A new year brings new opportunity, and producers across the region now have the chance to expand their knowledge, with an upcoming workshop specifically designed to provide farmers with the financial skills essential to managing an agricultural operation.
The practical Financial Skills Workshop, previously delivered face-to-face, will now be held virtually, ensuring producers still have an opportunity to upskill and network, despite COVID-19 restrictions.
The initiative has been spearheaded by food and agribusiness banking specialist Rabobank’s RaboClientCouncil – a group of the bank’s farming clients who volunteer their time implementing programs that contribute to the sustainability of rural communities.
Offered free of charge to participants, the introductory, interactive virtual workshop provides practical, hands-on advice for understanding financial statements and banking requirements, and explores topics such as taxation versus management accounting, essential business management ratios and understanding key components of a business’s financial profile.
Rabobank southern Victorian and Tasmania regional RaboClientCouncil chair Scott Colvin said while it was unfortunate COVID restrictions had limited the opportunity for face-to-face workshops, the new virtual course would give participants a comprehensive overview of how to run the farm from a business point-of-view.
“This virtual format has been rolled out in a number of other regions and has received really positive feedback, proving extremely effective and engaging,” Mr Colvin said.
“The information provided through this workshop is real and valuable – meaningful knowledge you can walk away with and use in the business.”
“And having a greater understanding of your business when approaching your financier really helps when applying for any additional finance requirements or to fund a new venture.”
Rabobank regional manager Deborah Maskell-Davies said the workshop content had been tailored to farming businesses in the region through realistic case studies.
“Through these case studies, the sessions will look at what makes up a balance sheet, profit and loss statement and cash flow,” Ms Maskell-Davies said, “and interpreting the financial ratios to make calculated business decisions.”
“This then feeds into sessions on how banks assess a loan application and the importance of developing a business plan, as well as managing the business through adversity and positioning the business when the season improves.”
Director of Hudson Facilitation, Tony Hudson will present the workshop, which runs over two consecutive mornings.
Funded by RaboClientCouncils, the workshop is not restricted to the bank’s clients and there is no cost for farmers to attend.
To register visit https://www.rabobank.com.au/about-rabobank/client-councils/
Workshop details are as follows:
Workshop 1
Monday, 15 February 2021, 11am to 1.30pm
Tuesday, 16 February 2021, 11am to 1.30pm
RSVP by Monday, 1 February.
Workshop 2
Wednesday, 28 April 2020, 9am to 11am
Thursday, 29 April 2020, 9am to 11am
RSVP by Wednesday 14 April.
Rabobank Australia & New Zealand is a part of the global Rabobank Group, the world’s leading specialist in food and agribusiness banking. Rabobank has 120 years’ experience providing customised banking and finance solutions to businesses involved in all aspects of food and agribusiness. Rabobank is structured as a cooperative and operates in 38 countries, servicing the needs of approximately 8.4 million clients worldwide through a network of more than 1000 offices and branches. Rabobank Australia & New Zealand Group is one of Australasia’s leading agricultural lenders and a significant provider of business and corporate banking and financial services to the region’s food and agribusiness sector. The bank has 93 branches throughout Australia and New Zealand.
Denise Shaw
Head of Media Relations
Rabobank Australia & New Zealand
Phone: 02 8115 2744 or 0439 603 525
Email: denise.shaw@rabobank.com
Georgina Poole
Acting Media Relations Manager
Rabobank Australia & New Zealand
Phone: 0418 216 103
Email: georgina.poole@rabobank.com