Financial Intelligence

Karen Berman was a respected educator and consultant dedicated to improving financial literacy among non-financial professionals. She founded the Business Literacy Institute to help leaders understand and use financial information effectively. Joe Knight is a business consultant and former CFO with extensive experience helping organizations translate financial data into actionable insight. Together, they helped demystify finance and made it accessible to decision-makers at every level of business.

The central lesson of Financial Intelligence is that financial understanding is not about mastering formulas—it is about learning how to interpret the story behind the numbers. Income statements, balance sheets, and cash flow reports are shaped by assumptions and judgment, and those who recognize this can make smarter, more informed decisions. Financial intelligence enables leaders and employees alike to connect everyday actions to long-term outcomes.

Berman and Knight show that when financial knowledge spreads across an organization, performance improves. Managers manage cash more carefully, investments are evaluated more realistically, and risks are identified earlier. Financial intelligence does not eliminate uncertainty, but it equips people to navigate it with clarity, confidence, and accountability.