Finance (FIN)

Students will learn to communicate comfortably regarding financial data, cash management, planning, budgets, profitability, solvency, and liquidity. Accounting topics covered include accounting and the business environment, recording business transactions, the adjusting process, completing the accounting cycle, internal control and cash, receivables, investments, current liabilities and payroll, long-term liabilities, stockholders’ equity, the statement of cash flows. Finance topics covered include financial statement analysis; cost management systems such as activity-based, just-in-time, and quality management; cost-volume-profit analysis, variable costing; and master budgets.

This course provides an introduction to finance that examines the role of the financial decision maker at the corporate level. Four basic questions are examined: the goal of the firm, investment decisions of the firm, financing decisions of the firm and dividend decisions of the firm. The technique of discounted cash-flow analysis is developed and emphasized as it relates to corporate financial decisions.

An in-depth study of financial analysis and planning, asset management and capital structures. Financial decision making is studied by means of finance cases. Computerized financial analyses are part of the course.

This course explores interrelations between the economic theory of growth/development and financial applications in emerging countries. Case studies are used to analyze financial issues faced by corporations operating in a global environment. Main topics covered include balance of payments, exchange rate determinants, international financial markets, managing exchange rate risk exposure using derivatives, and foreign direct investment.

This course explores the process of comparative security valuation analysis. The emphasis is on risk-return trade-off, principles of portfolio management and the process of security analysis.

This course explores depository and non-depository financial intermediaries, flow of funds into the money and capital markets.

This course is an intensive independent study of a chosen subject. The student is expected to read a substantial number of major works in the field, may be required to do primary research and must prepare a critical documented paper. Permission required. See the statement on Independent Study under 'Academic Policies.

In a seminar setting, drawing on the knowledge of the fundamentals and advanced concepts studied in finance classes, skills will be developed to become a better decision maker by learning how to integrate the various topics of finance. Through problem-oriented exercises, an appreciation of the importance and know-how of anticipating, recognizing and adapting to external forces in the decision-making process and organization will be developed. Finance as a functional area is dynamic, and emphasis will be placed on incorporating the most recent academic and practitioner literature, which is of theoretical and practical importance in the decision-making process. This challenging course is built around readings, finance cases, research papers and problem sets; and includes group and individual assignments and written and oral presentations.

This course will cover several areas of developing and applying financial modelling.