The Fundamentals of Finance - Finance Business Simulation

A finance-focused simulation that builds financial acumen and helps participants understand how organisations create value. Co-developed with Total.

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Available on Harvard Business Publishing Education

Faculty can also access The Fundamentals of Finance through the Harvard Business Publishing Education catalog, alongside our other simulations distributed via the platform.

Key Learning Outcomes

Understand financial statements

Read and interpret P&L, balance sheets, and cash flow statements.

Make sound financial decisions

Apply financial analysis to strategic business choices.

Drive value creation

Understand how organizations create and sustain financial value.

What is this business simulation about?

For Universities

Train your students

Financial statement analysis
Cash flow management
Investment decision-making
Business valuation basics
Financial KPIs

Train your students

For Corporate

Train your team

Financial literacy for non-finance managers
Budget management
Cost-benefit analysis
Cash flow optimization
Performance measurement

Train your team

Practical Information

Best for

Non-finance professionals, MBA students, managers needing financial literacy.

Duration

From 4 to 12 hours playing time.

Logistics

From 6 participants. Online, face-to-face or blended facilitation.

Languages

English, French.

Technical

Supported on any browser. Supported on any device: mobile, desktop & tablet.

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Simulation Overview

Download our detailed PDF with goals, structure, and learning outcomes.

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Try our live demo

Request free demo access and experience the simulation first-hand.

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Discover the agenda

Get an overview of how a typical simulation day is organized.

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About The Fundamentals of Finance

The Fundamentals of Finance is a business simulation co-developed with Total that builds financial acumen for non-finance professionals. Participants learn to read and interpret profit & loss statements, balance sheets, and cash flow reports by making real business decisions that directly impact their company's financial performance. Over several rounds, teams invest in products, manage costs, and optimize cash flow while competing against other teams. The facilitator-led debriefings connect each decision to core financial concepts, making abstract theory tangible and memorable. This simulation is ideal for MBA programs, executive education, and corporate training where financial literacy is essential but participants come from non-financial backgrounds.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does The Fundamentals of Finance last?

The simulation runs from 4 to 12 hours of playing time, making it one of our most flexible formats.

Do participants need a finance background?

Not at all. The simulation is specifically designed for non-finance professionals. Financial concepts are introduced progressively through the gameplay and debriefing.

How many participants are needed?

A minimum of 6 participants is required, organized into teams of 2 to 6 people.

What financial skills does this simulation teach?

Participants learn financial statement analysis, cash flow management, investment decision-making, business valuation basics, and how to use financial KPIs to drive decisions.

Can it be played online?

Yes. It works fully online, face-to-face, or in a blended format on any browser and device.