University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Introduction to Finance: The Basics
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Introduction to Finance: The Basics

Xi Yang

Instructor: Xi Yang

58,818 already enrolled

Included with Coursera Plus

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.
4.7

(393 reviews)

Beginner level
No prior experience required
Flexible schedule
Approx. 18 hours
Learn at your own pace
96%
Most learners liked this course
Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.
4.7

(393 reviews)

Beginner level
No prior experience required
Flexible schedule
Approx. 18 hours
Learn at your own pace
96%
Most learners liked this course

What you'll learn

  • Build a financial knowledge base by understanding essential topics in modern finance.

  • Develop an understanding of the issues managers must consider when making financial decisions.

  • Be ready to conduct analysis using information from financial statements.

  • Understand and apply the time value of money in order to value financial and real asset investments and to make investment decisions.

Details to know

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Assessments

11 quizzes, 14 assignments

Taught in English

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There are 5 modules in this course

What's included

3 videos7 readings1 quiz1 discussion prompt

In this module, you will be introduced to three basic forms to organize a business based on the nature of the business and its financing needs. Examining the goal of financial business helps us to develop a concrete framework to evaluate a corporate manager’s financial decisions. The corporation organization form is widespread because it can solve problems facing big business, but it also incurs the agency cost. You will also learn about some strategies companies are using to mitigate the agency problem.

What's included

10 videos2 readings6 assignments

In this module, you will learn the basics of financial statements. The balance sheet captures the assets, liabilities, and stockholders’ equity of a company. The income statement is used to show profit and loss. You will explore the link between these two financial statements. You will also learn how to derive cash flows from financial statements, and the sources and uses of cash flow.

What's included

8 videos2 readings7 assignments

This module is the application of financial statements. You will be introduced to the concept of standardized statements. You will learn how to conduct ratio analysis to evaluate the financial health of a company. In addition, you will use financial ratios to measure the liquidity of the company, the leverage of the company, the profitability of the company, and the asset management of the company.

What's included

10 videos2 readings5 quizzes1 peer review

In this module, you will be introduced to the basic concepts about the time value of money: the present value, the future value, and the net present value. You will also examine the difference between the quoted interest rate and effective annual rate. Two explicit patterns of cash flow will be studied in detail: annuity and perpetuity. There are widespread applications of time value of money in our daily life and business valuation. Some examples include mortgage plan selection, pension plan choice, and investment decisions.

What's included

7 videos4 readings5 quizzes1 assignment1 peer review

Instructor

Instructor ratings
4.8 (156 ratings)
Xi Yang
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
2 Courses65,844 learners

Offered by

Recommended if you're interested in Finance

Build toward a degree

This course is part of the following degree program(s) offered by University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. If you are admitted and enroll, your completed coursework may count toward your degree learning and your progress can transfer with you.¹

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4.7

393 reviews

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ML
5

Reviewed on Apr 1, 2024

HV
5

Reviewed on Apr 30, 2023

GT
4

Reviewed on Nov 6, 2022

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