This course is part of the Financial Analysis - Skills for Success Specialization

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Gies College of Business, University of Illinois

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Financial Analysis - Skills for Success SpecializationUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

About this Course

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In this course, you will learn the foundations important to developing and implementing a financially analytic mindset. This course introduces the foundations of financial analysis, beginning with the first question: what is financial analysis?
You will learn about the importance of adopting and applying a financial perspective. You will learn about accounting and finance principles and fundamentals. Accounting principles allow for the creation of consistent and reliable financial information. Key fundamentals of finance facilitate the use of a financially analytic mindset in different settings, including corporate and organizational, investment opportunities, and entrepreneurial settings.

Ultimately, from this course, you will take away a strong foundational understanding of financial analysis, on which you can build further knowledge and skills related to financial analysis of organizations and organizational decisions and scenarios.

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Earn a Certificate upon completion

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Course 1 of 3 in the

Financial Analysis - Skills for Success Specialization

Beginner Level

This course requires no previous knowledge or skills.

Approx. 12 hours to complete

English

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Skills you will gain

Risk
Financial Analysis
Financial Statement
Accounting
Finance

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

Course 1 of 3 in the

Financial Analysis - Skills for Success Specialization

Beginner Level

This course requires no previous knowledge or skills.

Approx. 12 hours to complete

English

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

Try Coursera for Business

Instructor

Instructor rating

4.57/5 (24 Ratings)

Gies College of Business, University of Illinois

73,457 Learners

21 Courses

Offered by

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

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Syllabus - What you will learn from this course

Week1

Week 1

3 hours to complete

Course Introduction and Module 1: What is Financial Analysis?

In this module, you will be introduced to the agency problem, and how organizations mitigate it. You will also learn the goals of financial management, and be 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 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.

3 hours to complete

7 videos (Total 35 min), 6 readings, 5 quizzes

7 videos

Meet Professor Nerissa Brown3mMeet Professor Xi Yang2mMeet Professor Oktay Urcan1mModule 1 Introduction1mThe Goal of Financial Management7mCorporate Governance10mThe Agency Problem8m

6 readings

Syllabus10mGlossary10mAbout the Discussion Forums4mUpdating Your Profile10mModule 1 Overview10mModule 1 Readings10m

5 practice exercises

Orientation Quiz30mLesson 1-1 Practice Quiz 5mLesson 1-2.1 Practice Quiz5mLesson 1-2.2 Practice Quiz5mIntroduction to Finance Quiz30m

Week2

Week 2

5 hours to complete

Module 2: A Financial Perspective - What and Why?

In this module, you will first learn about accounting and why it - as well as financial statements as a key component of accounting - is important to all types of organizations. You will then engage in an overview of key aspects of financial statements, including how they reflect an organization's position and performance. Finally, you will be introduced to accounting for transactions, which comprise the "building blocks" of financial statements. By the end of this module, you will have been introduced to key dimensions of accounting, and thus have created a foundation for a deeper dive into these concepts (presented in other related modules and courses).

5 hours to complete

10 videos (Total 73 min), 2 readings, 12 quizzes

10 videos

Module 2 Introduction1mWhat Is Accounting?13mWhy Are Financial Statements Important?8mThe Balance Sheet - An Introduction7mStatement of Cash Flows8mHow Did You Perform?7mIncome Statements6mTransaction and Transaction Worksheets4mT-Accounts, Debits, and Credits7mJournal Entry, Ledger, Trial Balance6m

2 readings

Module 2 Overview 10mModule 2 Readings10m

12 practice exercises

Lesson 2-1.1 Practice Quiz5mLesson 2-1.2 Practice Quiz5mLesson 2-2.1 Practice Quiz15mLesson 2-2.2 Practice Quiz5mLesson 2-3.1 Practice Quiz5mLesson 2-3.2 Practice Quiz5mLesson 2-4.1 Practice Quiz15mLesson 2-4.2 Practice Quiz15mLesson 2-4.3 Practice Quiz10mFinancial Reports and Company Position Quiz1hCompany Performance Quiz1hAccounting for Transactions Quiz30m

Week3

Week 3

4 hours to complete

Module 3: Finance Fundamentals

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. 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. And, of course, the time value of money affects organizational valuation and decision-making as well. You will then turn to different forms of financing, including debts (e.g., bonds) and equity (e.g., stocks). How a company finances its operations, strategy, and long-term investment has major implications for its valuation, as well as its success.

