“Applying financial theory to our company was highly educational”

As Project Manager QHSE, colleague Birgit Embrechts no longer deals with figures on a daily basis. However, CFO Gert De Win’s ‘Finance for non financials’ training was of great use to her. “Understanding a company’s financial situation will help you understand executive decisions much better.”

In Circet Alumni, a colleague tells the story of his or her training at the Circet Academy, in short and in detail.

Who is Brigit?

✔️Professionally: Project Manager QHSE
✔️Privately: Originally from Kontich, 31-year-old Birgit lives near the Circet office. She likes to learn, but currently has little time for other hobbies and passions. Not surprising for someone who has only just become a mum!

9/10

Die score gaf Circet Academy-alumnus Birgit Embrechts aan de opleiding ‘Finance for non-financials van onze CFO Gert De Win.

IN SHORT

• Training? Finance for non financials
• Her take-away? “Setting realistic budgets, financial reporting, reading balance sheets, and much more.”
• Score? “9/10. Our CFO Gert De Win is a passionate trainer who explains things in a very down-to-earth, clear way.”
• Tip for those who want to keep learning? “Just check out the Circet Academy portal as soon as possible. Or propose a training course to your manager: Circet is open to that.”

IN DETAIL 

👉Why did you follow this training?

“Understanding an organisation’s financial management is a win-win for everyone. In every department of our company, we set budgets, we report, we assess the profitability of projects... If you see what’s behind the figures and know how to interpret them, you also have a better grasp of the direction in which management is steering the company. So, it was high time I brushed up my knowledge from secondary school.”

👉What did the training consist of?

“The training lasted three full days. On day one, we went over the basics: what is financial accounting? What does a balance sheet look like? How do you read a P&L or income statement? I refreshed my theoretical knowledge from secondary school and immediately saw those concepts applied to our company. On day two, we learnt about reporting within Circet and to the group, and we discussed cash & cash flow. Day three was dedicated to budgeting and forecasting, taxes and VAT.”

👉Did you also study practical cases?

“Absolutely. I thought that was one of the biggest plusses of the course. After a bit of theory in each case, we started working on situations from the field that our CFO Gert had already encountered. There was a lot of interaction between the different profiles in our small group. I found it refreshing to solve financial cases together with people from other departments, from the HR manager to the head of operations.”

 

“I found it refreshing to solve financial cases with people
from other departments.”

👉What did you personally find the most interesting topic?

“I really missed budgeting and forecasting from my previous role at Circet. I was a project coordinator at the time and was more concerned with budgets. I may have to do that again in a future job.

Besides that, I actually found every topic interesting. I found taxation surprising: it is a bit depressing to see how much companies have to hand over in taxes.”

👉Finally, what was it actually like to be taught by our CFO?

“Teaching was a cakewalk for Gert. You can tell that he is very passionate about his job. Even though finance is a difficult subject matter, he explained all terms and situations clearly. There was also room for anecdotes: Gert always linked financial problems and challenges to our own organisation, and to the theory. This made the course content tangible.”

👉Would you like to take other trainings at the Circet Academy?

“Certainly! The Process Management training is a good fit for my job. The Lean Six Sigma training is also on my wish list. There is no lack of choice in the Circet Academy.”

Would you also like to follow a Circet Academy course? 

Have a look at the catalogue.