Starting a Business 5: Managing Finances from FutureLearn

Most FutureLearn courses run multiple times. Every run of a course has a set start date but you can join it and work through it after it starts. Find out more This course is part of the Going to University collection which has been specifically designed for students at schools and colleges. They provide a taster of undergraduate study at the University of Leeds and help students to decide which subject to study at university. Completion of the courses will also enhance students’ university applications. The courses can also be used as a teachers’ classroom enrichment resource. Courses in this collection are also great for people that want an introduction in the specific subjects discussed in each course.

Topics Covered

The importance of financial information
An introduction to key financial information: sales revenue forecast; profit and loss forecast; and cash flow forecast
Analysing and interpreting financial performance
How to increase profitability
Marketing a product in terms of price and number of sales
Key financial forecasts: determining the viability of a business opportunity
The business plan: business finances

Reviews summary

Introduction to business finance basics

According to learners, this course offers a solid introduction to the fundamental financial concepts required when starting a business. Students appreciate that the content is presented in a clear and understandable manner, making complex topics like profit and loss, cash flow, and revenue forecasts accessible for beginners. While many found it highly practical for understanding business viability, some reviews suggest it serves more as a basic overview and might be too elementary for those with existing finance knowledge. Overall, it's seen as a valuable starting point, particularly for students considering university study in business or individuals just beginning to explore the financial side of entrepreneurship.

Helpful as an intro to business study.

"As someone considering business at university, this course gave me a useful glimpse into the finance side."

"It aligns well with the description as a 'taster' course for students."

"I could see how this would be really helpful for high school students thinking about finance or business majors."

Provides essential finance basics for startups.

"This course gave me a really good handle on the basic financial forecasts needed for my business plan."

"I now understand the key numbers I need to track to know if my business idea is viable."

"It provided a great foundation on how to look at sales, costs, and potential profit."

Content is easy to follow for beginners.

"The course explained complex financial terms in a way that was easy for me to understand as a beginner."

"I found the explanations of cash flow and profit and loss statements particularly clear and concise."

"Everything was broken down into simple steps, which made managing finances feel less daunting."

May be too simple for experienced learners.

"While good for absolute beginners, I felt it was a bit too basic and didn't go deep enough into financial analysis."

"If you already have some background in accounting or finance, this might just be a quick refresh."

"I was hoping for slightly more advanced tactics on managing finances, but it focused purely on the fundamentals."

Career center

Learners who complete Starting a Business 5: Managing Finances will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Starting a Business 5

Managing Finances

Topics Covered

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Reviews summary

Introduction to business finance basics

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