Strategic Accounting: Analysis, Costing, and Decision-Making

Strategic Accounting: Analysis, Costing, and Decision-Making

Instructor: Wiley Skills Network

Access provided by NJ PubLibs Google Scholarship Group

7 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

Advanced level

Recommended experience

6 hours to complete

Flexible schedule

Learn at your own pace

7 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

Advanced level

Recommended experience

6 hours to complete

Flexible schedule

Learn at your own pace

What you'll learn

Apply cost and profit analysis techniques to improve financial performance.
Prepare accurate forecasts, budgets, and projections for business planning.
Evaluate capitalization strategies and make informed managerial decisions.

Details to know

Shareable certificate

Add to your LinkedIn profile

Assessments

7 assignments

Taught in English

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

There are 7 modules in this course

This course teaches advanced accounting strategies for analyzing profits, managing costs, and making data-driven financial decisions. Professionals gain insight into financial engineering techniques used in high-level business environments.

Learners will develop practical skills in preparing forecasts, projections, and budgets, as well as capitalizing businesses effectively. The course emphasizes actionable outcomes, enabling participants to apply financial strategies for improved organizational performance. Combining theoretical principles with real-world Wall Street-inspired tactics, this program stands out by linking accounting analysis directly to managerial decision-making. Interactive examples and case studies illustrate how concepts are applied in practice. Ideal for managers, accountants, financial analysts, and business leaders with basic accounting knowledge seeking to enhance decision-making and financial analysis capabilities. This course is part three of a three-course Specialization designed to provide a comprehensive learning pathway in this subject area. While it delivers standalone value and practical skills, learners seeking a more integrated and in-depth progression may benefit from completing the full Specialization. This Specialization is based on the book Accounting For Dummies, by John A. Tracy and Tage C. Tracy. From Accounting For Dummies Copyright © 2022 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc., Hoboken, New Jersey Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

This module explores the concept of financial engineering, examining both GAAP-compliant and non-GAAP techniques that companies use to shape their financial statements. Learners will investigate real-world examples of financial 'tricks' and understand how profits and losses can be strategically manufactured. By the end, you'll be able to critically assess the impact of these methods on financial reporting.

What's included

1 video5 readings1 assignment

1 videoTotal 1 minute

Overview1 minute

5 readingsTotal 24 minutes

Introduction4 minutes
Defining What Financial Engineering Is4 minutes
Identifying Commonly Used "Tricks of the Trade"5 minutes
Understanding commonly used tricks outside the realm of GAAP4 minutes
Manufacturing Imaginary Profits (and, Yes, Losses)7 minutes

1 assignmentTotal 16 minutes

Navigating Financial Engineering and Reporting Ethics16 minutes

This module explores the key drivers of profit within organizations, focusing on profit centers, internal P&L reporting, and the distinction between variable and fixed operating expenses. Learners will gain practical skills in analyzing profit templates and controlling expenses to support strategic business decisions.

What's included

1 video8 readings1 assignment

1 videoTotal 1 minute

Overview1 minute

8 readingsTotal 43 minutes

Introduction5 minutes
Centering on profit centers5 minutes
Reporting operating expenses4 minutes
Looking at Strategic Profit Analysis6 minutes
Stopping at operating earnings6 minutes
Taking a Closer Look at the Lines in the Profit Template6 minutes
DEALING WITH A SHORTCOMING:5 minutes
Tucking Away Some Valuable Lessons6 minutes

1 assignmentTotal 16 minutes

Profit Analysis and Cost Management16 minutes

This module explores the fundamentals of cost classification, calculation of product costs, and the distinction between relevant and irrelevant costs for effective business decision-making. Learners will gain practical skills in assembling and analyzing cost data, with a focus on manufacturing environments. By the end, you'll understand how accurate cost information supports pricing, control, and strategic planning.

What's included

1 video9 readings1 assignment

1 videoTotal 1 minute

Overview1 minute

9 readingsTotal 45 minutes

Introduction5 minutes
Are Costs Really That Important?4 minutes
Becoming More Familiar with Costs4 minutes
Relevant versus irrelevant costs6 minutes
Assembling the Product Cost of Manufacturers4 minutes
Classifying costs properly5 minutes
Calculating product cost8 minutes
THE ACTUAL COSTS/ACTUAL OUTPUT METHOD — AND WHEN NOT TO USE IT:5 minutes
Cranking up production output4 minutes

1 assignmentTotal 16 minutes

Cost Accounting Fundamentals16 minutes

This module explores essential financial forecasting techniques and their role in effective business planning. Learners will discover how to build and analyze projections, utilize financial models, and apply what-if analysis to support strategic decision-making. Practical examples and tools are provided to enhance the accuracy and usefulness of forecasts.

What's included

1 video8 readings1 assignment

1 videoTotal 1 minute

Overview1 minute

8 readingsTotal 43 minutes

Introduction5 minutes
Putting Forecasting in Its Place6 minutes
Exploring Forecasting8 minutes
Projections as financial models4 minutes
Increasing the Power of Your Forecasts5 minutes
What if?5 minutes
Seeing a Financial Forecast in Action6 minutes
Rehashing the Value of Forecasts4 minutes

1 assignmentTotal 16 minutes

Financial Forecasting and Budgeting Fundamentals16 minutes

This module guides learners through the fundamentals of business capitalization, including the reasons for and methods of valuing a business. You will explore common valuation techniques, compare debt and equity financing options, and understand how different capital structures impact ownership and control. Practical examples and key terminology will help you make informed financial decisions for entrepreneurial ventures.

What's included

1 video11 readings1 assignment

1 videoTotal 1 minute

Overview1 minute

11 readingsTotal 59 minutes

Introduction6 minutes
Providing a few examples4 minutes
Why businesses are valued4 minutes
How businesses are valued4 minutes
Surveying Commonly Used Business Valuation Techniques5 minutes
Summarizing the Two Basic Types of Available Capital6 minutes
Taking a Deeper Dive into Raising Debt Capital6 minutes
Digging Further into the World of Equity Capital5 minutes
Disguising equity as debt6 minutes
Structuring equity with preferences6 minutes
Reaching the end of the line with equity capital7 minutes

1 assignmentTotal 16 minutes

Capitalization Strategies for Businesses16 minutes

This module provides practical guidance for managers on leveraging accounting to make informed business decisions, set effective sales prices, and maintain financial control. Learners will discover how to interpret accounting information, select appropriate accounting policies, and safeguard their organizations against fraud. By the end, you'll be equipped with actionable strategies to enhance profitability and ensure business solvency.

What's included

1 video5 readings1 assignment

This module guides learners through the essentials of interpreting financial reports, including understanding key financial statements, recognizing unusual gains and losses, and spotting signs of financial distress. By the end, you'll be able to make informed assessments of a business's financial health and performance.