Introduction to Finance: The Basics

Introduction to Finance: The Basics

Instructor: Xi Yang

Access provided by Skills Development Fund

82,871 already enrolled

4 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

551 reviews

Beginner level

No prior experience required

Flexible schedule

2 weeks at 10 hours a week

Learn at your own pace

96%

Most learners liked this course

4 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

551 reviews

Beginner level

No prior experience required

Flexible schedule

2 weeks at 10 hours a week

Learn at your own pace

96%

Most learners liked this course

What you'll 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.

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Assessments

25 assignments¹

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Taught in English

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There are 4 modules in this course

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.

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.

What's included

13 videos9 readings7 assignments1 discussion prompt1 plugin

13 videosTotal 64 minutes

Welcome to Introduction to Finance: The Basics4 minutes
Instructor Bio2 minutes
Learn on Your Terms1 minute
1-1.1. Module 1 Overview4 minutes
1-2.1. Introduction of the Three Legal Forms to Organize Firms1 minute
1-2.2. The Sole Proprietorship7 minutes
1-2.3. The Partnership3 minutes
1-2.4. The Corporation6 minutes
1-2.5. The Hybrid Form6 minutes
1-3.1. The Goal of Financial Management8 minutes
1-4.1. The Corporate Governance10 minutes
1-5.1. The Agency Problem8 minutes
Module 1 Wrap Up4 minutes

9 readingsTotal 90 minutes

Syllabus10 minutes
Formula Sheet10 minutes
Glossary10 minutes
Brand Description10 minutes
About the Discussion Forums10 minutes
Online Education at Gies College of Business10 minutes
Updating Your Profile10 minutes
Module 1 Overview10 minutes
Module 1 Readings10 minutes

7 assignmentsTotal 140 minutes

Orientation Quiz30 minutes
Lesson 1-1 Practice Quiz10 minutes
Lesson 1-2 Practice Quiz10 minutes
Lesson 1-3 Practice Quiz10 minutes
Lesson 1-4 Practice Quiz10 minutes
Lesson 1-5 Practice Quiz10 minutes
Introduction to Finance Quiz60 minutes

1 discussion promptTotal 10 minutes

Getting to Know Your Classmates10 minutes

1 pluginTotal 15 minutes

Demographics Survey15 minutes

In this module, you will learn the basics of financial statements. The balance sheet captures the assets, liabilities, and stockholders’ equity of a company. The income statement is used to show profit and loss. You will explore the link between these two financial statements. You will also learn how to derive cash flows from financial statements, and the sources and uses of cash flow.

What's included

8 videos2 readings7 assignments

8 videosTotal 57 minutes

2-1.1. Module 2 Overview3 minutes
2-2.1. Financials9 minutes
2-3.1. Balance Sheet: Introduction8 minutes
2-3.2. Balance Sheet: Fiscal Year6 minutes
2-3.3. Balance Sheet: Other Topics11 minutes
2-4.1. Income Statement7 minutes
2-5.1. Statement of Cash Flow9 minutes
Lesson 2-6.1. Module 2 Wrap Up4 minutes

2 readingsTotal 20 minutes

Module 2 Overview10 minutes
Module 2 Readings10 minutes

7 assignmentsTotal 120 minutes

Lesson 2-1 Practice Quiz10 minutes
Lesson 2-2 Practice Quiz10 minutes
Lesson 2-3 Practice Quiz10 minutes
Lesson 2-4 Practice Quiz10 minutes
Lesson 2-5 Practice Quiz10 minutes
Lesson 2-6 Practice Quiz10 minutes
Financial Statements and Cash Flow Quiz60 minutes

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.

What's included

10 videos2 readings5 assignments1 peer review

10 videosTotal 59 minutes

3-1.1. Module 3 Overview4 minutes
3-2.1. Standardized Statements7 minutes
3-3.1. Financial Ratios: Introduction3 minutes
3-3.2. Financial Ratios: Liquidity Ratios7 minutes
3-3.3. Financial Ratios: Leverage Ratios6 minutes
3-3.4. Financial Ratios: Turnover Ratios6 minutes
3-3.5. Financial Ratios: Profitability Ratios10 minutes
3-3.6. Financial Ratios: Market Value Ratios5 minutes
3-4.1. Financial Forecasting7 minutes
Module 3 Wrap Up3 minutes

2 readingsTotal 20 minutes

Module 3 Overview10 minutes
Module 3 Readings10 minutes

5 assignmentsTotal 100 minutes

Lesson 3-1 Practice Quiz10 minutes
Lesson 3-2 Practice Quiz10 minutes
Lesson 3-3 Practice Quiz10 minutes
Lesson 3-4 Practice Quiz10 minutes
Financial Statements Analysis Quiz60 minutes

1 peer reviewTotal 120 minutes

Module 3 Peer Review Assignment120 minutes

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.

What's included

7 videos4 readings6 assignments1 peer review1 plugin

7 videosTotal 60 minutes

4-1.1. Module 4 Overview4 minutes
4-2.1. Present Value and Future Value7 minutes
4-3.1. Net Present Value13 minutes
4-3.2. APR and EAR11 minutes
4-4.1. Perpetuity8 minutes
4-4.2. Annuity13 minutes
4-5.1. Module 4 Wrap Up3 minutes

4 readingsTotal 40 minutes

Module 4 Overview10 minutes
Module 4 Readings10 minutes
Congratulations on completing the course!10 minutes
Get Your Course Certificate10 minutes

6 assignmentsTotal 110 minutes

Lesson 4-1 Practice Quiz10 minutes
Lesson 4-2 Practice Quiz10 minutes
Lesson 4-3 Practice Quiz10 minutes
Lesson 4-4 Practice Quiz10 minutes
Lesson 4-5 Practice Quiz10 minutes
Time Value of Money Quiz60 minutes

1 peer reviewTotal 120 minutes

Module 4 Peer Review Assignment120 minutes

1 pluginTotal 15 minutes

Course-End Survey15 minutes

Build toward a degree

This course is part of the following degree program(s) offered by University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. If you are admitted and enroll, your completed coursework may count toward your degree learning and your progress can transfer with you.¹

Instructor

Instructor ratings

(190 ratings)

Xi Yang

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

2 Courses92,232 learners

Offered by

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

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Reviewed on Dec 31, 2024

Overall Course is well structured with contents and examples, Course instructor is easy to follow. Gave me good start for my finance learning journey.

Reviewed on Apr 23, 2025

It is very valuable and it is important for every business and individuals.

Reviewed on Aug 13, 2023

It's my first course in the field of finance, and i am completly satisfied with the program and as well as the teacher. The explanations were very clear.

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