Financial Planning & Analysis: Building a Company's Budget from Udemy

Looking to boost your income as a financial analyst?

Looking to acquire valuable skills that will set you aside from the competition?

You’ve come to the right place.

Financial Planning & Analysis: Building a Company’s Budget from Scratch guides you through the core principles of financial planning and helps you understand how a company prepares a budget. The video lessons touch on several technical topics such as revenue forecasting, cost planning, working capital development, fixed assets roll-forward, and cash flow calculation. Besides that, we will discuss why firms need budgets, which are the financial statements that a company uses to create its budget, what types of budgets are there, which are the main techniques used in financial planning, who is involved in the preparation of a budget, and who is interested in the final numbers that are signed-off in the budget. Specializing in these topics will turn you into a valuable, indispensable member of any company’s Finance team.

Experienced Instructor

Antoniya is a Finance Manager with more than 10 years of experience in FP&A teams. She is the right teacher for you because she understands how to explain a complicated topic in an easy to comprehend way. She is passionate about teaching and happy to answer your questions.

Well structured

This course shows it all, with no steps skipped. The lessons are easy, time-efficient, and well structured. We have used a number of teaching methods. Video lectures, Theory, Real business Examples, Animations, Quiz Questions, Case Studies, a Course Challenge ... you name it.

Why should you learn about FP&A and Budgeting?

One of the most important activities in Corporate Finance

A key topic in interviews, especially when hiring people with a few years of experience
Budgeting is great for networking – you communicate with some of the most important individuals within a company
Salary. FP&A specialists enjoy a very well-paid career
Promotions. Financial Planning Analysts acquire valuable technical skills and are well-known throughout the organization, which makes them the leading candidates for senior roles
Growth. Forecasting what will occur in the future is always interesting and full of surprises

Interactive experience

Here comes the fun part.

We have a challenge for you. After each major block you have covered, you will be asked to solve a challenge. You will:

Predict a company’s sales
Create a budget for the costs that will support the expected level of sales
Work on a Production Budget
Calculate expected Net Cash Flows
Prepare a budgeted Income Statement and Balance Sheet

Sounds interesting, right?

At the end of the challenge, you will send us the work that you’ve done, and we will send back personalized feedback to you. This makes for an interactive student experience that optimizes what you will learn from the course.

The students who complete the task will participate in our monthly Amazon Gift Card lottery with the chance of winning a $10 gift card, rewarding them for their engagement.

What makes this course different from the rest of the Finance courses that are out there?

High quality of production – Full HD video and animations (This isn’t a collection of boring lectures. )
Knowledgeable instructor (experience working for companies like 3M and Coca-Cola)
Specialized training – the only course that covers this topic on Udemy
Extensive Case Studies that will help you reinforce everything you’ve learned
Course Challenge: Solve our Course Challenge and make this course an interactive experience
Excellent support: If you don’t understand a concept, or you simply want to drop us a line, you’ll receive an answer within 1 business day
Dynamic: We don’t want to waste your time. The instructor keeps up a very good pace throughout the whole course.

Please don’t forget that the course comes with Udemy’s 30-day, unconditional money-back-in-full guarantee. And why not give such a guarantee, when we are convinced that the course will provide a ton of value for you?

Click the 'Buy now' button to get access to the course and boost your career.

What's inside

Learning objectives

Prepare a company's budget from scratch
Learn to differentiate between top-down and bottom-up techniques
Prepare the revenue budget of a company
Project a company's planned level of production
Calculate net cash flow

Project various types of expenditures
Estimate working capital needs
Carry out a fixed asset rollforward
Build an integrated financial model
Learn to build financial statements in excel

Prepare a company's budget from scratch
Learn to differentiate between top-down and bottom-up techniques
Prepare the revenue budget of a company
Project a company's planned level of production
Calculate net cash flow
Project various types of expenditures
Estimate working capital needs
Carry out a fixed asset rollforward
Build an integrated financial model
Learn to build financial statements in excel

Syllabus

Course Introduction

Course Introduction. What does the Course cover?

Getting Started with Financial Planning and Analysis

What is a budget and why do we need it?

The Accounting Framework

Major Financial Statements

Understanding the Income Statement

Understanding the Balance Sheet

Cash vs. Profit

Understanding the Cash Flow Statement

Direct vs. Indirect Method

Major Interrelatioships between the Financial Statements

Mechanics of the Budgeting Process

The Importance of Budgeting

Completing 33% of the Course

Key Steps in Budget Preparation

The Budget Horizon

Budgeting Levels of Detail

Budgeting Approaches

Updating the Budget

Who prepares the Budget?

