Small Business Finance Made Clear: A Two-Day Practical Workshop

This two-day programme is designed to give small business owners a clear, practical understanding of finance. It focuses on real-world application, helping participants confidently manage numbers, cashflow and compliance.

This programme is ideal for:

• Small business owners and sole traders
• Early-stage and growing businesses
• Self-employed professionals
• Entrepreneurs who want greater control and clarity over their finances
• Business owners who work with accountants but want to better understand their financial information.

Dates:  Tuesday 8th September 2026

            Tuesday 15th September 2026

By the end of this programme, participants will be able to:

• Gain an understanding of Profit & Loss accounts and Balance Sheets and how to interpret this information 
• How to maintain basic bookkeeping records and complete bank reconciliations
• An overview of the tax obligations of VAT, PAYE, PRSI, USC and income/corporation tax.
• Review a comparison of Income Tax vs Corporation Tax
• Practical insights into improving pricing, costing and profitability decisions for a small business
• Learn how to create cashflow forecasts and budget projections
• Identify key financial ratios and performance indicators
• Build a simple financial dashboard for ongoing business management
• Develop greater financial confidence and awareness as a business owner

Course Content

Day 1 | 10:00am – 4:00pm

Introduction

• Course overview and objectives
• Understanding your relationship with money, accounts, and finance
• Financial behaviours, conditioning, and self-awareness in business

Module 1: Financial Fundamentals

• Profit & Loss overview.
• Revenue requirements
• Books and records that must be kept.
• Bank reconciliations.
• Overview of VAT

Module 2: Bookkeeping & Financial Insight

• Overview of business structures
• Complete practical bookkeeping exercise
• Posting transactions to Profit & Loss and Balance Sheet
• Interpreting accounts to gain insights into business performance
• Day 2 | 10:00am – 4:00pm

Module 3: Taxes in Business

• PAYE, PRSI and USC
• Self-Assessment and Income Tax
• Corporation Tax
• Full worked example: Income Tax Return vs Corporation Tax Return

Module 4: Planning, Pricing & Control

• Costing and pricing for profitability
• Start-up costs and ongoing funding requirements
• Cashflow forecasting and budget projections
• Understanding key financial terms
• Streamlining regular financial information
• Creating your financial dashboard
• Key financial ratios explained

Delivery Format

• In-person workshop
• Highly practical and interactive
• Real-world examples and exercises
• Delivered over two separate Tuesdays.

Course Fee €25 per participant.

Limited seats available

Trainer:

Midland Business Training & Development Ltd (MBT)

Founded in 1999 by Melanie Guing Ryan MBA, Midland Business Training delivers high-quality business & finance training, mentoring, mediation and business development supports to SMEs across Ireland. Melanie is the lead trainer and programme co-ordinator, specialising in finance, leadership, business psychology, conflict resolution, business planning, development and behavioural change in the workplace. 

Delivering SYOB and finance programmes for over 20 years, Melanie is supported by

Darragh Donnelly MIATI, a qualified accounting professional providing financial training, mentoring and practical support to small and medium-sized businesses.

Together, MBT offers a strong blend of business finance, leadership, governance and strategy built on more than 25 years of industry experience.

** In respect of all programmes hosted by Carlow County Council – Local Enterprise Office priority is given to County Carlow based participants.