This course corresponds to our Controllership series. This course is dedicated to exploring the traditional controller role and stepping out of the box to identify areas where the controller can continue to add strategic value to their organizations. Within this segment of our controllership series, we discuss the area of cash and investments and explore how the controller can move these responsibilities into more of a strategic role.

In today’s world, the role of cash management is often a pivotal role in the organization. In economically difficult times, controllers may find that they spend a great deal of their time on understanding and managing the organizations' cash position. This is certainly important and, in some areas, can be seen as a staple of the lifeblood of the organization’s ongoing viability.

This course takes a look at some of the typical objectives involved in Cash management and then evaluates how those objectives can be further stretched into strategic pillars of the organization.

Controllers are essential to the day-to-day accounting for organizations. Yet, the role is not often readily understood. In today’s world of acronyms such as CFO, CEO, COO, CAO etc. the controller function may get lost in the shuffle. However, they are a critical group of professionals that will ensure the adequacy and transparency of accounting and financial reporting information.

Below courses are currently available on the site:

  • The Controllership Series: The Controller Function - Elevating the Role
  • The Controllership Series: The Controller Function - Strategic and Annual Planning
  • The Controllership Series: The Controller Function - Cash and Investments
  • The Controllership Series: The Controller Function - Inventory Process Part 1
  • The Controllership Series: The Controller Function - Inventory Process Part 2
  • The Controllership Series: Financial Statement Preparation and Presentation
Learning Objectives
  • Discover and understand basic cash objectives.
  • Explore and evaluate cash flow and cash collections.
  • Identify cash flow basics.
  • Explore and examine strategic cash flow.
  • Discover and understand technology and its role in cash flow systems.
  • Explore and examine strategic Investing.
Last updated/reviewed: March 28, 2024

Included In Certifications

This course is included in the following Certification Programs:

22 CoursesThe Controllership Series Certification

  1. The Controllership Series: The Controller Function - Elevating the Role
  2. The Controllership Series: The Controller Function - Strategic and Annual Planning
  3. The Controllership Series: The Controllers Role in Financial Forecasting
  4. The Controllership Series: Future Role of the Controller – Part 1
  5. The Controllership Series: Future Role of the Controller – Part 2
  6. The Controllership Series: The Controller Function - Cash and Investments
  7. ASC 842 Accounting for Leases - Deep Dive
  8. The Controllership Series: The Controller Function - Inventory Part 1
  9. The Controllership Series: The Controller Function - Inventory Part 2 - Inventory Valuation, Physical Inventory Methods and Inventory fraud
  10. The Controllership Series: Overhead, Direct and Indirect Costs and Allocation Methods
  11. The Controllership Series: Financial Statement Preparation and Presentation
  12. The Controllership Series: The Controllers Role in the Procurement Function
  13. The Controllership Series: The Role of The Controller in ESG
  14. The Controllership Series: The Controllers Role in Pro Forma Financials
  15. The Controllership Series: The Controllers Role in Data Analytics and Big Data
  16. The Controllership Series: Introduction to the Financial Close Process
  17. The Controllership Series: Managerial Accounting Basics and Cost Principles
  18. The Controllership Series: Sales, Collections and Customer Credit
  19. The Controllership Series: Addressing Cash Flow and Forecasting Uncertainty
  20. The Controllership Series: The Controller’s Skillset
  21. The Controllership Series: The Controllers Role in Internal Controls
  22. Tools for The Controllership Series Certificate
72 Reviews (403 ratings)

Reviews

4
Member's Profile
As an ex-public accountant now involved in the operations of a procurement organization, this course was a strong refresher of several essential functions of an organization's treasury department, helping to sharpen my focus on key organizational financial goals.

5
Anonymous Author
Very through look at cash objectives/cash flow/collections including technology to help with efficiency. Cash is King! I've never been in an organization with a treasurer but have had investment strategy dictated by BOD, which provided peace of mind.

