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Financial Forecasting

In this hands-on seminar, you’ll delve into the critical components of forecasting and build forecasts that help power the operations, finance, production, and planning functions in your organization. You’ll master the key components and skills to create forecasts and learn to translate and appraise the forecasts of others. In addition, you’ll understand how to interpret the meaning of any forecast, whether it’s your own company’s or that of the competition. Whether you’re new or seasoned in forecasting and in need of a briskly paced refresher, this seminar will help you see into—and plan—your company’s future!

Seminar Number: 01110

5
(97 reviews)
  • Live Online
  • At Your Company Location

Course Scheduling & Pricing

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About This Course

Financial forecasting allows organizations to anticipate change rather than react to it. This course explores how managers use data and trends to build accurate models that support strategic decisions. Participants learn how forecasting connects operational activity with future financial outcomes while strengthening their ability to evaluate uncertainty and risk. Through active exercises, professionals gain the confidence to interpret projections and contribute more effectively to financial planning discussions.

Read the FAQs

Who Should Attend

Any financial professional who needs to create, maintain and improve the forecasting process at their company, as well as professionals in any function who must interpret, analyze and make decisions based on forecasts created by others.

  •   Live Online3 Day(s)
    21.4 CCM, 1.8 CEU, 18 CLP, 21 CPE, 21.4 CTP, 21.4 FP&A, 18 PDU, 18 PMU
 
 

In this hands-on seminar, you’ll delve into the critical components of forecasting and build forecasts that help power the operations, finance, production, and planning functions in your organization.

You’ll master the key components and skills to create forecasts and learn to translate and appraise the forecasts of others. In addition, you’ll understand how to interpret the meaning of any forecast, whether it’s your own company’s or that of the competition. Whether you’re new or seasoned in forecasting and in need of a briskly paced refresher, this seminar will help you see into—and plan—your company’s future!

  • Gather the basic facts necessary to start building a forecast
  • Learn limitations—what forecasts can and cannot do
  • Choose the proper forecasting technique given available data and forecast goals
  • Critique and interpret forecasts and their implications
  • Utilize powerful MS Excel® tools—with uses transferable to other disciplines
  • Master and use regression tools to make better forecasts
  • Use Excel® tools to present forecast data to executive management
  • Introduction to business forecasting
  • Basic statistical techniques
  • Forecasting techniques and methods
  • Getting started: Making underlying assumptions
  • Identifying data patterns: Exploratory analysis concepts
  • Time series and their components
  • The use of Excel® as your forecasting tool
  • Forecasting performance measurements
  • Simple and multivariate linear regression
  • Summarizing and displaying data in Excel®
  • New directions in financial forecasting

Special Feature

NOTE: Please bring a laptop equipped with Excel 2019 or 365 to this seminar.

Learning Objectives

  • Identify the Basics of Forecasting
  • Describe Quantitative and Qualitative Analysis
  • Apply Statistics and Formulas to Forecasting
  • Define Data Analysis Using Microsoft® Excel
  • Identify Business Forecasts and How They Are Used
  • Describe How Probability and Risk Affect Forecasts
  • Describe Future Trends in Forecasting

Download Extended Seminar Outline PDF

View a Sample of Our Reviews

5

97 reviews

 
Great conference, so much valuable information offered, glad I attended this conference
5
Lisa P.
 
Sr. Budget Analyst
 
Industry: Hospitality
I will be able to apply information shared on both the qualitative and quantitative forecasting factors to my work.
5
Asa C.
 
Senior Manager Education & Training
 
Industry: Organizations
This course is great for those just jumping into budgeting and forecasting, as well as for the folks who have been doing it for a few years. There are great tools and techniques that all levels of expertise can take advantage of.
5
Melissa C.
 
Chief Financial Officer
 
Industry: Hospitals & Physicians Clinics
Excellent class participation and useful skills that I can take back to the office. The instructor is an excellent facilitator and created a very collaborative environment.
5
Greg A.
 
Senior Vice President & Chief Financial Officer
 
Industry: Organizations
Very informative. Better understanding of what goes into forecasting
5
Sonia O.
 
Business Services & Operations Manager
 
Industry: Government

This course is valid for 18 PMUs.

Talent Triangle 18 PDUs
15 Business Acumen [BA] 3 Ways of Working [WOW]
Project Management Institute (PMI) Talent Triangle, 2015.
Reproduced with the permission of PMI. Copyright and all rights reserved.

 
fpa-accred-logo

Approved for up to 21.4 FP&A recertification credits by the Association for Financial Professionals at the rate of one credit for each 50 minutes of attendance.

Approved for up to 21.4 CTP recertification credits by the Association for Financial Professionals at the rate of one credit for each 50 minutes of attendance.

American Management Association is accredited by the International Accreditors for Continuing Education and Training (IACET) and is accredited to issue the IACET CEU.

American Management Association is registered with the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) as a sponsor of continuing professional education on the National Registry of CPE Sponsors. State boards of accountancy have final authority on the acceptance of individual courses for CPE credit. Complaints regarding registered sponsors may be submitted to the National Registry of CPE Sponsors through its website: www.nasbaregistry.org. For additional information or for more information regarding administrative policies such as complaints and refunds, please contact Customer Service at 800-262-9699.

Recommended CPE Credit: 21 hours/Basic
Prerequisites: An understanding of Excel and familiarity with Fundamentals of Finance and Accounting (see seminar #2218).
Advance Preparation: None
Instructional Method: Group Live/Group Internet Based
Field of Study: Technical – Accounting, Management Services, Specialized Knowledge

Live Online Schedule

3 Sessions Available

Frequently Asked Questions

I need to improve how my organization predicts revenue and expenses. Will this financial forecasting course help?

Yes. This course teaches practical financial forecasting techniques that help professionals create more accurate projections for revenue, expenses and business performance. You’ll learn how to analyze financial data, identify trends, and build financial forecasts that support better planning and decision making.

What will I learn in this financial forecasting training?

This program covers the core concepts behind financial forecasting, including forecasting models, trend analysis, financial data interpretation and forecasting assumptions. Participants learn how to build, evaluate and improve financial forecasts used for planning, budgeting and strategic decisions.

Is this course only for finance professionals?

No. While many participants work in finance, the program is also valuable for managers and professionals who must interpret and act on financial forecasts created by others. It helps non-financial leaders understand how forecasts are developed and how to use them to guide business decisions.

How can better financial forecasting improve business decision making?

Strong financial forecasting allows organizations to anticipate revenue changes, plan expenses and evaluate potential risks. With more accurate financial projections, leaders can make better strategic decisions and allocate resources more effectively.

Will this course help me evaluate forecasts created by others?

Yes. In addition to learning how to build financial forecasts, participants learn how to analyze assumptions, question forecasting inputs and assess the reliability of projections used in business planning.

Does this course cover financial forecasting methods used in business planning?

Yes. The course explores common financial forecasting methods used by organizations to project future performance. You’ll gain tools for interpreting financial data and applying forecasting approaches that support more reliable financial planning.

What is the difference between financial forecasting and budgeting?

Many professionals confuse financial forecasting with budgeting, but they serve different purposes. Financial forecasting predicts future revenue, expenses and financial performance based on trends and assumptions, while budgeting sets financial targets and spending limits. Understanding the difference helps organizations plan more effectively and adjust strategies as conditions change.
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