Babson: Financial Analysis for Decision Making Course Syllabus
Full curriculum breakdown — modules, lessons, estimated time, and outcomes.
Overview: This course provides a comprehensive introduction to financial analysis for real-world business decision-making. Designed for non-finance professionals and aspiring entrepreneurs, it covers core financial concepts through practical applications, case studies, and hands-on exercises. The curriculum spans six modules, totaling approximately 15–20 hours of learning, including quizzes, peer-reviewed assignments, and interactive labs. Participants will gain skills in financial statement analysis, investment valuation, portfolio management, risk assessment, corporate finance decisions, and market analysis, culminating in a final project that integrates key concepts.
Module 1: Financial Statement Analysis
Estimated time: 3 hours
- Introduction to key concepts in financial statement analysis
- Review of tools and frameworks commonly used in practice
- Case study analysis with real-world examples
- Assessment: Quiz and peer-reviewed assignment
Module 2: Investment Valuation Methods
Estimated time: 3 hours
- Review of tools and frameworks commonly used in practice
- Interactive lab: Building practical solutions
- Guided project work with instructor feedback
- Assessment: Quiz and peer-reviewed assignment
Module 3: Portfolio Management
Estimated time: 4 hours
- Hands-on exercises applying portfolio management techniques
- Interactive lab: Building practical solutions
- Discussion of portfolio theory and asset allocation
- Assessment: Quiz and peer-reviewed assignment
Module 4: Risk Assessment & Management
Estimated time: 4 hours
- Introduction to key concepts in risk assessment & management
- Discussion of best practices and industry standards
- Interactive lab: Building practical solutions
- Application of quantitative methods for risk management
Module 5: Corporate Finance Decisions
Estimated time: 2 hours
- Interactive lab: Building practical solutions
- Guided project work with instructor feedback
- Assessment: Quiz and peer-reviewed assignment
Module 6: Market Analysis & Trading
Estimated time: 2 hours
- Hands-on exercises applying market analysis & trading techniques
- Guided project work with instructor feedback
- Assessment: Quiz and peer-reviewed assignment
Prerequisites
- Familiarity with basic business concepts
- Basic proficiency in spreadsheet software
- No prior finance experience required
What You'll Be Able to Do After
- Analyze financial statements and assess company performance
- Apply investment valuation methods to real-world scenarios
- Evaluate portfolio strategies and asset allocation decisions
- Identify and manage financial risks using quantitative tools
- Support strategic business decisions with financial data analysis