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Introduction to Corporate Finance

Michael R Roberts

4.6

Based on 6,322 ratings

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Michael R Roberts

This course provides a brief introduction to the fundamentals of finance, emphasizing their application to a wide variety of real-world situations spanning personal finance, corporate decision-making, and financial intermediation. Key concepts and applications include: time value of money, risk-return tradeoff, cost of capital, interest rates, retirement savings, mortgage financing, auto leasing, capital budgeting, asset valuation, discounted cash flow (DCF) analysis, net present value, internal rate of return, hurdle rate, payback period.

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What's inside

Syllabus

Week 1: Time Value of Money

Welcome to Introduction to Corporate Finance! This first module will introduce you to one of the most important foundational concepts in Finance, the time value of money. Before diving into the Video lectures, I encourage you to take a look at the brief pre-reading for the course. Specifically, have a look at “Big Picture Course Motivation,” for additional motivation and context for the course, “Time Value of Money Overview,” for a motivation and context for our first topic, and “Quiz Problem Answer Input.” This last note is particularly important to avoid confusion with the problem sets. Then, go to the Video Lectures and start learning Finance!

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Introduces foundational concepts in finance including the time value of money, risk-return tradeoffs, valuation, and discounted cash flow analysis

Taught by Michael Roberts, a highly respected instructor in finance

Provides real-world applications of finance concepts in personal finance, corporate decision-making, and financial intermediation

Suitable for beginners seeking an introduction to the fundamentals of finance

Covers key concepts and applications in finance, including time value of money, risk-return tradeoffs, cost of capital, and valuation

Features video lectures, problem sets, and interactive materials to enhance understanding

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Reviews summary

Solid introduction to corporate finance fundamentals

According to learners, this course provides a solid foundation in core corporate finance concepts, making complex topics like time value of money and discounted cash flow analysis accessible. Students frequently praise the clarity of the lectures and the instructor's ability to explain challenging ideas effectively. The course is seen as a highly valuable introduction for those new to finance or looking to refresh their knowledge, offering practical applications relevant to both corporate decision-making and personal finance scenarios. While some found the quizzes and assignments sometimes challenging or the pace quick, the overall sentiment is overwhelmingly positive, highlighting its strength as a starting point.

Video lectures are engaging and well-paced.

"The video lectures were engaging and easy to follow."

"I liked the format of the lectures, they kept my attention."

"The lecture videos were well-structured and paced appropriately."

"The instructor's delivery made the lectures enjoyable."

"Found the lecture content consistently interesting."

Concepts applied to real-world scenarios.

"The practical examples given in the lectures, especially regarding personal finance applications, were very helpful."

"I appreciated the real-world case studies that showed how the concepts are used in practice."

"This course taught me practical applications for things like mortgages and retirement savings."

"Learned practical skills applicable to both business and personal finance decisions."

"The course provides relevant tools for analyzing financial situations."

Excellent introduction to finance fundamentals.

"This course provides a great foundation in corporate finance."

"It's a perfect starting point for anyone interested in learning about finance, whether for personal or professional reasons."

"I gained a strong understanding of fundamental concepts that are crucial for further study or application."

"The course really helped solidify my basic understanding of finance."

"An excellent introduction covering key initial concepts."

Instructor explains complex topics simply.

"The professor explains the topics in an amazing and crystal clear way which helps to understand really difficult topics and solve hard exercises."

"The material is presented in a very clear manner, even for complex topics."

"The professor is very good at explaining concepts clearly and concisely."

"I really appreciated how complex ideas were broken down into understandable components."

"The explanations are top-notch, making learning easy."

Quizzes and problems can be difficult.

"Some of the quizzes and homework problems were quite challenging and required significant effort."

"I found the input format for some quiz answers a bit confusing."

"The level of difficulty on the assignments sometimes jumped significantly."

"Preparing for the quizzes took more time than expected."

"The problem sets really tested my understanding and required careful work."

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 Introduction to Corporate Finance with these activities:

Review basic accounting concepts

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Revisit fundamental accounting concepts, such as balance sheets, income statements, and cash flow statements, to strengthen your foundation and enhance your understanding of financial analysis.

Browse courses on Accounting

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Review notes or textbooks on basic accounting principles
Complete practice exercises or online quizzes

Read Principles of Corporate Finance

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Familiarize yourself with the key concepts of corporate finance, such as time value of money, capital budgeting, and risk and return, which are essential for success in this course.