The Master Budget

The Budget Sign-off

Completing 50% of the Course

Time for a Case Study: Henry's Hats

Company Overview

Calculating Revenue - The Bottom-up Approach

Calculating Revenue - The Top-down Approach

Understanding COGS Calculation

Calculating Volume of Production

Direct Materials and Direct Labor

Production Overheads

Cost of Goods Sold (COGS) Summary

The Payroll Budget

The SG&A Budget

Balance Sheet Items - Overview

The Cash Conversion Cycle

The Working Capital Budget

The Fixed Assets Budget

Loan Repayment Schedule

Completing Henry's Hats' Master Budget

The Budgeted Income Statement

The Budgeted Balance Sheet

The Budgeted Cash Flow Statement

Presenting the Results

Course notes

Course Challenge

Course Challenge - 99 Agency

Completing 100% of the Course

Who Does What in Finance? (optional)

Who Does What in Finance?

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Develops professional skills and deep expertise in planning and budgeting

Explores budgeting techniques and concepts, which are standard in industry best practices

Teaches financial planning and budgeting processes, which helps learners increase their value within finance teams

Instructed by Antoniya, a finance manager with over 10 years of FP&A team experience

Emphasizes networking and interpersonal knowledge, which helps learners advance their careers

Reviews summary

Simplified budgeting & analysis foundations

learners say this course is largely positive for gaining an elementary comprehension of budgeting and financial analysis. The course is considered well-received as it begins with fundamental concepts and incrementally builds upon the information until learners grasp more advanced ideas like preparing a master budget. While it is best suited for beginners seeking foundational knowledge, more experienced finance professionals may find it simplistic. Key features include digestible lectures, engaging graphics and animations, real-life examples, downloadable resources, and evaluation tools like quizzes and challenges. Overall, students remarked that this course effectively demystifies budgeting and financial analysis, making complex concepts more approachable.

Real-world case studies and examples help illustrate the concepts and make them relatable for learners.

"The course is great and well thought out. it explains very well the material on budgeting and forcasting without any unnecessary chaff, very well, straight to the point."

Animations and graphics enhance the learning experience and make the content more engaging and easier to understand.

"the instructor goes a little too fast. The course is great, but I would have liked if he spent more time on thinking through the development model and the types of calculations."

"I've found some interesting topics regarding the Financial Planning process. I am working as an IT FP&A support. Now I understand the reason for some monthly activities."

Suitable for those with little to no prior knowledge in budgeting or finance, as it starts with the basics and gradually introduces more advanced concepts.

The final challenge in the course contains errors, which can be frustrating for learners.

"The final assignment was not well prepared. The given numbers in the solution and the task sheet differ, and there is magic numbers in the solution that came from nowhere in the provided information about the fictive company."

While the course provides a good foundation, some learners may find it too simplistic and lacking in depth for their needs.

"This course is great. I would skip the intro. If someone doesn´t have a very basic accounting knowledge they won´t be able to follow the rest of the course."

"It was a good detail provided by the instructor about the course ,the only drawback is that his pace was very fast also he should have included more practical examples."

Career center

Learners who complete Financial Planning & Analysis: Building a Company's Budget will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Financial Analyst

Financial analysts are frequently tasked with building out financial models in excel spreadsheets, and this course helps build a solid foundation for doing so proficiently. It covers the theory and practice of financial modeling, including how to calculate revenue, expenses, and cash flow, and how to create income statements and balance sheets. The course also covers more advanced topics such as cost planning, working capital development, and fixed assets roll-forward. If you're interested in a career in financial analysis, this course is highly recommended.

See salaries and explore the career path for Financial Analyst

Budget Analyst

Budget analysts are responsible for planning and managing budgets for organizations. This course provides a comprehensive overview of the budgeting process, from developing budget assumptions to monitoring and controlling expenditures. You will learn how to prepare a master budget, including the income statement, balance sheet, and cash flow statement. You will also learn how to use financial modeling to forecast revenue and expenses. This course is a valuable resource for anyone who wants to pursue a career in budget analysis.

See salaries and explore the career path for Budget Analyst

Financial Manager

Financial managers oversee the financial operations of organizations. They are responsible for developing and implementing financial plans, managing cash flow, and making investment decisions. This course provides a solid foundation in financial planning and analysis, which are essential skills for financial managers. The course covers topics such as budgeting, financial forecasting, and capital budgeting. It also covers more advanced topics such as mergers and acquisitions, and risk management. If you're interested in a career in financial management, this course is highly recommended.

See salaries and explore the career path for Financial Manager

Investment Analyst

Investment analysts evaluate and recommend investments for individuals and institutions. This course provides a solid foundation in financial analysis, which is essential for investment analysts. The course covers topics such as financial statement analysis, valuation, and portfolio management. It also covers more advanced topics such as alternative investments and behavioral finance. If you're interested in a career in investment analysis, this course is highly recommended.

