This Specialization is designed for a wide audience of those interested in finance either professionally or just of curiosity, including managers of different levels specializing in finance, accounting, business planning, strategy, consulting, and project management, IT specialists engaged in the area of finance, fin-tech, big data, and valuation, etc. Through four courses and the final Project, you will cover the theory and practice of capital markets and financial institutions, corporate finance and project valuation, financial and managerial accounting as applied to finance, as well as the M&A market as the ultimate judge of financial efficiency and value creation. The Specialization will prepare you to understand and use the applications of financial ideas, concepts, models, strategies, and tools to build a successful career in finance and in business, as well as to take advantage of opportunities offered by financial markets.
How the Specialization Works
Take Courses
A Coursera Specialization is a series of courses that helps you master a skill. To begin, enroll in the Specialization directly, or review its courses and choose the one you'd like to start with. When you subscribe to a course that is part of a Specialization, you’re automatically subscribed to the full Specialization. It’s okay to complete just one course — you can pause your learning or end your subscription at any time. Visit your learner dashboard to track your course enrollments and your progress.
Hands-on Project
Every Specialization includes a hands-on project. You'll need to successfully finish the project(s) to complete the Specialization and earn your certificate. If the Specialization includes a separate course for the hands-on project, you'll need to finish each of the other courses before you can start it.
Earn a Certificate
When you finish every course and complete the hands-on project, you'll earn a Certificate that you can share with prospective employers and your professional network.
There are 5 Courses in this Specialization
Capital Markets and Financial Institutions – How to Survive Them
Capital markets and financial institutions are all around us. This is an enormous industry in which powerful players oftentimes challenge investors and the public at large and expose them to significant risks. This Course provides for the deep understanding of the core ideas, concepts, and mechanisms of the modern capital market in a learner-friendly way. We will analyze the market’s most fundamental problems, realize the intrinsic interests of the market participants, reveal the true meaning of certain financial terms, and uncover credible signals of the likely behavior of economic agents – all that with little math and a lot of fun. The learners will be much better positioned with respect to the financial environment. They will see through the financial news, reveal the risks of the financiers’ wishful thinking promises, and protect themselves against dangerous adventures. The learners will get the opportunity to use the obtained knowledge, skills, and understanding for the successful professional career in the financial and other business areas, as well as in their day-to-day life.
Principles of Corporate Finance – A Tale of Value
The study of Corporate Finance seems to be a very generic part of business education. Still, it either falls in the trap of intimidating formulas or is superficially journalistic. Both extremes preclude the understanding of the core finance ideas, concepts, and models. This Course is an attempt to avoid the above extremes. We discuss the core basis and mechanisms of modern corporate finance in a learner-friendly way. We will analyze the market’s most fundamental problems, realize the intrinsic interests and preferences of investors, reveal the true meaning of specific financial terms, and uncover important issues that are so often ignored in choosing and valuing investment projects. The learners will gain insight into the essence of corporate finance. They will be able to use the obtained knowledge and skills to successfully advance in their career at a financial institution, as well as in the area of financial management at non-financial businesses.
Core Concepts of Accounting – Numbers and People
Whenever the word “accounting” is pronounced, it is immediately associated with the need to memorize endless boring numbers. However, it is the common financial statements that contain important information that provides inputs for valuation of investment projects. The only challenge is how to properly extract them. Accounting and finance are indeed intertwined. Sometimes people that are not experienced in the area even mix them up. But most often emphasis in accounting is on numbers. Still, the deep understanding of key accounting concepts helps reveal the interests and actions of people behind these numbers. And the human dimension of accounting adds invaluable insight in the potential of successful project implementation. This Course discusses core ideas and concepts of both financial and managerial accounting. It by no means pretends to be comprehensive to any extent. But, being rather an accounting overview, it focuses on the issues that are most relevant and important for effective valuation of investment projects. The learners will gain insight into the essence of accounting. They will be able to use the obtained knowledge and skills to successfully advance in their career at a financial institution, as well as in the area of financial management at non-financial businesses. To pursue a career in accounting, a more detailed study is strongly recommended.
Mergers and Acquisitions – The Relentless Pursuit of Synergy
The area of mergers and acquisitions (M&As) is special in finance. Incredible amounts of money are employed in such transactions. Deals draw a lot of public attention and dispute. Oftentimes, stories look more like fairy tales rather than financial reality. The key idea in any M&A transaction is to create value through a potentially synergetic activity. To this end, it is important to have a clear motive and implementation plan. Of special importance are the correct valuation, proper financing, and actual deal completion. But this is not the end – value mostly accrues from the post-merger integration. The understanding of the motives of various stakeholders is instrumental in the analysis of the potential creation of value. The learners will gain insight into the core value creating M&A strategies. They will be able to use the obtained knowledge and skills to successfully advance in their career at a financial institution, as well as in the area of financial management at non-financial businesses. Finally, the Course is very helpful in successful completion of the Specialization’s Final Project.
Instructor
Konstantin Kontor
Director and Professor of Finance and StrategyAbout Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology
About American Institute of Business and Economics
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the refund policy?
Can I just enroll in a single course?
Yes! To get started, click the course card that interests you and enroll. You can enroll and complete the course to earn a shareable certificate, or you can audit it to view the course materials for free. When you subscribe to a course that is part of a Specialization, you’re automatically subscribed to the full Specialization. Visit your learner dashboard to track your progress.
Is financial aid available?
Can I take the course for free?
Is this course really 100% online? Do I need to attend any classes in person?
This course is completely online, so there’s no need to show up to a classroom in person. You can access your lectures, readings and assignments anytime and anywhere via the web or your mobile device.
Will I earn university credit for completing the Specialization?
This Specialization doesn't carry university credit, but some universities may choose to accept Specialization Certificates for credit. Check with your institution to learn more.
How long does it take to complete the Specialization?
Any course in the Specialization may be completed within 2-4 weeks.
Therefore, the Specialization (including the Capstone Project) may be comfortably completed in three to four months.
Nothing prevents the more expeditious study process if desired.
What background knowledge is necessary?
The Specialization is designed for those with some experience in the area of finance. Sometimes, we study very advanced issues. But that should not scare off learners with little knowledge of math or economics. The only really important requirements to succeed in learning include logical thinking and the interest in the area.
Indeed, some previous exposure to the most basic financial concepts (profit, cash flow, projects, NPV etc.) helps. By the same token, some background in math would make the progress in the Specialization smoother. But all these ideas are discussed in detail in the Course video lectures and supplementary materials.
Do I need to take the courses in a specific order?
You can take the courses in any order you like.
However, the smoother progress in the Specialzation is ensured by the following recommended order:
1. Capital Markets and Financial Institutions – How to Survive Them
2. Principles of Corporate Finance – A Tale of Value
3. Core Concepts of Accounting – Numbers and People
4. Mergers and Acquisitions – The Relentless Pursuit of Synergy
It is strongly recommended to take the 4th course (M&A) after the first three as it uses a lot of information and tools from them.
Finally, the Capstone Project may be completed only after having successfully completed all four courses.
What will I be able to do upon completing the Specialization?
First of all, you will be well-prepared for faster progress in you career in finance.
You will be able to successfully apply the obtained knowledge, skills and, most of all, understanding to build successful careers in finance, accounting, business planning, strategy, consulting, project management, fin-tech, big data, etc.
You will also be able to take advantage of a wide variety of opportunities offered by capital markets.
More questions? Visit the Learner Help Center.
