Do I need to take the courses in a specific order?

It is recommended that the courses in the Specialization be taken in the order outlined. Some courses do list other courses as prerequisites. In the Capstone Project, you will have the opportunity to synthesize your learning in all six courses and apply your combined skills in a final project.

Can I take the course for free?

When you enroll in the course, you get access to all of the courses in the Specialization, and you earn a certificate when you complete the work. If you only want to read and view the course content, you can audit the course for free. If you cannot afford the fee, you can apply for financial aid.

Is this course really 100% online? Do I need to attend any classes in person?

This course is completely online, so there’s no need to show up to a classroom in person. You can access your lectures, readings and assignments anytime and anywhere via the web or your mobile device.

Where can I learn more and ask questions about earning credit or a degree from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign?

Please find more information at https://giesbusiness.illinois.edu/graduate-hub/online or email your questions to giesonline@illinois.edu

Can I just enroll in a single course?

Yes! To get started, click the course card that interests you and enroll. You can enroll and complete the course to earn a shareable certificate. When you subscribe to a course that is part of a Specialization, you’re automatically subscribed to the full Specialization. Visit your learner dashboard to track your progress.

Is financial aid available?

Yes. In select learning programs, you can apply for financial aid or a scholarship if you can’t afford the enrollment fee. If fin aid or scholarship is available for your learning program selection, you’ll find a link to apply on the description page.

Financial Management Specialization

Financial Management Specialization

Become a Strategic Financial Manager. Develop an integrated financial management framework.

Instructors: Jeff Flesher

Included with Coursera Plus

Learn more

7 course series

Get in-depth knowledge of a subject

4.7

(4,671 reviews)

Intermediate level

Some related experience required

3 months at 10 hours a week

Flexible schedule

Earn a career credential

Share your expertise with employers

7 course series

Get in-depth knowledge of a subject

4.7

(4,671 reviews)

Intermediate level

Some related experience required

3 months at 10 hours a week

Flexible schedule

Earn a career credential

Share your expertise with employers

What you'll learn

This Specialization covers the fundamentals of strategic financial management, including financial accounting, investments, and corporate finance. You will learn to evaluate major strategic corporate and investment decisions and to understand capital markets and institutions from a financial perspective, and you will develop an integrated framework for value-based financial management and individual financial decision-making.

The Financial Management Specialization is part of the University of Illinois iMBA Program. Each course in this Specialization also fulfills a portion of the requirements for a University of Illinois course that can earn you college credit. When you complete the Financial Management Specialization, you will: · Have a solid foundation in developing an integrated framework for strategic financial decision-making. · Have a thorough understanding of financial statements and the financial information they provide, and be able to critically evaluate and analyze cash flows statements. · Understand the management and evaluation of portfolios and firm valuation techniques. · Understand how to incorporate risk and uncertainty into investment decisions and understand how companies make financing and investment decisions.

What’s included

Shareable certificate

Add to your LinkedIn profile

Taught in English

93 practice exercises

Advance your subject-matter expertise

Learn in-demand skills from university and industry experts
Master a subject or tool with hands-on projects
Develop a deep understanding of key concepts
Earn a career certificate from University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Specialization - 7 course series

Financial Accounting: Foundations

Course 112 hours4.7 (4,594 ratings)View course

What you'll learn

Accounting information and how it is used by different capital market participants
Record financial information and produce the main financial statements
Fundamental accounting concepts and revenue recognition criteria in preparing financial statements,
Conduct the accounting for short-term assets, with a particular focus on accounts receivables and inventories.

Skills you'll gain

Balance Sheet, Financial Accounting, Income Statement, Accrual Accounting, Accounts Receivable, Revenue Recognition, Cash Flows, Financial Statements, Inventory Accounting, Accounting, Accounting Records, Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), and Financial Reporting

Financial Accounting: Advanced Topics

Course 211 hours4.7 (1,755 ratings)View course

What you'll learn

To account for fixed assets
Understand accounting for liabilities
Evaluate shareholders’ equity section of a balance sheet, and
Understand preparation and information provided by cash flows statement.

