Financial Tools

Tuesdays, 3:00-4:30 PM EST
4 weeks

March 11 - April 1, 2025

This 4-session course will cover the basics of how to read and understand financial reports like your Profit & Loss statement and Balance Sheet, help you understand the difference between Markup and Margin, and introduce the core principles of job cost accounting. We’ll introduce HELM’s operating budget tool and you’ll have a chance to build your 2025 operating budget in the class with support from HELM consultants, to strengthen your ability to forecast business performance and make key decisions.  Understanding your company's unique financial metrics (target gross profit margin, burdened labor rates, and overhead) is critical to inform your estimates and help you make decisions about billing rates and markups. This course is designed to provide construction companies with a better handle on what financial metrics to track to become more resilient and plan for the future.

Session 1: Understanding your financials
Session 2: Operating Budget
Session 3: Operating Budget working session
Session 4: Job Cost Accounting

Format

Online via Zoom. Sessions are recorded and available for review, but attending all sessions in real-time is strongly encouraged.

Registration

$700 per person. 10% off for multiple registrations from one company.

Kate Stephenson

Kate is a co-Founder of HELM, and has worked with 100+ businesses to achieve triple bottom line metrics. She helped to develop NESEA’s Building Energy Bottom Lines program, is a Senior Fellow of the Environmental Leadership Program, a member of the Montpelier Energy Advisory Committee, and serves on the Boards of NESEA and the Studio for High Performance Design and Construction.

  • Accessibility: We offer closed-captioning and simultaneous interpretation upon request. Please email us if you need any accommodations to participate fully in the course.

    Refunds: We offer a 100% refund up to 72 hours prior to course start time. After that no refunds are available; we will credit your registration fee towards another HELM course.

  • Solidarity Scholarships

    Scholarships available to participants from businesses owned by Black and Indigenous people, People of Color, Immigrants, LGBTQIA folks, and Women. Apply Now.

    State programs

    In Massachusetts: 100% Tuition reimbursement is available for MA-based companies through the Workforce Training Fund Express Program.

    In Vermont: 50% Tuition reimbursement is available for VT-based companies through the Vermont Training Program.

    In other states: Check our Workforce Training Funds page for more details.