4.7
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259 ratings

Xi Yang

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Part of the Master of Science in Accountancy (iMSA) degree
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Introduction to Finance: The Basics

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

About this Course

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In the Introduction to Finance I: The Basics course, you will be introduced to the basic concepts needed to understand the financial manager’s decision-making process. To achieve that, you will learn about the basic forms a business can take and the goal of the financial manager. You will also learn the fundamentals of financial statements and how to measure a company’s financial health using financial ratios. In addition, you will explore how to allocate capital across time to create value. After learning the course, you should be familiar with major topics in modern finance and communicate with others within and outside of the business world. With a deep understanding of the financial side of the business, you will be in a better position to make informed decisions and plan for the financial future.

Flexible deadlines

Reset deadlines in accordance to your schedule.

Shareable Certificate

Earn a Certificate upon completion

100% online

Start instantly and learn at your own schedule.

Coursera Labs

Includes hands on learning projects.

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Approx. 19 hours to complete

English

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What you will learn

Build a financial knowledge base by understanding essential topics in modern finance.
Develop an understanding of the issues managers must consider when making financial decisions.
Be ready to conduct analysis using information from financial statements.
Understand and apply the time value of money in order to value financial and real asset investments and to make investment decisions.

Skills you will gain

Financial Management
Finance
Future Value
Leadership And Management

Flexible deadlines

Reset deadlines in accordance to your schedule.

Shareable Certificate

Earn a Certificate upon completion

100% online

Start instantly and learn at your own schedule.

Coursera Labs

Includes hands on learning projects.

Learn more about Coursera Labs

Approx. 19 hours to complete

English

Could your company benefit from training employees on in-demand skills?

Try Coursera for Business

Instructor

Instructor rating

4.68/5 (102 Ratings)

Xi Yang

Offered by

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Start working towards your Master's degree

This course is part of the 100% online Master of Science in Accountancy (iMSA) from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. If you are admitted to the full program, your courses count towards your degree learning.

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Syllabus - What you will learn from this course

Content Rating96%(2,312 ratings)

Week1

Week 1

2 hours to complete

Course Orientation

2 hours to complete

3 videos (Total 6 min), 8 readings, 1 quiz

3 hours to complete

Module 1: Introduction to Finance

In this module, you will be introduced to three basic forms to organize a business based on the nature of the business and its financing needs. Examining the goal of financial business helps us to develop a concrete framework to evaluate a corporate manager’s financial decisions. The corporation organization form is widespread because it can solve problems facing big business, but it also incurs the agency cost. You will also learn about some strategies companies are using to mitigate the agency problem.

3 hours to complete

10 videos (Total 57 min), 2 readings, 6 quizzes

10 videos

1-1.1. Module 1 Overview3m1-2.1. Introduction of the Three Legal Forms to Organize Firms54s1-2.2. The Sole Proprietorship7m1-2.3. The Partnership3m1-2.4. The Corporation6m1-2.5. The Hybrid Form5m1-3.1. The Goal of Financial Management7m1-4.1. The Corporate Governance10m1-5.1. The Agency Problem8mModule 1 Wrap Up3m

2 readings

Module 1 Overview10mModule 1 Readings10m

6 practice exercises

Lesson 1-1 Practice Quiz10mLesson 1-2 Practice Quiz10mLesson 1-3 Practice Quiz10mLesson 1-4 Practice Quiz10mLesson 1-5 Practice Quiz10mIntroduction to Finance Quiz1h

Week2

Week 2

3 hours to complete

Module 2: Financial Statements and Cash Flow

3 hours to complete

8 videos (Total 57 min), 2 readings, 7 quizzes

8 videos

2-1.1. Module 2 Overview3m2-2.1. Financials9m2-3.1. Balance Sheet: Introduction7m2-3.2. Balance Sheet: Fiscal Year5m2-3.3. Balance Sheet: Other Topics11m2-4.1. Income Statement6m2-5.1. Statement of Cash Flow8mLesson 2-6.1. Module 2 Wrap Up4m

2 readings

Module 2 Overview10mModule 2 Readings10m

7 practice exercises

Lesson 2-1 Practice Quiz10mLesson 2-2 Practice Quiz10mLesson 2-3 Practice Quiz10mLesson 2-4 Practice Quiz10mLesson 2-5 Practice Quiz10mLesson 2-6 Practice Quiz10mFinancial Statements and Cash Flow Quiz1h

Week3

Week 3

5 hours to complete

Module 3: Financial Statements Analysis

This module is the application of financial statements. You will be introduced to the concept of standardized statements. You will learn how to conduct ratio analysis to evaluate the financial health of a company. In addition, you will use financial ratios to measure the liquidity of the company, the leverage of the company, the profitability of the company, and the asset management of the company.

