NewBe an Influential Voice: Communicating with Impact for Finance Professionals

Strong communication isn’t just a skill — it’s a strategic asset for the finance function and the wider organisation. Say it clearly. Say it with impact.


This one-day course is designed to help finance professionals strengthen their communication skills, with a focus on building confidence, clarity, and influence. Set within the context of the Government Finance Function, the session tackles real-world challenges such as conveying complex or technical messages, influencing senior stakeholders, and managing high-pressure conversations.

Key Training Features:

  • Builds a strong foundation in effective communication, including emotional intelligence, trust, and tone.
  • Highlights the role of communication in leadership and finance-related decision-making.
  • Covers key communication skills in a finance context — tailoring messages, writing briefings, influencing, and handling tough conversations.
  • Uses real-life public sector and government case studies relevant to finance professionals.
  • Teaches plain English and concise writing techniques to improve clarity and reduce overload.
  • Highly interactive format with individual, pair, and group activities tailored to real finance roles.

Who can Attend:

This course is ideal for anyone working in or around the finance function within central government, arms-length bodies, or other public sector organisations. It’s especially relevant for:

  • Finance professionals in technical, strategic, or business support roles
  • Staff at all grades and levels
  • Those new to their role, recently promoted, or keen to build confidence and impact in their communication
  • Participants with no prior training — just a willingness to learn and get involved

Learning Outcomes:

By the end of this course, participants will learn how to:

  • Communicate finance messages more clearly, confidently, and concisely in both written and spoken formats.
  • Tailor communication for different audiences, including senior leaders, operational teams, and peers.
  • Structure briefings that support quick, informed decision-making.
  • Prepare for and navigate difficult conversations with clarity, professionalism, and empathy.
  • Build trust and influence when working with senior stakeholders and decision-makers.
  • Spot and avoid common communication pitfalls like jargon, assumptions, and information overload.
  • Make effective choices around tone, timing, and delivery method.
  • Use practical tools, templates, and techniques that can be applied in their finance roles.

 

Summary

Duration

10:00 - 16:00

Price

Available to be delivered In-House. Contact us for a quotation.

Location

Face to Face or Virtual

Lead Trainer

Fiona Fairbairn

Fiona Fairbairn

Fiona’s passion is working with, facilitating and training leaders to improve knowledge, understanding and the application of strong financial management and good governance.

Read Bio
Fiona Fairbairn

Fiona Fairbairn

Fiona’s passion is working with, facilitating and training leaders to improve knowledge, understanding and the application of strong financial management and good governance. As a finance and communications professional, focused mainly on the public sector, Fiona spent over 20 years working in and across central departments, including Work & Pensions, Health, Justice and Treasury. Her Senior Civil Servant roles included responsibility for Standards and Communications in the Government Finance Function, where she led the development and implementation of the first ever Functional Standard for Finance to increase performance and promote value for money. She also has extensive experience of working in Private Office and working with ministers to deliver positive, cost-effective outcomes. 

Fiona prides herself on building excellent partnerships with individuals and groups to respond to their needs and has established herself as a valued source of strategic advice and problem solving, whilst inspiring great performance.

Fiona is a Chartered Accountant (FCA), a Business Finance Professional (BFP) and a Member of the Chartered Institute of Public Relations (MCIPR).

Tailored in-house training

Civil Service College can deliver In-House training within your organisation that is exactly tailored to meet your individual training requirements.

Book a course

Call 020 8069 9000 to take your booking or for advice on choosing the right course for you.

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