3 semester credits

Today's effective finance professionals use a variety of financial management tools as they seek to evaluate alternatives and make sound financial recommendations. Students will gain practical experience of a financial professional's role by using financial modeling tools such as breakeven and cost-volume-profit analysis for model pricing and cost sensitivity; forecasting and cost prediction; variance cost analysis; relevant cost analysis; project valuation; and prioritization using payback, rates of return, and discounted cash flow methods. Students' increased diagnostic critical-thinking skills will help them to construct effective, ethical, fact-based arguments, which are among the fundamental capabilities required for financial decision-making. Using relevant management articles, case studies, and topic analyses, students also examine how to align business needs with fact-based solutions, how to identify new opportunities, and how to manage and enhance an organization's competitive position.