Master Financial Strategy Through Real Business Decisions Not spreadsheets. Actual scenarios.
Learn how Australian businesses navigate cash flow challenges, investment decisions, and growth financing through case-based exploration starting June 2026.
Explore Our ApproachFinancial literacy isn't about formulas
Most finance education focuses on theory. We spend time looking at what happens when a retail business in Parramatta needs to decide between leasing new equipment or hiring two more staff members.
You'll work through forecasting models that consider seasonal variations unique to Australian markets. Then adapt those models when economic conditions shift unexpectedly.
That's closer to what CFOs and business advisors actually do. The numbers matter, but understanding context matters more.
What you'll genuinely work through
- Building realistic cash flow projections for service businesses operating across Sydney and Melbourne metro areas
- Evaluating capital investment decisions when you have three viable options but limited resources
- Understanding how interest rate movements affect different business models and what that means for planning
- Analyzing partnership and equity structures that work for expanding operations without sacrificing control
- Working through tax implications of business structure choices with real Australian tax scenarios
- Creating financial presentations that boards and investors actually want to see
Three perspectives that build complete understanding
Each module shifts your viewpoint so you see financial decisions from multiple stakeholder angles
Business Owner View
Make decisions with incomplete information and competing priorities. Balance growth ambitions against operational stability while managing investor expectations.
Advisor Perspective
Provide recommendations knowing clients might not follow them completely. Learn to communicate risk clearly without creating unnecessary alarm.
Lender Assessment
Evaluate applications the way banks and alternative lenders actually do. Understand what triggers deeper review and what gets approved quickly.
How the program unfolds
Twelve weeks starting late June 2026. Two evening sessions per week plus independent work. Expect to invest around 15 hours weekly.
Common questions answeredWeeks 1–4: Foundation through cases
Start with a manufacturing business facing working capital pressure. Build financial models that account for supplier payment terms, customer credit periods, and seasonal demand fluctuations. No theoretical exercises—just realistic constraints.
Weeks 5–8: Complex decision frameworks
Move into investment appraisal with actual uncertainty. Compare expansion options for a hospitality group considering Brisbane versus Gold Coast locations. Factor in market research data that doesn't give clear answers.
Weeks 9–12: Integration projects
Take on comprehensive advisory projects where you present to experienced finance professionals. They'll challenge your assumptions the way real stakeholders would. Some participants find this confronting—it's meant to be.
What participants valued most
Oliver Drummond
Operations manager transitioning to financeI'd done plenty of budgeting in ops roles but never understood how finance teams evaluated projects. The case work showed me what matters beyond hitting budget targets. Now I contribute differently in planning meetings.
Maeve Sinclair
Small business advisorThe program forced me to think through scenarios my clients face but I'd never modeled properly. Particularly useful were the sections on explaining financial concepts to non-finance business owners without talking down to them.
Supporting your learning journey
Access to tools and frameworks that extend beyond the twelve-week program
Case library access
Over forty detailed business scenarios developed from actual Australian companies. New cases added quarterly based on emerging economic conditions and market shifts. Each includes financial statements, operational context, and multiple decision paths to explore.
View sample casesFinancial modeling templates
Practical spreadsheet frameworks covering cash flow forecasting, investment appraisal, and business valuation. Built for customization rather than plug-and-play use.
Industry expert sessions
Quarterly discussions with practicing CFOs, business advisors, and lenders who share current challenges they're navigating. These aren't polished presentations—expect honest conversations about what's working and what isn't.
Peer review forums
Share your analysis work with other participants and receive structured feedback. The most valuable learning often happens when someone questions your assumptions constructively.
Program starts June 2026
Expression of interest opens March 2026. We'll send detailed curriculum outline and participant expectations at that time.