Kirsty McGregor Presenter
Introduction
These courses are most appropriate for both:
- accountants in practice, generally those at manager or partner level in small or medium sized firms, who are expected to advise their clients on a full range of business and financial issues
- finance directors, financial controllers and managers in business, who are responsible for ensuring the maximum return and growth of the financial resources of an SME business.
They will also be suitable for non-financial directors who have a basic understanding of financial issues and are responsible for the financial strategy of the business or for certain subjects, they are appropriate for training sessions to bank managers.
These courses are mainly all half day courses (unless stated otherwise), but can be expanded to full day courses if required. All courses include real-life case studies, and practical examples that assist delegates to understand and apply the subject matter.
Also includes an overview of current market conditions and trends. Recent changes in legislation due to Brumark/Spectrum Plus, Basel II and the overhaul of the DTI Small Firm Loan Guarantee Scheme has considerably affected the debt funding environment, and it is anticipated that the introduction of Enterprise Capital Funds may also alter the equity finance market significantly in the near future.
Summary of course subjects
How to finance an SME
Funding a business is usually one of the critical areas for an SME, for both those businesses who are in a growth phase, and for those who are dealing with more difficult economic conditions. This course explains how to finance a business for all the different requirements, from the more traditional forms of finance to the more unusual ways, referred to by Kirsty as ‘nifty finance’.
Getting your bank on your side
Many SMEs feel that nowadays the banks are working against them, don’t offer any advice and just want to sell their financial products to them. However, these need not be the case. This course explains how to choose your bank, how you should be communicating and how to get them to work for you!
Acquiring an SME Business
Acquiring other businesses was traditionally only attempted by larger companies, however nowadays this is far more commonplace for SMEs. Such businesses are finding that this method of growth and competitive strategy can be very lucrative. However, understanding the process and minimising the risk is essential. The full day course on ‘Acquiring an SME Business’ will equip you with these skills, including an overview of due diligence, valuation, fundraising for acquisitions and planning for integration.
Exit planning for SMEs
So few SMEs owners are prepared for the day when they want to sell their business, and ultimately, if they do manage to sell it, will achieve a much lower price than they had originally hoped. This course explains the issues that SMEs should be considering well in advance of any sale for the ultimate in successful succession planning! This includes valuations, grooming and timing the sale for the best price. Please note, this is not a tax course!
Introducing corporate finance to your general practice
More and more general practitioners are considering introducing corporate finance to their product offering to clients, but are concerned about the increased overheads, risk and complicated regulatory issues. Therefore this course seeks to enlighten and alleviate those concerns, specifically discussing how to minimise risk, implement systems, marketing the new service and building a team. An invaluable practice development course in this current climate for general practitioners.
The Process of Buying & Selling Companies
The process of buying or selling a company seems a bewildering proposition if you have never undertaken it before, or even if you have! This course aims to explain the various stages, demystify the legal documentation, and cover related issues such as negotiating skills, due diligence and financial assistance. This course can also be adapted to a shorter training session, for example for corporate bank managers.
Advising an SME to dispose of their business
This course covers every stage of selling a business, from the initial requirements of grooming the business and preparing the information memorandum, marketing the company and finding a purchaser, through to negotiating skills, managing the legal process (& the lawyers!) and completion. Invaluable for all companies and their advisors who wish to receive the highest price for their business, with the least hassle possible!
An introduction to Due Diligence for SMEs
Financial and commercial due diligence is known to be one of the most important factors in ensuring an acquisition is successful and meets its strategic requirements. However, many due diligence investigators are auditors or financial managers, and do not have the specific skills to ensure the assignment is carried out efficiently yet thoroughly. This course is very practical, and ensures delegates leave with a knowledge of how to effectively plan the work, carry it out efficiently, and minimise their risk as the reporting accountant. A crucial set of skills for anyone undertaking this type of work.
Corporate Finance for SMEs
This full day course is an overview of many corporate finance areas that are relevant to SMEs. It covers raising finance for working capital requirements and also raising finance for plant or property additions, mergers & acquisitions, (including due diligence), and how to prepare a business for sale. This course is a full day course, however this can be adapted to a half day course for newly qualified accountants – see details below.
An introduction to Corporate Finance for newly qualified accountants
This full day course is aimed at those seniors and assistant managers who are working in general practice, or in SMEs, and are likely to be involved in corporate finance work. It is a very practical course covering the rudiments of valuations, business plans, forecasting, due diligence and the transactions process. It also includes a review of the current market conditions for fundraising and M&As.
The presenter
Kirsty McGregor ACA is an energetic, enthusiastic and knowledgeable presenter. Having had a great deal of experience in presenting courses to accountants and other professionals, and seminars to company directors, she will keep the audience interested and even entertained!
Having qualified with Baker Tilly, she spent time as a Training Manager, then moved to Levy Gee as the first manager dedicated to corporate finance in the Manchester office. After spending time at other regional practices in their corporate finance departments, Kirsty set up and ran a corporate finance department at an ambitious regional accountancy firm.
Over the years she has successfully advised many SME business owners and directors on issues ranging from raising finance, acquiring companies and selling businesses, and for the last 3 years has run a consultancy and training business.
In early 2007 she became Chairman of The Corporate Finance Network, a organisation which has been founded to support, train and promote general practice firms who wish to develop this service offering for their clients.
