Fundamentals of Finance
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Fundamentals of Finance
This course is part of Introduction to Business Specialization
Instructor: Marla Noel
21,602 already enrolled
Included with
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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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 videos•Total 38 minutes
- Course Introduction•1 minute
- Finance Basics: Why It Matters•4 minutes
- Balance Sheet Basics•6 minutes
- Journal Entries & the General Ledger•6 minutes
- General Ledger to Balance Sheet•6 minutes
- Income & Gross Profit•10 minutes
- Cash Flow Basics•6 minutes
3 readings•Total 41 minutes
- Financial Statements: The Big Picture•15 minutes
- Balance Sheet Basics: Build It in 5 Steps•16 minutes
- Balance Sheet Ratios: Liquidity and Risk•10 minutes
2 assignments•Total 45 minutes
- Financial Statement Priorities for Your Business•15 minutes
- Module 1 Knowledge Check•30 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 videos•Total 46 minutes
- Profitability Basics•5 minutes
- Profit Planning: Reinvestment & Hidden Costs•5 minutes
- Hiring Right: Process & Protection•12 minutes
- Manage Labor: Productivity & Pay•9 minutes
- Grow Without Losing Margin•6 minutes
- Cash Flow Uses & Reserves•10 minutes
2 readings•Total 21 minutes
- Profitability Fundamentals•10 minutes
- Cash Flow Basics•11 minutes
2 assignments•Total 45 minutes
- Spotting Transactions That Harm Financial Results•15 minutes
- Module 2 Knowledge Check•30 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 videos•Total 33 minutes
- Forecasting and Financing: Overview•3 minutes
- Forecast Scenarios and Model Setup•5 minutes
- Forecast Assumptions and Adjustments•7 minutes
- Forecast Example: Painting Business•4 minutes
- Startup Funding Sources•3 minutes
- Financing Basics: Banks, Loans, and Credit Lines•11 minutes
3 readings•Total 56 minutes
- Forecasting vs. Financial Modeling: Key Differences•8 minutes
- Why Forecasting Matters•33 minutes
- Getting a Business Loan: What Lenders Expect•15 minutes
2 assignments•Total 50 minutes
- Funding a Business and Working with Lenders•20 minutes
- Module 3 Knowledge Check•30 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 videos•Total 49 minutes
- Growth Control: What Matters•3 minutes
- Cash Flow Statement: Read and Verify•4 minutes
- Cash Timing: Reserves and Credit Lines•3 minutes
- Scaling Operations: People and Process•8 minutes
- Expense Control: Payroll and Top Costs•7 minutes
- Profitability Ratios: Gross Profit Trends•8 minutes
- Receivables: Turnover and Collections•8 minutes
- Inventory: Turnover and Cash Traps•2 minutes
- Liquidity Check: Current and Quick Ratios•6 minutes
- Wrap-Up: Key Takeaways•1 minute
3 readings•Total 45 minutes
- Ratio Analysis: Why It’s a Core Growth-Control Tool•25 minutes
- Profitability Ratios: Measuring Whether Growth Is Paying Off•10 minutes
- Small Business Financial Management: Practical Habits and Controls•10 minutes
2 assignments•Total 110 minutes
- Cash Flow Sustainability and Expense Control with Ratios•20 minutes
- Final Assignment: Financial Controls for Sustainable Growth•90 minutes
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Reviewed on Oct 9, 2023
great course for understanding basics of book keeping and accounting.
Reviewed on Apr 3, 2025
With no real prior business knowledge this course was great in giving me a foundation and more of understanding.
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.
More questions
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