Know Your Real Financial Position

Learn how to look beyond the numbers you’re given, spot inconsistencies, and ask the questions that help you understand what is really happening financially. Build greater confidence that the information you’re relying on is complete, current, and reliable.

Make Decisions with Confidence

Learn what to look for in financial reports, how to question significant changes and assumptions, and when to ask for more information. Use financial information as a tool for better leadership and governance—not just something to review and file away.

Build Accountability & Control

Understand what effective financial oversight looks like and put practical systems in place to strengthen accountability. Learn how to maintain appropriate visibility and control without becoming the accountant or micromanaging your finance team.

About the Course

You don’t need to be a finance expert to provide effective financial oversight—you need to know what to look for, what questions to ask, and when to dig deeper. Designed for CEOs, Executive Directors, business owners, and board members, this practical course will help you understand the financial information you receive, recognize potential gaps, strengthen oversight, and build a financial oversight system you can actually use. Stay informed. Ask better questions. Keep another set of eyes on it.

About Your Instructor

Dr. Michelle Gordon is a CPA, CMA, CPHR, and leadership practitioner with more than 20 years of business experience, including over a decade as a CFO and Controller. Michelle is often brought into organizations when the numbers don’t make sense, financial systems have broken down, or leadership needs greater clarity and control. Her experience spans private companies, nonprofits, technology, manufacturing, government, and other complex organizations. Her approach is practical: you don’t need to know everything about finance—you need to know what to look for, what to ask, and when to ask for help.

Curriculum

5 Chapters · 37 Lessons

    1. Intro to the Course Free preview

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      Module 1 Introduction

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      Lesson 1: "But We Had a Finance Team."

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      Lesson 2: Fiscal Responsibility Is Governance

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      Lesson 3: The Cost of Finding Out Too Late

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      Lesson 4: From Policy to Practice

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      Lesson 5: Your Financial Oversight Baseline

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      Module 1: What I Want You to Remember

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      Module 2 Intro

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      Lesson 1: What Problem Are You Actually Trying to Solve?

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      Lesson 2: Qualifications, Experience and Fit — What Should You Actually Look For?

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      Lesson 3: Scope, Authority and Accountability

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      Lesson 4: Don't Wait Until Year-End to Find Out

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      Lesson 5: Does Your Finance Structure Still Fit?

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      Module 2 Reflection

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      Module 3 Intro

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      Lesson 1: Start With the Story - Three Questions Before the Numbers

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      Lesson 2: The Statement of Financial Position - What Do We Have and Owe?

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      Lesson 3: The Statement of Operations - What Happened This Period?

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      Lesson 4: Cash - Look Beyond the Bank Balance

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      Lesson 5: Receivables, Payables and Deferred Revenue

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      Lesson 6: Follow the Movement - Connect Cash, Receivables and Payables

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      Lesson 7: Compare Against the Plan and Forecast

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      Lesson 8: Trends and Operational Reality

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      Lesson 9: When Something Doesn't Make Sense

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      Lesson 10: Patterns, Evidence and Knowing When to Escalate

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      Lesson 11: Ask and Verify

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      Lesson 12: Expand and Escalate

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      Lesson 13: Close the Loop and Put the Framework Into Practice

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      Module 3 Reflection

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      Module 3 Knowledge Check: Apply the Framework

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      Module 4 Intro

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      Course Workbook

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      Lesson 1: Build Your Financial Oversight Plan

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      Lesson 2: Build Your Escalation and Follow-Up Plan

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      Lesson 3: Your Next 90 Days

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      Course Closing: Stay Engaged

Ready to Trust Your Numbers?

Don't let financial uncertainty hold you back. Get the practical oversight strategies that help leaders make confident decisions. Your organization—and your peace of mind—will thank you.

$199.00

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