Study Guide

Objective

After completing the course, the student is able to:

- analyse and use financial information for decision making and leadership

- understand the key-elements of the financial markets including various forms of financing alternatives

Content

- company’s financial performance and value

- relationship between risk and return

- strategic understanding of key financial decisions

- analyzing various financing alternatives

- financial consequences of strategic decisions

Materials

Brealey & Myers. Principles of Corporate Finance. There have during the years been published many editions. Among others in Åbo Akademi library there is a number of books. Also available in other libraries. This is the main course literature. The materials can also be found, at least to some extent I believe, in YouTube and other places in the net. This is ”a classic book” and the course main literature. However so that same things are to be found in other sources as well, but probably less compressed.

Horngren et al. Financial & managerial accounting. There are now currently books in the Novia Library but, eg see Åbo Akademi Library. There is (at least in 2021) also in YouTube all PPTs from Horngren. Check other libraries. Also a book in wide spread use.

Tennent, John. Guide to Financial Management. Should be Available electronically through Åbo Akademi Library.

There are out there lots of other good sources also.

Teaching methods

After completing the course, the student is able to:
- analyse and use financial information for decision making and leadership
- understand the key-elements of the financial markets including various forms of financing alternatives

Teaching methods for achieving this are:
Introductions, Themes, Discussions in teams, Assignments gone through during the sessions, Home work, Literature studies, and finally the Home exams; two assignments - one individual and one team assignment.

Exam schedules

To be announced and discussed at the course kick-off.

International connections

The course is carried out in an international atmosphere. Students having different work and education backgrounds which provide extra good interchange of best practises and work experience. There should be good possibilities for networking.

Student workload

5 ECTS = 5 x 27= 135 working hours divided in about 15 contact hours, 50 hours literature studies and 70 hours working with mainly the two assignments.

Further information

The Exams:
Will be communicated and potentially updated when the Assignments are handed out:
• Part 1: Individual Assignment. Preliminary 50% of the course and full score. Key-Learning Note (KLN) , that is a reflection paper. Deadline: To be communicated. Weights between individual and group assignment to be discussed and confirmed.

• Part 2: Group Assignment 50% preliminary. Case in Finance to be handed out later on. This is a Group-work of minimum three students to be presented orally and discussed. Separate Instructions to be handed out during lectures. Deadline: To be communicated.

Evaluation scale

H-5

Assessment criteria, fail (0)

A Report / Reports not handed in at all, or are at an unacceptable level of quality (including potentially missed DLs) of the reports and/or presentations. None or close to none activity during classes.

Assessment criteria, satisfactory (1-2)

Group report handed in and presented, and the KLN handed in. Both at an approvable level of quality. Student's activity at an accetable level.

Assessment criteria, good (3-4)

Good work input overall: Group report handed in and presented. KLN handed in. Both of high quality. Good activity in the class, eg at the discussions and presentations.

Assessment criteria, excellent (5)

Exceptional quality overall: The written Reports, presentations, student's activity.

Qualifications

No prerequisites.