What are the core concepts covered in 'Fundamentals of Finance'?

This course covers essential financial concepts including understanding financial statements, effective cash flow management, strategic financial forecasting and budgeting, and using financial ratios for business analysis. You'll gain foundational knowledge to drive profitability and growth.

What practical skills will I gain from this finance course?

<text variant="body1">You will gain practical skills in financial statement analysis, developing business budgets, creating financial forecasts, managing cash flow, and applying financial ratios to assess business performance. These skills are crucial for informed business decision-making.

Is prior finance or accounting experience required for this course?

<text variant="body1">This 'Fundamentals of Finance' course is designed for beginners and those looking to solidify their foundational financial acumen. While no prior formal finance or accounting experience is strictly required, a basic understanding of business operations is beneficial.

How will understanding financial statements benefit my career?

<text variant="body1">Mastering financial statements provides critical insights into a company's health and performance, a highly valued skill in business and financial analysis roles. This knowledge empowers you to make data-driven decisions, identify growth opportunities, and contribute to strategic financial management."

When will I have access to the lectures and assignments?

To access the course materials, assignments and to earn a Certificate, you will need to purchase the Certificate experience when you enroll in a course. You can try a Free Trial instead, or apply for Financial Aid. The course may offer 'Full Course, No Certificate' instead. This option lets you see all course materials, submit required assessments, and get a final grade. This also means that you will not be able to purchase a Certificate experience.

What will I get if I subscribe to this Specialization?

When you enroll in the course, you get access to all of the courses in the Specialization, and you earn a certificate when you complete the work. Your electronic Certificate will be added to your Accomplishments page - from there, you can print your Certificate or add it to your LinkedIn profile.

Is financial aid available?

Yes. In select learning programs, you can apply for financial aid or a scholarship if you can’t afford the enrollment fee. If fin aid or scholarship is available for your learning program selection, you’ll find a link to apply on the description page.

Fundamentals of Finance

3 days left! Save on skills that make you shine with 40% off 3 months of Coursera Plus. Save now

Fundamentals of Finance

This course is part of Introduction to Business Specialization

Instructor: Marla Noel

21,051 already enrolled

Included with

Learn more

4 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

222 reviews

Beginner level

Recommended experience

1 week to complete

at 10 hours a week

Flexible schedule

Learn at your own pace

4 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

222 reviews

Beginner level

Recommended experience

1 week to complete

at 10 hours a week

Flexible schedule

Learn at your own pace

What you'll learn

Develop financial forecasts and budgets for expense control and cash flow management.'
Analyze financial information to maximize business growth and efficiency.
Utilize financial ratios and analysis to enhance business profitability.

Skills you'll gain

Details to know

Shareable certificate

Add to your LinkedIn profile

Assessments

8 assignments¹

AI Graded see disclaimer

Taught in English

91% of learners achieved a positive career outcome

See how employees at top companies are mastering in-demand skills

Learn more about Coursera for Business

logos of Petrobras, TATA, Danone, Capgemini, P&G and L'Oreal

Build your subject-matter expertise

This course is part of the Introduction to Business Specialization

When you enroll in this course, you'll also be enrolled in this Specialization.

Learn new concepts from industry experts
Gain a foundational understanding of a subject or tool
Develop job-relevant skills with hands-on projects
Earn a shareable career certificate

There are 4 modules in this course

Welcome to Fundamentals of Finance. This 4 module course will help you understand and affect the performance of your unit or organization’s profitability. By the end of this course, you will be able to implement finance and accounting concepts to drive your organization's growth, analyze financial statements and understand the factors in productivity and profitability, and create forecasting and budgeting. You will also have the ability to evaluate and manage cash flow, implement strategies around financing, and use of ratios in running a business.

Module details

Welcome to Module 1. In this module, you’ll build a foundation for understanding the three core financial statements—the Balance Sheet, Income Statement, and Statement of Cash Flows—and how they work together. You will learn what each statement measures, where key accounts such as assets, liabilities, equity, revenue, and expenses come from, and how business transactions flow through the accounting system to produce financial reports. By the end of the module, you’ll be able to use these statements to ask better questions, spot issues early, and support stronger business decisions.

What's included

7 videos3 readings2 assignments

7 videosTotal 38 minutes

Course Introduction1 minute
Finance Basics: Why It Matters4 minutes
Balance Sheet Basics6 minutes
Journal Entries & the General Ledger6 minutes
General Ledger to Balance Sheet6 minutes
Income & Gross Profit10 minutes
Cash Flow Basics6 minutes

3 readingsTotal 41 minutes

Financial Statements: The Big Picture15 minutes
Balance Sheet Basics: Build It in 5 Steps16 minutes
Balance Sheet Ratios: Liquidity and Risk10 minutes

2 assignmentsTotal 45 minutes

Module 1 Knowledge Check30 minutes
Financial Statement Priorities for Your Business15 minutes

Welcome to Module 2. In this module, you’ll learn how to use financial information to manage profitability, make smarter labor and productivity decisions, and protect your business from cash shortages. You will practice reading key profit drivers on the Income Statement, evaluating labor costs and output, and understanding how cash flow is generated and used so the business can operate and grow sustainably.

What's included

6 videos2 readings2 assignments

6 videosTotal 46 minutes

Profitability Basics5 minutes
Profit Planning: Reinvestment & Hidden Costs5 minutes
Hiring Right: Process & Protection12 minutes
Manage Labor: Productivity & Pay9 minutes
Grow Without Losing Margin6 minutes
Cash Flow Uses & Reserves10 minutes

2 readingsTotal 21 minutes

Profitability Fundamentals10 minutes
Cash Flow Basics11 minutes

2 assignmentsTotal 45 minutes

Module 2 Knowledge Check30 minutes
Spotting Transactions That Harm Financial Results15 minutes

Welcome to Module 3. In this module, you’ll learn how forecasting and financing work together to support business growth. You will build an understanding of how to create forward-looking forecasts, test scenarios, and document assumptions so your numbers are credible. You will also explore common sources of business capital and what lenders and investors typically expect—along with how strong financial records and communication help you build effective banking relationships.

What's included

6 videos3 readings2 assignments

6 videosTotal 33 minutes

Forecasting and Financing: Overview3 minutes
Forecast Scenarios and Model Setup5 minutes
Forecast Assumptions and Adjustments7 minutes
Forecast Example: Painting Business4 minutes
Startup Funding Sources3 minutes
Financing Basics: Banks, Loans, and Credit Lines11 minutes

3 readingsTotal 56 minutes

Forecasting vs. Financial Modeling: Key Differences8 minutes
Why Forecasting Matters33 minutes
Getting a Business Loan: What Lenders Expect15 minutes

2 assignmentsTotal 50 minutes

Module 3 Knowledge Check30 minutes
Funding a Business and Working with Lenders20 minutes

Welcome to Module 4. In this module, you’ll learn how to scale your business without losing control of cash and expenses. We’ll connect day-to-day decisions to financial results by using the Statement of Cash Flows and key financial ratios. You’ll learn practical ways to monitor expense growth, protect liquidity, and spot early warning signs that growth is putting pressure on the business.