Keeping up with Change: Issues for the Finance Professional from Coursera

This MOOC identifies and explores a number of challenges to the finance professional arising from the ever changing business environment. Increasingly, financial decisions must take account of strategic consequences. The first module, Exploring Strategic Position, Choice and Action helps in doing that â€“ setting a strategic context for planning for, monitoring and controlling projects and activities. An on-going set of challenges is found in the evolution of International Reporting Standards. The second module focuses on some recent changes in Standards, identifying the drivers for changes, and examining evolution in controversial areas such as leasing and goodwill. The third and final module, Corporate Governance, examines issues which are causing people to re-assess the nature, purpose and scope of corporate governance, and challenges to making governance function effectively. Key issues here are the move to include a broader range of stakeholders, the perennial challenge of agency theory issues, shareholder activism, changing Board structures, and challenges to internal control to better manage risk. This MOOC will be right for you if you are interested in engaging with some of the challenges facing finance professionals, even if you are not one yourself. If you are thinking about returning to study this will provide a taster of academic endeavours through reading articles, critiquing ideas, and blending theory with reality.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Examines financial decision-making in relation to strategic consequences, which is a core skill in finance

Analyzes recent changes and drivers in International Reporting Standards, a key topic in finance

Explorez issues related to corporate governance, including agency theory and stakeholder engagement, which are essential for ethical and effective business practices

Provides a taste of academic endeavors through critical reading and blending of theory and reality

Introduces learners to challenges faced by finance professionals, fostering a better understanding of their roles

Suitable for those interested in finance, even without a finance background, providing a broader perspective

Reviews summary

Finance professionals' guide to change

This course is a great resource for finance professionals who want to stay up-to-date on the latest challenges in the field. The course covers a wide range of topics, from strategic planning to corporate governance, and provides a wealth of practical insights and examples.

The course provides a great way to refresh knowledge of financial issues.

"A great course to refresh knowledge of Financial issues. "

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Keeping up with Change: Issues for the Finance Professional with these activities:

Organize and review course materials

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Improve your understanding of the course content by organizing and reviewing lecture notes, assignments, and readings, ensuring a comprehensive grasp of the key concepts.

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Gather materials: Collect all relevant course materials, including lecture notes, assignments, readings, and any additional resources provided.
Organize materials: Create a system to organize your materials, such as using folders, binders, or digital note-taking apps.
Review materials: Regularly review your organized materials to reinforce your understanding, identify areas for improvement, and prepare for assessments.

Review accounting standards

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Refresh your knowledge of accounting standards, including IAS, IFRS, and GAAP, to ensure a solid understanding of the fundamentals of financial reporting.

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Gather materials: Collect study materials such as textbooks, online resources, and past exam papers.
Review core concepts: Focus on reviewing core accounting concepts related to financial reporting, such as assets, liabilities, equity, revenue, and expenses.
Practice exercises: Solve practice exercises and questions to reinforce your understanding of accounting standards and their application in financial reporting.

Solve mock financial planning scenarios

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Practice your financial planning skills through solving mock scenarios, reinforcing your understanding of the key concepts covered in the course.

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Identify the key financial issues presented in the scenario.
Analyze the relevant financial data and make assumptions.
Develop and evaluate alternative financial plans.
Present and justify your recommendations to a client.

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Participate in a group discussion on corporate governance

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Engage in thoughtful discussions with peers to exchange perspectives, deepen your understanding of corporate governance principles, and develop critical thinking skills.

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Prepare talking points: Identify key points and questions you want to discuss related to corporate governance.
Actively participate: Share your insights, ask questions, and listen attentively to others' opinions, seeking to expand your understanding.

Solve practice problems on financial analysis

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Sharpen your financial analysis skills by solving practice problems, which provide opportunities to apply your knowledge to real-world scenarios and reinforce your understanding.

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Gather resources: Collect practice problems from textbooks, online resources, or past exams.
Solve problems: Dedicate time to solving practice problems, using the appropriate formulas and techniques.
Review solutions: Check your answers against provided solutions or consult with peers to identify areas for improvement.

Read 'Financial Reporting and Analysis' by Charles Horngren

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Gain a comprehensive understanding of financial reporting and analysis by reading 'Financial Reporting and Analysis' by Charles Horngren, which provides valuable insights into the principles and practices of financial reporting.

View Introduction to Financial Accounting on Amazon

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Read assigned chapters: Focus on reading the chapters relevant to the course content, making notes, and highlighting key concepts.
Analyze case studies: Thoroughly analyze the case studies presented in the book to apply your understanding of financial reporting principles to real-world scenarios.

Follow tutorials on financial modeling and valuation

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Enhance your financial modeling and valuation skills by following online tutorials, which provide step-by-step guidance and practical examples to reinforce your learning.

