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Description

Management Control Level 2: Modelling, Variance Analysis and Performance Steering

Move from monthly reporting to analysis that genuinely informs management decisions

  • 2 days — 14 h
  • In-person or virtual
  • Intermediate
  • Up to 6 participants

Experienced management controllers produce reliable statements yet keep facing the same question: why this variance and what should be done about it. Budgets rest on assumptions that are rarely revisited and costing models age as the business evolves. Reporting grows longer without gaining explanatory power.

These two days build on core management control practice. Participants rework their cost modelling, then structure a variance analysis that traces figures back to operational causes. They revisit budget construction and rolling forecasts, along with the way results are presented to senior management.

Learning objectives

  • Review cost modelling in light of actual business activity
  • Build a variance analysis that traces figures back to operational causes
  • Prepare a budget and rolling forecasts that remain usable during the year
  • Design a limited set of indicators agreed with operational managers
  • Present management results to a senior leadership audience

What makes this programme different

Participants rework their own cost model during the session
A variance analysis carried out end to end on a complete data set
A results presentation delivered to the group and reviewed for clarity of message

Programme

1Reviewing Your Cost Model

Aligning the cost structure with current activity

  • Limitations of inherited allocation keys
  • Choosing between full costing and partial costing according to the decision
  • Treatment of structural costs and unused capacity
  • Testing the model against a real management decision

2Variance Analysis

Tracing the figure back to its cause

  • Breakdown between volume, price and mix
  • Consumption variances and activity level variances
  • Distinguishing incurred variances from decided variances
  • Drafting a variance commentary that is useful to the decision maker

3Budgeting and Forecasting

Moving beyond the fixed annual exercise

  • Structuring assumptions and documenting where they come from
  • Building an activity-based budget rather than rolling forward last year
  • Introducing rolling forecasts
  • Handling arbitration requests during the year

4Performance Steering and Reporting Back

Turning figures into action

  • Selecting a small number of indicators per manager
  • Building a dashboard readable on a single page
  • Preparing a decision-oriented presentation
  • Handling objections from operational managers about the figures

Who is it for

Management controllers in post, together with accounting and finance managers already responsible for producing management reporting.

Prerequisites

Current practice in management control and prior experience building a budget or a monthly reporting pack.

Dates & locations

36 scheduled dates between November 2026 and December 2027. Seats are confirmed in the order enquiries are received.

November 2026

December 2026

January 2027

February 2027

March 2027

April 2027

May 2027

June 2027

September 2027

October 2027

November 2027

December 2027

None of these dates suit you? We open additional sessions on request, and any programme can be run privately for your team.

Practical details

Before the programme
Online positioning questionnaire. Your development objectives are shared with the trainer, who tailors the practical case studies to your context.
Teaching methods
Theoretical input, workshops and practical case studies. Digital course materials and method sheets provided.
Assessment
Multiple-choice tests and role-play exercises. Assessment of learning at the start and end of the programme, with immediate and 60-day follow-up evaluations.
After the programme
One year of access to the e-learning platform. Self-assessment of the skills acquired and a 30-day follow-up session with your trainer.
How to register
Registration online or on the basis of a quotation.
Lead time
11 working days after confirmation of registration.
Accessibility
Accessible to people of determination. Contact our accessibility coordinator to design a suitable solution: contact@mpf-academy.ae
Start dates
Rolling intake: in addition to the scheduled sessions, this programme can start on request.