5
Anonymous Author
Course was very helpful in understanding the relationship that the controller can have with treasury team to add value to the organization and teaming together to figure out the appropriate technology that will provide more positive cash flows.

4
Member's Profile
It explains different cash and investment activities that controllers may be involved with and how controllers can add value by understanding and providing information that helps to explain how cash flows through the company.

4
Member's Profile
Good overview of the various aspects of cash management in the organization and the controllers role within. One note is that CD's are insured up to $250K not the $100K mentioned in the section on investments near the end.

4
Anonymous Author
In combination with the earlier treasury course in this series, it provides a good overview of the issues a controller might face relating to cash management. Provides some suggestions of technological solutions as well.

5
Anonymous Author
Good and thorough discussion of cash and investments management and considerations for Controllers. Provides food for thought and suggestions on how Controllers can add value to their organization.

5
Anonymous Author
Great course on explaining controller's role in relation to cash management. It might be better to provide some real world examples regarding how the controllers can work with treasury department.

5
Anonymous Author
Indeed cash is king, it is the lifeblood of any company! This course shows the important role that a controller plays in an organization. Professor Lynn - I like your style of teaching.

5
Anonymous Author
This course is good overview of the controller's role in the investment process. It provides sound principles to manage cash and ensure its availability in ST and LT.

5
Member's Profile
As with previous courses, well presented, in logical order; great level of top level versus detail drill down into sub-categories and descriptions. Good examples.

5
Member's Profile
This course is a thorough discussion of how the Controller can contribute to execution of the cash management strategy, beyond the transactional responsibilities.

5
Anonymous Author
Great lesson for reviewing the importance of cash flow and cash management techniques. Cash management is critical in today's economic environment.

5
Member's Profile
Outstanding overview of the Cash management process. Heavy on the use of automation and electronic services to help better manage the cash cycle.

5
Anonymous Author
This was a good refresher to the cash management and cash flow objectives. There was good information about the investment process as well.

5
Anonymous Author
This course was very informative around the areas of cash and investments. It discussed how a controller can better manage the cash cycle.

4
Member's Profile
This was ok. Wish the examples of technology had a link where you could look at samples or youtube videos on how the product works.

5
Member's Profile
Lynn’s Controllership Series course on Cash and Investments was well prepared. Very valuable insights into the Treasury Function.

5
Anonymous Author
I always enjoy Lynn Fountain's courses. This course provided me with a good basic understanding of the cash and investments area.

5
Anonymous Author
I loved this course. It gave a great overview of what cash management entails and also tips for how to better manage your cash.

5
Anonymous Author
This course goes over tips for managing cash. Also, it goes into different types of investments and tips for managing the risk.

5
Anonymous Author
The material has a clear structure with detailed explanations. The instructor includes some recent technology and examples.

5
Anonymous Author
Cash is king! Focused course here on some tips. I realized I need to become more familiar with the tech options out there.

5
Anonymous Author
This course was informative and useful about the cash flow process and what a controller should be knowledgeable about.

5
Anonymous Author
Great course! It's not something I deal with much but the information was explained in a very easy to follow format.

5
Anonymous Author
Overview of the controller function as it pertains to cash and investments along with general impacts to cash flow.

5
Anonymous Author
An important course given the macro-environment of high inflation and high interest rates, causing cash to be king.

5
Member's Profile
very good clear objectives, good tips and advice, I enjoyed the course very much and will use it in a practical way

5
Member's Profile
I liked how even though cash flow was in the title, the course was more descriptive from an analytical standpoint.

4
Anonymous Author
I really like everything related to information of the Controllership Series. Informative and useful information.

5
Anonymous Author
Great summary of treasury function and how a controller can leverage technology to optimize cash flow management.

5
Anonymous Author
Broad understanding of the cash flow process and investment strategies that need to be applied on a daily basis.

5
Member's Profile
Managing cash flow is very important. Cash is king as they say and this course delivered a good overview of it.

5
Anonymous Author
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5
Anonymous Author
Excellent course on cash and investments and the role of the controller in cash management and investing,

3
Anonymous Author
Slow speaking, typos in slides, not in-depth enough to create learning, more of a gloss over of topics.

