Cash Management Fundamentals Professional Development Program

No financial discipline is more important and yet more overlooked and misunderstood than the essential principles and practices of corporate cash and liquidity management. Any business' success – from its long-term prospects to its short-term stability – depends on smart, efficient, and creative cash management solutions for handling cash inflows and outflows. The lesson is simple: Those companies that handle cash best thrive most.

Businesses of all sizes are realizing the importance of financial asset management issues and applying sophisticated tools to their cash flow statements. Managers and entrepreneurs alike are expected to know what to do with their cash and when to do it. They must be able to forecast cash flows and budget properly, project cash flows over varying lengths of time, streamline cash operations, and know the best methods for maximizing balances and investment returns while minimizing company risks.

Program Audience

In cooperation with the Association for Financial Professionals (AFP), the Cash Management Fundamentals program provides a two-day interactive program for front line corporate cash management practitioners in finance and treasury functions, bankers and other financial services providers, and technical and administrative staff who support the corporate finance function.

Learning Goals

In this program, students acquire a foundational overview and understanding of cash management problems and solutions. Using printed AFP Learning System materials and extensive web-based testing components, students will learn to:

• Interpret key concepts and terminology of the U.S. financial environment
• Describe financial instruments, payment methods and mechanisms that comprise key cash inflows and outflows, and how to manage them
• Use excess cash effectively and guard against cash shortfalls
• Manage cash across international borders
• Identify how e-commerce affects cash management strategies

Students who successfully complete the 15-hour weekend course will be awarded a certificate of completion from SCS at Northwestern. For further distinction or career advancement, experienced candidates can become Certified Treasury Professionals (formerly known as Certified Cash Managers), the only professional credential available in treasury and cash management. This step requires passing a national certification exam. For information on SCS' Certified Treasury Professional Program click here.

Custom Programs

The School of Continuing Studies works with corporate partners to develop custom Cash Management Fundamentals programs to meet their specific needs. This program can be held at your company location.

Northwestern Excellence

• Northwestern University is a preeminent university recognized internationally as a hallmark of academic excellence.
• School of Continuing Studies programs provide students with exceptional opportunities for intellectual, professional and personal growth.
• SCS instructors bring outstanding academic credentials and relevant professional experience to the classroom to create a highly interactive, collaborative, and challenging learning environment.
• SCS students study with peers who have rich, diverse backgrounds and can provide lifelong learning connections.

Course Information

We offer convenient weekend courses at our Loop location. A map to the Loop classroom is available. Please consult the course catalog for times of a specific cash management fundamentals course.

Registration information and detailed course information can be found on the cash management course listings page.