Online Class: Accounting Level 3 — Financial Planning

Name: Accounting Level 3: Financial Planning
Price: 95.00 USD

The crux of financial analysis lies with its purpose. It may be the company's focus on short-term liquidity or its long-term planning

$95.00
no certificate

- OR -

$120.00
with CEU Certificate*

Start Right Now!

$120.00 (with CEU Certificate)

Taking multiple courses? Save with our platinum program.

12

Lessons
12

Exams &
Assignments
714

Students
have taken this course
7

Hours
average time
0.7

CEUs

Course Description

The crux of financial analysis lies with its purpose. It may be the company's focus on short-term liquidity or its long-term planning. Financial statements provide a picture of the company's financial condition. Forecasting involves analyzing these statements to project calculated scenarios and probabilities.

Definitively, financial planning and control (aka financial management) analyzes the firm's financial mission and goals, to achieve various milestones and planned goals.

The field of finance is intertwined with economics, accounting, and the human element responsible for accurate analysis, forecasting, and practical quantitative applications.

· Economics provides structural data for decision-making;

· Accounting provides financial / cash flow data;

· The financial manager collects, interprets, processes, and allocates the firm's resources.

This course addresses principles and the process of strategic financial planning for any organization, large or small. You will learn that financial planning must include not only financial management methods (basic accounting) but also strategy(ies) necessary to decide how to accomplish corporate financial goals. We will provide useful information regarding the interpretation and application of:

· qualitative (economic activity) information, data, and statistics,

· quantitative data, analysis, and formulas (accounting), and

· forecasting methods to meet short-term and long-term corporate goals.

Financial planning is managing your finances over time in such a way that you can meet your business needs. Strategic planning is the process of determining the direction your company will take, the goals you have for the business and how to achieve what you want. Both types of planning involve defining objectives, gathering and analyzing data, implementing the plan and monitoring the results.

The goal of this course is to provide comprehensive information on financial analysis in areas of planning and control suited to anyone on any level desiring this information for either professional or personal use.

Objectively this course qualitatively and quantitatively defines, reviews, and illustrates the principles of corporate finance, including: profit/loss, asset and cash management, operational budgets, cost analysis, profitability, leverage, and decision and risk. Various industry approaches, cases, means and methods will be presented. The 12 Lessons will generally be organized into major areas of:

· Principles of Corporate Planning and Control

· Financial Statements and Reports

· Ratio Analysis

· Cost of Capital

· Cash Management and Cash Analysis

· Operations Budgeting

· Working Capital Management

· Capital Budgeting

· Financial Decisions and Risk.

Courses Frequently Bought Together:

Conscious Living: Mastering Mindfulness

Time Travel Mysteries and Paradoxes

Developing Critical Thinking for Office Success

Completely Online
Self-Paced
6 Months to Complete
24/7 Availability
Start Anytime
PC & Mac Compatible
Android & iOS Friendly
Accredited CEUs

Universal Class is an IACET Accredited Provider

Course Lessons

Lesson 1. Mastering Corporate Financial Strategy for Long-term Success

While profit maximization is a fundamental aim, relying solely on this metric can expose companies to risks and diminish long-term value creation. Emphasizing the time value of money, risk relationships, and inflation’s impact, this lesson highlights the need for a balanced approach in financial decision-making. 20 Total Points

Lesson discussions: Reasons for Taking this Course
Assessment: Lesson 1 Review Exam

Lesson 2. Demystifying Financial Statements: The Key to Understanding a Company's Health

Financial statements are essential tools identifying a company's financial status and guiding strategic decisions for investors, management, and creditors. They include the Income Statement, Balance Sheet, and Statement of Cash Flows, each highlighting profitability, financial position, and liquidity, respectively. 20 Total Points

Assessment: Lesson 2 Review Exam

Lesson 3. Decoding Financial Statements through Ratio Analysis

Trend analysis extends ratio examination by identifying patterns over time, enhancing decision-making and minimizing single-year data distortions. Contextual interpretation of trends helps businesses understand underlying financial realities, as exemplified by companies balancing profitability with asset efficiency amidst competitive pressures. 20 Total Points

Assessment: Lesson 3 Review Exam

Lesson 4. Capital Cost Unveiled: A Strategic Insight

The lesson unravels the intricate dynamics of the cost of capital, a crucial metric guiding firms in their strategic investment decisions. It emphasizes understanding debt and equity costs, calculating returns, and applying the Modigliani-Miller Theorem to discern a firm's value. 20 Total Points

Assessment: Lesson 4 Review Exam

Lesson 5. Optimizing Business Liquidity and Profitability

Mastering cash management allows businesses to strategically navigate financial challenges and capitalize on opportunities. Through cash operations, budgeting, and modern market securities, this lesson builds a foundation for sustainable profitability. 20 Total Points

Assessment: Lesson 5 Review Exam

Lesson 6. Cost Analysis Essentials

The art of discounting transforms static future valuations into actionable present-day figures, anchoring investment choices amidst dynamic conditions. By leveraging discount rates, investors navigate radical market shifts with clarity and foresight. 20 Total Points