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Identify tutorials: Search for reputable online tutorials that align with your learning goals in financial modeling and valuation.
Follow instructions: Diligently follow the instructions and examples provided in the tutorials, applying the techniques to practice problems.

Develop a presentation on a financial reporting issue

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Solidify your understanding of financial reporting issues and enhance your presentation skills by developing a presentation on a topic of your choice related to the course content.

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Research topic: Select a specific financial reporting issue that interests you and conduct thorough research to gather relevant information.
Create outline: Develop an outline for your presentation, including an introduction, main points, supporting evidence, and a conclusion.
Craft slides: Design visually appealing and informative slides that effectively convey your message.

Attend a workshop on advanced financial reporting techniques

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Expand your knowledge of advanced financial reporting techniques by attending a specialized workshop, which offers expert insights and hands-on practice to enhance your skills.

Browse courses on Financial Reporting

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Identify workshops: Research and identify workshops that align with your learning objectives in advanced financial reporting.
Register and attend: Register for the workshop and actively participate in the sessions, taking detailed notes and engaging in discussions.

Career center

Learners who complete Keeping up with Change: Issues for the Finance Professional will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Corporate Governance Officer

Corporate Governance Officers oversee the governance of organizations, ensuring compliance with regulations and ethical standards. This course may be useful as it provides insights into the challenges and issues of corporate governance, which is essential for effective governance.

See salaries and explore the career path for Corporate Governance Officer

Chief Financial Officer (CFO)

CFOs are responsible for the financial health of organizations. This course may be useful as it provides insights into the strategic context for financial planning and the challenges of corporate governance, which are essential for effective financial leadership.

See salaries and explore the career path for Chief Financial Officer (CFO)

Investment Banker

Investment Bankers help companies raise capital and provide financial advice. This course may be useful as it provides insights into the strategic context for financial planning, which is essential for successful investment banking transactions.

See salaries and explore the career path for Investment Banker

Risk Manager

Risk Managers identify, assess, and mitigate risks facing organizations. This course may be useful as it provides insights into the challenges of managing risk in the evolving business environment, which is essential for effective risk management.

See salaries and explore the career path for Risk Manager

Financial Planner

Financial Planners help individuals and families plan for their financial future. This course may be useful as it provides insights into the strategic context for financial planning and the challenges of corporate governance, which are essential for effective financial planning.

See salaries and explore the career path for Financial Planner

Credit Analyst

Credit Analysts assess the creditworthiness of individuals and organizations. This course may be useful as it provides insights into the strategic context for financial planning and the challenges of corporate governance, which are essential for effective credit analysis.

See salaries and explore the career path for Credit Analyst

Management Consultant

Management Consultants provide advice and guidance to organizations on a wide range of issues, including finance and accounting. This course may be useful as it provides insights into the strategic context for financial planning and the challenges of corporate governance, which are essential for effective management consulting.

See salaries and explore the career path for Management Consultant

Budget Analyst

Budget Analysts develop and manage budgets for organizations. This course may be useful as it provides insights into the strategic context for financial planning and the challenges of corporate governance, which are essential for effective budget analysis.

See salaries and explore the career path for Budget Analyst

Forensic Accountant

Forensic Accountants investigate financial crimes and misconduct. This course may be useful as it provides insights into the challenges of corporate governance and risk management, which are essential for effective forensic accounting.

See salaries and explore the career path for Forensic Accountant

Compliance Officer

Compliance Officers ensure that organizations comply with laws and regulations. This course may be useful as it provides insights into the challenges of corporate governance and risk management, which are essential for effective compliance.

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Internal Auditor

Internal Auditors evaluate the effectiveness of internal controls and risk management systems. This course may be useful as it provides insights into the challenges of corporate governance and risk management, which are essential for effective internal auditing.

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Auditor

Auditors examine and verify financial records to ensure accuracy and compliance. This course may be useful as it provides insights into the evolution of International Reporting Standards, which is essential for effective auditing.

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Financial Analyst

Financial Analysts provide financial advice and guidance to individuals and organizations. This course may be useful as it helps build a foundation in financial planning, monitoring, and controlling, which are key skills for Financial Analysts.

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Financial Manager

Financial Managers develop and implement company financial plans and policies. This course may be useful as it provides insights into the strategic consequences of financial decisions, which is essential for effective financial management.

See salaries and explore the career path for Financial Manager

Data Analyst

Data Analysts collect, analyze, and interpret data to help organizations make informed decisions. This course may be useful as it provides insights into the strategic context for financial planning and the challenges of corporate governance, which are essential for effective data analysis.

See salaries and explore the career path for Data Analyst