4 hours to complete

9 videos (Total 84 min), 2 readings, 8 quizzes

9 videos

Module 3 Introduction1mPresent Value and Future Value7mNet Present Value13mPerpetuity8mAnnuity12mBond Basic Concepts4mStock Basic Concepts13mRisks11mSystematic Risk and Unsystematic Risk11m

2 readings

Module 3 Overview 10mModule 3 Readings10m

8 practice exercises

Lesson 3-1.1 Practice Quiz 5mLesson 3-1.2 Practice Quiz10mLesson 3-1.3 Practice Quiz10mLesson 3-2.1 Practice Quiz5mLesson 3-2.2 Practice Quiz5mLesson 3-2.3 Practice Quiz10mLesson 3-1 Quiz - Time Value of Money45mLesson 3-2 Quiz - Bonds, Stocks, and Risk30m

Reviews

4.7

18 reviews

5 stars
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4 stars
11.66%
3 stars
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2 stars
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TOP REVIEWS FROM INTRODUCTION TO FINANCIAL ANALYSIS - THE "WHY?"

by MGFeb 26, 2023

This course gave me a basic foundation overview of the financial analysis ! I loved the different teaching styles of the instructors. Great course!

by AWMay 4, 2023

Found the information very helpful and had a great start and base on basic information dealing with fiancial issues.

by YTApr 13, 2023

This course is really support to develop my financial analytical skills.

by SNNov 13, 2022

For me this course provides an initial overview of Financial Analysis which is very useful for understanding, mastering and becoming a Financial Analyst

View all reviews

About the Financial Analysis - Skills for Success Specialization

In an era of thriving businesses, both small and large, it is crucial to possess a wholistic understanding of the financial building blocks of a successful organization. Through this 3-course Specialization in Financial Analysis, you will gain a well-rounded knowledge of key financial concepts that will help you apply an analytic mindset to understanding and driving organizational decisions and success.

The courses in this Specialization focus on financial topics and organizational principles. Topics covered include: Understanding the importance of gaining a financial perspective Identifying and applying fundamental principles of Accounting and Finance Identifying a firm’s financial statements and understanding how they reflect company position and performance Understanding the basics of financial statement analysis Using financial information to facilitate strategic and operational decision-making Planning and budgeting to effectively and efficiently allocate resources This specialization is designed to build on the foundational skills developed in the Google Data Analytics Professional Certificate; earn a dual credential when you complete a Google Career Certificate and this specialization.

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 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. If you only want to read and view the course content, you can audit the course for free.
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.

More questions? Visit the Learner Help Center.

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Introduction to Financial Analysis - The "Why?"

About this Course

Skills you will gain

Instructor

Gies College of Business, University of Illinois

Offered by

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Syllabus - What you will learn from this course

Course Introduction and Module 1: What is Financial Analysis?

Module 2: A Financial Perspective - What and Why?

Module 3: Finance Fundamentals

Reviews

TOP REVIEWS FROM INTRODUCTION TO FINANCIAL ANALYSIS - THE "WHY?"

About the Financial Analysis - Skills for Success Specialization

Frequently Asked Questions

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Introduction to Financial Analysis - The "Why?"

About this Course

Skills you will gain

Instructor

Gies College of Business, University of Illinois

Offered by

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Syllabus - What you will learn from this course

Course Introduction and Module 1: What is Financial Analysis?

Module 2: A Financial Perspective - What and Why?

Module 3: Finance Fundamentals

Reviews

TOP REVIEWS FROM INTRODUCTION TO FINANCIAL ANALYSIS - THE "WHY?"

About the Financial Analysis - Skills for Success Specialization

Frequently Asked Questions

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