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Finance & Accounting

Working Capital Optimisation for Finance Leaders

Cash tied up in receivables, inventory and supplier terms is one of the cheapest sources of funding a company has. This course shows finance leaders how to measure the cash conversion cycle, find improvement opportunities across order-to-cash, procure-to-pay and inventory, and run a cross-functional working capital programme that releases cash without harming customers or suppliers.

5 days Classroom or live online English
Smart Horizon Certified - Global Leadership Consultants
Take the course details with you.

Download the full standard outline: why attend, methodology, objectives, audience, competencies, the daily outline and current plans.

Download course PDF
Why attend

From knowledge to real-world impact.

Releasing cash from working capital can fund growth, reduce debt and strengthen resilience. You will learn practical levers and how to win the support of sales, operations and procurement.

Workplace challenges

Professional Problems This Course Is Designed to Solve

The programme explores practical approaches to the following challenges. Results depend on how the learning is applied in your organisation.

  • Difficulty translating subject knowledge into practical workplace decisions.
  • Inconsistent approaches to the activities covered in the course outline.
  • Lack of a structured plan for applying and reviewing new skills.
Course methodology

How you will learn.

Benchmarking exercises, cash-flow modelling, process walkthroughs, case studies of working capital programmes and team workshops to design improvement initiatives.

Course objectives

What you'll take away.

By the end of this course, participants will be able to:

  • Measure working capital and the cash conversion cycle
  • Benchmark performance against peers
  • Improve collections, billing and credit management
  • Optimise payment terms and supplier finance
  • Reduce inventory while protecting service levels
  • Lead a cross-functional working capital programme
Target audience

Who should attend.

This course is suitable for:

  • CFOs and finance directors
  • Treasury and credit managers
  • Financial controllers
  • Supply chain and procurement managers
  • Sales operations managers
  • Business analysts in finance
Target competencies

Capabilities you will build.

Participants will develop competencies in:

  • Cash management
  • Process improvement
  • Cross-functional leadership
  • Financial analysis
  • Stakeholder negotiation
Course outline

Your learning journey.

A focused, practical outline with time to explore, apply and reflect.

Day 1Working Capital Fundamentals

  1. 09:00–09:54Why cash matters more than profit
  2. 09:54–10:48Components of working capital
  3. 10:48–11:00Cash conversion cycle metrics
  4. 11:00–11:30Coffee break
  5. 11:30–12:12Cash conversion cycle metrics (continued)
  6. 12:12–13:06Benchmarking against peers
  7. 13:06–14:00Exercise: diagnosing your cash cycle

Day 2Order-to-Cash

  1. 09:00–09:54Credit policy and customer risk
  2. 09:54–10:48Billing accuracy and speed
  3. 10:48–11:00Collections strategies
  4. 11:00–11:30Coffee break
  5. 11:30–12:12Collections strategies (continued)
  6. 12:12–13:06Dispute management
  7. 13:06–14:00Workshop: reducing days sales outstanding

Day 3Procure-to-Pay

  1. 09:00–09:54Payment terms strategy
  2. 09:54–10:48Supplier finance and dynamic discounting
  3. 10:48–11:00Purchase compliance
  4. 11:00–11:30Coffee break
  5. 11:30–12:12Purchase compliance (continued)
  6. 12:12–13:06Balancing supplier relationships and cash
  7. 13:06–14:00Exercise: payment terms analysis

Day 4Inventory

  1. 09:00–09:54Inventory drivers and costs
  2. 09:54–10:48Segmentation and safety stock
  3. 10:48–11:00Slow-moving and obsolete stock
  4. 11:00–11:30Coffee break
  5. 11:30–12:12Slow-moving and obsolete stock (continued)
  6. 12:12–13:06Collaboration with sales and operations
  7. 13:06–14:00Case study: inventory reduction

Day 5Running the Programme

  1. 09:00–09:54Setting targets and incentives
  2. 09:54–10:48Governance and tracking
  3. 10:48–11:00Forecasting cash
  4. 11:00–11:30Coffee break
  5. 11:30–12:12Forecasting cash (continued)
  6. 12:12–13:06Sustaining improvements
  7. 13:06–14:00Personal action plan

The timings provided are estimates and may vary depending on the number of participants and the discussions taking place during the sessions. They are indicative only and do not constitute a binding commitment.

Dates & venues

Find a session that works for you.

Confirmed dates accept registration requests. Tentative dates are enquiry only.

