Finance Undergraduate Certificate Outline

Financial management in different kinds of markets; interest rates; cash flow; financial forecasting, planning, and budgeting; the time value of money; stocks and bonds; gauging risk and return in an investment; the cost of capital; dividend policy; managing working capital; liquid assets; international finance.

The fundamentals of double-entry bookkeeping and the debit/credit method of recording transactions. The bookkeeping cycle, from recording transactions to preparing financial statements, is included. Emphasis is placed on service concerns operating as sole proprietorships.

A consumer-oriented overview of the practical application of economic concepts. Emphasizes decision making about budgeting, savings, consumer strategies, insurance, investing, retirement planning, and estate planning.

A study of monetary economics with an international slant. Complete coverage of the financial system, behavior of interest rates, financial institution management, the banking industry and its regulation, central banking and the conduct of monetary policy, international finance, and monetary theory.

A detailed look at the various types of organizations that make up the financial industry and the markets within which these organizations operate. Complete coverage of Federal Reserve monetary policy, bonds and interest rate risk, money markets, mortgage markets, equity markets, derivatives markets, international markets, commercial banking, international banking, thrift institutions, finance companies, insurance companies, pension funds, investment banking, venture capital, investment companies, and hedge funds.

The art of analyzing financial statements and the accompanying notes to identify the current financial health of a business enterprise in addition to identifying trends indicating an improved or weakened financial condition. The four financial statements required by generally accepted accounting principles are thoroughly analyzed and the techniques of detecting financial statement fraud are introduced.

In-depth coverage of investment alternatives, securities markets, risk/return tradeoffs, portfolio theory and selection, asset pricing models, common stock valuation and analysis, economy/market analysis, sector/industry analysis, technical analysis, bond yields and prices, options, futures, portfolio management, and evaluation of investment performance.