5 hours to complete

10 videos (Total 59 min), 2 readings, 6 quizzes

10 videos

3-1.1. Module 3 Overview3m3-2.1. Standardized Statements7m3-3.1. Financial Ratios: Introduction3m3-3.2. Financial Ratios: Liquidity Ratios6m3-3.3. Financial Ratios: Leverage Ratios6m3-3.4. Financial Ratios: Turnover Ratios5m3-3.5. Financial Ratios: Profitability Ratios9m3-3.6. Financial Ratios: Market Value Ratios4m3-4.1. Financial Forecasting7mModule 3 Wrap Up3m

2 readings

Module 3 Overview10mModule 3 Readings10m

5 practice exercises

Lesson 3-1 Practice Quiz10mLesson 3-2 Practice Quiz10mLesson 3-3 Practice Quiz10mLesson 3-4 Practice Quiz10mFinancial Statements Analysis Quiz1h

Week4

Week 4

6 hours to complete

Module 4: Time Value of Money

In this module, you will be introduced to the basic concepts about the time value of money: the present value, the future value, and the net present value. You will also examine the difference between the quoted interest rate and effective annual rate. Two explicit patterns of cash flow will be studied in detail: annuity and perpetuity. There are widespread applications of time value of money in our daily life and business valuation. Some examples include mortgage plan selection, pension plan choice, and investment decisions.

6 hours to complete

8 videos (Total 64 min), 4 readings, 7 quizzes

8 videos

4-1.1. Module 4 Overview4m4-2.1. Present Value and Future Value7m4-3.1. Net Present Value13m4-3.2. APR and EAR11m4-4.1. Perpetuity8m4-4.2. Annuity12m4-5.1. Module 4 Wrap Up3mGies Online Programs3m

4 readings

Module 4 Overview10mModule 4 Readings10mCongratulations!10mGet Your Course Certificate10m

6 practice exercises

Lesson 4-1 Practice Quiz10mLesson 4-2 Practice Quiz10mLesson 4-3 Practice Quiz10mLesson 4-4 Practice Quiz10mLesson 4-5 Practice Quiz10mTime Value of Money Quiz1h

Reviews

4.7

61 reviews

5 stars
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4 stars
16.85%
3 stars
1.91%
2 stars
1.53%
1 star
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TOP REVIEWS FROM INTRODUCTION TO FINANCE: THE BASICS

by JJNov 14, 2020

Professor presents the items very clearly and simplifies her presentations

by GPFeb 24, 2021

Very well structured and the basics of finance are very clearly explained.

by AKFeb 19, 2021

the course was very insightful and really up to the expectations.

by JWApr 16, 2022

examples were very helpful and the way that our professor slowly explained

View all reviews

Frequently Asked Questions

When will I have access to the lectures and assignments?
Access to lectures and assignments depends on your type of enrollment. If you take a course in audit mode, you will be able to see most course materials for free. To access graded assignments and to earn a Certificate, you will need to purchase the Certificate experience, during or after your audit. If you don't see the audit option:
The course may not offer an audit option. 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 purchase the Certificate?
When you purchase a Certificate you get access to all course materials, including graded assignments. Upon completing the course, your electronic Certificate will be added to your Accomplishments page - from there, you can print your Certificate or add it to your LinkedIn profile. If you only want to read and view the course content, you can audit the course for free.
What is the refund policy?
You will be eligible for a full refund until two weeks after your payment date, or (for courses that have just launched) until two weeks after the first session of the course begins, whichever is later. You cannot receive a refund once you’ve earned a Course Certificate, even if you complete the course within the two-week refund period. See our full refund policy.
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.

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Introduction to Finance: The Basics

Introduction to Finance: The Basics

About this Course

What you will learn

Skills you will gain