Finance Essentials This online certificate program introduces non-financial managers to the essentials of finance. The course will help you become conversant in critical financial terminology, and you'll learn how to calculate key financial management indicators.
At a Glance Registration Ongoing enrollment
You will learn how to assess your organization's financial health by reviewing balance sheets, income statements, and statements of cash flow, and you will discover how finance and accounting tools can be used to support informed decision making within organizations. Each 3 to 5 hour, self-paced course offers an assortment of interactive exercises, videos, selected readings, case studies, and self-assessments that engage you and structure your learning about organizational finance. Upon successful completion, you can download a printable certificate of completion for this online course suite. This certificate has no textbooks or prerequisites. Students who complete the Finance Essentials certificate are awarded a total of 19 PDUs (13 Strategic and Management PDUs, .25 Leadership PDUs and 5.75 Technical PDUs). PDUs will be printed on the certificate of completion. The Finance Essentials certificate consists of six courses for a total of 19 hours of online instruction. Students
Curriculum & Course Details have six months to complete all of the coursework. Financial Planning and Control How to Read a Financial Statement Introduction to Business Statistics Introduction to Finance Time Value of Money and Risk Understanding and Managing Budgets
After completing this entire certificate, students should be able to complete each of the following: Financial Planning and Control: Explain cost benefit analysis Calculate return on investment and the payback period Explain fixed and variable costs Calculate break even and understand CVP (cost-volume-profit) analysis Explain tracking and performance measures Explain and calculate Balanced Scorecard measures How to Read a Financial Statement: Identify and describe the documents and financial statements included in an organization's financial report Itemize and interpret the information in the income statement, balance sheet, statement of changes in shareholders' equity, and statement of cash flows Correctly state the impact of specific business activities on cash flow Define financial (ratio) analysis and explain its objectives and limitations Identify the various types and categories of financial ratios Perform calculations using financial ratios Introduction to Business Statistics: Differentiate between descriptive and inferential statistics Distinguish between the 4 different scales of measurement: nominal, ordinal, interval, and ratio Identify the appropriate graphical or tabular method for presenting your data Create frequency distributions Create meaningful presentations and graphs including: frequency polygons, bar graphs, pie charts, line graphs, histograms Calculate probability and explain its practical application
Class Dates Self-paced
Delivery Online
Tuition $525
Contact Information For questions about these courses, please contact Phaedra Kelly at 919684-3379 or email her at
[email protected].
Disclaimer All programs are offered on a non-credit basis and are not transferable to a degree. Pre-requisites of education and/or experience may be required for some programs prior to enrolling. The curriculum for all programs is based upon the legal system, processes and industry application within the United States.
Compute the mode, median, and mean of a dataset Calculate the variance and standard deviation of a dataset Interpret sampling with and without replacement Explain the significance of the area under a curve Introduction to Finance: Identify and differentiate the three most common types of business organizations and the structure of each State the fundamental objectives of a corporation and the differences between wealth and profit maximization Recognize the impact of social and ethical responsibility on business Identify and describe the structure and functions of the finance department within an organization Define the principal-agent relationship and strategies for overcoming conflicts of interest and motivating managers List and define the five key principles that form the foundation of financial management Recognize and define the five key financial markets Identify the sources, rules, and life-cycle stages of corporate financing Describe the function of the stock market and the three trading venues it utilizes Recognize the factors related to interest rate determination and the impact of interest on an organization Time Value of Money and Risk Distinguish between points in time and periods of time as shown by a time line Define compounding and discounting Compute future value or present value for single payment amounts Distinguish between single payments and streams of payments and between uneven streams and annuities Solve for the interest rate or time period for simple present value and future value problems Define risk Describe how risk influences investment decisions Calculate risk and rates of return Describe how diversification can limit risk Explain how diversifiable risk can be lowered using a portfolio approach Understanding and Managing Budgets: Recognize the uses and functions of budgeting Recognize the key activities, considerations, and benefits of strategic organizational planning Recognize the purpose and make-up of a master budget Identify the components and calculations used to create a master budget and recognize uses for this information Identify the components and purpose of an operating budget Recognize how sales, production, and cost of goods sold budgets are created and perform related calculations Recognize the purpose of cash budgets and how they are prepared Identify ways the budget process can be managed for optimal results and recognize the benefits and limitations of the management-by-objective system Each of these self-paced courses offers an assortment of interactive exercises, selected readings, quizzes and self-assessments. It is recommended that students complete the courses in sequential order, but students are able to access all six courses at any time. Upon completion, learners are given a summary of what they've learned for quick reference while at work. Each course has an "Ask the Expert" feature, which submits your questions directly to an expert in the field you are studying. Questions are answered within 3 business days. This certificate requires no textbooks or prerequisites. There are some downloadable materials which students can save during the program to access for further use.
