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Financial Forecasting and Reporting

Michael J. Readey, Ph.D.

4.8

Based on 52 ratings

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Michael J. Readey, Ph.D.

This course discusses how public projects are evaluated using cost-benefit analysis. Learners discover how interest rates and prices for stocks and bonds are determined. Techniques are presented on how to create departmental budgets for engineering cost centers and pro forma statements for profit centers. Learners then work with corporate financial statements to assess a company’s financial health, including recent measures of environmental, social, and corporate governance (ESG).

This course can be taken for academic credit as part of CU Boulder’s Master of Engineering in Engineering Management (ME-EM) degree offered on the Coursera platform. The ME-EM is designed to help engineers, scientists, and technical professionals move into leadership and management roles in the engineering and technical sectors. With performance-based admissions and no application process, the ME-EM is ideal for individuals with a broad range of undergraduate education and/or professional experience. Learn more about the ME-EM program at https://www.coursera.org/degrees/me-engineering-management-boulder.

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Syllabus

Understanding Financial Statements

Investment decisions are often based on a company’s financial performance, and such performance is captured in its financial statements. The three examined in this course are the income statement, the balance sheet, and the statement of cash flows. Collectively, these provide a clear picture of a company’s profitability, its net worth, and how it manages its cash.

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Suitable for engineering managers and executives new to capital budgeting and financial reporting

Emphasizes techniques for valuing investment opportunities and evaluating project risk

Provides practical guidance on preparing and analyzing financial statements and creating budgets

Demonstrates how to integrate sustainability reporting into financial management practices

Led by a professor with extensive experience in engineering management and finance

May require additional knowledge of finance and accounting for those new to these topics

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Reviews summary

Essential financial skills for managers

According to students, this course provides an excellent foundation in financial forecasting and reporting, particularly for those in or aspiring to management and leadership roles. Learners consistently praise the instructor's clear and engaging teaching style, making complex topics easily understandable. The course content is highly valued for its practicality and real-world applicability, with many finding the assignments and exercises directly useful in their professional lives. While the pace is suitable for most, some learners suggest a basic finance background could be beneficial, ensuring a smoother learning experience. Overall, it's considered a highly relevant and well-structured course that stands the test of time.

May be fast-paced; some finance background can be beneficial.

"While the course is excellent, I found it moved quite quickly, so a basic understanding of finance helps."

"It's a great course, but new learners to finance might need to review some concepts to keep up with the pace."

"I recommend refreshing on fundamental accounting principles before diving into this course for optimal learning."

Covers up-to-date topics like ESG, vital for modern business.

"This course is relevant to current times, especially the module on sustainability reporting and ESG."

"The discussion on financial statements and risk management feels very timely and applicable today."

"I appreciate the inclusion of ESG metrics, which is crucial for modern corporate governance."

The course material is well-organized and easy to follow.

"The content is well organized, easy to follow, and very relevant to current business practices."

"I found the overall structure of the course to be excellent, making it easy to absorb complex financial concepts."

"The course outlines complex ideas very clearly, making it digestible even without a strong finance background."

Concepts are highly applicable to professional work and decision-making.

"I found the practical exercises to be very helpful in solidifying my understanding, directly applicable to my job."

"The content is very much useful for those aspiring to move into management roles, with real-world examples."

"I gained practical tools and strategies that I could apply immediately to my work in financial management."

Dr. Barbera's teaching style is clear and highly effective.

"The instructor, Dr. Robert S. Barbera, teaches these concepts extremely well, and makes complex topics easy to understand."

"Dr. Barbera is an amazing instructor who explains concepts clearly and provides relevant real-world examples."

"I truly enjoyed learning from Dr. Barbera; his lectures were clear, concise, and incredibly engaging."

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 Financial Forecasting and Reporting with these activities:

Volunteer at a financial services organization

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Gain practical experience in the financial services industry while giving back to the community.

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Find a financial services organization that offers volunteer opportunities.
Apply for the volunteer position and complete the necessary training.
Perform your volunteer duties, such as assisting with financial literacy programs or providing administrative support.

