Board Development Programme: NHS Finance for Senior Leaders, June 2025

Board members have responsibility for ensuring that all services are safe, effective, and sustainable. This responsibility includes organisations being financially, as well as clinically, sustainable. As a board member with joint and several liability, there is an expectation that directors will have an appropriate level of financial knowledge and understanding to provide the required oversight and challenge.

Alongside a fit for purpose financial report, having sufficient knowledge and understanding to review and challenge the financial information presented is a fundamental requirement of any board member. Delegation of responsibility to a finance committee is not an option as boards must retain overall responsibility for such matters. All board members must be able to contribute to the debate in a knowledgeable and constructive manner.

This course provides a comprehensive overview of NHS finances to enable board members and senior managers to understand good financial reporting and what to look for, along with how to ‘join up the dots’ between monthly financial reports, the integrated performance report, and the annual accounts.

• Non-financially qualified board members (both executive and non-executive)

• Senior executives and managers.

• Examine the key principles of report writing and effective communication

• Review the key features of reports including cover sheets, executive summaries, and presenting data

• Explore the relationship between the report writer and board/committee members

• Gain an understanding of the impact that reports can have on the efficiency and effectiveness of decision making

• Develop an understanding of assurance and the importance of providing evidence-based assurance in your reports

• Deliver practical exercises to help you to improve the quality of reports, the presenting of papers, and the ultimate discussion and decision making that occurs

• Provides the opportunity for you to meet and network with peers to discuss common issues and potential solutions.

This course is a full day event running in two sections across one day. The course will be delivered on Zoom. Estimated timings are:

Section one: 9.30am-12.30pm
Section two: 1.30pm-4.00pm

Please note this is subject to change.

Module cost per delegate (exc. VAT)

• Member: £310
• Associate member: £390
• Non-member: £465

Module cost per delegate (incl. VAT):

• Member: £372
• Associate member: £468
• Non-member: £558

You need to provide a purchase order number at booking to confirm your place on this course. Card payments are also accepted. Follow the 'Book now' link at the top of this page to book your place. You need to create an account if you have not already done so.

In-house training

This course can be delivered exclusively for your organisation with in-house training and can be tailored to your requirements. Enquire now.