COURSE DESCRIPTION

This course provides a study of finance techniques, concepts, and procedures related to the role of auditors, senior-level accountants, and controllers in business organizations including discussions related to the functions and management responsibilities. Central to this will be addressing two issues: understanding what corporate finance is and how a controller provides analysis and recommendations in the financial activities of a firm.

COURSE TOPICS

Analysis of financial statements
Capital structure decisions
Bonds, valuation, and risk
Identifying conflicts in financial decision making

COURSE OBJECTIVES

After completing this course, you should be able to:

CO1 Integrate theoretical concepts to practical application in corporate finance.

CO2 Assess the role of corporate financial management.

CO3 Interpret financial models for capital planning and investments.

CO4 Analyze risk in the corporation as it applies to financial investments.

CO5 Evaluate capital projects using analytical tools.

CO6 Summarize how company globalization presents opportunities and challenges in corporate finance.

CO7 Prepare financial analysis relative to decision making.

CO8 Evaluate market fluctuations pertaining to bonds and bond options.

COURSE MATERIALS

You will need the following materials to complete your coursework. Some course materials may be free, open source, or available from other providers. You can access free or open-source materials by clicking the links provided below or in the module details documents. To purchase course materials, please visit the University's textbook supplier.

Required Textbook

Ehrhardt, M.C. & Brigham, E.F. (2017). Corporate Finance: A Focused Approach (6th ed.). Boston, MA: Cengage Learning.

ISBN-13: 978-1305637108

COURSE STRUCTURE

Financial Essentials for Accountants is a three-credit, online course consisting of four modules. Modules include an overview, topics, learning objectives, study materials, and activities. Module titles are listed below.

Module 1: Introduction to Finance and Value Creation
Course objectives covered in this module: CO1, CO2, CO3
Module 2: Capitalization Techniques
Course objectives covered in this module: CO1, CO2, CO3, CO4, CO5, CO6, CO7, CO8
Module 3: Projects and Their Valuation
Course objectives covered in this module: CO1, CO3, CO4, CO5, CO6, CO7, CO8
Module 4: Globalization of Finance

Course objectives covered in this module: CO1, CO2, CO3, CO4, CO5, CO6, CO7, CO8

ASSESSMENT METHODS

For your formal work in the course, you are required to participate in online discussion forums, complete written assignments, and complete a final project. See below for details.

Consult the Course Calendar for due dates.

Discussion Forums

You are required to participate in eight graded discussion forums. There is also one ungraded but required Introductions Forum in Module 1.

Discussion forums are on a variety of topics associated with the course modules. The purpose of the discussion forums is to help make the connection between the course concepts and the goals of the course. In discussion posts, you express your opinions and thoughts, provide support and evidence for the position(s) you take on a subject, and have the opportunity to ask questions and expand on insights provided by your colleagues. Active participation is vital to your overall success in this course.

Located within the Evaluation Rubrics folder of the course website is the online discussion forum rubric used to aid in the grading of all online discussion assignments.

Written Assignments

You are required to complete four written assignments. The written assignments are on a variety of topics associated with the course modules.

Synchronous Events

You are required to participate in two synchronous events during Week 2 and 6 of the semester. Each synchronous event will be held in Edison Live!, our virtual meeting space. To access the event, click on the Edison Live! link in the top section of the course site a few minutes before the designated time. Use the following link for directions and helpful videos about how to use the Edison Live! tool in Moodle. Your mentor will work with the class to propose a time that works best and accommodates the majority. Both synchronous events will focus on the issues or questions related to the final project. See the Module 1 and Module 3 areas of the course website for further details.

Final Project

You are required to complete a final project based on the case study of Starbucks company. You will provide an in-depth analysis of Starbucks from the perspective of determining whether your company should invest and purchase shares of stock to fund a capital expansion. For details and guidelines of the final project, please refer to the Final Project area of the course website.

GRADING AND EVALUATION

Your grade in the course will be determined as follows:

Discussion forums (8)—30 percent
Synchronous events (2)—10 percent
Written assignments (4)—30 percent

Written assignments 1, 2, 4—27 percent
Written assignment 3—3 percent

Final project—30 percent

All activities will receive a numerical grade of 0–100. You will receive a score of 0 for any work not submitted. Your final grade in the course will be a letter grade. Letter grade equivalents for numerical grades are as follows:

A	=	93–100	B	=	83–87
A–	=	90–92	C	=	73–82
B+	=	88–89	F	=	Below 73

To receive credit for the course, you must earn a letter grade of C or higher on the weighted average of all assigned course work (e.g., assignments, discussion postings, projects). Graduate students must maintain a B average overall to remain in good academic standing.

STRATEGIES FOR SUCCESS

First Steps to Success

To succeed in this course, take the following first steps:

Read carefully the entire Syllabus, making sure that all aspects of the course are clear to you and that you have all the materials required for the course.
Take time to read the entire Online Student Handbook. The Handbook answers many questions about how to proceed through the course and how to get the most from your educational experience at Thomas Edison State University.
Familiarize yourself with the learning management systems environment—how to navigate it and what the various course areas contain. If you know what to expect as you navigate the course, you can better pace yourself and complete the work on time.
Familiarize yourself with the learning management systems environment—how to navigate it and what the various course areas contain. If you know what to expect as you navigate the course, you can better pace yourself and complete the work on time.
If you are not familiar with web-based learning be sure to review the processes for posting responses online and submitting assignments before class begins.

Study Tips

Consider the following study tips for success:

To stay on track throughout the course, begin each week by consulting the Course Calendar. The Course Calendar provides an overview of the course and indicates due dates for submitting assignments, posting discussions, and scheduling and taking examinations.
Check Announcements regularly for new course information.

ACADEMIC POLICIES

To ensure success in all your academic endeavors and coursework at Thomas Edison State University, familiarize yourself with all administrative and academic policies including those related to academic integrity, course late submissions, course extensions, and grading policies.

For more, see: