Finance Skills: Commercial Awareness

This course offers guidance and knowledge that can be useful in the decision making process around the commerciality of public services. It is available as e-learning and can be delivered in-house.

How to book

About the course

The Finance Skills: Commercial Skills course examines what being commercial in the public sector means and the strategies and tools that can help assess the commercial appropriateness of a service. You will gain an understanding of the regulations around charging and trading; consider pricing models; and gain an overview of different delivery models.

It can be taken on its own or as part of the Diploma in Finance Skills for Public Sector Managers. It may also lead you onto our other one-day courses, Commercial Skills: Developing Effective Business Models and Commercial Skills: Commercial Strategy Design.

Learning outcomes

On completing the course, you will:

  • understand what commercial awareness means and the approaches to be taken in assessing and ensuring the success of any commercial venture
  • know the trading and charging regulations, and relevant pricing strategies
  • have knowledge of different delivery models

Who is it aimed at?

The course is designed primarily for those who have no formal qualifications in finance or accountancy but who, as part of their job roles, need to understand what being commercial in the public sector means. It is ideal for those who manage a budget or cost centre as part of a non-finance role in the public sector.

How is it delivered?

The course is available as e-learning and can be delivered in-house. In-house training is especially cost-effective for organisations interested in training a number of individuals or whole teams. It also allows us to tailor the course content to your organisation's unique needs and context.

How long will it take to complete?

The course will take around four hours to complete.

Assessment

There is no assessment for this course if you are completing it on its own and not as part of the full Diploma in Finance Skills for Public Sector Managers.

Pricing

The course costs £99 +VAT (e-learning only).

CPD hours

Four hours.

All CIPFA training counts towards your continuing professional development (CPD). If you are a CIPFA Chartered Member, you are required to undertake a minimum of 20 hours of relevant CPD activity each year as part of maintaining your professional competence and to develop skills and knowledge.

Find out more about CPD requirements.