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Finance for Managers

When it comes to numbers, there is always more than meets the eye. In operational finance, you will learn how to read the “story” that the balance sheet and income statement tells about the company’s operations. The insights you gain from this “financial story” will then become a tool for short-term decision-making at the top management level relating to current assets, current liabilities and the management of working capital. Finally, by the end of the course you will understand the financial consequences of managerial decisions on operations, marketing, etc.

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Syllabus

Course Overview & Week 1

Welcome to Operational Finance: Finance for Managers. In this course you will learn the basics of operational finance to help you make sound financial decision or to run a robust business! Before you get started with this week's video content, please have a look at the course syllabus. In this first week, we'll discuss what operational finance is all about by looking at a business case. What do the numbers on the Balance Sheet and P&L Statement tell us about its performance and future prospects? If you were a bank, would you approve a half million euro loan for this business? Why or why not? Course objective: To get an overview of operational finance and the types of analyses necessary to develop solid financing decisions.

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Examines operational finance concepts like NFO, WC, and DuPont Analysis, providing a comprehensive overview of key aspects

Taught by Miguel Antón, a seasoned instructor in finance and management

Develops tools like sensitivity analysis for evaluating potential outcomes and decision-making

Covers financial ratios and forecasting, building a solid foundation for operational finance management

Suitable for individuals seeking to understand operational finance for decision-making in top management

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Reviews summary

Practical finance for managers

According to learners, this course offers a largely positive experience, providing a solid foundation in operational finance. Many students found the case study method, particularly the Polypanel case, to be highly engaging and an effective way to learn. Reviewers frequently highlighted the practical applicability of the concepts taught, noting that the course provides tools and insights directly useful for managerial decision-making. The lectures are often described as clear and easy to understand, making potentially complex topics accessible. While the course is highly praised for its relevance to managers and beginners, some with more extensive finance backgrounds felt the content was too basic and lacked sufficient depth in certain areas, suggesting it is best suited for those new to the subject.

Covers core operational finance concepts.

"The course focuses heavily on operational ratios, NFO, and Working Capital."

"It provides a good overview of reading balance sheets and P&L statements."

"Covers key concepts like forecasting and sensitivity analysis."

"The syllabus accurately reflects the fundamental topics covered."

Great starting point for operational finance.

"As someone new to finance, I found this course to be an excellent introduction."

"It covers the fundamentals needed for managers who don't have a finance background."

"This course is perfect for beginners looking to understand company financials."

Complex topics are explained clearly.

"The instructor did an excellent job explaining complex finance concepts clearly."

"His teaching style made potentially difficult topics easy to grasp."

"I really appreciated the clarity of the lectures and examples provided."

"The explanations were straightforward and didn't rely on jargon."

Learning through the Polypanel case is effective.

"The Polypanel case study was a great way to understand the concepts presented."

"Applying the financial ratios and analysis techniques to a real case solidified my learning."

"I found the case study format very engaging and it helped connect theory to practice."

"Working through the case made the abstract finance ideas much more concrete."

Provides tools useful for managerial decisions.

"The insights I gained are immediately useful in my work as a manager."

"This course provided practical tools and strategies that I could apply immediately."

"I learned how to better analyze the financial impact of my decisions."

"Highly relevant for anyone in a management position needing finance skills."

May be too basic for experienced learners.

"As someone with a background in finance, I found the course too basic."

"While good for beginners, it doesn't go into sufficient depth for experienced professionals."

"Could use more advanced topics or complex scenarios."

"I was hoping for more challenging material given my prior knowledge."

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 Finance for Managers with these activities:

Create a study guide for operational finance

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Organize your learning materials to help you prepare for the course and retain information in the long term. Focus on creating a study guide that includes key concepts, formulas, and practice questions.

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Gather your learning materials.
Identify the key concepts in each chapter.
Summarize the key concepts in your own words.
Create practice questions to test your understanding.

Review operational finance basics

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Refresh your knowledge of the basics of operational finance to ensure you have a strong foundation for this course.

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Review the course syllabus and objectives.
Read the textbook chapter on operational finance basics.
Complete the online quiz on operational finance basics.

Calculate operational ratios

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Practice calculating operational ratios to improve your understanding of how to analyze a company's financial performance.

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Gather the necessary financial data from a company's financial statements.
Calculate the operational ratios using the appropriate formulas.
Interpret the results of your calculations to assess the company's financial health.

Four other activities

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Discuss operational finance concepts with peers

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Join a peer group to discuss your knowledge and experience of operational finance topics. This will help you learn from others and reinforce your understanding.

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Find a peer group or study buddy.
Set up a regular meeting time.
Prepare some discussion topics.
Participate actively in the discussions.

Volunteer at a non-profit organization

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Apply your operational finance skills to real-world situations by volunteering at a non-profit organization. You'll gain valuable experience and make a positive impact on your community.

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Find a non-profit organization that you are interested in.
Contact the organization to inquire about volunteer opportunities.
Complete the necessary paperwork.
Attend a volunteer orientation.
Start volunteering!

Manage the finances of a simulated company

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Gain practical experience in managing the finances of a company by applying the concepts you learn in this course.

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Find a financial management simulation game.
Create a team to play the game.
Develop a financial strategy for your company.
Implement your financial strategy.
Monitor your company's financial performance.
Make adjustments to your financial strategy as needed.

