• Total Courses

    3 required

  • CEUs | Contact Hours

    6.0 CEUs | 60 Contact Hours

  • Cost

    $2,580

  • Format

    Fully online

  • Time to Complete

    4–5 months

  • Funding Resources

    Discounts & Scholarships

Strengthen Your Financial Expertise & Drive Better Business Decisions

Financial acumen is key to making informed, strategic decisions that impact an organization's success. The Budget and Financial Management Certificate is designed for professionals who want to sharpen their budgeting skills and develop the financial expertise needed to support effective decision-making. Whether you're managing a department’s budget or planning financial strategies for a small business, this program equips you with the essential tools to excel.

What You'll Learn

In the University of Minnesota Budget and Financial Management Certificate program, you will:

  • build a strong financial foundation to support budgeting and decision-making.
  • create and manage budgets for departments and small organizations.
  • model financial scenarios to forecast the success of new services and initiatives.

Who Should Enroll?

This program is ideal for:

  • managers and supervisors overseeing budgets and financial planning.
  • business professionals looking to refine their financial expertise.
  • entrepreneurs who want to manage finances and project future outcomes effectively.
     

Elevate your financial skills and make a lasting impact—enroll today!

Budget and Financial Management Courses

Take individual courses or all three to complete the certificate.

  • Finance Fundamentals - Professional Development course tile
    Multiweek Course

    Finance Fundamentals

    Build the financial fluency needed to contribute confidently to strategy, budgeting, and business planning.
    Next start dates:
    • Sept. 14-Oct. 11, 2026 | Tues. 12:00-1:30 pm | Instructor Led Online
    • Jan. 11-Feb. 7, 2027 | Tues. 12:00-1:30 pm | Instructor Led Online
    • May 3-30, 2027 | Tues. 6:00-7:30 pm | Instructor Led Online
    $860.00 | 20.0 hours
  • Financial Forecasting and Modeling - Professional Development course tile
    Multiweek Course

    Financial Forecasting and Modeling

    Build the practical skills and tools needed to confidently forecast financial performance and support smart, strategic planning.
    Next start dates:
    • Sept. 14-Oct. 11, 2026 | Mon. 6:00-7:30 pm | Instructor Led Online
    • Jan. 11-Feb. 7, 2027 | Mon. 12:00-1:30 pm | Instructor Led Online
    • May 3-30, 2027 | Mon. 12:00-1:30 pm | Instructor Led Online
    $860.00 | 20.0 hours
  • Budget Management - Professional Development course tile
    Multiweek Course

    Budget Management

    Learn how to build, manage, and adjust budgets that keep financial goals on track
    Next start dates:
    • Oct. 26-Nov. 22, 2026 | Fri. 6:00-7:30 pm | Instructor Led Online
    • March 15-April 11, 2027 | Mon. 12:00-1:30 pm | Instructor Led Online
    $860.00 | 20.0 hours

Format

Each week includes a live Zoom session where participants discuss course concepts, ask questions and workshop assignments and projects together. These interactive sessions provide opportunities to learn from peers, receive personalized guidance from the instructor and apply new skills in a collaborative environment.

Outside of the live sessions, participants complete coursework independently on their own schedule. Depending on the course, this may include recorded video lectures, readings, discussion posts and projects. Weekly deadlines help learners stay on track throughout the program.

Career Outlook

Funding and Discounts

The University of Minnesota's professional development programs are affordable because they can be completed in relatively short order — sometimes within a few months — which can save you both time and money. What's more, there are other opportunities you can explore to potentially bring the cost down even further.

Funding

  • CCAPS offers scholarships of $500 to $5,000 to Minnesota residents who meet eligibility requirements.
  • If you're not employed, you may be able to take advantage of federal or state funding. Contact your CareerForce center to inquire.
  • Your organization may have funds set aside for employee education. Read about the benefits of employer investment in career development.

 Discounts

  • When you register and pay for all courses in the certificate at once, you'll receive up to a 10% discount.
  • University of Minnesota Alumni Association members receive a 10% discount.
  • UMN staff get 50% off most professional development programs.

See Discounts, Scholarships and Other Funding for more information and possible exclusions to discounts.

Enroll

The cost of the Budget and Financial Management Certificate is $2,580, but if you register and pay for all courses at once, we'll give you a 10% discount, a savings of $258! 

If you are registering multiple people from your organization, use this form (See available discounts).

If you have any questions about the registration process, payment options, or need to transfer or cancel your registration, please contact the registration team: 

612-625-2900 | [email protected]

Option 1

Enroll and Pay for All Courses Now

  • Earn a 10% discount

Register and Pay Now

Option 2

Enroll in Certificate Now
Register and Pay for Courses Later

  • U of M employees: choose this option to receive your discount
     

Enroll in Certificate Now

Connect with Us

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We can help you choose which professional development programs are the best fit to meet your career goals. We are here to answer your questions regarding specific programs, courses, or other career topics you have on your mind.  

Don’t hesitate to send us an email. We're here for YOU!

Stories from the Field

Free Work-Ready Skills Webinars

Our free professional development webinars deliver insights and strategies you can put into practice immediately. These expert-led monthly sessions provide a fresh, engaging look at topics vital for today's professionals.

Missed a webinar? Visit our webinar archive to dive into a wide range of topics, from communication and leadership strategies to workplace wellbeing.

Frequently Asked Questions

How will this program help me in my career?

In this program you will:

  • increase familiarity with financial terms.
  • learn how to create budgets.
  • learn how to model expenses and revenue of a new initiative, service, or product using financial forecasting methods.
  • get prepared to analyze and interpret financial data to inform the financial forecasting process.

Is this program suitable for someone without a finance background?

Yes! This program is designed for those who are not specifically in finance roles to learn skills that will support them in making financially sound decisions in their roles.

Can I take individual courses, or do I need to complete the full certificate?

You can take courses individually or as a full certificate. If you take the entire certificate, we recommend starting with Finance Fundamentals.

Are there any prerequisites for enrolling?

There are no prerequisites though we recommend you have access to Excel.

Can this program help me transition into a finance-related role?

This coursework is foundational and is meant to get students quickly up-to-speed to work better with finance and make budgets. It is not equivalent to a degree in finance.
 
Didn't see an answer to your question? Try looking here.

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Professional Development Resources