5
Anonymous Author
valuable course on controller's role in cash management & investment function. thanks to the instructor.

5
Anonymous Author
Good to revisit this area and hear about new ways technology can assist in cash management and controls.

5
Anonymous Author
Interesting concepts. Definitely not things I would have thought would fall under the Controller role

4
Anonymous Author
This course is a basic summary of some Controller-related topics. It's an interesting mix of items.

5
Anonymous Author
Overall, really enjoyed this course. Lynn is a great instructor and helpful for those in treasury

5
Anonymous Author
Very informative and excellent guidance, it really presents current cash management information!

5
Member's Profile
Good course on the cash and investments, it touches on high level subject matter but effective.

5
Anonymous Author
Great course. I appreciate the thought that went into this. Definitely learned a few things

4
Member's Profile
The course covers a lot of information on why cash management is so important to a business.

5
Anonymous Author
Course provided good insight to the basics of cash flow and cash management in a business.

4
Member's Profile
Very good training; concepts are explained clearly. Trainer is as always very pedagogical.

5
Anonymous Author
The course was well organized and the instructor was clear and concise. I would recommend.

4
Member's Profile
Enjoyed learning about the role of the Controller in cash management and investing.

5
Anonymous Author
Great description of different vehicles to be used for excess cash and technology.

5
Anonymous Author
Very informative. Good to learn new technologies for automating cash processes.

5
Anonymous Author
Straightforward introduction to Cash Flow management and the Controller's role

5
Member's Profile
Lynn, We have done it again. Great course. loved it. thank you, Larry

5
Anonymous Author
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5
Anonymous Author
Excellent recap for us who do not deal in cash and cash projections daily.

5
Member's Profile
Great class, this is the best instructor on illumeo. Highlly recommend.

5
Anonymous Author
An effective lesson for cash management and understand the investments.

4
Member's Profile
This course is a great overview of the cash and investment functions.

5
Member's Profile
This course was informative and the instructor is a great teacher.

5
Anonymous Author
Good course on several treasury management topics. Easy to follow.

5
Anonymous Author
Good course and covers quite a few topics on cash and investments.

5
Member's Profile
Great information and clearly presented in a thoughtful manner.

5
Member's Profile
Quite informative course. Lots of useful tips and information.

4
Anonymous Author
Good overall introduction to cash and investment management

5
Anonymous Author
Am enjoying these Treasury function courses and overviews!

5
Anonymous Author
Great course, I recommend this course to any to learn more

5
Member's Profile
Good course material, and the course was well organized.

4
Member's Profile
learned some things. i like that. need to keep typing

5
Anonymous Author
I enjoyed this course, and I found it very informative

4
Anonymous Author
Very clear and easy to understand. Basic information

5
Member's Profile
clear concise information with daily applicable tips

3
Anonymous Author
It was informative, but delivered in a dry manner.

Prerequisites
Education Provider Information
Company: Illumeo, Inc., 75 East Santa Clara St., Suite 1215, San Jose, CA 95113
Contact: For more information regarding this course, including complaint and cancellation policies, please contact our offices at (408) 400- 3993 or send an e-mail to .
Instructor for this course
Course Syllabus
INTRODUCTION AND OVERVIEW
  Introduction to The Controller Function - Cash and Investments3:09
  Cash Objectives11:36
  Cash Flow and Cash Collections18:38
  Strategic Cash Flow3:17
  Technology8:14
  Technology Cont'd10:57
  Investing8:38
  The Controllers Role in Investing4:16
  Summary1:05
CONTINUOUS PLAY
  The Controller Function - Cash and Investments1:09:50
SUPPORTING MATERIAL
  Slides: The Controller Function - Cash and InvestmentsPDF
  The Controller Function - Cash and Investments Glossary/ IndexPDF
REVIEW AND TEST
  REVIEW QUESTIONSquiz
 FINAL EXAMexam