Producers across Queensland’s central west and north now have the chance to expand their knowledge, free of charge, at six Rabobank workshops designed to help provide the financial skills essential to managing an agricultural operation.
The practical Financial Skills Workshops, most recently delivered virtually due to COVID-19 restrictions, will now be held face-to-face, ensuring producers have an opportunity to both upskill and network.
Workshops will be held between late March and early April in Blackall, Clermont, Mackay, Julia Creek, Greenvale and Ingham.
The initiative has been spearheaded and funded by food and agribusiness banking specialist Rabobank’s Rabo Client Council – a group of the bank’s farming clients who volunteer their time implementing programs that contribute to the sustainability of rural communities.
Offered at no cost to participants, the introductory, interactive workshops provide practical, hands-on advice for understanding financial statements and banking requirements, and explore topics such as taxation versus management accounting, essential business management ratios and understanding key components of a business’s financial profile.
Rabobank Northern Queensland/Northern Territory Rabo Client Council member Sonia Spurdle said financial skills “are paramount for our producers and future producers”.
“These workshops provide insightful knowledge in running and managing the day-to-day aspects of agricultural businesses from a financial perspective. They also seek to attract and retain the next generation of individuals in the industry while supporting the knowledge of current producers,” Ms Spurdle said.
“The information provided through this workshop is real and valuable – meaningful knowledge you can walk away with and use in the business.”
Ms Spurdle said, for agricultural producers, having a greater understanding of your business when approaching your financier can also help when applying for any additional finance requirements or to fund a new venture.
Rabobank regional manager Trent McIndoe 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,” he 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.
“If you’re interested in these workshops, keen to meet other leading producers in the agri sector and learn more about financial literacy – be sure to register to ensure your place.”
The workshops – which will be limited to 30 participants each and are not restricted to the bank’s clients – will be presented by director of Hudson Facilitation, Tony Hudson.
Workshop dates and locations are:
- Monday, 21 March 2022 - 10:30am – 5:00pm - Blackall
- Tuesday, 22 March 2022 - 10:30am – 5:00pm - Clermont
- Wednesday, 23 March 2022 - 8:30am – 3:00pm - Mackay
- Wednesday, 30 March 2022 - 8:30am – 3:00pm - Julia Creek
- Thursday, 31 March 2022 - 10:30am – 5:00pm - Greenvale
- Friday, 1 April 2022 - 8:30am – 3:00pm - Ingham
To register to participate, please click here.
Rabobank Australia & New Zealand Group is a part of the international Rabobank Group, the world’s leading specialist in food and agribusiness banking. Rabobank has more than 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 90 branches throughout Australia and New Zealand.
Media contacts:
Denise Shaw
Head of Media Relations
Rabobank Australia & New Zealand
Phone: 02 8115 2744 or 0439 603 525
Email: denise.shaw@rabobank.com
Will Banks
Media Relations Manager
Rabobank Australia
Phone: 0418 216 103
Email: will.banks@rabobank.com