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Read chapters 1-3 of the book
Complete the end-of-chapter review questions
Take notes on key concepts and formulas

Value everyday financial decisions

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Apply the concept of time value of money to everyday financial decisions, such as saving for retirement or financing a car purchase, helping you understand its practical relevance.

Browse courses on Time Value of Money

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Calculate the future value of a savings deposit
Compare the present value of two different investment options
Determine the monthly payment on a car loan

Five other activities

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Design a financial plan for a small business

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Create a comprehensive financial plan for a small business, outlining financial goals, strategies, and a budget, which will enhance your understanding of corporate decision-making and financial management.

Browse courses on Capital Budgeting

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Define financial goals and objectives
Analyze the business's financial statements
Develop financial projections
Create a budget and monitor financial performance

Hold a group discussion on current financial news

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Participate in regular group discussions to analyze current financial news and market trends, fostering collaboration and deepening your understanding of real-world financial applications.

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Select a news article or financial event to discuss
Prepare talking points and research background information
Engage in active listening and contribute to the discussion

Learn about advanced financial modeling techniques

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Enroll in online tutorials or workshops to delve into advanced financial modeling techniques, such as sensitivity analysis, scenario planning, and Monte Carlo simulations, which will enhance your proficiency in financial analysis.

Browse courses on Discounted Cash Flow Analysis

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Identify an online tutorial or workshop on financial modeling
Follow the instructions and complete the exercises
Apply the techniques to real-world financial scenarios

Participate in a financial case competition

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Challenge yourself by participating in a financial case competition, where you will analyze real-world financial scenarios and present your recommendations, developing your problem-solving and communication skills.

Browse courses on Corporate Finance

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Identify a financial case competition
Form a team and research the case
Develop a financial analysis and recommendations
Present your findings to a panel of judges

Contribute to a financial open-source project

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Engage in hands-on learning by contributing to an open-source project related to finance, such as a financial data analysis library or a trading platform, gaining practical experience and enhancing your technical skills.

Browse courses on Finance

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Identify an open-source financial project
Familiarize yourself with the project's codebase
Make code contributions or improve documentation
Collaborate with other contributors

Career center

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

Finance Manager

Finance Managers apply financial principles and analytical skills to assist companies in making sound financial decisions. They oversee and manage all aspects of the financial operations of a business, including the preparation of financial reports, the development of budgets, and the analysis of financial data. This course can help build a foundation for success in this role by providing a comprehensive overview of the fundamentals of finance, including the time value of money, risk-return tradeoff, cost of capital, interest rates, and discounted cash flow analysis.

See salaries and explore the career path for Finance Manager

Financial Analyst

Financial Analysts use their knowledge of finance to evaluate the financial performance of companies and make recommendations on investment decisions. They analyze financial data, conduct research, and develop financial models to assess the risk and return of investments. This course can help build a foundation for success in this role by providing a comprehensive overview of the fundamentals of finance, including the time value of money, risk-return tradeoff, cost of capital, interest rates, and discounted cash flow analysis.

See salaries and explore the career path for Financial Analyst

Investment Banker

Investment Bankers help companies raise capital and provide financial advice on mergers and acquisitions. They analyze financial data, develop financial models, and present investment recommendations to clients. This course can help build a foundation for success in this role by providing a comprehensive overview of the fundamentals of finance, including the time value of money, risk-return tradeoff, cost of capital, interest rates, and discounted cash flow analysis.

See salaries and explore the career path for Investment Banker

Portfolio Manager

Portfolio Managers manage investment portfolios for clients, making decisions on which investments to buy and sell. They analyze financial data, conduct research, and develop investment strategies to maximize returns and minimize risks. This course can help build a foundation for success in this role by providing a comprehensive overview of the fundamentals of finance, including the time value of money, risk-return tradeoff, cost of capital, interest rates, and discounted cash flow analysis.

See salaries and explore the career path for Portfolio Manager

Risk Manager

Risk Managers identify, assess, and mitigate financial risks for companies. They analyze financial data, develop risk management strategies, and implement controls to minimize the likelihood and impact of financial losses. This course can help build a foundation for success in this role by providing a comprehensive overview of the fundamentals of finance, including the time value of money, risk-return tradeoff, cost of capital, interest rates, and discounted cash flow analysis.