Develop a financial forecast for a company

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Develop a financial forecast for a company to demonstrate your understanding of how to use operational finance to make informed financial decisions.

Browse courses on Financial Forecasting

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Gather the necessary financial data from a company's financial statements.
Use a financial forecasting model to project the company's future financial performance.
Analyze the results of your forecast to identify potential risks and opportunities.
Prepare a financial forecast report that summarizes your findings.

Career center

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

Financial Manager

Financial Managers are responsible for the financial health of an organization. They are involved in planning, organizing, directing, and controlling financial resources. They may also be responsible for developing and implementing financial policies and procedures. Finance for Managers may be useful as it provides an overview of operational finance and the types of analyses necessary to develop solid financing decisions.

See salaries and explore the career path for Financial Manager

Budget Analyst

Budget Analysts are responsible for developing, analyzing, and managing budgets. They may also be responsible for forecasting financial needs and developing financial plans. Finance for Managers may be useful as it provides an overview of operational finance and the types of analyses necessary to develop solid financing decisions.

See salaries and explore the career path for Budget Analyst

Financial Analyst

Financial Analysts are responsible for analyzing financial data and making recommendations on investment decisions. They may also be responsible for developing financial models and conducting financial research. Finance for Managers may be useful as it provides an overview of operational finance and the types of analyses necessary to develop solid financing decisions.

See salaries and explore the career path for Financial Analyst

Management Consultant

Management Consultants are responsible for providing advice to businesses on how to improve their operations. They may also be responsible for developing and implementing new strategies. Finance for Managers may be useful as it provides an overview of operational finance and the types of analyses necessary to develop solid financing decisions.

See salaries and explore the career path for Management Consultant

Investment Banker

Investment Bankers are responsible for advising businesses on how to raise capital. They may also be responsible for structuring and executing financial transactions. Finance for Managers may be useful as it provides an overview of operational finance and the types of analyses necessary to develop solid financing decisions.

See salaries and explore the career path for Investment Banker

Venture Capitalist

Venture Capitalists are responsible for investing in early-stage businesses. They may also be responsible for providing guidance and support to these businesses. Finance for Managers may be useful as it provides an overview of operational finance and the types of analyses necessary to develop solid financing decisions.

See salaries and explore the career path for Venture Capitalist

Chief Financial Officer (CFO)

Chief Financial Officers are responsible for the financial health of an organization. They are involved in planning, organizing, directing, and controlling financial resources. They may also be responsible for developing and implementing financial policies and procedures. Finance for Managers may be useful as it provides an overview of operational finance and the types of analyses necessary to develop solid financing decisions.

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

Controller

Controllers are responsible for the day-to-day financial operations of an organization. They may also be responsible for preparing financial statements and reports. Finance for Managers may be useful as it provides an overview of operational finance and the types of analyses necessary to develop solid financing decisions.

See salaries and explore the career path for Controller

Auditor

Auditors are responsible for examining the financial records of an organization to ensure that they are accurate and complete. They may also be responsible for providing advice on how to improve financial controls. Finance for Managers may be useful as it provides an overview of operational finance and the types of analyses necessary to develop solid financing decisions.

See salaries and explore the career path for Auditor

Tax Accountant

Tax Accountants are responsible for preparing and filing tax returns for individuals and businesses. They may also be responsible for providing advice on tax planning and tax law. Finance for Managers may be useful as it provides an overview of operational finance and the types of analyses necessary to develop solid financing decisions.

See salaries and explore the career path for Tax Accountant

Financial Planner

Financial Planners are responsible for helping individuals and families plan for their financial future. They may also be responsible for providing advice on investments, retirement planning, and estate planning. Finance for Managers may be useful as it provides an overview of operational finance and the types of analyses necessary to develop solid financing decisions.

See salaries and explore the career path for Financial Planner

Risk Manager

Risk Managers are responsible for identifying, assessing, and managing risks to an organization. They may also be responsible for developing and implementing risk management plans. Finance for Managers may be useful as it provides an overview of operational finance and the types of analyses necessary to develop solid financing decisions.

See salaries and explore the career path for Risk Manager

Insurance Agent

Insurance Agents are responsible for selling insurance products to individuals and businesses. They may also be responsible for providing advice on insurance coverage and risk management. Finance for Managers may be useful as it provides an overview of operational finance and the types of analyses necessary to develop solid financing decisions.

See salaries and explore the career path for Insurance Agent

Real Estate Agent

Real Estate Agents are responsible for helping individuals and businesses buy, sell, and rent real estate. They may also be responsible for providing advice on real estate investments and market trends. Finance for Managers may be useful as it provides an overview of operational finance and the types of analyses necessary to develop solid financing decisions.

See salaries and explore the career path for Real Estate Agent

Loan Officer

Loan Officers are responsible for evaluating loan applications and approving loans. They may also be responsible for providing advice on loan products and interest rates. Finance for Managers may be useful as it provides an overview of operational finance and the types of analyses necessary to develop solid financing decisions.

See salaries and explore the career path for Loan Officer

Reading list

We've selected nine 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 Finance for Managers.

Financial Management

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Provides a comprehensive overview of financial management, covering topics such as capital budgeting, cost of capital, and working capital management. It good resource for students who want to learn more about the theory and practice of financial management.

Finance for Managers

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What's inside

Syllabus

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Reviews summary

Practical finance for managers

Activities

Career center

Reading list

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