Quizzes and Testing There are quizzes and tests throughout the program. Each course contains exercises and scenarios for
students to answer and self-assess their learning. Students are required to complete all content elements in each course and earn at least a 70% average test score to earn their certificate. As a non-credit program, students earn a complete/incomplete status. Letter grades are not issued, nor recorded by Duke Continuing Studies.
Courses Course
Tuition
Status
Finance Essentials
$525.00
Available
Requirements Eligibility All registrants must meet the following requirements: Be at least 18 years of age Possess word processing and internet skills Be fluent in the English language (including reading and writing) Be familiar with how online programs work and be comfortable using them Be computer literate, have reliable internet access and a valid email account (Please note personal email accounts are preferred as they are less likely to be blocked by fire walls and spam filters) Meet the computer technical requirements specifications Admission is discretionary. The office of Duke Continuing Studies, Professional Certificate Programs, requires students be a least 18 years of age and meet minimum suitability standards. Students are not matriculated Duke University students and university student privileges do not apply to Continuing Studies students. Duke Continuing Studies reserves the exclusive right, at its sole and absolute discretion, to withhold registration or require withdrawal from the program of any student or applicant.
Certificate requirements In order to earn a certificate of completion from Duke Continuing Studies, students are required to complete all content elements in each course to earn their certificate.
Technical requirements Operating System Windows XP SP2 or newer Mac OS 10.4.11 or higher Linux/Unix (any recent version)
Hardware 1 Ghz or faster CPU 512 MB RAM video card sound card and headphones or speakers (some assignments have audio components)
Software Microsoft Office 97 (or newer) or comparable office suite such as Open Office (free download available at openoffice.org) Adobe Flash Player 9 or greater (free download available at adobe.com) Adobe Reader/Acrobat Reader 7.0 or greater (free download available at adobe.com)
Web Browser Microsoft Internet Explorer 7 or greater Firefox 3.6 or greater (free download available) Netscape, Safari, Opera, Chrome, and other web browsers may work, however may not render all features of the course(s) Cookies must be enabled JavaScript must be enabled
Internet Reliable internet connection E-mail account (to be able to register and to receive e-mail from the system regarding registration, course status, etc.)
Schedule & Registration Registration Registration is ongoing; therefore students can begin the program when it is convenient for them! Registration is not available June 24 - June 30 annually due to the close of the fiscal year for the university. Note: our enrollment system is a separate system from that used for your online training, and therefore, access to the online training is not an automated process upon your registration. Please be aware that there may be a time delay of up to 5 business days before you receive the email with your access to the online program. This delay will not affect your allotted completion time for the program. Please check your spam/junk folder because sometimes the access emails end up there. 1. Register for the program using the links provided above. 2. Upon registration and payment in full, students will receive an email from the program manager within five business days. The email will contain details about how to access course content from the program partner, Mindedge. 3. Log-in and begin coursework. Students will have 6 months to complete their coursework from the date they receive their program access.
Registration Methods Register Online using a credit card with our secure, real-time registration system. Add the course to your shopping cart and follow the instructions for checking out. Register by Phone at 919-684-6259 or toll- free at 1-866-edu-duke during our business hours (Monday through Friday, 8:00am to 5:00pm EST).
Frequently Asked Questions Is this program offered online only?
Yes, this program is exclusively offered online and is self-paced. No classroom programs are currently available for the Finance Essentials Program. Who should take this course? This course is designed for adult learners and/ or non-financial managers that are interested in learning about organizational finance. Do I have to log on a certain times on certain days? No, these courses are completely self-paced, allowing students to schedule the courses work as they so desire within the allotted access time. Am I able to take individual courses? No, the Finance Essentials certificate program is available as a certificate only and individual courses cannot be purchased separately. When is registration open? Students may register between July 1 and June 23 each year. Registration is not available from June 24 June 30 annually due to the close of the fiscal year for the university. After registering, when will students receive additional program details? Registered students (who have paid tuition in full) will receive web access information via email from Duke Continuing Studies within five business days from the date of their registration (excluding Duke holidays). Is access to a computer required during this program? This is an exclusively online program and access to a reliable computer is required for the duration of the program. How long do students have access to each online course? Students will have access to all courses within the certificate for six months (180 days) from the date in which they receive program access. How long does each course take to complete? Each individual course is estimated to take between 3 and 6 hours to complete. The entire certificate is estimated to take 35 hours to complete. Completion time will vary by student. Are extensions granted to students who request them? No. Sufficient time to complete coursework has been given, and therefore no extensions will be granted. If a course is not finished and a student wants to re-enroll to complete it, he or she will have to purchase the course/package again and restart the training from the beginning of the course. What are the technical requirements for this program? See the Requirements section above. How do students ask questions? Each course has an "Ask the Expert" feature, which submits your questions directly to an expert in the field you are studying. Questions are answered within 3 business days. What do students do if there are technical issues while completing the course?