See salaries and explore the career path for Risk Manager

Auditor

Auditors examine and evaluate the financial records of companies to ensure that they are accurate and compliant with regulations. They analyze financial data, conduct risk assessments, and issue audit reports. This course can help build a foundation for success in this role by providing a comprehensive overview of the fundamentals of finance, including the time value of money, risk-return tradeoff, cost of capital, interest rates, and discounted cash flow analysis.

See salaries and explore the career path for Auditor

Tax Accountant

Tax Accountants prepare and file tax returns for individuals and businesses. They calculate taxes owed, advise clients on tax laws, and represent clients in audits. This course can help build a foundation for success in this role by providing a comprehensive overview of the fundamentals of finance, including the time value of money, risk-return tradeoff, cost of capital, interest rates, and discounted cash flow analysis.

See salaries and explore the career path for Tax Accountant

Management Consultant

Management Consultants advise companies on how to improve their operations and performance. They analyze business processes, identify areas for improvement, and develop recommendations for change. This course can help build a foundation for success in this role by providing a comprehensive overview of the fundamentals of finance, including the time value of money, risk-return tradeoff, cost of capital, interest rates, and discounted cash flow analysis.

See salaries and explore the career path for Management Consultant

Data Analyst

Data Analysts collect, analyze, and interpret data to identify trends and patterns. They use their findings to make recommendations for businesses on how to improve their operations and performance. This course can help build a foundation for success in this role by providing a comprehensive overview of the fundamentals of finance, including the time value of money, risk-return tradeoff, cost of capital, interest rates, and discounted cash flow analysis.

See salaries and explore the career path for Data Analyst

Business Analyst

Business Analysts analyze business processes and identify areas for improvement. They develop and implement solutions to help businesses achieve their goals. This course can help build a foundation for success in this role by providing a comprehensive overview of the fundamentals of finance, including the time value of money, risk-return tradeoff, cost of capital, interest rates, and discounted cash flow analysis.

See salaries and explore the career path for Business Analyst

Financial Planner

Financial Planners help individuals and families plan for their financial future. They provide advice on a variety of financial topics, including retirement planning, investment planning, and estate planning. This course can help build a foundation for success in this role by providing a comprehensive overview of the fundamentals of finance, including the time value of money, risk-return tradeoff, cost of capital, interest rates, and discounted cash flow analysis.

See salaries and explore the career path for Financial Planner

Loan Officer

Loan Officers evaluate loan applications and determine the creditworthiness of borrowers. They also provide advice to borrowers on different types of loans and their terms. This course can help build a foundation for success in this role by providing a comprehensive overview of the fundamentals of finance, including the time value of money, risk-return tradeoff, cost of capital, interest rates, and discounted cash flow analysis.

See salaries and explore the career path for Loan Officer

Insurance Agent

Insurance Agents sell insurance policies to individuals and businesses. They provide advice on different types of insurance and their coverage. This course may be useful for building a foundation for success in this role by providing a comprehensive overview of the fundamentals of finance, including the time value of money, risk-return tradeoff, cost of capital, interest rates, and discounted cash flow analysis.

See salaries and explore the career path for Insurance Agent

Real Estate Agent

Real Estate Agents help people buy, sell, and rent homes. They provide advice on different types of properties and their prices. This course may be useful for building a foundation for success in this role by providing a comprehensive overview of the fundamentals of finance, including the time value of money, risk-return tradeoff, cost of capital, interest rates, and discounted cash flow analysis.

See salaries and explore the career path for Real Estate Agent

Stockbroker

Stockbrokers help people buy and sell stocks. They provide advice on different types of stocks and their prices. This course may be useful for building a foundation for success in this role by providing a comprehensive overview of the fundamentals of finance, including the time value of money, risk-return tradeoff, cost of capital, interest rates, and discounted cash flow analysis.

See salaries and explore the career path for Stockbroker

Featured in The Course Notes

This course is mentioned in our blog, The Course Notes. Read one article that features Introduction to Corporate Finance:

Learn Corporate Finance from These Online Courses

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Reading list

We've selected 28 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 Introduction to Corporate Finance.

Corporate Finance, Global Edition

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This textbook provides a comprehensive overview of the fundamentals of corporate finance. It covers topics such as the time value of money, risk and return, capital budgeting, and financial statement analysis. would be a valuable resource for students who want to learn more about the basics of corporate finance.

Introduction to Corporate Finance

Two deals to help you save

What's inside

Syllabus

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Save this course

Reviews summary

Solid introduction to corporate finance fundamentals

Activities

Career center

Featured in The Course Notes

Reading list

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