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short-term. Use financial goals as one measure—but not the only measure—of how you define
success.

Want to learn more? Take a deep dive…
Lavinsky, D. (2013, June 12). Numbers you need to know to grow your business. Entrepreneur.

Loth, R. (2011, April 1). 12 Things you need to know about financial statements. Investopedia.
Seach, P. (n.d.). Learn the basics: Auditing 101. New York State Society of CPAs.
U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. (2007, February 5). Beginners’ guide to financial
statements. U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

Job assignments
• Work with an analyst to create a financial justification for the major purchase of equipment, materials,
program, or system for your organization.

• Join an audit team examining your operations and present its findings and recommendations to your
team. Anticipate the questions that are likely to come up and ensure you’re equipped to answer them.

• Create an online financial skills training course for new employees. Teaching someone else can be a
great way to embed your own learning.

• Attend a meeting of the finance committee of your organization’s board and summarize the main
issues on the agenda. Ask for input from a member of the committee following the meeting to help
clarify anything you’re unsure about.
• Lead your team in creating an annual budget, with full justification for all spending decisions. Build a
robust business case and be prepared to talk through it.

Take time to reflect…
If finance seems like a foreign language to you…

…then find a good translator. Develop an ear for the language of finance. Become familiar with
the interplay of figures and metrics. Learn what the numbers are saying and let them guide you.

If you’re used to making decisions without considering the bottom line…
…then realize the risks you’re taking. Making bold moves without studying the facts and
implications is like a doctor treating patients without reading their lab results.

If you think understanding finance doesn’t relate to you or your work…
…then start close to home and work outwards. Understanding your own team’s contribution first
will help you see the data in context. It will make the broader financial landscape more relevant
and more interesting.

© Korn Ferry 2014-2015. All rights reserved. WWW.KORNFERRY.COM

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