Sound financial decision-making is the backbone of any successful organization, and it starts with having the right skills. The University of Minnesota College of Continuing and Professional Studies (CCAPS) is proud to announce the launch of its Budget and Financial Management Certificate program, designed to provide professionals with the tools and knowledge to make informed financial decisions that support organizational success.
The new certificate program offers a comprehensive approach to budgeting and financial planning, equipping participants with the practical skills needed to manage budgets effectively and forecast financial performance with confidence. Whether you're overseeing departmental finances or planning for business growth, the program's hands-on curriculum will help you build a solid financial foundation and develop skills you can apply immediately.
Real-World Financial Skills for Immediate Impact
The program is made up of three courses: Financial Fundamentals, Financial Forecasting and Modeling, and Budget Management. Through these courses, participants will:
- Build a Strong Financial Foundation: Understand the principles of finance that guide effective budgeting and strategic decision-making.
- Create and Manage Budgets: Learn how to manage budgets for departments and small organizations and to forecast the financial success of new initiatives.
- Forecast and Model Financial Scenarios: Gain valuable skills in financial modeling and scenario planning, helping predict the impact of decisions and guide the financial strategy of a business.
“I’m excited to develop and deliver programs that can advance one’s career and personal financial journey,” says program instructor and finance and accounting executive Terilyn Wallis. “Budgeting ensures money, time, and effort are going to the areas that will drive the most value. Without it, resources can get wasted on low-impact activities. A well-planned budget keeps spending aligned with business goals. It forces prioritization of what matters most. Forecasting teaches you to think ahead and prepare for possible scenarios. This mindset is valuable not just in finance, but in career planning, business growth, and even life events.”
Tailored to Today’s Professionals
This program is designed for professionals looking to sharpen their financial acumen and improve their ability to make strategic decisions. It’s the perfect fit for managers, supervisors, business owners, entrepreneurs, and project and program managers seeking to enhance their financial expertise. Focused on practical, immediately applicable knowledge, the certificate helps learners build confidence in managing budgets and making sound financial choices.
Molly Hahne, associate director of professional development programs at CCAPS: “At CCAPS, we are committed to offering courses that equip professionals with the skills needed in today’s dynamic marketplace. We recognize the importance of staying ahead of industry trends and ensuring that our curriculum aligns with what businesses require. This certificate program offers practical, applicable knowledge that will benefit learners immediately and throughout their careers.”
Flexible, Online, and Focused on Results
Designed with busy professionals in mind, the Budget and Financial Management Certificate is fully online and can be completed in about five months. The program combines flexibility with high educational standards, ensuring participants leave with actionable financial insights and a stronger foundation for supporting effective business decisions.
Visit the Budget and Financial Management Certificate website for more information.
Monique Dubos is a writer and content strategist with the U of M College of Continuing and Professionals Studies, where she has covered the College’s noncredit professional development, construction management, health services management, and IT infrastructure programs since 2018. She has also written for the Institute on the Environment, the Minnesota Technical Assistance Program, and various publications. Connect with her via LinkedIn.
