Read the numbers
Understand income statements, balance sheets, cash flow and the key ratios that warn you early when something is wrong.
Online course · Leadership · 13-hour certificate of completion
School Finance for Non-Financial Leaders
Lead the budget with confidence, not anxiety. A practical, self-paced course for principals, heads of section and managers without a finance background. Read the numbers, build and manage a budget, control costs and make sound financial decisions. 18 lessons, a practical task in every lesson and a 13-hour certificate. Includes free access to the Northbeam Leaders’ Circle community.
Secure checkout · 14-day refund · Start straight away · Certificate of completion
What you will gain
By the end of the course
Budgets that work
Build a realistic department or school budget, monitor variances and forecast with confidence through the year.
Better financial decisions
Weigh costs, fees, staffing and value for money, and keep strong controls and integrity in everything you spend.
Who it is for
Is this course for you?
This course is for you if you lead a school, section or department and are responsible for a budget, but have never had formal finance training. It is also for aspiring principals who want to speak confidently with owners, boards and finance teams. You will finish with a one-page Financial Action Plan.
What you get
- 5 chapters of short lessons, at your own pace
- A certificate for 13 hours of professional development when you finish
- A Participant Workbook (your Leadership Journal) and a guide to the research behind each module, both to download
- Free access to the Leaders’ Circle, our online community for school leaders
- Watch on any device, whenever suits you
$75
Enrol nowSecure checkout · 14-day refund · Start straight away · Certificate of completion
Curriculum
What you will learn
5 chapters · 19 lessons and activities
Chapter 1: Finance Foundations for School Leaders
- Welcome and How This Course Works
- Why Finance Matters to Every Leader
- The Language of Finance
Chapter 2: Reading the Numbers
- The Income Statement
- The Balance Sheet and Cash Flow
- Key Ratios and Warning Signs
Chapter 3: Budgets That Work
- How School Budgets Are Built
- Building Your Department or School Budget
- Monitoring, Variances and Forecasting
- Planning Beyond One Year
Chapter 4: Costs, Fees and Staffing
- Understanding Costs
- Fees, Enrolment and Income
- Staffing: The Biggest Budget Decision
- Making Savings Without Harming Learning
Chapter 5: Financial Decisions and Accountability
- Making Value-for-Money Decisions
- Procurement, Controls and Integrity
- Explaining the Numbers
- Knowledge Check
- Your Financial Action Plan and Certificate
Your course leader
Why I made this course
I’m Jacques Tredoux. I’ve worked in schools for more than twenty years, led schools in three countries and chaired international accreditation visiting teams. Too many good teachers are promoted into leadership and left to work it out alone. I built this course from real situations in real schools, so every lesson gives you something you can use on Monday.
Questions
Frequently asked questions
How does the course work?
It is a self-paced online course on our learning platform. You can start straight away and work through the 5 chapters at a pace that suits you, on a laptop, tablet or phone.
Do I get a certificate?
Yes. When you finish, you receive a certificate for 13 hours of professional development to add to your CPD record.
Can I try it before I buy?
Yes. Watch the trailer at the top of this page, or download our free sample lesson to see how a Northbeam lesson works.
Can I buy it for my team?
Yes. School licences give a group of staff the same course with one invoice and a certificate for each person. See our school licences page or contact us for a quote.
What if it is not right for me?
Email us within 14 days of buying and we will refund you in full.
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Self-paced, practical and certified. Enrol today for $75, or train a whole team with a school licence.
Secure checkout · 14-day refund · Start straight away · Certificate of completion