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Corporate Finance Essentials

Corporate Finance Essentials will enable you to understand key financial issues related to companies, investors, and the interaction between them in the capital markets. By the end of this course you should be able to understand most of what you read in the financial press and use the essential financial vocabulary of companies and finance professionals.

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What's inside

Syllabus

Course Overview

Risk and Return

Welcome to Session 1 In this session we will discuss some basic but essential financial concepts such as mean return, volatility, and beta. We will also learn how to apply them in order to assess the performance of selected equity markets over the last decade. The learning objective is to understand the basic, essential, and widely used financial concepts.

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Explores core concepts in corporate financial management, such as risk, return, and capital budgeting

Teaches essential financial vocabulary of companies and finance professionals

Taught by Javier Estrada, an experienced professor and financial professional

Develops financial analysis skills through real-world examples and case studies

Provides a foundational understanding of corporate finance principles and practices

Requires a basic understanding of financial concepts and principles

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Reviews summary

Corporate finance essential foundations

According to learners, this course offers a solid foundation in core corporate finance concepts. Many found the explanations clear and concise, particularly appreciating the approach to topics like NPV, IRR, and the cost of capital. While it's widely considered excellent for beginners or those needing a refresh, some reviewers noted that it lacks depth for more advanced learners or those seeking detailed practical application. The instructor is frequently praised for their engaging teaching style.

Focuses effectively on fundamental corporate finance topics.

"Covers all the essential topics like risk, return, CAPM, NPV, and IRR."

"Provides a good overview of the key concepts mentioned in the syllabus."

"The course content aligns well with the 'essentials' promised in the title."

Instructor is knowledgeable and engaging.

"The professor is fantastic, makes the material interesting."

"Great lecturer, very articulate and easy to listen to."

"Instructor's passion for the subject really comes through."

Provides an accessible entry point into corporate finance.

"Perfect starting point to understand the basics before diving deeper."

"Excellent course for someone with zero background in finance."

"A great introduction to corporate finance essentials for beginners."

Concepts are explained simply, making them easy to grasp.

"The instructor explains the concepts in a very clear and understandable way."

"Really appreciate how complex ideas were broken down into simple, digestible parts."

"Found the explanations of NPV and IRR particularly clear and easy to follow."

May be too basic for intermediate or advanced learners.

"Good as a foundation, but doesn't go into enough detail for practical application in complex scenarios."

"If you already have some finance knowledge, this might feel very slow and basic."

"Wish it covered more advanced valuation techniques beyond the absolute basics."

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 Corporate Finance Essentials with these activities:

Review high school math

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Review foundational math concepts to strengthen your understanding of financial concepts.

Browse courses on Algebra

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Identify areas where you need to brush up on your math skills.
Find online resources, such as Khan Academy or Coursera, to review the necessary concepts.
Practice solving math problems related to finance.

Read 'Corporate Finance' by Ross, Westerfield, and Jaffe

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Gain a comprehensive understanding of corporate finance principles and practices.

View Loose Leaf for Corporate Finance on Amazon

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Read each chapter thoroughly.
Take notes on key concepts and formulas.
Complete the end-of-chapter exercises.

Organize and review course materials

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Enhance comprehension by regularly reviewing and organizing course materials.

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After each lecture, review and summarize the key points.
Organize your notes, assignments, and other materials in a logical manner.
Periodically review your organized materials to reinforce your understanding.

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Follow tutorials on financial modeling in Excel

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Develop practical skills in financial modeling using Excel.

Browse courses on Financial Modeling

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Identify online tutorials or courses on financial modeling in Excel.
Follow the tutorials step-by-step.
Practice building financial models using the techniques learned in the tutorials.

Join a study group to discuss course concepts

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Enhance your learning by actively engaging with peers and exchanging perspectives.

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Form or join a study group with other students in the course.
Meet regularly to discuss the course material and work on assignments together.
Share ideas, insights, and questions to foster a deeper understanding of the topics.

Solve practice problems on financial ratios and analysis

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Sharpen your analytical skills by solving practice problems on financial ratios and analysis.

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Find practice problems online or in textbooks.
Solve the problems and check your answers against the solutions.
Identify areas where you need additional practice.

Curate a collection of financial news articles and case studies

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Stay updated on current trends and real-world applications of corporate finance.

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Identify reputable sources for financial news and case studies.
Regularly collect and organize articles and case studies that are relevant to the course topics.
Share your collection with your classmates or discuss in a study group.

Build a financial model for a company of your choice

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Apply your knowledge of corporate finance to a real-world scenario.

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Choose a company that interests you.
Gather financial data on the company.
Build a financial model to analyze the company's financial performance.
Present your findings in a report.

Career center

Learners who complete Corporate Finance Essentials will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Financial Analyst

Financial Analysts are responsible for assessing the performance of companies and making investment recommendations. This course can help you develop the skills you need to evaluate companies, understand their financial statements, and make sound investment decisions. The course covers a wide range of topics, including risk and return, correlation and diversification, and the cost of capital. This knowledge will be essential for success in a role as a Financial Analyst.

