Certified Operational Business Accounting & Finance–Procurement (COBAF‑P)

The COBAF-P equips procurement professionals with essential financial knowledge for smarter business decisions and strategic leadership.

Introduction to Certified Operational Business Accounting & Finance-Procurement

(COBAF‑P)

The Certified Operational Business Accounting & Finance – Procurement (COBAF-P) is a specialized certification within the IPSCMI professional certification series, focused on finance and accounting for procurement professionals.

COBAF-P is designed specifically for supply chain and procurement professionals who want to gain insights into the accounting and financial aspects of running a business in order to make better decisions, add to career prospects and move from the backroom to the boardroom. This program offers the designation of Certified Operational Business Accounting & Finance–Procurement (COBAF‑P) to candidates who demonstrate their understanding of the fundamentals of the profession through the successful completion of rigorous professional certification examinations based upon the

INTERNATIONAL SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT BODY OF KNOWLEDGE (ISCMBOK).

Course Objectives for COBAF-P Certification

  • To develop practical financial and accounting literacy that enables procurement and supply chain professionals to understand and interpret core financial statements and executive-level KPIs.

  • To strengthen commercial decision-making through a clear understanding of cost analysis, profit versus cash flow, depreciation, mark-up, margin, and cost–volume–profit relationships.

  • To link financial insights directly to procurement and sourcing decisions, including make-or-buy analysis, total landed cost evaluation, and global sourcing cost drivers.

  • To improve working-capital management, cash-flow analysis, and forecasting in support of organizational performance and executive decision-making.

  • To build the capability to assess supplier financial health, risk, and long-term viability using financial data.

  • To enhance professional confidence and influence by enabling clear, credible communication with senior executives, including CFOs, CEOs, and boards, and supporting career progression into senior leadership roles.

What’s Included??

  • 17 Expertly designed lessons

  • Experienced business facilitator led course

  • 24 hours of live virtual classes (8 x 3hrs) or 4 days classroom

  • Prework reading, copies of presentation slides.

  • Virtual recordings available within 48 hours

  • Mentor-supported assignments

  • Final 3-hour certification exam

  • Digital certificate upon successful completion of examination

"Benefits of CISCM Certification"

Global Mastery

Manage end-to-end international supply chains effectively.

Strategic Planning

Make data-driven supply chain decisions at scale.

Trade & Logistics

Handle global logistics and transportation with confidence.

Course Structure–MODULES Covered

  • Module 1. Introduction & Financial Foundations

    Introduction to business purpose, ROI and DuPont model

    Accounting and finance terminology (accrual vs cash, depreciation, mark‑up, margin)

  • Module 2. Financial Reports & Ledgers

    Understanding costs, expenses, assets and financial statements

    Income statement, balance sheet and cash‑flow basics

    Dual‑entry accounting and posting to ledgers

  • Module 3. Cash Flow & Working Capital

    Purpose and structure of cash‑flow statements

    Impact of procurement decisions on cash flow

    Working‑capital measurement and forecasting

  • Module 4. Measuring Supplier Financials

    Techniques for assessing supplier financials: ratios, common‑size, inflation adjustment

    Interpreting profitability, liquidity, solvency and performance indicators

  • Module 5. Balanced Scorecard & Capital Budgeting

    Using balanced scorecards for strategic alignment

    Capital budgeting concepts: NPV, IRR, payback, time value of money

  • Module 6. Cost Estimating & Cost Reduction

    Cost estimating factors, cost‑estimating relationship (CER) formulas and variables

    Identifying hidden costs, cost reduction strategies, cost‑volume‑profit analysis

  • Module 7. Price & Cost Analysis, Make/Buy & Total Landed Cost

    Price and cost analysis for contracts, pricing strategies and risk in estimates Make‑or‑buy decision models and outsourcing considerations

    Total landed cost: Incoterms, CIF charges, hedging, tariffs

Have Questions or Ready to EnrolL?

Not sure which programme is right for you or your organisation?

Our team will guide you on course suitability, delivery format, and current schedules based on your professional needs.

We respond during SAST / CAT working hours and support both individual and corporate enquiries.

TESTIMONIALS

What our delegates say

Dear Ronnie It should be thank you for the knowledge that you shared with me and the professional manner in which you presented the course. It was my pleasure to be in a room with somebody as learned as yourself and to find that you are down to earth. The course was magnificent as it taught me some amazing ways to work out answers - which I normally battled with. Personally I think this course was a resounding success and I would definitely inform some friends of mine. To me - the best part of the course was the way in which it was presented as this was done superbly with humour and tact and a friendly atmosphere. If ever there is a follow up course - I will be there. I am 100% certain that this was the best course that I ever attended and I am willing to answer any questions to anybody who says otherwise. Once again - thank you for the great course

Kishore Salikram
DHL Durban

Wonderful course. Lots of interesting concepts. I have definitely changed my way of thinking since doing the course the first time and now the additional day of budgeting etc, will make me change ways again.

Nicole Hart
Lake International Technologies

Hi Ronnie Once again thank you for the course. As mentioned I have been on various financial courses over the past many years. The manner in which you presented your course was very relevant to the non - financial fraternity. It was precise and gave a very good in sight into how all members of a company contribute, and are affected by the overall company financials. It also gave us an idea on how to strategize and plan various aspects of your specific responsibilities around improving efficiencies based on the financial effect on the company. Best Regards Tony Bytes Systems

Tony
Bytes Systems

Dear Ronnie. Thank you for the knowledge instilled, even though at times it must have frustrated you that we struggled to grasp the concepts, being technical as opposed to financial people. Speaking for myself, on day one, I indicated the basics that I hoped to gain out of the course, and I am happy to say that I gained more than I bargained for. You very wisely said that we would be surprised at how much we would actually learn and in my case that was definitely true. I now know what ledgers, what purpose they serve and how income and balance sheets are prepared, but best of all understand DEBITS and CREDITS. I thought that your presentation of the material, as well as the course content was of an exceptional high standard, and you certainly kept us awake during the day. I especially liked the way that you continually involved all participants on the course with your question sessions, this I believe kept all of us on our toes, and not always having one person answer as so often happens. Kind Regards Alan Johnstone. Bytes Systems

Alan Johnstone.
Bytes Systems

Hello Ronnie Yes, you are correct, I did learn a lot in 2 days. I attended a one year, part time Damelin Business Management diploma course some years ago and passed. Even then, I learned more about finances on the course you presented, in only two days. I would recommend your course to anyone wishing to expand their knowledge, in financial matters and for what it is worth, you may use this mail to that effect. Thank you and regards Charles Simes Bytes Systems

Charles Simes
Bytes Systems

Dearest Ronnie, First to thank you for a wonderful course, and secondly to say you have a God given talent for teaching, I found you a wonderful teacher/mentor. I have put this course off for the past 5 years, as this is my weakest point and I really did not want to expose my ignorance, however once you had finished with me, I thought I could do anything regarding financial matters, not so. I have revisited my manual and done the exercises again, found it little difficult, however with your excellent training I could hear your voice and see your explanations in my head, and then could do them all. Once again thanks so much for your time and dedication, keep doing what you do so well and my every wish for good health and much fun. Fondest, Mal Orren Aberdare Cables

Mal Orren
Aberdare Cables

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