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Fundamentals of Finance

X412.5 (2 semester units in Business Administration)

This course provides a broad, practical introduction to financial management for students without any previous knowledge of finance or accounting. The course is required for students seeking the UC Berkeley Extension Certificate in Business Administration and is recommended for anyone interested in the practical application of financial tools and techniques to business decisions.

The course begins with an overview of the three principal financial statements--balance sheet, income statement, and cash flow statement--and the use of financial ratios to assess a firm's financial health. Additional topics include financial planning and forecasting; the choice of debt or equity to finance business operations; and the evaluation of investment opportunities using tools such as discounted cash flow, net present value, and risk analysis. The course also examines financial instruments, including stocks and bonds, and techniques of business valuation.

Prerequisite: The course assumes no prior knowledge of finance or accounting. Although the course emphasizes conceptual understanding over detailed numerical analysis, basic math, such as solving an equation with one unknown, is used.

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and to enroll.

Mon. June 2, San Francisco