Communicating Financial Information with Impact (ICAS)

Overview

In this day and age, information is abundant. But it is not always useful. Much time (and money!) is spent pulling together information and creating reports but it is debateable how helpful these really are. Key conclusions and recommendations can be lost in high volumes of technical and complex data.

Financial information is typically numerical and the challenge for finance professionals is to translate it into something meaningful that drives decision making. Information is not power unless the messages are clear and convincing. This can be particularly challenging when those on the receiving end are from the non-finance world.

Who is this for?

This course is aimed at those who seek to engage and influence through information. Whilst a typical delegate might be from the finance profession, the content may indeed be useful to other professionals whose job involves reporting information on a regular basis.

What will you learn?

Introduction and context setting

• Common problems with financial information

PART 1 – Communicating financial information in writing

Understanding your recipient

• Key questions to ask before you start putting together any communication
• Stakeholder analysis

Writing with impact

• 4 elements of readability
• Content – organising and explaining findings and recommendations, inductive vs. deductive logic
• Style – tips for writing more clearly, prose vs. bullets, using tables
• Design – layout, typography
• Content – report structures, executive summary

Presenting numbers

• Helpful formatting to add clarity and making reading easier and quicker
• Getting your message across when using numbers

Using graphs effectively

• Appropriate use of graphs
• Tips for adding clarity

PART 2 – Communicating financial information verbally

Verbally communicating financial information

• Key challenges and how we might manage them
• The communication cycle and interference

Influencing and persuasion

• Influencing styles
• Merrill and Reid Social Styles model
• Advocacy and enquiry
• Cialdini’s 6 laws of persuasion

Other related courses

Adding Value Beyond the Numbers: Management Accounting Update

Better Forecasting & Budgeting

Enhance Your Finance Business Partner Skills

The Strategically Focused Accountant