Finance 101

Monday - Wednesday,
1:00 - 6:00 pm

Thursday - Friday,
9:00 am - 5:00 pm

The finance function plays a crucial role in ensuring the continuing viability of a firm particularly during periods of uncertainty. This basic course examines through a “user-friendly”, yet comprehensive way, the finance function in the corporate setting, its scope of responsibilities and authorities, and its linkages with other segments of the organization. Emphasis is placed on the discipline as a function of management, on the routine problems encountered by the financial manager and his/her methods of solution, and the rationale for his/her decisions.

The course doubles as “Introductory Module” for the Center's rigorous Diploma in Corporate Finance program. It is an excellent venue, too, to understand and appreciate the discipline's raison d'être and its multidisciplinary reach.

Successful completion of the course enables the participant to:
1.    Appreciate and understand the objectives, role and importance of finance in business;
2.    Learn and understand the various techniques in analyzing financial statements;
3.    Learn the concepts, related calculations and practical applications of the mathematics of finance and investments;  
4.    Utilize basic financial planning and forecasting tools for business decisions;
5.    Identify, define, analyze and manage the various types of risks the finance manager faces in the routine course of business;
6.    Efficiently manage a firm's working capital accounts;
7.    Evaluate long-term investments/projects using the most effective evaluation methodologies;
8.    Identify, describe and evaluate the various short-, medium- and long-term financing sources available to a firm; and
9.    Calculate and understand the importance of a firm's weighted average cost of capital.

This course is recommended for individuals involved in the finance/treasury function across industry lines, stock, investment and financial analysts of stock brokerage firms, and business entrepreneurs who would like to put a better handle on their firms' financial affairs.

The course, which employs lectures, interactive discussions, case studies and practical exercises, covers the following areas:

    I.    The finance function in the corporate setting:an overview and introduction
    II.   Basic techniques of financial analysis
    III.  Mathematics of finance, investments and interest rates
    IV.   Basic financial planning and forecasting
    V.    Working capital management
    VI.   Capital budgeting: concepts, mechanics, evaluation methodologies
    VII.  Capital structure and Weighted Average Cost of Capital (WACC) estimation
    VIII. Short-, medium-, and long-term financing sources
    IX.   Special topics* [optional, as schedule allows]
           A. Business combinations
           B. Company valuation
           C. Business restructuring and reorganization
  
    *Topics will be covered extensively in the Advanced Module of Diploma Program in Corporate Finance

is the Director for Credit Programs at the Ateneo-BAP Institute of Banking, the Program Director for Finance at the Ateneo Center for Continuing Education, and a professor of Finance at the Ateneo Graduate School of Business.