Simplifying Accounting & Finance for Better Decision Making

Ever wondered how businesses keep track of their money, assets, and expenses? Or how these numbers relate to stock price? This course unravels the mysteries behind the numbers and provides participants with a big picture view of how companies measure performance. Accounting is taught from the perspective of the user (No debits and credits). This beginner-friendly course is the first step into the dynamic world of accounting and finance. This course is designed to equip early to mid-career professionals who want to improve their ability to read financial statements and make better business decisions.

Participants who fully engage in the course will understand how capital markets work and be equipped with the skills to read financial statements for better decision-making.

Join a Dynamic Learning Community

What sets our "Simplifying Accounting & Finance for Better Decision Making" course apart is the vibrant learning community you'll be a part of. Unlike traditional asynchronous courses, our dynamic Teams chat connects you with over 100+ professionals and MBA students. Engage in lively discussions, ask questions, share insights, and network with like-minded individuals. This collaborative environment enhances your learning experience, providing valuable perspectives and real-world connections that extend beyond the course content. Join us in fostering a community where curiosity thrives, and connections flourish—because learning is not just about the material; it's about the community you build along the way

Course Outline

• Week 1: Introduction to capital markets
• Week 2: Introduction to financial accounting
• Week 3: Accrual accounting
• Week 4: Accounting for inventories and basic financial ratios (optional mid-term exam if interested in MBA credit)
• Week 5: Accounting for long-term assets and liabilities
• Week 6: Accounting for stockholders’ equity and reading financial statements.
• Week 7: Optional final exam (If interested in MBA credit)

Learner Outcomes

1. Key terms and phrases commonly used in accounting and finance.
2. How capital markets work and price accounting information.
3. How business events are measured and reported on financial statements.
4. How to read financial statements to make better business decisions.
5. How to evaluate business performance with basic financial statement analysis.

Who should take the course:

This course is tailored for professionals who are new to accounting and finance. No prerequisite knowledge is required. It is ideal for individuals who want to learn to read and interpret financial information for better decision-making.  

Notes

MBA 601 Optional Waiver:

As an added incentive, students who successfully complete the course and take the optional exams may be eligible to waive the MBA 601 course requirements in the UAB MBA program. This unique opportunity accelerates your academic journey and could allow you to dive deeper into advanced coursework and tailor your MBA experience to your professional goals.

If a professional student is interested in the potential MBA 601 waiver, the following conditions apply. Note: you do not need to be admitted prior to taking the professional course. This can be done before, during, or after the course:

• MBA Admissions Requirements: Students must meet the admission criteria established by the UAB MBA program. This includes fulfilling prerequisites, submitting required application materials, and meeting any applicable academic standards.
• MBA Program Admission: Students must gain admission to the UAB MBA program, either prior to enrolling in the ProEd course, during the course, or subsequent to its completion.
• Notification to MBA Office: Students who intend to seek MBA credit for completing the ProEd course must inform the UAB MBA office of their intent. This notification should occur before, during, or after their participation in the ProEd course.

Please note that the decision to award MBA credit for completing the ProEd course is subject to review and approval by the UAB MBA program administration. This credit transfer process is only valid for UAB's MBA program and does not extend to any other educational institution.

For further details and inquiries about the process of receiving MBA credit for completing the ProEd course, please contact the UAB MBA office.