See salaries and explore the career path for Financial Analyst

Investment Banker

Investment Bankers help companies raise capital and advise them on mergers and acquisitions. This course can help you develop the skills you need to understand the financial markets, analyze companies, and make sound investment decisions. The course covers a wide range of topics, including risk and return, correlation and diversification, and the cost of capital. This knowledge will be essential for success in a role as an Investment Banker.

See salaries and explore the career path for Investment Banker

Portfolio Manager

Portfolio Managers are responsible for managing investment portfolios for individuals and institutions. This course can help you develop the skills you need to understand the financial markets, analyze companies, and make sound investment decisions. The course covers a wide range of topics, including risk and return, correlation and diversification, and the cost of capital. This knowledge will be essential for success in a role as a Portfolio Manager.

See salaries and explore the career path for Portfolio Manager

Corporate Finance Manager

Corporate Finance Managers are responsible for managing the financial resources of companies. This course can help you develop the skills you need to understand the financial markets, analyze companies, and make sound investment decisions. The course covers a wide range of topics, including risk and return, correlation and diversification, and the cost of capital. This knowledge will be essential for success in a role as a Corporate Finance Manager.

See salaries and explore the career path for Corporate Finance Manager

Equity Research Analyst

Equity Research Analysts are responsible for providing research and analysis on companies to investors. This course can help you develop the skills you need to understand the financial markets, analyze companies, and make sound investment decisions. The course covers a wide range of topics, including risk and return, correlation and diversification, and the cost of capital. This knowledge will be essential for success in a role as an Equity Research Analyst.

See salaries and explore the career path for Equity Research Analyst

Private Equity Associate

Private Equity Associates are responsible for evaluating and investing in private companies. This course can help you develop the skills you need to understand the financial markets, analyze companies, and make sound investment decisions. The course covers a wide range of topics, including risk and return, correlation and diversification, and the cost of capital. This knowledge will be essential for success in a role as a Private Equity Associate.

See salaries and explore the career path for Private Equity Associate

Hedge Fund Manager

Hedge Fund Managers are responsible for managing hedge funds, which are investment funds that use advanced investment strategies. This course can help you develop the skills you need to understand the financial markets, analyze companies, and make sound investment decisions. The course covers a wide range of topics, including risk and return, correlation and diversification, and the cost of capital. This knowledge will be essential for success in a role as a Hedge Fund Manager.

See salaries and explore the career path for Hedge Fund Manager

Chief Financial Officer (CFO)

Chief Financial Officers (CFOs) are responsible for overseeing the financial operations of companies. This course can help you develop the skills you need to understand the financial markets, analyze companies, and make sound investment decisions. The course covers a wide range of topics, including risk and return, correlation and diversification, and the cost of capital. This knowledge will be essential for success in a role as a CFO.

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

Venture Capitalist

Venture Capitalists are responsible for investing in early-stage companies. This course can help you develop the skills you need to understand the financial markets, analyze companies, and make sound investment decisions. The course covers a wide range of topics, including risk and return, correlation and diversification, and the cost of capital. This knowledge will be essential for success in a role as a Venture Capitalist.

See salaries and explore the career path for Venture Capitalist

Financial Consultant

Financial Consultants provide financial advice to individuals and businesses on a wide range of topics. This course covers a wide range of topics, including risk and return, correlation and diversification, and the cost of capital. This knowledge will be essential for success in a role as a Financial Consultant.

See salaries and explore the career path for Financial Consultant

Accounting Manager

Accounting Managers are responsible for overseeing the accounting operations of companies. This course covers a wide range of topics, including risk and return, correlation and diversification, and the cost of capital. This knowledge will be essential for success in a role as an Accounting Manager.

See salaries and explore the career path for Accounting Manager

Credit Analyst

Credit Analysts are responsible for assessing the creditworthiness of companies and individuals. This course covers a wide range of topics, including risk and return, correlation and diversification, and the cost of capital. This knowledge will be essential for success in a role as a Credit Analyst.

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Risk Manager

Risk Managers are responsible for identifying and managing the risks associated with companies. This course covers a wide range of topics, including risk and return, correlation and diversification, and the cost of capital. This knowledge will be essential for success in a role as a Risk Manager.

See salaries and explore the career path for Risk Manager

Investment Manager

Investment Managers are responsible for managing the investment portfolios of individuals and institutions. This course covers a wide range of topics, including risk and return, correlation and diversification, and the cost of capital. This knowledge will be essential for success in a role as an Investment Manager.

See salaries and explore the career path for Investment Manager

Financial Planner

Financial Planners help individuals and businesses plan for their financial future. This course covers a wide range of topics, including risk and return, correlation and diversification, and the cost of capital. This knowledge will be essential for success in a role as a Financial Planner.

See salaries and explore the career path for Financial Planner

Reading list

We've selected 42 books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Corporate Finance Essentials.

2025 CFA Program Curriculum Level II Box Set

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Is the official curriculum for the CFA program. It comprehensive and authoritative resource that covers all of the topics that are tested on the CFA exam.

Corporate Finance Essentials

Here's a deal for you

What's inside

Syllabus

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Reviews summary

Corporate finance essential foundations

Activities

Career center

Reading list

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