Seeking resources to enhance my skills
I hold a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting and have spent around seven years working as an accountant in the commercial real estate sector. After taking a 2-3 year break from the industry, I launched my own independent Bookkeeping practice.
Recently, I accepted a subcontractor role, and after some discussions with the client, it turns out they’re looking for more advanced expertise than I initially anticipated—specifically in budgeting, fixed assets/depreciation, cash flow modeling, and some financial planning and analysis/advisory work. While I’ve participated in these processes as an accountant, I haven’t been involved at the controller level, and I feel a bit out of practice after my time away.
Could anyone suggest resources to help me refresh my skills and address any gaps in my knowledge? I’m considering the Corporate finance Institute, and I’ve kept in touch with my former supervisor, who has kindly offered to assist if I run into challenges. I’m mainly interested in courses or reading materials, with no intention of pursuing certification—just looking for solid knowledge.
Cross-posting to r/Bookkeeping and r/Accounting. Thank you!
One response
It sounds like you’re in an exciting position to expand your skills! Here are some resources that could help you refresh your knowledge in budgeting, cash flow modeling, and FP&A:
Corporate finance Institute (CFI): As you mentioned, CFI offers a range of online courses focused on financial modeling, budgeting, and analysis. Their courses are well-structured and cover practical applications that might be very helpful for you.
Coursera/edX: Both platforms have courses from leading universities on corporate finance, financial analysis, and budgeting. Look for courses like “Financial Planning and Analysis” or “Budgeting and Forecasting.”
Books:
“The Essentials of Financial Analysis” by George T. Friedlob and Franklin J. Plewa: Great for understanding financial analysis concepts you might encounter in FP&A roles.
YouTube Channels: Channels like “Wall Street Prep” or “Excel Is Fun” offer practical tutorials and tips on financial modeling and analysis.
LinkedIn Learning: They have a variety of short courses on specific topics like cash flow forecasting and budgeting that you can take at your own pace.
Networking/Discussion Groups: Join professional groups on LinkedIn or local networking events to connect with others in FP&A and get insights from those already working in the field.
Practice with Real Data: If possible, work on sample financial data or create your own hypothetical scenarios to practice budgeting, cash flow modeling, and depreciation calculations.
It’s great that you have your former supervisor as a resource, and if you can find a mentor in FP&A or a related field, that could provide additional guidance as you navigate these higher-level responsibilities. Good luck with your independent practice!