PRAISE FOR
FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT

"The finance profession is at a crossroads and Jack Alexander is standing at the signposts, pointing toward a path where they can transform themselves to a value-adding partner. With the right support, technology, and mindset--the humble finance team can emerge as a powerful catalyst for performance improvements and value creation. A book that is worth its weight in gold."
--DANIELE TEDESCO, CEO, Apliqo

"I have witnessed firsthand Alexander's partnership-driven approach and framework-driven concepts enhance firm profitability, and ultimately value. This comprehensive book is a must-read, and reference for finance executives and FP&A teams."
-- WILLIAM W. BENTON, CFA, Investment Analyst, Partner, William Blair Investment Management, LLC

"An excellent resource for the finance professional aiming to add value to the business as a trusted advisor. In addition to providing the right level of depth on both core fundamentals and advanced topics, the book's emphasis on the intangibles required to effectively serve the business in the ever-changing environment of the 21^st century makes this a timely and worthwhile read."
--MICHAEL ROSSI, MBA, CFO, Healthcare/Life Science

"Jack Alexander's latest insight leads us beyond the traditional drivers of business performance to an evolving 21^st century environment, requiring new approaches to succeed as an effective business partner. This book delineates the potential partnership with business leaders to help achieve organizational goals, drive performance and maximize shareholder value. A must-read for financial and business leaders."
--JOE HARTNETT, CEO, Single Digits Inc.

"Financial Management is a go-to guide for CFOs to drive performance and create shareholder value. These techniques can elevate a CFO from gatekeeper to strategic partner to the CEO. The tools are based on decades of experience and sound financial principles."
-- JENNIFER BETHEL, PHD, Professor Emeritus, Past Chair of the Finance Department, Babson College

"Financial Management is an exceptional reference for all finance professionals, providing a comprehensive guide and invaluable insights from a successful career CFO and executive advisor. The companion website really sets this text apart, offering practical tools to drive growth, profitability and value and elevates finance professionals to the level of trusted business partners."
--LAURA J. GOEDKEN, CFO, SaaS and Services

JACK ALEXANDER is a veteran Chief Financial Officer, financial management consultant, author, and lecturer. He advises businesses on strategic planning, value creation, mergers and acquisitions, financial planning and analysis, and more. He is a frequent keynote speaker on business performance management and financial leadership.

Preface
1. Partner in Driving Performance and Value
I. Fundamentals and Key Partner Capabilities
2. The Fundamentals of Finance and Financial Statement Analysis
3. Skills, Knowledge and Attributes for Financial Business Partners
4. Developing Predictive and Analytical Models
5. Presenting and Communicating Business Information
II. Financial Leadership in the 21st Century
6. Essential Ingredients for Value Creation: Growth and ROIC
7. Managing Hunan Capital and Building a High-Performance Finance Team
8. Strategic Analysis and Planning
9. The Role of Finance in Supporting Growth
10. The External View: Markets, Competitors, Economic and Geo-political Forces
11. Course Corrections: Business Transformations and Restructurings
12. Leveraging and Promoting Technology Investments
13. Scenario Analysis and Planning
14. Adaptability: Innovation Agility & Resilience
III. Enterprise Performance Management (EPM)
15. Enterprise Performance Management and Execution
16. Dashboards and Key Performance Indicators
17. Institutionalizing Performance Management
18. Benchmarking Performance
IV. Business Projections and Plans
19. Business Projections and Plans, Introduction and Best Practices
20. Budgets, Operating Plans and Forecasts
21. Long-term Projections
V. Planning and Analysis for Critical Business and Value Drivers
22. Revenue and Gross Margins
23. Operating Efficiency: Costs and Expenses
24. Capital Management and Cash Flow - Working Capital
25. Capital Management and Cash Flow - Capital Assets
26. Risk and the Cost of Capital
27. Capital Structure and Financial Leverage
VI. Valuation and Capital Investment Decisions
28. Capital Investment Decisions - Introduction and Key Concepts
29. Capital Investment Decisions - Advanced Topics
30. Business Valuation and Value Drivers
31. Analysis of Mergers and Acquisitions
VII. Summary
32. Summary and Where to From Here?
Supplemental Information
Glossary
References
Acknowledgments
About the Author
About the Website
Index