Assessment: Lesson 6 Review Exam

Lesson 7. Navigating the Intricacies of Operational Budgets for Business Growth

The operating budget serves as a vital tool for estimating income and expenses to support daily business activities, crucial for staying aligned with broader organizational goals. Through detailed examination, this lesson empowers learners to craft nuanced budgets, fostering informed decision-making and resource management. 10 Total Points

Assessment: Lesson 7 Review Exam

Lesson 8. Navigating the Financial Landscape: Mastering Leverage and Risk Management

Cost-Volume-Profit (CVP) Analysis aids businesses in assessing the relationship between costs, volume, and profit, guiding strategic decisions. This tool helps identify the break-even point and optimize product pricing and marketing strategies. 20 Total Points

Assessment: Lesson 8 Review Exam

Lesson 9. Working Capital at a Glance: A Quick Guide

The essence of working capital management lies in maintaining liquidity, which allows companies to cover short-term debts and avoid operational disruptions. By optimizing current assets like cash and inventory, firms can bolster financial health and support growth. 20 Total Points

Assessment: Lesson 9 Review Exam

Lesson 10. The Cornerstones of Asset and Debt Management

Understanding asset management is vital in this lesson, as it acts as the cornerstone of revenue generation and operational efficiency. Key financial ratios such as inventory turnover, fixed asset turnover, and cash conversion cycle are explored to demonstrate their critical role in asset optimization. 20 Total Points

Assessment: Lesson 10 Review Exam

Lesson 11. Navigating Complex Financial Decisions Through Capital Budgeting

Effective cash flow analysis and budgeting provide insight into a business's financial health, helping manage liquidity and anticipate cash shortfalls. This proactive approach aligns financial strategy with organizational goals, enabling stable growth and strategic planning. 20 Total Points

Assessment: Lesson 11 Review Exam

Lesson 12. Strategic Financial Decision-Making and Risk Management

This lesson highlights the importance of strategic decision-making in capital budgeting and risk assessment, with techniques such as the Payback Period and NPV providing frameworks for evaluating investment feasibility. Understanding risk enables better preparedness against potential challenges, aligning investments with long-term goals. 10 Total Points

Lesson discussions: End of Course Poll; Course Comments; Course Comments
Assessment: Lesson 12 Review Exam

220

Total Course Points

Learning Outcomes

By successfully completing this course, students will be able to:

Evaluate capital budgeting projects using methods such as Net Present Value (NPV) and Internal Rate of Return (IRR) to determine their alignment with corporate objectives.
Recognize the relationship between corporate financial planning and shareholder value maximization by analyzing specific financial strategies and decision-making processes.
Demonstrate the ability to calculate key financial ratios to evaluate liquidity and profitability from financial statements.
Recognize the components and purpose of the income statement, balance sheet, and cash flow statement in assessing a company's financial health.
Utilize trend analysis to assess financial performance over time, identifying patterns and anomalies in profitability, efficiency, and solvency to guide strategic decision-making.
Identify and interpret key financial ratios, including liquidity, asset utilization, and leverage, to evaluate a company's operational and financial health.
Apply the Capital Asset Pricing Model (CAPM) to determine the expected return on security, illustrating the relationship between risk and return through beta analysis.
Define the cost of capital and distinguish between its components, including debt and equity, demonstrating comprehension by calculating a firm's weighted average cost of capital (WACC).
Define the core components of cash management, including cash, cash budgets, and marketable securities, by the end of the learning event.
Demonstrate the ability to implement effective cash management practices, such as optimizing accounts receivable and employing modern techniques like lockbox systems, as demonstrated through practical exercises.
Apply Benefit-Cost Analysis (BCA) to evaluate project feasibility, using Net Present Value (NPV), Benefit-Cost Ratio (BCR), and other financial metrics for strategic investment decisions.
Define and differentiate between variable and fixed costs to analyze their impact on financial planning and decision-making.
Recognize and differentiate between operating budgets and capital budgets by identifying their unique components and functions within an organizational context.
Demonstrate mastery of lesson content at levels of 70% or higher.

Additional Course Information

Document Your Lifelong Learning Achievements
Earn an Official Certificate Documenting Course Hours and CEUs
Verify Your Certificate with a Unique Serial Number Online

View and Share Your Certificate Online or Download/Print as PDF
Display Your Certificate on Your Resume and Promote Your Achievements Using Social Media

Course Title: Accounting Level 3: Financial Planning

Course Number: 57700110

Languages: English - United States, Canada and other English speaking countries

Availability: This course is accessible online throughout all states, including California, Texas, Florida, New York, Pennsylvania, Illinois, Ohio, and Georgia. It's also available in top English-speaking countries like the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.

Last Updated: June 2024

CEU Value: 0.7 IACET CEUs (Continuing Education Units)

CE Accreditation: Universal Class, Inc. has been accredited as an Authorized Provider by the International Association for Continuing Education and Training (IACET).

Grading Policy: Earn a final grade of 70% or higher to receive an online/downloadable CEU Certification documenting CEUs earned.

Course Type: Self-Paced, Online Classes

Assessment Method: Lesson assignments and review exams

Instructor: Linda Zavadil

Syllabus: View Syllabus

Course Fee: $120.00 U.S. dollars