Skills you'll gain

Financial Accounting, Accounting, Financial Statements, Cash Flows, Depreciation, Equities, Financial Reporting, Financial Analysis, Fixed Asset, and Balance Sheet

Investments I: Fundamentals of Performance Evaluation

Course 326 hours4.7 (923 ratings)View course

What you'll learn

Explain the tradeoffs between risk and return.
Form a portfolio of securities and calculate the expected return and standard deviation of that portfolio.
Describe what is meant by market efficiency and what it implies for patterns in stock returns and for the asset-management industry.
Conduct specific examples of a market multiples valuation.

Skills you'll gain

Portfolio Management, Regression Analysis, Financial Modeling, Investments, Financial Analysis, Business Valuation, Cash Flows, Risk Analysis, Asset Management, Microsoft Excel, Return On Investment, Finance, Estimation, Equities, and Performance Analysis

Investments II: Lessons and Applications for Investors

Course 419 hours4.8 (879 ratings)View course

What you'll learn

Interpret and use the CAPM and the 3-Factor Model to evaluate the performance of investments.
Compare returns in the form of dividends and capital gains and their tax consequences.
Describe evidence regarding the performance of individuals’ stock investments and the performance of actively-managed mutual funds.
Evaluate strategies designed to “earn alpha”.

Skills you'll gain

Portfolio Management, Behavioral Economics, Decision Making, Investments, Performance Analysis, Finance, Tax Management, Income Tax, Asset Management, Return On Investment, Benchmarking, Investment Management, Financial Trading, Financial Market, and Equities

Corporate Finance I: Measuring and Promoting Value Creation

Course 524 hours4.7 (1,160 ratings)View course

What you'll learn

Forecast and manage a company's short- and long-term liquidity needs
Measure the contribution of a new project or acquisition to shareholder value
Incorporate risk into investment decisions using the appropriate discount rates
Evaluate the performance of a company or divisions of a company

Skills you'll gain

Corporate Finance, Capital Budgeting, Cash Flow Forecasting, Risk Analysis, Financial Forecasting, Mergers & Acquisitions, Financial Analysis, Working Capital, Return On Investment, Financial Management, Finance, Financial Statement Analysis, Cash Management, Financial Accounting, Business Valuation, and Performance Measurement

Corporate Finance II: Financing Investments and Managing Risk

Course 620 hours4.8 (878 ratings)View course

What you'll learn

Evaluate the benefits and costs of different types of debt such as bonds and bank debt.
Manage risks that cannot be hedged with derivatives using liquidity and other tools.
Use the NPV concept to identify situations of unfairness and injustice.
Identify potential conflicts between equity holders and debtholders in firms that are close to bankruptcy.

Skills you'll gain

Corporate Finance, Risk Management, Derivatives, Financial Analysis, Capital Budgeting, Business Ethics, Credit Risk, International Finance, Mergers & Acquisitions, Financial Management, Investment Banking, Loans, Equities, and Governance

Financial Management Capstone

Course 78 hours4.6 (138 ratings)View course

What you'll learn

Demonstrate knowledge of concepts, theories, and approaches learned in the Financial Management Specialization courses.
Apply course-related tools, techniques, and approaches to realistic situations in support of analysis, planning, and decision making.

Skills you'll gain

Investment Management, Financial Data, Financial Analysis, Risk Management, Case Studies, Data Storytelling, Business Valuation, Financial Management, Cash Flows, Peer Review, Corporate Strategy, Financial Forecasting, Financial Statement Analysis, Risk Analysis, Financial Modeling, and Mergers & Acquisitions

Earn a career certificate

Add this credential to your LinkedIn profile, resume, or CV. Share it on social media and in your performance review.

Build toward a degree

This Specialization is part of the following degree program(s) offered by University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. If you are admitted and enroll, your completed coursework may count toward your degree learning and your progress can transfer with you.¹