Finance for Everyone: Smart Tools for Decision-Making from edX

Want to learn how to think clearly about important financial decisions and improve your financial literacy? Finance for Everyone will showcase the beauty and power of finance. This introductory finance course will be a gateway into the world of finance and will examine multiple applications to apply to your everyday life. Join us to better understand how to apply frameworks and tools to make smart financial choices.

You will be able to value the impact of different choices available to you: from renting or buying, evaluating car, home and student loans, or deciding whether to go to college versus pursuing a new idea to simply understanding how the financial world works.

Starting with time value of money, the course will help you develop a full appreciation for the many applications of finance. Using real world examples, the course will enable you to understand and analyze many personal and professional decisions we confront on a daily basis. You will understand stocks and bonds, learn to allocate scarce resources in a value-add way, and adopt smart tools for making every day decisions.

Finance is simultaneously a way of thinking and a set of tools. Finance is everywhere. There are no prerequisites for this course except for a sense of curiosity and a positive attitude. However, a comfort level with algebra and numbers and an understanding of accounting (the language of business) will clearly help. We will, however, try to cover everything starting with fundamentals and highlight when there is a need to do some further work in specific subjects.

What you'll learn

Why finance is everywhere and how it affects all of us
An understanding of the financial world, and an appreciation for the beauty and power of finance
Gain the fundamental knowledge, skills, and tools of finance and the ability to apply them everywhere, in personal and professional situations
Different frameworks for decision-making
Acquire skills in using different decision-making tools, and learn to make sound personal and professional financial decisions
The concept of Time Value of Money (TVM) and apply related tools and frameworks to everyday decisions

What's inside

Learning objectives

Why finance is everywhere and how it affects all of us
An understanding of the financial world, and an appreciation for the beauty and power of finance
Gain the fundamental knowledge, skills, and tools of finance and the ability to apply them everywhere, in personal and professional situations

Different frameworks for decision-making
Acquire skills in using different decision-making tools, and learn to make sound personal and professional financial decisions
The concept of time value of money (tvm) and apply related tools and frameworks to everyday decisions

Why finance is everywhere and how it affects all of us
An understanding of the financial world, and an appreciation for the beauty and power of finance
Gain the fundamental knowledge, skills, and tools of finance and the ability to apply them everywhere, in personal and professional situations
Different frameworks for decision-making
Acquire skills in using different decision-making tools, and learn to make sound personal and professional financial decisions
The concept of time value of money (tvm) and apply related tools and frameworks to everyday decisions

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Explores financial concepts that students will encounter in their everyday lives

Provides students with frameworks and tools to make informed financial decisions

Demonstrates how financial principles can be applied to personal and professional situations

Emphasizes the importance of understanding the time value of money, a fundamental concept in finance

Provides opportunities for students to apply their learning through real-world examples

Taught by instructors Gautam Kaul, who are recognized for their work in finance

Career center

Learners who complete Finance for Everyone: Smart Tools for Decision-Making will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Financial Analyst

Financial Analysts use their knowledge of finance to help companies make important decisions about their finances. They analyze financial data, make recommendations on investments, and develop financial plans. By taking this course, you'll gain the fundamental knowledge and skills needed to succeed in this role. You'll learn how to value the impact of different financial choices, analyze financial statements, and make sound financial decisions.

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Financial Consultant

Financial Consultants provide financial advice to individuals and businesses. They help clients with a variety of financial planning needs, such as retirement planning, investment planning, and estate planning. This course will help you develop the skills and knowledge needed to succeed in this role. You'll learn how to analyze financial data, develop financial plans, and make sound financial recommendations.

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Investment Banker

Investment Bankers help companies raise capital by issuing stocks and bonds. They also advise companies on mergers and acquisitions. This course will provide you with the foundation in finance needed to succeed in this role. You'll learn how to value companies, analyze financial data, and make sound financial recommendations.

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Portfolio Manager

Portfolio Managers manage investment portfolios for individuals and institutions. They make investment decisions and allocate assets to achieve specific financial goals. This course will help you build the skills and knowledge needed to succeed in this role. You'll learn how to analyze financial data, build investment portfolios, and make sound investment decisions.

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Risk Manager

Risk Managers identify and assess risks for companies and individuals. They develop risk management plans and implement strategies to mitigate risks. This course will help you develop the skills and knowledge to succeed in this role. You'll learn how to identify and assess risks, develop risk management plans, and make sound risk management decisions.

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Financial Planner

Financial Planners help individuals and families plan for their financial future. They provide advice on a variety of topics, such as retirement planning, investment planning, and estate planning. This course will provide you with the foundation in finance needed to succeed in this role. You'll learn how to analyze financial data, develop financial plans, and make sound financial recommendations.

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Accountant

Accountants provide financial information to companies and individuals. They prepare financial statements, audit financial records, and provide tax advice. This course will help you build the skills and knowledge needed to succeed in this role. You'll learn how to analyze financial data, prepare financial statements, and provide sound financial advice.

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Auditor

Auditors examine the financial records of companies to ensure that they are accurate and complete. They also provide advice on internal controls and risk management. This course will help you develop the skills and knowledge needed to succeed in this role. You'll learn how to analyze financial data, conduct audits, and make sound audit recommendations.

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Tax Accountant

Tax Accountants prepare tax returns for individuals and businesses. They also provide advice on tax planning and tax law. This course will help you build the skills and knowledge needed to succeed in this role. You'll learn how to analyze tax laws, prepare tax returns, and provide sound tax advice.

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Budget Analyst

Budget Analysts develop and manage budgets for companies and governments. They analyze financial data, forecast revenue and expenses, and make recommendations on how to allocate resources. This course will help you build the skills and knowledge needed to succeed in this role. You'll learn how to analyze financial data, develop budgets, and make sound budget recommendations.

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Credit Analyst

Credit Analysts assess the creditworthiness of individuals and businesses. They analyze financial data and make recommendations on whether or not to extend credit. This course will help you develop the skills and knowledge needed to succeed in this role. You'll learn how to analyze financial data, assess credit risk, and make sound credit recommendations.

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Insurance Underwriter

Insurance Underwriters assess the risk of insuring individuals and businesses. They analyze financial data and make recommendations on whether or not to issue insurance policies. This course will help you develop the skills and knowledge needed to succeed in this role. You'll learn how to analyze financial data, assess insurance risk, and make sound insurance underwriting decisions.

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Financial Advisor

Financial Advisors provide financial advice to individuals and families. They help clients with a variety of financial planning needs, such as retirement planning, investment planning, and estate planning. This course may be useful for those who wish to enter this role as it provides a foundation in finance and financial planning.

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