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⇱ Fundamentals of Finance | Coursera


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Fundamentals of Finance

21,602 already enrolled

Included with

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.
4.7

223 reviews

Beginner level

Recommended experience

1 week to complete
at 10 hours a week

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.
4.7

223 reviews

Beginner level

Recommended experience

1 week to complete
at 10 hours a week

What you'll learn

  • Develop financial forecasts and budgets for expense control and cash flow management.'

  • Analyze financial information to maximize business growth and efficiency.

  • Utilize financial ratios and analysis to enhance business profitability.

Details to know

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Assessments

8 assignments¹

AI Graded see disclaimer
Taught in English
Flexible schedule
Learn at your own pace

Build your subject-matter expertise

This course is part of the Introduction to Business Specialization
When you enroll in this course, you'll also be enrolled in this Specialization.
  • Learn new concepts from industry experts
  • Gain a foundational understanding of a subject or tool
  • Develop job-relevant skills with hands-on projects
  • Earn a shareable career certificate

There are 4 modules in this course

Welcome to Fundamentals of Finance. This 4 module course will help you understand and affect the performance of your unit or organization’s profitability. By the end of this course, you will be able to implement finance and accounting concepts to drive your organization's growth, analyze financial statements and understand the factors in productivity and profitability, and create forecasting and budgeting. You will also have the ability to evaluate and manage cash flow, implement strategies around financing, and use of ratios in running a business.

Welcome to Module 1. In this module, you’ll build a foundation for understanding the three core financial statements—the Balance Sheet, Income Statement, and Statement of Cash Flows—and how they work together. You will learn what each statement measures, where key accounts such as assets, liabilities, equity, revenue, and expenses come from, and how business transactions flow through the accounting system to produce financial reports. By the end of the module, you’ll be able to use these statements to ask better questions, spot issues early, and support stronger business decisions.

What's included

7 videos3 readings2 assignments

7 videosTotal 38 minutes
  • Course Introduction1 minute
  • Finance Basics: Why It Matters4 minutes
  • Balance Sheet Basics6 minutes
  • Journal Entries & the General Ledger6 minutes
  • General Ledger to Balance Sheet6 minutes
  • Income & Gross Profit10 minutes
  • Cash Flow Basics6 minutes
3 readingsTotal 41 minutes
  • Financial Statements: The Big Picture15 minutes
  • Balance Sheet Basics: Build It in 5 Steps16 minutes
  • Balance Sheet Ratios: Liquidity and Risk10 minutes
2 assignmentsTotal 45 minutes
  • Financial Statement Priorities for Your Business15 minutes
  • Module 1 Knowledge Check30 minutes

Welcome to Module 2. In this module, you’ll learn how to use financial information to manage profitability, make smarter labor and productivity decisions, and protect your business from cash shortages. You will practice reading key profit drivers on the Income Statement, evaluating labor costs and output, and understanding how cash flow is generated and used so the business can operate and grow sustainably.

What's included

6 videos2 readings2 assignments

6 videosTotal 46 minutes
  • Profitability Basics5 minutes
  • Profit Planning: Reinvestment & Hidden Costs5 minutes
  • Hiring Right: Process & Protection12 minutes
  • Manage Labor: Productivity & Pay9 minutes
  • Grow Without Losing Margin6 minutes
  • Cash Flow Uses & Reserves10 minutes
2 readingsTotal 21 minutes
  • Profitability Fundamentals10 minutes
  • Cash Flow Basics11 minutes
2 assignmentsTotal 45 minutes
  • Spotting Transactions That Harm Financial Results15 minutes
  • Module 2 Knowledge Check30 minutes

Welcome to Module 3. In this module, you’ll learn how forecasting and financing work together to support business growth. You will build an understanding of how to create forward-looking forecasts, test scenarios, and document assumptions so your numbers are credible. You will also explore common sources of business capital and what lenders and investors typically expect—along with how strong financial records and communication help you build effective banking relationships.

