Full course description
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Date: 2 July 2026
Modality: In-person
Duration: One day, 9am-4pm
Price: $1,260 (incl. GST). If you are eligible for the UoA Staff or Auckland Council Training Member discount, please email shortcourses@auckland.ac.nz before you register.
Taking financial acumen to the next level, this advanced one-day course blends analytical thinking with hands-on Excel modelling to help non-financial managers interpret, benchmark, and influence financial performance. You’ll learn how to break down return metrics, apply ratio and peer analysis, and identify potential red flags using structured, easy-to-use Excel tools.
Ideal for those ready to move from financial awareness to deeper financial insight. Prior completion of the Finance for Non-Financial Managers course is recommended.
Short course structure and topics covered:
- Understanding business performance and returns (including the DuPont framework)
- Interpreting financial ratios and what they reveal about business health
- Using peer comparison and benchmarking to evaluate performance
- Recognising limitations, assumptions, and common issues in financial analysis
Learning outcomes:
By the end of the course, you will be able to
- Confidently interpret key financial ratios and return drivers
- Use Excel to build real-world analysis models
- Benchmark their team, department, or organisation against peers
- Spot underlying performance issues early
- Make more informed, data-driven decisions that support long-term value creation
Who should attend? / any entry requirements?
This course is designed for:
- Managers and business leads who work with budgets and performance reports and want to strengthen their ability to interpret results.
- Professionals in operations, strategy, programme/project, or service delivery roles who influence performance and need to translate operational drivers into financial impact.
- Anyone who has completed an introductory finance course (or equivalent experience) and is ready for the next step.
- Teams looking to build internal capability in financial interpretation, performance storytelling and decision support.
- Those who regularly present to senior stakeholders and want to defend the numbers with confidence - using practical, reusable Excel tools
This course is one of many offerings from Executive and Professional Development (EPD) at the University of Auckland Business School. Discover how EPD can support you or your organisation — learn more here.
Payment for short courses is normally by credit card. If you need to pay by invoice or require assistance, please email shortcourses@auckland.ac.nz. Please note that the University does not issue individual invoices for amounts less than $500 New Zealand dollars.
By enrolling in a Short Course at the University of Auckland you agree to the Short Course Terms and Conditions