VFD Mastery Programme
Build the skills to deliver confident financial advisory services
Develop your practical understanding of the VFD reports and models, from client reviews and management reporting to forecasting and exit planning. Follow the structured VFD Mastery training programme and learn how to apply the tools in client work.
- Four connected modules
- 14 sessions · 28 taught hours
- Included with VFD Mastermind
Understand the tools. Apply the learning.
VFD Mastery connects the reports, models and financial review processes used to support business owners. Develop your understanding of the numbers, the questions to ask and how to turn your findings into useful client discussions.
Who is VFD Mastery for?
Accountants, advisors, fractional FDs/CFOs and bookkeepers who want to develop their use of VFD and strengthen the financial services they provide to clients.
You may be introducing structured client reviews or developing reporting, forecasting and planning capability. Individual finance professionals and in-house finance teams are welcome to discuss training relevant to their roles.
Watch and hear from delegates
Explore VFD Mastery
Watch a video and read feedback from VFD delegates.
“The mastery training provided by VFD Pro has been exceptional”
Anthony Russel
“Enables us to deliver high value advisory services”
First Accounts
Watch more videos — click to expand
Four connected areas of capability
Each module connects financial understanding with practical application. Click a module’s topic list to expand the detail.
Lead more useful, future-focused client reviews
Develop your understanding of the core reports and discussion tools that help you move from reviewing past performance to exploring a client’s priorities and opportunities.
Practical application: Prepare a focused review that explains important findings and identifies useful questions to explore.
Explore the module topics
- Using the VFD portal and core reporting resources
- Understanding the Business Overview Report
- Preparing a future-focused client discussion
- Adding client context to the financial information
- Recognising opportunities for further support
- Introducing the role of business-owner education
Explain performance and run effective review meetings
Explore how to analyse performance, identify significant changes and use management information to support a regular client review process.
Practical application: Explain why profit or cash has changed and help the client agree the issues that need attention.
Explore the module topics
- Revenue, margins, overheads, balance sheet and cash flow
- Performance analysis and trends
- Customer and supplier analysis
- Business growth opportunities and scenarios
- Investigating the detail using business intelligence
- Management packs and structured review meetings
- Explaining value, scope and expectations
Build forecasts that support business decisions
Connect financial planning, scenario analysis and performance review. Develop your understanding of how forecasts can support growth, funding and ongoing FD/CFO work.
Practical application: Explore a growth decision, assess its effect on profit and cash, and agree how progress will be reviewed.
Explore the module topics
- Integrated profit and loss, balance sheet and cash forecasts
- Checking assumptions and exploring scenarios
- Growth planning and funding requirements
- Preparing financial information for funding discussions
- Reviewing actual performance against forecast
- Connecting reporting to a practical management cycle
- Scoping the role and value of an FD/CFO service
Understand business value and support exit readiness
Explore the reports and models used in business valuation, financial due diligence and exit planning, and understand their role in a wider advisory engagement.
Practical application: Help an owner understand financial factors affecting business value and the questions to address before a future exit.
Explore the module topics
- The financial dimensions of exit readiness
- Valuation methods and their underlying assumptions
- Financial due diligence information
- Exit forecasts and business value targets
- Reviewing progress towards an owner’s objectives
- Recognising where specialist advice is needed
- Scoping exit-planning support
From learning to a useful client conversation
A client is considering recruiting another employee. You review the information, check the assumptions and explore the effect on profit and cash. You then help the owner understand the choices and agree how the decision will be monitored.
VFD Mastery develops the technical understanding behind this work. VFD Mastermind adds ongoing technical and commercial support to help you apply your learning and develop your service.
Illustrative example. The work you undertake should reflect your experience, competence and agreed client responsibilities.
Training on its own, or training with ongoing support
Choose the route that fits your goals. Both provide access to VFD Mastery; VFD Mastermind brings the programme together with tools and ongoing support.
VFD Mastery
For those who want the structured training programme and a focused route to developing their technical understanding.
- Four connected modules
- 14 two-hour training sessions
- 28 taught hours across the full programme
- Practical learning linked to the VFD reports and models
or four payments of £449, plus VAT.
Contact us for the current course dates and arrangements, including tool access, learning resources and repeat attendance.
VFD Mastermind
For professionals who want training, tools and support to develop their financial advisory capability and put it into practice.
- VFD Mastery attendance for up to three delegates
- One monthly 1:1 session with a VFD Technical Expert
- One monthly 1:1 session with a VFD Commercial Expert
- Member-only deep dives and peer learning
- Access to the VFD toolkit
- A structured 12-month development journey
per month, excluding VAT, for up to three delegates.
All practice delegates are invited to participate in joint 1:1 sessions. If separate 1:1 support is required for individual team members, this is charged extra.
Additional delegates: £295 per month, excluding VAT. See current plan details for toolkit connection arrangements. In-house finance professionals can discuss participation in training relevant to their roles.
Your VFD Mastery questions answered
Click each question to expand and read the answer.
What is the difference between VFD Mastery and VFD Mastermind?
VFD Mastery is the structured training programme covering client reviews, management reporting, forecasting and exit planning. VFD Mastermind includes VFD Mastery alongside the VFD toolkit, member deep dives and monthly technical and commercial 1:1 support.
Can I attend VFD Mastery without joining VFD Mastermind?
Yes. Standalone paid attendance is available. Contact the team to confirm the current course price, dates and inclusions, and to discuss which route fits your goals.
How long is VFD Mastery?
The full programme comprises 14 two-hour sessions across four modules, providing 28 taught hours. Contact the team for the current timetable and the most suitable starting point.
How much CPD can I record?
VFD Mastery provides 28 taught hours across the full programme. Your CPD record should reflect the learning you attend and its relevance to your role. Relevant additional training, coaching and support can also contribute; record the learning actually undertaken and ask about supporting evidence.
What happens if I cannot attend a session?
Discuss recording, catch-up and repeat-attendance arrangements with the team before booking. We can explain the current options and how these relate to your learning and completion records.
Do I need my own client data?
Tell the team whether you want to learn using suitable client information or need an alternative practical learning arrangement. We can confirm the data and tool access needed for your attendance.
Can colleagues attend together?
Yes. VFD Mastermind includes VFD Mastery attendance for up to three delegates in total. For standalone team attendance, ask about the current delegate pricing and booking arrangements.
Is VFD Mastery suitable for accountants in industry?
Individual finance professionals are welcome to attend VFD Mastery training. In-house teams can also discuss training with programme content and structure designed around their organisation’s requirements. VFD Mastermind participation is available for training relevant to their roles.
Is monthly 1:1 support included with standalone VFD Mastery?
The monthly technical and commercial 1:1 sessions are VFD Mastermind benefits. Each firm/practice can participate in one of each per month. Delegates can attend together; separate individual support is charged extra.
Find the right VFD training route for you
Tell us about your role, the services you want to develop and the support you need. We can explain the current VFD Mastery arrangements and help you compare standalone attendance with the wider VFD Mastermind Programme.
