Expand your financial acumen

Mark Hubner, VP, Brand & Product at Baffin, shares how The Ivey Academy's Finance for Non-Financial Professionals program helped him to fully understand the financial implications of strategic initiatives executed by his own organization.

What led you to take the Finance for Non-Financial Professionals program (FNFP)?

I am a big believer in continuing education and professional development to support real-world experience. Our company has recently transitioned from private to public ownership, so I wanted to make sure my toolkit was properly equipped to execute on some of our newfound strategic initiatives. It is important to properly understand all financial implications, regardless of what area of the business you’re in.

How did the program compare to your expectations?

Ivey’s reputation precedes it, so my expectations were certainly high. However, I can confidently say that my expectations were exceeded and that the program was well executed before, during, and after its completion.

What was the highlight of the program?

Real business cases are the best way to learn. Studying the Loblaw acquisition of Shoppers Drug Mart was a highlight for me, as there were some fundamental elements that I was able to relate to, having recently gone through an acquisition myself.

How were the program faculty able to contribute to your learning?

The faculty played off each other very well. It’s great to have two people leading a program as opposed to just one. Not only are their experiences and education truly impressive, but it never felt like the course was rehearsed or that they were simply going through the motions. Both of them did a great job of coming back to people in the group who had insights or questions from their own businesses or roles. It was a very well-rounded experience.

Which aspects of the curriculum were most relevant to you?

Treating Finance like a “language” was a great way to approach the program. Mary and Rick did an excellent job of re-framing terms and acronyms in a way that was more relatable to how businesses actually operate.

Have you found peers that you can continue to use as sounding boards, referrals, and lifelong friends?

Connecting with people in business who come from different roles, across a range of industries, offers an invaluable perspective for sharing experiences. 

About Finance for Non-Financial Professionals

This program transforms the intricate world of finance into a user-friendly toolkit for strategic and operational decision-making across all professional arenas. Beginning with the fundamentals of finance and accounting in a nurturing environment, it swiftly moves you from feeling daunted by financial jargon to confidently navigating discussions, making informed decisions, and grasping the broader implications of your actions.