The role of a financial manager is to ensure the financial sustainability of a firm by maintaining a firm's profitability, liquidity and solvency. Sales may generate revenue, but it is only when credit sales are converted into cash once debtors settle their accounts that these goals are achieved. As firms attempt to ensure their sustainability, they face competition from other firms, regulation, policy uncertainty and taxation issues, new technologies, as well as a dependency on suppliers and labour, plus challenges from environmental issues and dynamic economic conditions. Finance for non-financial managers explains the long-term goal of creating value, followed by the short-term goals of profitability, liquidity and solvency. A firm has to acquire assets and to finance them at the lowest cost possible. However, the management of these assets is not exclusively in the hands of a financial manager. Other functional departments, especially supply chain management and marketing, play a significant role. Finance for non-financial managers thus provides an understanding of the principles of financial management required to contribute favourably to the long-term sustainability of a firm. Finance for non-financial managers explains the financial goals of a firm, and illustrates how the principles of finance should be applied in creating wealth as opposed to simply maximising profit. With its thought-provoking opening cases and user-friendly content, this book is ideal for anyone who has little or no prior knowledge of accounting or financial management. Finance for non-financial managers is a useful resource for managers involved in marketing, human resources, logistics, supply chain management and information management, and for professionals such as engineers, architects, attorneys and medical professionals in private practice.

The role of a financial manager is to maintain a firm's liquidity and solvency by providing the cash flows necessary to satisfy its obligations and acquiring and financing the current and fixed assets needed to achieve its goals. However, the management of a firm's assets is not exclusively in the hands of a financial manager. Other functional departments, especially purchasing and marketing, play a significant role.

Finance For Non-Financial Managers thus provides an understanding of the principles of financial management as required to contribute favourably to the long-term success of a firm. Finance for non-financial managers explains the financial goals of a firm and illustrates how the principles of finance should be applied in creating wealth as opposed to simply maximising profit. With its ideal for anyone who has little or no prior knowledge of accounting or financial management.

In particular, Finance For Non-Financial Managers deals with the following:

• the long-term goal of creating value and the short-term goals of profitability and liquidity;
• analysing and interpreting financial statements;
• using a financial calculator;
• managing cash flow (liquidity), accounts receivable and inventory (stock).

Finance For Non-Financial Managers is aimed at managers involved in marketing, human resources, information technology and supply chain management, and for professionals such as engineers, architects, attorneys and medical professionals in private practice.

Financial Management is an entry-level textbook for students taking courses in financial management within a wide range of BCom degrees with a managerial decision-making orientation. The book is suitable for students following a management or a finance route rather than an Accounting route.
It covers the second and third year syllabi for financial management in a student friendly format and in clear and understandable way. The book is written by lecturers at a range of South African institutions, ensuring that the book only covers what is relevant to the way financial management is taught in South Africa. Wherever relevant the text will refer to South African business contexts and specific South African issues, and regulations such as the Third King Report on Corporate Governance.
Financial concepts are illustrated and applied through the examination of financial statements of South African companies as well as through the use of case studies. This enables students to analyse the solvency of companies and make informed decisions for the financial management of the company, while retaining a broader understanding of the financial environment globally and locally.