Review accounting basics

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Review the basics of accounting to ensure a strong foundation for understanding financial statements.

Browse courses on Accounting

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Review journal entries and trial balances.
Practice creating simple income statements and balance sheets.
Review the process of adjusting entries.

Follow tutorials on financial budgeting and forecasting

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Enhance your skills in financial budgeting and forecasting through guided tutorials.

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Find reputable online tutorials or courses on financial budgeting and forecasting.
Follow the tutorials step-by-step.
Practice applying the techniques you learn to real-world scenarios.

Three other activities

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Solve financial analysis problems

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Practice applying financial analysis techniques to real-world scenarios.

Browse courses on Financial Analysis

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Find financial data on publicly traded companies.
Calculate key financial ratios such as profitability, liquidity, and solvency.
Use the ratios to analyze the financial health of the companies.

Read Measuring and Managing Financial Risk

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Gain a deeper understanding of financial risk and techniques for managing it.

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Read chapters 1-3 to gain an overview of financial risk.
Read chapters 4-6 to learn about specific risk management techniques.
Complete the practice problems at the end of each chapter to test your understanding.

Create a financial model

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Develop your financial modeling skills by creating a model for a specific business scenario.

Browse courses on Financial Modeling

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Identify the business scenario and the financial metrics to be analyzed.
Gather and organize the relevant financial data.
Build the financial model using a software tool such as Excel or Google Sheets.
Test and validate the model by comparing its outputs to historical data.
Use the model to analyze the business scenario and make recommendations.

Career center

Learners who complete Financial Forecasting and Reporting will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Financial Analyst

Financial Analysts study and analyze a company’s financial health. Professionals in this role use their skills and expertise to make sound recommendations about investments. This Financial Forecasting and Reporting course can help you develop the analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills needed to succeed as a Financial Analyst. The course will equip you with the knowledge and skills to analyze financial statements, make investment decisions, and manage risk. With the skills learned in this course and further experience, you may be well-qualified for this role.

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Investment Banker

Investment Bankers help companies and governments raise money by issuing and selling debt or equity. They also provide advice on mergers and acquisitions. This Financial Forecasting and Reporting course can help you develop the financial modeling, valuation, and presentation skills needed to succeed in this field. This course can help prepare you to produce financial models to assess the financial health of a company, which is a critical part of an Investment Banker’s daily work. The course also teaches budgeting, forecasting, and risk management concepts, all of which are critical to a successful career in Investment Banking.

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Portfolio Manager

Portfolio Managers manage and invest money on behalf of individuals and institutions. They make investment decisions based on their analysis of financial markets and economic conditions. This Financial Forecasting and Reporting course can help you understand the financial principles, theories, and techniques used for investment management. The course covers topics such as asset allocation, risk management, and performance evaluation, all of which are essential for success in this role. You will become familiar with the financial analysis techniques used by professionals in this field and gain insights into how to evaluate and make recommendations on stocks and bonds.

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Risk Manager

Risk Managers identify, assess, and mitigate financial risks for companies. They develop and implement risk management strategies to protect their company's assets and earnings. This Financial Forecasting and Reporting course can help you develop the financial analysis, risk assessment, and risk management skills needed to succeed as a Risk Manager. You will gain foundational knowledge of financial reporting, the ability to analyze financial performance, and an understanding of the techniques used to measure and manage risk..

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Corporate Finance Manager

Corporate Finance Managers oversee the financial planning, budgeting, and investment activities of a company. They also make recommendations on mergers and acquisitions. This Financial Forecasting and Reporting course will help you develop a strong understanding of corporate finance principles and practices, financial analysis, and budgeting, all of which are essential for success as a Corporate Finance Manager.

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Financial Planner

Financial Planners help individuals and families achieve their financial goals. They provide advice on budgeting, saving, investing, and retirement planning. This Financial Forecasting and Reporting course can help you develop the financial planning and advising skills that are essential for success as a Financial Planner. It will also provide you with a solid understanding of financial markets and investment principles. This course will help you build the foundation you need to provide sound financial advice and guidance to clients.