Kuala Lumpur 16 Nov - 20 Nov 2026
Confirmed dates
£1,450.-Register
Online Live virtual classroom 16 Nov - 20 Nov 2026
Confirmed dates
£1,250.-Register
Cape Town 7 Dec - 11 Dec 2026
Confirmed dates
£1,890.-Register
Online Live virtual classroom 7 Dec - 11 Dec 2026
Confirmed dates
£1,250.-Register
Vienna 11 Jan - 15 Jan 2027
Confirmed dates
£2,940.-Register
Online Live virtual classroom 11 Jan - 15 Jan 2027
Confirmed dates
£1,250.-Register
Frankfurt 1 Feb - 5 Feb 2027
Confirmed dates
£2,650.-Register
Online Live virtual classroom 1 Feb - 5 Feb 2027
Confirmed dates
£1,250.-Register
Rome 15 Feb - 19 Feb 2027
Confirmed dates
£2,450.-Register
Online Live virtual classroom 15 Feb - 19 Feb 2027
Confirmed dates
£1,250.-Register
Istanbul 8 Mar - 12 Mar 2027
Confirmed dates
£2,650.-Register
Online Live virtual classroom 8 Mar - 12 Mar 2027
Confirmed dates
£1,250.-Register
Rome 29 Mar - 2 Apr 2027
Confirmed dates
£2,450.-Register
Online Live virtual classroom 29 Mar - 2 Apr 2027
Confirmed dates
£1,250.-Register
Amsterdam 19 Apr - 23 Apr 2027
Confirmed dates
£2,540.-Register
Online Live virtual classroom 19 Apr - 23 Apr 2027
Confirmed dates
£1,250.-Register
Rome 10 May - 14 May 2027
Confirmed dates
£2,450.-Register
Online Live virtual classroom 10 May - 14 May 2027
Confirmed dates
£1,250.-Register
Dubai 24 May - 28 May 2027
Confirmed dates
£3,150.-Register
Online Live virtual classroom 24 May - 28 May 2027
Confirmed dates
£1,250.-Register
London 14 Jun - 18 Jun 2027
Confirmed dates
£2,450.-Register
Online Live virtual classroom 14 Jun - 18 Jun 2027
Confirmed dates
£1,250.-Register
Dubai 5 Jul - 9 Jul 2027
Confirmed dates
£3,150.-Register
Online Live virtual classroom 5 Jul - 9 Jul 2027
Confirmed dates
£1,250.-Register
Vienna 26 Jul - 30 Jul 2027
Confirmed dates
£2,940.-Register
Online Live virtual classroom 26 Jul - 30 Jul 2027
Confirmed dates
£1,250.-Register
Barcelona 16 Aug - 20 Aug 2027
Confirmed dates
£2,840.-Register
Online Live virtual classroom 16 Aug - 20 Aug 2027
Confirmed dates
£1,250.-Register
Dubai 30 Aug - 3 Sept 2027
Confirmed dates
£3,150.-Register
Online Live virtual classroom 30 Aug - 3 Sept 2027
Confirmed dates
£1,250.-Register
Barcelona 20 Sept - 24 Sept 2027
Confirmed dates
£2,840.-Register
Online Live virtual classroom 20 Sept - 24 Sept 2027
Confirmed dates
£1,250.-Register
Cape Town 11 Oct - 15 Oct 2027
Confirmed dates
£1,890.-Register
Online Live virtual classroom 11 Oct - 15 Oct 2027
Confirmed dates
£1,250.-Register
London 1 Nov - 5 Nov 2027
Confirmed dates
£2,450.-Register
Online Live virtual classroom 1 Nov - 5 Nov 2027
Confirmed dates
£1,250.-Register
Cape Town 22 Nov - 26 Nov 2027
Confirmed dates
£1,890.-Register
Online Live virtual classroom 22 Nov - 26 Nov 2027
Confirmed dates
£1,250.-Register
Paris 6 Dec - 10 Dec 2027
Confirmed dates
£2,860.-Register
Online Live virtual classroom 6 Dec - 10 Dec 2027
Confirmed dates
£1,250.-Register

Good to know

A few things to know.

How is the course delivered?

Our classroom programmes combine facilitated discussion, case studies, exercises and reflection. The precise format will be confirmed before enrolment.

Can you deliver this programme for our team?

Yes, you can enquire about a tailored programme. Share your goals, group size and preferred dates with our learning team.

Will I receive a certificate?

Participants who complete the programme receive a Smart Horizon UK certificate of attendance. Smart Horizon UK programmes are not externally accredited and do not award a professional qualification, licence or designation. Where a course title or outline refers to a professional certification (for example, AACE International's Certified Cost Professional), the programme supports learning and preparation only; the credential itself is awarded solely by the relevant professional body under its own application and examination requirements.

What should I confirm before booking travel?

Please confirm the session, exact venue, accessibility arrangements, fees and any visa requirements with the team before arranging travel. Tentative dates are not confirmed sessions.

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