Financial Training Services for Start-ups, SMEs, Non‑Financial Leaders & PLC Teams

Empower your team with practical, accessible financial training designed to build confidence, improve decision‑making, and strengthen business performance.

Our courses are built for start-ups, growing SMEs, non‑financial directors, department heads, and leaders in large organisations and PLCs who need clear, relevant financial understanding—without the jargon.

Who Our Training Is For

Start-ups & Founders

Gain the financial foundations you need to launch and scale confidently. Ideal for founders managing early bookkeeping, budgeting, and cashflow before hiring permanent finance support.

Existing SMEs

Upskill your team so that managers and operational leads can understand financial implications, control costs, manage budgets, and support growth.

Non‑Financial Directors & Senior Leaders

Perfect for board members and executives who need to interpret financial reports, question assumptions, and contribute effectively to strategic decision‑making.

Department Heads in Large Organisations & PLCs

Equip leaders with the financial literacy required to manage departmental budgets, understand performance metrics, and collaborate effectively with finance teams.

Our Course Offering

Our training programmes combine practical exercises, real‑world examples, and plain‑easy to follow explanations to ensure your people leave confident and capable.

 

  1. Basic Accounting Principles

A clear introduction to:

  • How financial statements work
  • The difference between cash and profit
  • Key accounting terminology
  • Why financial controls matter
    Perfect for those with little or no finance background.
  1. Xero Training

Hands‑on guidance to help your team use Xero efficiently:

  • Setting up the system correctly
  • Bank reconciliation
  • Invoicing and bill processing
  • Reporting tools and dashboards
  • Common mistakes and how to avoid them
    Suitable for beginners or teams looking to optimise their use of Xero.
  1. Understanding Management Accounts

Learn to interpret monthly financial reports and use them for better decision‑making:

  • How management accounts differ from year‑end accounts
  • Identifying trends
  • Assessing performance
  • Recognising early warning signs
    Ideal for managers who need to take ownership of financial results.
  1. P&L and Balance Sheet Interaction

A straightforward explanation of how the financial statements connect:

  • How transactions flow between the P&L and balance sheet
  • Understanding retained profit
  • Why assets and liabilities matter
  • Common misconceptions
    This course helps leaders see the “big picture” behind the numbers.
  1. Budgets & Forecasting

Give your team the skills to build and manage realistic financial plans:

  • Creating budgets for the business needs
  • Scenario planning
  • Variance analysis
  • Forecasting tools and methods
    Great for teams responsible for planning and controlling spend.
  1. Cashflow & Liquidity

Help your team understand the lifeblood of every business:

  • Cashflow vs profit
  • Working capital management
  • Predicting cash shortages
  • Tools for monitoring liquidity
    Essential for start-ups and SMEs where cash management is critical.
  1. KPIs & Performance Metrics

Develop meaningful metrics that drive results:

  • What to measure (and what to avoid)
  • Financial vs operational KPIs
  • Building dashboards
  • How KPIs link to strategy and behaviour
    Ideal for leaders who need actionable insight, not just data.
  1. Nominal Codes & Chart of Accounts

A clear, practical guide to:

  • What nominal codes are
  • How they support reporting accuracy
  • Designing a chart of accounts that suits your business
    Particularly useful for internal teams using Xero or other accounting systems.
  1. EBITDA & Key Financial Metrics

Understand the financial metrics commonly used by investors, lenders and boards:

  • What EBITDA is and what it shows
  • Adjusted EBITDA
  • Gross margin, net margin and other key ratios
  • How to interpret financial strength and performance
    Ideal for businesses seeking investment or improved financial analysis.

Training Delivery Options

We offer flexible formats to suit your organisation:

  • In‑person workshops
  • Online live training sessions
  • 1‑to‑1 or small group coaching
  • Custom blended programmes tailored to your systems, industry and reporting style
  • Off site training at our training venue in Kettering

Each session includes practical examples, templates, and follow‑up resources to reinforce learning.

Why Choose Us

  • Clear, jargon‑free explanations
  • Training designed for non‑financial audiences
  • Relevant, real‑world examples
  • Practical skills your team can apply immediately
  • Flexible delivery for any size organisation

We help people not just learn finance, but use it confidently in their day‑to‑day roles.

 

Ready to Build Financial Confidence Across Your Organisation?

Get in touch today to discuss your training needs, request a proposal, or book your first session.

Let’s get your team up and running with the financial understanding they need to make stronger decisions and drive better results.

Contact us to get started. E:mail info@ftre.co.uk  Tel: 01536 903693

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