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Auditor

Auditors examine and evaluate financial records to ensure accuracy and compliance with regulations. They investigate financial transactions and prepare reports on their findings. This Financial Forecasting and Reporting course can help you develop the accounting and auditing skills needed to succeed as an Auditor. The course will provide you with a strong understanding of financial reporting standards and regulations, as well as the techniques used to audit financial statements.

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Accountant

Accountants prepare and maintain financial records for businesses and individuals. They also prepare tax returns and provide accounting advice. This Financial Forecasting and Reporting course will help you develop the accounting skills needed to succeed as an Accountant. The course will provide you with a strong foundation in accounting principles and practices, as well as the skills needed to prepare financial statements and tax returns.

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Budget Analyst

Budget Analysts plan and manage budgets for governments and corporations. They analyze financial data and make recommendations on how to allocate resources. This Financial Forecasting and Reporting course can help you develop the budgeting and financial analysis skills needed to succeed as a Budget Analyst. The course will provide you with a strong understanding of budgeting principles and practices, as well as the techniques used to analyze financial data.

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Cost Accountant

Cost Accountants analyze and report on the costs of a company's products and services. They identify ways to reduce costs and improve efficiency. This Financial Forecasting and Reporting course can help you develop the cost accounting skills needed to succeed as a Cost Accountant. The course will provide you with a strong foundation in accounting principles and practices, as well as the techniques used to analyze and report on costs.

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Financial Advisor

Financial Advisors provide financial advice and guidance to individuals and families. They help clients achieve their financial goals, such as saving for retirement or buying a home. This Financial Forecasting and Reporting course can help you develop the financial planning and advising skills needed to succeed as a Financial Advisor. The course will provide you with a strong understanding of financial markets and investment principles, as well as the techniques used to provide financial advice.

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Insurance Actuary

Insurance Actuaries use mathematics and statistics to assess and manage risk for insurance companies. They determine the premiums that policyholders should pay and the amount of money that the company should set aside to cover potential claims. This Financial Forecasting and Reporting course may be useful as it will provide you with a strong foundation in financial and statistical concepts. The course will also help you develop the analytical and problem-solving skills that are essential for success as an Insurance Actuary.

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Quantitative Analyst

Quantitative Analysts use mathematical and statistical models to analyze financial data and make investment recommendations. They work for hedge funds, investment banks, and other financial institutions. This Financial Forecasting and Reporting course may be useful as it will provide you with a strong foundation in financial and statistical concepts. The course will also help you develop the analytical and problem-solving skills that are essential for success as a Quantitative Analyst.

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Data Analyst

Data Analysts collect, analyze, and interpret data to help businesses make informed decisions. They use their skills in statistics, programming, and data visualization to extract insights from data. This Financial Forecasting and Reporting course may be useful as it will provide you with a strong foundation in statistical concepts and data analysis techniques. The course will also help you develop the problem-solving and communication skills that are essential for success as a Data Analyst.

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Software Engineer

Software Engineers design, develop, and maintain software applications. They work for a wide range of industries, including finance, healthcare, and transportation. This Financial Forecasting and Reporting course may be useful as it will provide you with a basic understanding of financial concepts and principles. The course will also help you develop the problem-solving and analytical skills that are essential for success as a Software Engineer.

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Reading list

We've selected 13 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 Financial Forecasting and Reporting.

Corrections in the Community

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As the name implies, this text covers cost-benefit analysis for public projects. The introductory chapters give a thorough grounding in benefit-cost analysis. will provide a great deal of depth to this topic covered in this course.

Corrections in the Community

Paperback

Corrections in the Community, Fifth Edition

Paperback

Corrections in the Community, Fourth Edition

Paperback

Financial Reporting and Analysis

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This text gives a great background in ratio analysis, which is covered in this course. Some prior exposure to financial reporting is required, but this book will help prepare anyone new to the topics covered in this course.

Financial Forecasting and Reporting

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What's inside

Syllabus

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Reviews summary

Essential financial skills for managers

Activities

Career center

Reading list

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