Students should contact the Program Manager via email to troubleshoot technical issues. Students will receive a response within 3 business days. How do students earn a certificate of completion from Duke Continuing Studies? Students who complete all assignments with an average minimum score of 70% within the given time frame and pay tuition in full (upon registration) will receive a certificate of completion from Duke Continuing Studies. The certificate is downloadable after the course is completed. Students will be able to download the certificate for up to six months after completing the course. Will these courses count for credits or degrees? No. These courses are not applicable to a degree. Upon completion of one or more courses how do students get verification of their PDU credits? Students download their certificate of completion from the Learning Management System. The certificate will include PDU credits earned. What is the refund policy for these courses? There are no refunds given for online courses.
Tuition & Funding Sources Tuition $525
Duke Employee Discount • $20 off the fee of $525 Duke employee pays fee of $505 • Student must register and pay tuition in full prior to receiving program access • Questions: Contact Program Manager at 919-684-3379 Discount must be requested and applied during the registration process and cannot be applied in addition to any other discount that may be offered. You may be asked to verify your status as a Duke employee.
Group Discount Do you have a group (Duke or non-Duke entity) interested in training? Contact the Program Manager for details
Funding Sources Our Professional Certificate programs are non-credit (not degree applicable); therefore, they are NOT eligible for federal education loans. DO NOT SUBMIT FAFSA FORMS for these programs. Some of our programs may offer payment plans. Please see individual program web pages for those details. No loans (Wells Fargo Graduate loan, Sallie Mae Smart Option Undergraduate loan, etc.) can be construed to imply any degree-seeking status for students of Duke Continuing studies. Duke Continuing Studies courses are non-credit. Duke Continuing Studies (DCS) will not certify (approve) loan amounts greater than the amount of the tuition regardless of the amount approved by the lending agency. DCS reserves the right to reject any loan which exceeds the tuition amount. DCS will not be responsible for refunding monies in excess of the tuition. Students needing to secure loan funding for books or other items in relation to the program are responsible for making
separate loan arrangements with the funding agency. No loan funds will be refunded to the student. Should a student choose to borrow less than the tuition amount, the balance must be paid prior to the close of the registration period.
Loan Options Your local bank may offer other options for loans or a "line of credit" service. Contact your bank for more information on financing choices. Our Professional Certificate programs are non-credit (not degree applicable); therefore, they are NOT eligible for federal education loans. DO NOT SUBMIT FAFSA FORMS for these programs. Some of our programs may offer payment plans. Please see individual program web pages for those details.
Loan Options Due to the tuition cost, this certificate is not eligible for the private student loans through Sallie Mae and Wells Fargo. Your local bank may offer other options for loansor a "line of credit" service. Contact your bank for more information on financing choices.
Other Funding Sources The funding options listed below may not be applicable to all programs at this time. Please contact the organization offering the funding to see if you qualify and if the funds can be used for the program in which you are interested.
Additional Funding Sources The funding options listed below may not be applicable to all programs at this time. Please contact the organization offering the funding to see if you qualify and if the funds can be used for the program in which you are interested.
Duke Hospital Employees Duke University Hospital employees may be eligible for support from the Employee Development Initiative (EDI), which helps employees pay for short-term career-related programs, workshops, and seminars. For more information, visit the Employee Development Initiative site or call Duke Hospital Human Resources at (919) 668-2170.
Workforce Investment Act The WIA provides professional and basic skills training services to those who have been unable to find employment. Please keep in mind that this process can be lengthy, so plan to apply well in advance of the program start date. For more information on eligibility, the application process, or to find your local Workforce Development Board, visit the NC JobLink Career Center website.
AmeriCorps AmeriCorps Education Awards are available only for AmeriCorps volunteers and can be used for educational expenses for non-degree courses, such as Continuing Education courses offered by qualified schools. For more information on qualified schools and programs, contact the National Service Trust at 1-800-942-2677, or visit the FAQ page of the AmeriCorps website.
MyCAA The Military Spouse Career Advancement Accounts (MyCAA) program provides up to $4,000 (over 2 years) of Financial Assistance for military spouses who are pursuing a license, certification, or Associates degree in a portable career field and occupation. For more information, please visit the MyCAA website.
Policies & Procedures Refunds for Online Courses There are no refunds or cancellations for online courses.
Extensions No extensions will be granted. Students who require additional time to complete the course(s) they registered for will be responsible for re-registering and paying for the course in full for a second time.
Tax Deductions Course fees and expenses are sometimes tax deductible. Please consult an accountant concerning this matter. Non-credit programs at Duke Continuing Studies do not generate 1098-T forms, in accordance with the following IRS guideline: Instructions for Forms 1098-E and 1098-T published by the Department of the Treasury, Internal Revenue Service, states “You do not have to file Form 1098-T or furnish a statement for: Courses for which no academic credit is offered, even if the student is otherwise enrolled in a degree program…”