What's included

6 videos3 readings2 assignments

6 videosTotal 33 minutes
  • Forecasting and Financing: Overview3 minutes
  • Forecast Scenarios and Model Setup5 minutes
  • Forecast Assumptions and Adjustments7 minutes
  • Forecast Example: Painting Business4 minutes
  • Startup Funding Sources3 minutes
  • Financing Basics: Banks, Loans, and Credit Lines11 minutes
3 readingsTotal 56 minutes
  • Forecasting vs. Financial Modeling: Key Differences8 minutes
  • Why Forecasting Matters33 minutes
  • Getting a Business Loan: What Lenders Expect15 minutes
2 assignmentsTotal 50 minutes
  • Funding a Business and Working with Lenders20 minutes
  • Module 3 Knowledge Check30 minutes

Welcome to Module 4. In this module, you’ll learn how to scale your business without losing control of cash and expenses. We’ll connect day-to-day decisions to financial results by using the Statement of Cash Flows and key financial ratios. You’ll learn practical ways to monitor expense growth, protect liquidity, and spot early warning signs that growth is putting pressure on the business.

What's included

10 videos3 readings2 assignments

10 videosTotal 49 minutes
  • Growth Control: What Matters3 minutes
  • Cash Flow Statement: Read and Verify4 minutes
  • Cash Timing: Reserves and Credit Lines3 minutes
  • Scaling Operations: People and Process8 minutes
  • Expense Control: Payroll and Top Costs7 minutes
  • Profitability Ratios: Gross Profit Trends8 minutes
  • Receivables: Turnover and Collections8 minutes
  • Inventory: Turnover and Cash Traps2 minutes
  • Liquidity Check: Current and Quick Ratios6 minutes
  • Wrap-Up: Key Takeaways1 minute
3 readingsTotal 45 minutes
  • Ratio Analysis: Why It’s a Core Growth-Control Tool25 minutes
  • Profitability Ratios: Measuring Whether Growth Is Paying Off10 minutes
  • Small Business Financial Management: Practical Habits and Controls10 minutes
2 assignmentsTotal 110 minutes
  • Cash Flow Sustainability and Expense Control with Ratios20 minutes
  • Final Assignment: Financial Controls for Sustainable Growth90 minutes

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Instructor

Instructor ratings
4.8 (62 ratings)
University of California, Irvine
3 Courses46,195 learners

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Showing 3 of 223

DC
·

Reviewed on Oct 9, 2023

great course for understanding basics of book keeping and accounting.

DA
·

Reviewed on Apr 3, 2025

With no real prior business knowledge this course was great in giving me a foundation and more of understanding.

JY
·

Reviewed on Jun 18, 2023

one of the best course I learned alot about cash flow

Frequently asked questions

This course covers essential financial concepts including understanding financial statements, effective cash flow management, strategic financial forecasting and budgeting, and using financial ratios for business analysis. You'll gain foundational knowledge to drive profitability and growth.

You will gain practical skills in financial statement analysis, developing business budgets, creating financial forecasts, managing cash flow, and applying financial ratios to assess business performance. These skills are crucial for informed business decision-making.

This 'Fundamentals of Finance' course is designed for beginners and those looking to solidify their foundational financial acumen. While no prior formal finance or accounting experience is strictly required, a basic understanding of business operations is beneficial.

Mastering financial statements provides critical insights into a company's health and performance, a highly valued skill in business and financial analysis roles. This knowledge empowers you to make data-driven decisions, identify growth opportunities, and contribute to strategic financial management."

To access the course materials, assignments and to earn a Certificate, you will need to purchase the Certificate experience when you enroll in a course. You can try a Free Trial instead, or apply for Financial Aid. The course may offer 'Full Course, No Certificate' instead. This option lets you see all course materials, submit required assessments, and get a final grade. This also means that you will not be able to purchase a Certificate experience.

When you enroll in the course, you get access to all of the courses in the Specialization, and you earn a certificate when you complete the work. Your electronic Certificate will be added to your Accomplishments page - from there, you can print your Certificate or add it to your LinkedIn profile.

Yes. In select learning programs, you can apply for financial aid or a scholarship if you can’t afford the enrollment fee. If fin aid or scholarship is available for your learning program selection, you’ll find a link to apply on the description page.

Financial aid available,

¹ Some assignments in this course are AI-graded. For these assignments, your data will be used in accordance with Coursera's Privacy Notice.