Practical Forecasting - PF

AS A PRECAUTIONARY MEASURE, THE DEFENCE ACADEMY HAS POSTPONED THIS COURSE IN LIGHT OF COVID-19.  PLEASE CONTINUE TO CHECK THIS PAGE FOR RESCHEDULED COURSE DATES.  ALTERNATIVELY, THIS COURSE IS NOW BEING DELIVERED VIRTUALLY AND CAN BE FOUND AS A LINKED COURSE AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS PAGE OR BY ENTERING 'VIRTUAL' IN THE SEARCH ENGINE.

The course uses syndicate exercises to practice learning and considers the importance of engagement between financiers and stakeholders to understand key costs and business drivers. The course looks at how to produce realistic budget profiles against control totals on an accruals basis and how to identify and cost financial risks in a forecast.  It includes producing a forecast of out-turn and variance analysis and how to use in-year data to inform financial planning. The course uses HM Treasury frameworks and guidance and aspects of how they are applied in the MOD as a framework.  It is primarily aimed at finance officers and set against a MOD context but the principles explored have broader applicability to non-MOD and wider government employees including non-finance professionals involved in a budget management process.   

• be able to profile budgets against control totals.
• identify and cost financial risks to a forecast
• present financial forecasting and variance analysis to decision makers