What You'll Need to Get Started

Look, we're not asking you to have the latest MacBook or some fancy gaming rig. But having the right basics makes learning profitability analysis actually enjoyable instead of frustrating.

Real talk: most participants already have what they need. We're talking standard office equipment here. If you can browse the web comfortably and open a spreadsheet without your computer having a meltdown, you're probably fine.

Hardware Expectations

Your computer doesn't need to be brand new. We've had participants succeed with five-year-old laptops. What matters is that it runs reasonably well for your day-to-day work.

Processor: Something from the last six years should do the trick. We're running spreadsheets, not rendering 3D animations.
Memory: 8GB RAM is solid. You could probably manage with 4GB if that's what you've got, though things might slow down a bit.
Storage: 20GB of free space covers everything you'll need, including software and course materials.
Display: Anything 13 inches or larger works well. Smaller screens get cramped when you're juggling multiple worksheets.

We've had someone complete the September 2025 intake on a 2019 laptop running Windows 10. It worked fine. Another person used a basic MacBook Air from 2020. Also fine. The point is flexibility.

Professional workspace setup showing typical equipment needed for online learning

Software and Connectivity

Most of what we use is either free or widely available. You won't be buying specialized software packages.

Operating System: Windows 10 or later, macOS 10.14 or newer. Linux works too if that's your preference.
Internet Connection: Standard home broadband handles everything. We're streaming instructional videos and downloading spreadsheet templates, not running servers.
Web Browser: Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge—pick whichever you normally use. Just keep it updated.
Spreadsheet Software: Excel, Google Sheets, or LibreOffice Calc. We provide templates that work across all three.

One thing worth mentioning: video sessions work best when your internet doesn't drop constantly. If you're working from a cafe or using mobile hotspot, just test it beforehand.

Optional Extras

These aren't required, but they can make your experience smoother:

Second Monitor: Helpful for keeping course materials on one screen while you work on another. Not essential though.
Headphones: Nice if you're learning in a noisy environment or sharing space with others.
Webcam: Built-in laptop cameras work fine for interactive sessions. External ones are overkill unless yours is broken.

Some participants like printing out certain reference materials. That's entirely up to you. Everything's designed to work digitally, but if you learn better with paper copies, go for it.

Technical Support Team

Kellan Bridger

IT Systems Coordinator

Handles platform access issues and software compatibility questions. Usually responds within a few hours during business days.

Saffron Yates

Learning Platform Specialist

Your go-to person for navigating course materials and troubleshooting file downloads or video playback.

Indira Croft

Technical Onboarding Lead

Walks new participants through initial setup. She's helped everyone from tech-savvy types to complete beginners get comfortable.

Still Not Sure?

If you're wondering whether your current setup will work, just ask. We'd rather answer a quick question now than have you worry about it for weeks.

Get in Touch