CANA
Certificate in Accounting for Non-Accountants
A practical five-day certificate program that builds financial literacy and accounting confidence for professionals outside the finance function.
- Next session
- 18 Oct 2026 – 22 Oct 2026
- Level
- intermediate
- Format
- Classroom
- Available in
- Riyadh, KSA
- Language
- EN
Program overview
The Certificate in Accounting for Non-Accountants is a structured, intermediate-level program that introduces accounting as a core management and decision-support tool. Using plain language and practical illustrations, participants learn how financial information is captured, reported, and used to drive operational decisions. By the end, attendees can interpret financial statements, understand cost behaviour, and engage more effectively with finance colleagues.
Learning outcomes
- Understand the purpose and structure of accounting systems
- Interpret key financial statements with confidence
- Apply cost information to everyday managerial decisions
- Use budgeting principles to monitor and control performance
- Assess business performance using financial reporting tools
Curriculum
- Foundations of accounting logic and transaction recording
- Preparing and interpreting core financial statements
- Management accounting and internal decision support
- Financial reporting standards and performance analysis
- Budgeting, control, and organisational financial discipline
Who should attend
- Administrative and executive support staff
- Managers and supervisors from non-finance functions
- Marketing, operations, logistics, and production professionals
- Project and program managers
- Small business owners and functional managers
- Professionals seeking broader financial awareness
What's included
- Five days of instructor-led classroom training
- Practical exercises and guided case studies
- Group discussions and peer learning activities
- Course materials and reference content
- Certificate of completion
Prerequisites
No prior accounting knowledge is required.
Upcoming sessions
- 18 Oct 2026 – 22 Oct 2026 Riyadh, KSA — Open
Common questions
Do I need any accounting or finance background to join CANA? +
No prior accounting knowledge is required. CANA is designed specifically for professionals who work outside the finance function and have had little or no formal exposure to accounting concepts.
What certificate do participants receive, and is it formally accredited? +
Participants who complete the program receive an iLead Certificate of Completion for the Certificate in Accounting for Non-Accountants. CANA is not currently aligned to an external accreditation body, so the credential reflects professional development rather than a regulated qualification.
How does CANA differ from a full accounting qualification like ACCA or CPA? +
CANA is a practical literacy program for managers and non-finance professionals, not a pathway to a professional accounting designation. It focuses on reading, interpreting, and applying financial information in day-to-day management, rather than preparing participants to work as accountants or sit professional exams.
Which roles or career situations benefit most from this program? +
CANA is particularly well suited to managers, project leads, and operational professionals who regularly interact with budgets, cost reports, or financial statements but lack a formal finance background. Small business owners who handle financial oversight without a dedicated finance team also find the program directly applicable.
Is there anything participants should do to prepare before the program starts? +
No specific preparation is required. Participants who come with a few real examples of financial reports or budgets from their own organisation often find it easier to relate the content to their work, but this is optional rather than expected.
How is learning assessed, and is there a formal exam? +
CANA does not include a formal written examination. Assessment is integrated throughout the program via practical exercises and case studies, and the certificate of completion is awarded on the basis of attendance and active participation.
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