Finance for Non-Financial Professionals Course Syllabus

Overview (80-120 words) describing structure and time commitment. This course provides non-financial professionals with a solid foundation in key financial concepts and tools used in business decision-making. Through a blend of theory and practical application, learners will gain confidence in interpreting financial statements, applying analysis techniques, and making informed financial decisions. The course is structured into six comprehensive modules, designed for flexible learning with a total time commitment of approximately 9 hours, making it ideal for working professionals. Each module builds essential financial literacy skills, culminating in a final project that reinforces real-world application. Lifetime access allows learners to progress at their own pace and revisit content as needed.

Module 1: Introduction

Estimated time: 0.3 hours

• Course objectives and structure
• Key learning outcomes
• Introduction to financial literacy for non-financial roles

Module 2: Financial Statement Basics

Estimated time: 2 hours

• Introduction to balance sheets
• Understanding income statements
• Overview of cash flow statements
• Relationships between financial statements

Module 3: Financial Statement Analysis

Estimated time: 3 hours

• Techniques for common sizing financial statements
• Interpreting financial data across periods
• Identifying trends and anomalies
• Practical exercises in document analysis

Module 4: Ratio and Valuation Analysis

Estimated time: 2 hours

• Understanding financial ratio categories
• Applying liquidity, solvency, and profitability ratios
• Exploring valuation ratios
• Asset management efficiency metrics

Module 5: Financial Decision-Making Tools

Estimated time: 3 hours

• Time value of money concepts
• Present and future value calculations
• Annuities and perpetuities
• Investment decision techniques: NPV and IRR
• Cost of capital and risk management fundamentals

Module 6: Final Project

Estimated time: 1 hour

• Analyze a company's financial statements
• Perform ratio and trend analysis
• Submit a summary report with strategic recommendations

Prerequisites

• Familiarity with basic business concepts
• Understanding of organizational roles and operations
• No formal finance background required

What You'll Be Able to Do After

• Understand and use key financial terminology in professional settings
• Read and interpret balance sheets, income statements, and cash flow statements
• Apply ratio analysis to assess a company's financial health
• Make informed financial decisions using time value of money and investment evaluation techniques
• Contribute more effectively to strategic planning and budgeting discussions