See salaries and explore the career path for Investment Analyst

Financial Planner

Financial planners help individuals and families plan for their financial future. They provide advice on investments, retirement planning, and estate planning. This course provides a solid foundation in financial planning, which is essential for financial planners. The course covers topics such as risk assessment, asset allocation, and retirement planning. It also covers more advanced topics such as estate planning and charitable giving. If you're interested in a career in financial planning, this course is highly recommended.

See salaries and explore the career path for Financial Planner

Corporate Finance Manager

Corporate finance managers are responsible for raising and managing capital for corporations. They also develop and implement financial strategies. This course provides a solid foundation in corporate finance, which is essential for corporate finance managers. The course covers topics such as capital budgeting, mergers and acquisitions, and risk management. It also covers more advanced topics such as financial modeling and international finance. If you're interested in a career in corporate finance, this course is highly recommended.

See salaries and explore the career path for Corporate Finance Manager

Credit Analyst

Credit analysts assess the creditworthiness of individuals and businesses. They provide recommendations to lenders on whether to approve or deny loans. This course provides a solid foundation in financial analysis, which is essential for credit analysts. The course covers topics such as financial statement analysis, credit scoring, and loan underwriting. It also covers more advanced topics such as structured finance and credit derivatives. If you're interested in a career in credit analysis, this course is highly recommended.

See salaries and explore the career path for Credit Analyst

Forensic Accountant

Forensic accountants investigate financial crimes, such as fraud and embezzlement. They also provide expert testimony in court. This course provides a solid foundation in financial accounting and auditing, which are essential for forensic accountants. The course covers topics such as financial statement analysis, auditing procedures, and fraud detection. It also covers more advanced topics such as forensic accounting software and data analytics. If you're interested in a career in forensic accounting, this course is highly recommended.

See salaries and explore the career path for Forensic Accountant

Actuary

Actuaries use mathematics and statistics to assess risk. They work in a variety of industries, including insurance, banking, and consulting. This course provides a solid foundation in mathematics and statistics, which are essential for actuaries. The course covers topics such as probability, statistics, and financial mathematics. It also covers more advanced topics such as life insurance, health insurance, and pensions. If you're interested in a career in actuarial science, this course is highly recommended.

See salaries and explore the career path for Actuary

Economist

Economists study the production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services. They use their knowledge to advise businesses and governments on economic policy. This course provides a solid foundation in economics, which is essential for economists. The course covers topics such as microeconomics, macroeconomics, and econometrics. It also covers more advanced topics such as international economics and development economics. If you're interested in a career in economics, this course is highly recommended.

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Data Analyst

Data analysts use data to solve business problems. They work in a variety of industries, including finance, healthcare, and retail. This course provides a solid foundation in data analysis, which is essential for data analysts. The course covers topics such as data mining, data visualization, and machine learning. It also covers more advanced topics such as big data and cloud computing. If you're interested in a career in data analysis, this course is highly recommended.

See salaries and explore the career path for Data Analyst

Business Analyst

Business analysts use their knowledge of business and technology to solve business problems. They work in a variety of industries, including finance, healthcare, and manufacturing. This course provides a solid foundation in business analysis, which is essential for business analysts. The course covers topics such as business process modeling, requirements gathering, and solution design. It also covers more advanced topics such as systems analysis and project management. If you're interested in a career in business analysis, this course is highly recommended.

See salaries and explore the career path for Business Analyst

Management Consultant

Management consultants help businesses improve their performance. They work in a variety of industries, including finance, healthcare, and technology. This course provides a solid foundation in management consulting, which is essential for management consultants. The course covers topics such as business strategy, organizational behavior, and change management. It also covers more advanced topics such as mergers and acquisitions, and risk management. If you're interested in a career in management consulting, this course is highly recommended.

See salaries and explore the career path for Management Consultant

Risk Analyst

Risk analysts assess the risks faced by organizations. They work in a variety of industries, including finance, insurance, and healthcare. This course provides a solid foundation in risk analysis, which is essential for risk analysts. The course covers topics such as risk identification, risk assessment, and risk management. It also covers more advanced topics such as operational risk, and credit risk. If you're interested in a career in risk analysis, this course is highly recommended.

See salaries and explore the career path for Risk Analyst

Auditor

Auditors examine financial records to ensure that they are accurate and complete. They work in a variety of industries, including accounting, finance, and government. This course provides a solid foundation in auditing, which is essential for auditors. The course covers topics such as auditing standards, auditing procedures, and internal control. It also covers more advanced topics such as forensic accounting and information technology auditing. If you're interested in a career in auditing, this course is highly recommended.

See salaries and explore the career path for Auditor