

Duncan is the Executive Vice President, Financial Modeling at CFI. Since 2014, Duncan has been focused on designing courses and teaching financial modeling to employees working in accounting, valuation, investment banking, equity research, and private equity.
Jeff Schmidt

Jeff Schmidt

Jeff is the Vice President, Financial Modeling at CFI. Prior to joining CFI, Jeff Schmidt taught financial modeling and valuation to thousands of learners all over the world for over a decade.
Scott Powell

Scott Powell

Scott is the Co-Founder of CFI. Over the past 30 years, he has focused on designing and delivering learning solutions for clients in the financial services sector, particularly in the areas of commercial banking, investment banking, capital markets, and asset management.
Tim Vipond, FMVA

Tim Vipond, FMVA

Tim is the Co-Founder and CEO of CFI Education with an extensive background in entrepreneurship, financial analysis, and investment banking.

Careers in Finance for Non-Finance Managers

  • Mid-level and Senior Managers

    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

    Department Heads and Team Leaders

    Confidently manage budgets, optimize resources, and collaborate with finance teams to enhance team performance.
  • Aspiring Executives and Directors

    Aspiring Executives and Directors

    Gain the financial expertise to interpret statements, assess investments, and lead with strategic financial insight.
  • Entrepreneurs and Business Owners

    Entrepreneurs and Business Owners

    Develop financial literacy to manage cash flow, evaluate risks, and communicate effectively with investors and stakeholders.
  • Professionals Transitioning into Management

    Professionals Transitioning into Management

    Build financial acumen to oversee budgets, assess performance, and make informed management decisions.

Finance for Non-Finance Managers Specialization has upskilled teams in leading industries:

Technology & SaaS
Healthcare & Pharmaceuticals
Retail & 
E-commerce
Manufacturing 
& Supply Chain
Hospitality 
& Tourism
Government 
& Nonprofits

What Our Students Say

Excellent Program for No-financial Manager. I do not have a solid background in finance, I am more in mining operations manager. But by following this program, in no time I was able to discuss with financial and reading and building financial statements; forecasting and performing sensitivity analysis and scenarios; implement a corporate or business strategy in my financial model. I will recommend to anyone who wishes to accelerate their career.

Jean-Paul Mwamba

Materials and Instructors were awesome. The material used in delivering the lecture and the instructors were fantastic. Very details and easily understood. A non-accounting background person would grasp easily.

David Olaoye

Very Practical Knowledge. I never thought it would be possible to learn so quickly the theoretical and technical skills to apply financial modeling to any company. The courses are well thought through. The course material is very helpful. The videos are clear and concise. I wish many e-learning courses would have the same structure.

Kevin S.

CFI has a large catalogue of courses that are well organized and thorough. Makes it easy for me to dive into multiple topics, instead of trying to piece together learning materials.

Jennifer Foster

Frequently Asked Questions

If you haven’t found your answer from our FAQ, please send us a message.

What is the Finance for Non-Finance Managers Specialization and who is it designed for?
The Finance for Non-Finance Managers program is built to help leaders and professionals gain confidence in understanding financial information and making data-driven business decisions. It is designed for managers, entrepreneurs, and professionals without a finance background who want to interpret financial statements, understand budgets, and communicate more effectively with finance teams. By bridging the gap between strategy and finance, this program empowers you to lead with clarity and confidence.
What are the admission requirements for the Finance for Non-Finance Managers program?
There are no prerequisites to get started. You’ll only need a computer with internet access and Microsoft Excel 2016 or newer. The program is structured to start with the fundamentals before progressing to practical applications, making it accessible for those with little to no prior finance experience while still valuable for professionals looking to sharpen their decision-making skills.
How long does it take to complete the Finance for Non-Finance Managers program, and how flexible is it?
Most learners complete the specialization in about 15–20 hours, but you set the pace that works best for your schedule. You can start anytime, pause when needed, and return to lessons as often as you like during your CFI subscription. This flexibility makes it easy to balance learning with work or studies.
What career opportunities can the Finance for Non-Finance Managers program help me pursue?
Completing this program helps you strengthen your leadership impact by building financial fluency. You’ll be able to interpret reports, analyze business performance, and contribute more confidently to strategic discussions. These skills are highly valued in management and executive roles, giving you an edge whether you’re advancing in your current company, launching your own business, or pursuing new leadership opportunities.
How does CFI ensure the Finance for Non-Finance Managers program is practical and job-ready?
The program uses real-world case studies and interactive exercises that mirror challenges that managers face daily. You'll practice analyzing financial statements, assessing budgets, and making informed decisions—skills you can apply immediately to build compelling business cases, speak confidently in budget reviews, and contribute more effectively to strategic discussions.
How are exams conducted in the Finance for Non-Finance Managers program, and how do I earn my certificate?
Assessments are completed online and include quizzes and applied exercises within each course. To earn your specialization certificate, you must finish all required courses and pass the assessments with at least 80%. Once complete, you’ll receive a blockchain-verified digital certificate that’s instantly available in your learner dashboard, secure to share, and recognized by employers worldwide.
Is the Finance for Non-Finance Managers certificate recognized by employers?
Yes. CFI certificates are globally recognized and trusted by top companies, showing that you’ve built practical financial skills to strengthen leadership and collaboration. Adding this credential to your resume demonstrates to employers that you can interpret financial data, contribute to strategic decisions, and drive better business outcomes.
Are CFI courses accredited?
Yes. CFI is accredited by the Better Business Bureau and is an approved NASBA sponsor, with courses recognized for CPE credits in the United States and CPD credits in Canada through CPA institutions. CPE/CPD eligibility and hours are listed on each course page within this specialization—check individual courses for details and confirm acceptance with your licensing body if required. You can find more information here.
How much does the Finance for Non-Finance Managers program cost, and what’s included with my subscription?
This program is included with your annual CFI all-access subscription at no additional cost. Your membership gives you unlimited access to all CFI courses, templates, and certificates, including any new updates added to the specialization during your subscription. You’ll also join a global community of over 2 million professionals and gain career tools to support your growth.
What kind of learner support and resources are available during the Finance for Non-Finance Managers program?
You’ll have access to CFI’s technical support, community forums, and additional resources through Full Immersion membership. This may include premium email support, instant help with AI Tutor, and personalized feedback from finance experts. These resources are designed to help you not just complete the program, but also apply your new knowledge to achieve career success.

If you haven’t found your answer from our FAQ, please send us a message.

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